The Science of Connection (Senku Ishigami x Reader)

The morning sun filtered through the trees above base camp, dappling the tents and scattered science equipment in warm gold. Birds chirped in the distance. People were working.

It felt too peaceful.

BOOM.

The earth shook. The sound ripped through the trees—deep and hollow, like the world itself had cracked open. Birds shrieked and exploded into the sky, scattering in every direction.

"An explosion?!" Chrome shouted, dropping the test tubes in his hands.

Senku's eyes widened. "The cave!"

Before anyone could ask questions, he was already sprinting, feet pounding against the forest floor.

You took off after him without hesitation, your heart slamming against your ribs.

The path blurred around you—branches whipping past, breath sharp in your throat. Behind you came the sounds of chaos: Kohaku's light but fierce strides, Taiju's thunderous ones, Gen panting curses between gasps, Ukyo shouting orders to get people to safety.

By the time you reached the clearing near the stream, your legs burned, lungs raw from the sprint.

And then you saw it.

Hyoga stood near the cliff's edge, his staff drawn and his posture tense. Mirai stood trembling, paralyzed in fear.

And Senku—he was leaning over the edge of the cliff, trying to pull the bleeding Tsukasa back up.

"NO!" you screamed as Hyoga raised his staff.

The blow landed hard across Senku's back.

He stumbled—and fell.

Over the cliff.

"BIG BROTHER!" Mirai's scream pierced the chaos.

Your stomach dropped with him.

You ran forward, everything moving in slow motion. The roar of the river below filled your ears. You barely registered the splash—Senku swallowed by the furious current.

And then—

Hyoga leapt after him.

No words. No hesitation. Just silence—and then he was gone too.

You dropped to your knees at the edge of the cliff, eyes scanning the churning water below. The current was wild, crashing against jagged rocks as it snaked into the ravine. You searched desperately—

"Senku!" you screamed, voice raw. "TSUKASA!"

Kohaku tore past you like a streak of lightning, ready to dive in after them—but Kokuyo's strong arms caught her just in time.

"Kohaku, wait!" he shouted. "The current's too strong! You'll never find them underwater!"

Tears streamed down Mirai's face as she clung to Yuzuriha, who could only hold her tighter.

For a moment, it felt like the world had stopped.

Then, Ukyo's voice cut through the grief. "Everyone—calm down."

All heads turned.

Ukyo knelt at the cliff's edge, scanning the water, calculating.

"If they survived the fall," he said, "they'll be pulled downstream. Fast. But it's not over yet."

He stood quickly, already moving. "We follow the river. There's a bend about a kilometer down—rocks and roots catch everything. If they're alive, that's where they'll end up."