The Science of Connection (Senku Ishigami x Reader)

Chapter 7 - Reunion

Senku cursed inwardly. His brain was screaming at him to push her away, to maintain distance, to keep things logical. But his body refused to listen.

After a moment, he managed to pull back just slightly, enough to look at her—really look at her—his eyes searching for something. Regret? Pain? Happiness? He wasn't sure. It didn't matter.

"What are you doing here?" he asked, his voice gruff, despite the mess of emotions tangling in his chest.

He found himself caught between his scientific curiosity and the strange, almost painful urge to reach out—to touch the cracks on her skin, to see if she felt the same way he did about them. But he stopped himself, realizing how vulnerable that would make him. He didn't need anyone to be close, especially not someone from his past—someone who'd already been ripped away from him once.

But she was here.

~~~(Y/N) POV ~~~

You weren't expecting a reunion to feel this... overwhelming. Standing in front of Senku again was like stepping into a dream you weren't ready to wake from. You couldn't help it—despite everything, your feet had carried you forward, and before you knew it, your arms were wrapped around him.

And the strangest part? He didn't push you away.

Senku, the man who seemed to flinch if someone so much as brushed against him, was standing still, letting you cling to him like you were tethering yourself to reality. The warmth of his body, the familiarity of his presence—it was grounding, and for a moment, the rest of the world seemed to fall away.

But not for long.

A sharp voice cut through the quiet moment, shattering it like glass. "Wait, wait, wait. Who is this?"

You blinked, pulling back just enough to glance around. Your gaze landed on a young woman with striking golden hair and sharp eyes narrowed in confusion. She was standing a few paces away, arms crossed, her posture tense.

"Yeah, Senku, what's going on?" another voice chimed in, this one high-pitched and curious. You looked down to see a small figure wearing a... melon helmet? She tilted her head, the slits in her strange headgear making her look like a curious child peeking out from her hiding place.

"Since when does Senku let people touch him?" The question came from a broad-shouldered man with a weathered face and a twinkle of curiosity in his eyes. He had the air of someone who'd seen his fair share of surprises and still managed to enjoy them.

Your heart sank slightly as you took in the small group gathering around you. They were staring, their expressions a mix of confusion, suspicion, and curiosity. You suddenly felt like you were on display, and the weight of their gazes made you shift uncomfortably.

The tall blonde—Kohaku, if you remembered the name Gen had mentioned earlier—stepped closer, her eyes narrowing as she glanced between you and Senku. "Well? Care to explain?"

Senku sighed, brushing a hand through his wild hair. "You're all making a big deal out of nothing," he said in his usual deadpan tone. "This is—"

"She's an animal scientist," another voice interrupted, smooth and familiar. You turned to see Gen stepping into the circle, a sly grin playing on his lips. "And, might I add, a very talented one. She's been doing quite well in Tsukasa's Empire... until now."

The group's collective reaction was immediate—eyes widening, mouths opening in unison. Kohaku tensed, her grip on the spear she carried tightening. "Tsukasa's Empire?" she repeated, her voice low and wary.

You opened your mouth to defend yourself, but Senku beat you to it. "Relax," he said, waving a dismissive hand. "She's not working for Tsukasa anymore."