Together - A Senku Ishigami Love Story (Dr.Stone)

Chapter 38

Senku's prediction that the warriors for the Kingdom of Might would return during the next storm was right on the nose, and while their decision was likely heavily influenced by Gen whispering in Hyoga's ear as he had been instructed to, Tachi couldn't help but be impressed with the whole thing.

During the attack itself she stayed in her allocated spot, away from the battle front, but between Hyoga and the Ishigami village. 'If we fail, cut the rope.' That was the instruction she had received, but she had believed with everything in her that the Kingdom of Science would be victorious in this battle, though she hadn't expected the great loss that had come with it.

Much of the village had been destroyed by the fire set by Homura, and while there was still a pensive sadness hanging in the air as the villagers picked through the remnants of their lives, Kokuyo's exclamation had been more than enough to keep their spirits from dragging through the ashes of their material possessions 'We can rebuild our huts!' Such a simple phrase he had uttered and yet the enthusiasm behind it had been enough to see the other villagers beam with joy. There were no casualties on their side at all, not a single member of the village had been harmed, and as Tachi brushed through the ashes of the huts with the other villagers, their relief for such an outcome was truly evident. Kokuyo was right, huts they could rebuild, but their friends and family were irreplaceable.

_________________________________________________________________________

"Hey, I've been wondering..."

Chrome spoke up from his place beside her, rolling his lips as he carried a few salvaged items in his arms towards the Kingdom of Science, just a basket of food that had made it out unscathed, Tachi's own arms full of the same. The pair had been going forward and back all morning, picking through the debris for anything Senku may have found to be remotely useful, as well as hauling anything else that the villagers may need to a safer location than amongst the still smouldering cinders. The scientist had picked them out specifically for the task, remarking that Chrome would know something valuable if he saw it and Tachi had the man shoulders to make multiple trips with ease. Jerk. She had been thankful for the comment at the time though, knowing that despite their candied exchange, their dynamic would apparently remain unchanged.

"Why do you think Senku put you all the way back in the village during the attack?"

Chrome cocked his head curiously as he voiced his question, Tachi releasing a soft laugh in response before she shook her head. She had hoped that her absence from the front line wouldn't raise too much suspicion, but she wasn't surprised that Chrome of all people had taken notice. Although she wasn't what she would consider 'battle ready', she was still relatively capable of fighting if she had to. It wouldn't have been too difficult for Kaseki to make another katana for her to weild, and while numbers weren't everything, one more would surely have helped. Anyone could have taken her place stationed at the bridge post, anyone could have made the call to slice the ropes if need be...so why her? Why had Senku placed her so far out of the way?

"I was stationed to cut the rope."

Chrome's bottom lip jutted out sharply and his brow knitted together in displeasure at her statement.

"Anyone could have done that! I know we won and there's little point in thinking about it but...it just seems weird to me. Maybe I'll ask him."

With a heavy sigh Tachi bit down on her bottom lip, stepping over the fell branch in front of them while Chrome did the same. She spared the man beside her a fleeting glance, fairly sure that if Chrome knew everything, he would be coming up with all sorts of far fetched theories of why Senku would keep her out of the way for the event. 'I bet he couldn't bear the thought of something happening to you.' 'He needed to know you were safe.' 'He wouldn't put you in harm's way, he loves you.' All bullshit reasons of course, not one of them viable even if Chrome had been aware of Senku's confession, she knew exactly why Senku had set her to the position he had. They had been banking on them attacking during a storm. Storms meant thunder and lightning, which Senku knew her to be afraid of. She wouldn't have been of much use during the fight if she had defaulted into the fetal position.