Rivalry (Ishigami Senku x Reader)

Chapter 29

Three weeks now passed by. The kingdom of power prepared for war, just like the kingdom of science did.

You on the other hand... couldn't focus. You already have cremated Takino's lifeless body and buried his jar of ashes in the grass field near your basement. It started to become a kind of ritual to visit the grave that you made for him, to just...talk to him. You couldn't properly sleep, since your dreams simply replayed all of your bad experiences. All your losses, every dangerous situation that regarded Hyoga, even back then in school where everyone turned against you. But your body had already grown used to chronically not getting any quality sleep, so it was kind of bearable.

Today was a day just like that. You had found out about his goal to build a plane with an included communication device. He was all alone in his attempt to build that thing, but his work never suffered in quality. He made it very far as a single-handed craftsman and worked far ahead for you. Now it came to you to finish it and you slowly but surely started to doubt yourself. Your crafting skills weren't even close to those of Takino. And your unfocused and troubled mind didn't help you out either. You simply weren't able to calm down anymore. Your mind was forced to continuously keep up your survival mode.

You had already built traps and barriers around your basement a week ago so that you'd feel calmer, strategically planning every teeny tiny bit of chance for someone wanting to attack you. This was the only way for you to feel kind of safe. You were tired of all the fighting and worrying. Your guard has been too fragile for you to feel safe. So you thought you needed a physical guard up to support your psychic guard. It ended up not being enough... but it wasn't too exhausting thanks to all of your experiences. Hunting, ever since Ukyo taught you the techniques of archery, didn't keep you that busy anymore.

You now had quickly caught yourself a goose and lit up a fire next to the grave of Takino. You sat down in front of it and started eating. "...Hey Takino, it's me." You greeted him and gulped down your food. "So, today I started to work on the turbines that you had already started. I honestly am very shocked about how you managed to create metal without my wind-powered air blowing mechanism, but let's leave that be." You finished the wing of the goose and took its leg.

"It will take us at least 3 months to finish the plane. During these three months, we need to strategize how we'll approach Tsukasa's people. Do you have any ideas?" You asked him and waited for an answer, that never came. You were perfectly aware of the fact that you would never get an answer to a question. But you liked to imagine that he could hear you. "Before you try to say anything cringe like "You're so cute while talking to me" or stuff like that, don't. There's a chance that you can hear me... So I don't want to leave you out of this conversation. That's my only reason for asking questions."

Again, no answer. You finished the leg, but clung onto the bone that you held in your hand. "I might have been harsh on you... And yes, I still am harsh. But I at least don't want you to feel lonely. I've been all on my own for a few months, just like you. So I know that you felt lonely here..." You imagined him sitting in front of you and giving you that annoying smile. Your vision started to get blurry at that imagination. "I just know that you'd give me that dumb lovesick smile of yours right now. ...And you aren't even here for me to stop you from smiling like that." You giggled a little and wiped your tears away. "God how I hate that smile..."

You remained silent and forced yourself to finish up the goose that you caught for yourself. You sighed and got up. "It's 10:45 pm right now. I'll try to get a little sleep." You turned to the gravestone. "Uh...would you mind if I stay here? The past weeks never let me have more than 2 hours of sleep." But as always, no answer from him. You smiled and shook your head. "Why am I even asking you, you would never turn down the opportunity to have me close, you creep." You said and grabbed your sleeping bag after you changed into your self-made nightgown. You laid down and hugged yourself for comfort. "Good night...Takino..."