The Science of Connection (Senku Ishigami x Reader)

Chapter 3- Blurred Lines

But you don't give him the satisfaction of commenting on it. Instead, you relish the rare moment of seeing him caught off guard.

~~~

Weeks turned into a month and you found yourself spending more and more time with Senku, working side by side on both your red panda behavioral study and his personal experiment.

Each small test was a subtle experiment: a slight shift in his proximity, a casual touch, or even a question about your reactions to certain situations. You couldn't deny that there was something methodical about it, something cold and calculated. Yet, there was an undeniable warmth in the way he listened to your thoughts, in the way he respected your boundaries. Despite the scientific nature of his experiment, Senku had a unique way of respecting your space—never pushing too far, always watching for signs that you were uncomfortable or unsure.

There were moments where his gaze lingered a little longer than necessary, or where you could feel the weight of his presence even when he didn't say a word. You never felt like a test subject, though—more like a partner. It was a strange feeling, knowing that you were a part of something bigger than just your own project.

But each time you caught yourself feeling something for Senku that went beyond curiosity or respect, you quickly pushed it away. This was an experiment, you reminded yourself. A scientific one.

It was a normal, sunny afternoon on campus, and you were walking between classes, juggling a few books in your arms when your phone buzzed in your pocket. You pulled it out, recognizing Senku's name at the top of the screen.

Senku:
Got a minute to talk? Need to discuss the next phase of the experiment.

You hesitated for a moment, still walking across the campus courtyard. The fact that Senku was reaching out to you during the middle of the day felt a little more serious than his usual messages. You set your books down on a nearby bench, stepping away from the hustle of students, and quickly typed a response.

You:
Sure, what's going on?

A pause. You could almost picture Senku narrowing his eyes as he typed out his reply.

Senku:
We've been doing the basic tests for a while, but now it's time to really dig into this. I've observed enough of your reactions, and I think we're ready to test your emotional response to more sustained physical proximity. You in?

The message was brief, but the idea behind it hit you like a ton of bricks. Your mind raced, processing the words. More sustained proximity? You hadn't expected things to get so serious so quickly, but Senku was nothing if not direct. You couldn't avoid the reality of what he was proposing—being that close to him for a longer period.

You:
Are you sure we need to do this? It feels... kind of intense.

You weren't sure if you were questioning the experiment or just how your own feelings were starting to shift, but you couldn't hold back your nerves.

Senku's reply came quickly, his tone as scientific and blunt as ever.

Senku:
Yes. We've reached a point where physical proximity is the only way to observe the emotional response more accurately. I can't make conclusions based on short, shallow tests.

You leaned back against the bench, your heart skipping a beat. Was this really happening? Could you really go through with it?

You:
I guess I'll trust you. But we take it slow. No sudden moves or anything.

The sudden shift in your feelings didn't go unnoticed, but you couldn't bring yourself to stop now. You had agreed to this experiment and were curious to see where it would lead.

Senku responded with his usual confident flare.

Senku:
Of course. We'll proceed carefully. But I'll need you to keep your mind open for the next phase. It's crucial for the data.

You bit your lip, wondering what that would mean in practice. Still, you couldn't shake the feeling that you were walking a fine line between the experiment and something else entirely.

Suddenly a green light engulfed the campus, and you froze, eyes wide in shock as the air around you seemed to shift, as if the world was coming to a halt. A powerful, unnatural force swept over you, and before you could even process what was happening, your body started to stiffen.

You could feel it—your muscles locking up, your joints refusing to move. Your mind, however, was still active. Shocked at first, you realized with a sickening clarity that while your body was frozen in place, your thoughts were still completely intact.