Chapter Text
The cherry blossom trees were beautiful that day, the petals softly falling and landing on the ground, making a pink colored, pretty trail. The school bell rang signaling it was the end of the lessons, students were packing their belongings and slowly going home. A girl stood in front of the building waiting for someone, she watched as the petals were falling, the sight of them always made her feel better and more relaxed. She was so deep in thought she did not see her friend running towards her.
-"YUZURIHAAA!!!"- The loud boy was waving his hand as he approached Yuzuriha. The loud scream made her jump a little, but she quickly smiled and turned around to her friend.
-"Ah! Hello Taiju! You scared me a little"- Yuzuriha chuckled softly.
-"AH! I'M SORRY!!"- Taiju quickly apologized bowing his head. Yuzuriha laughed and said It's okay, while shaking her hands and telling Taiju to stand up.
-"So? Shall we go Taiju?"- Yuzuriha asked sweetly looking at Taiju. He nodded eagerly. They both laughed and began walking home while talking about their day and other stuff.
-"HAHA! RIGHT! OH YEAH! Yuzuriha I've been meaning to ask you. Do you know anything about Senku? I haven't seen him in like....forever!!"- Taiju suddenly asked worried about their friend.
-"Oh Taiju haven't you heard? The teachers said he's helping NASA with some project. They said It's really important!"- Yuzuriha explained calmly, but she also was worried about their friend.
-"Hmmm....Well isn't it weird that he didn't tell us? Not even a word? I know he isn't very social, and he wouldn't make a big deal about it. But not saying a word and suddenly disappearing? Senku isn't like that..."- Taiju wondered, getting even more worried.
-"You're right...It's impossible for him to not say a word to us...I better call him to see if he's okay"- Yuzuriha said reaching for her phone. She and Taiju stood on the sidewalk near a wall to not block the path. Yuzuriha dialed Senku's number and put the phone next to her ear. She was muttering 'please pick up, please pick up' over and over again until someone answered. She held her breath for a second and then her eyes widen...The person who answered....it wasn't Senku....
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Xeno was in his lab answering numerous NASA emails. Next to his laptop was Senku's phone. They took it from him so he wouldn't call anyone, just for safety. Suddenly, the phone rang, which took Xeno by surprise. He took it, and saw who was calling...a girl named 'Yuzuriha'..Xeno chuckled to himself, 'his little friends are worried huh?, well, better to clearify it before things get a chance to escalate' Xeno thought to himself before answering the phone.
-"Doctor Xeno Wingfield speaking. What seems to be the issue?"- Xeno said in his official voice to maintain professionalism. He didn't hear anything for a while, and he thought about hanging up but then he heard a girls voice.
-"Oh! H-Hello Mister Wingfield! I'm Yuzuriha Ogawa, Senku's friend!"- The girl answered, her voice high pitched from stress.
-"Ah yes, Yuzuriha...Senku did mention you a couple of times before. As well as your other friend, Taiju I assume?"- Xeno said warmly, remembering how Senku was talking about his friends once in a while. Yuzuriha said yes quicker then she should.
-"Is there a reason you're calling?"- Xeno asked curious about the situation. Are they suspecting something?
-"I was just worried about Senku. He didn't say anything about going to NASA to help, and it isn't like him to just stay quiet about it. Also disappearing so suddenly made me worry even more."- Yuzuriha explained, looking at Taiju who had a serious expression waiting for any news. Xeno closed his eyes for a moment before answering.
-"I am truly sorry for worrying you. You see, it was kind of a special situation where decisions were made quickly. Dr. Senku simply didn't have time to mention this to you or your friend. He is very busy these days you see. It is a big project after all"- Xeno lied with the most convincing voice he could muster. He just hope the girl would drop the topic and hang up.
-"Oh...I see...Um..If It's not a problem...May I speak to Senku for a while?"- That question surprised Xeno. 'Quite stubborn for such a polite little girl...'. Xeno sighed
-"I am very sorry Miss Yuzuriha, but Dr. Senku has gone to sleep a little while ago."- It wasn't a lie. Senku did sleep at that moment...but from a completely different reason than he was about to say.
-"Eh? But It's still so early...OH! That's right! America has a different timezone! It must be dark there already"- Yuzuriha laughed a bit.
Xeno's eyes widen...That's right...they don't know they are still in Japan...they think they are in America...Xeno grinned at that. 'Well that's certainly good news'
-"Yes, it is nighttime already, and I also will be getting ready for sleep, so, unless there is something else you wish to tell me, I suggest we end this call"- Xeno said. He didn't want the girl to get suspicious, so he hoped she will get the message.
-"Oh yes of course I'm sorry. But um...if It's alright Mister Xeno, could you tell Senku to call us later? We will be very greatful."- Yuzuriha asked. Xeno was about to decline, but then an idea popped up in his head.
-"Of course. You have my word."- And with that Xeno hang up, laying the phone on the desk again. He leaned back in his chair, intertwining his fingers, smirking to himself. 'Oh this will be fun'
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After the phone hang up Yuzuriha told Taiju everything.
-"Oh I'm glad Senku is safe! I wonder what is that 'important stuff'"- Taiju wondered smiling and relieved that his friend is okay. Yuzuriha nodded and put her phone inside her school bag.
-"Uhn! Me too! I hope he will call us quickly. I want to hear everything about this project!"- They both laughed and continued to walk to their homes.
They both think Senku is safe...but is he really?
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Xeno stood up from his chair and went to check on Senku. When he reached the door, he gently opened it and went inside. The boy was sleeping peacfully on his uninjured side. Xeno walked further, and saw that the corsswords he gave Senku were filled. Every single one. Xeno smiled to himself and sat on the edge of the bed. He put a hand on Senku's shoulder, and leaned in close to his ear.
-"Senku~ Wake up dear I have something important to tell you~"- Xeno said softly and shook Senku's shoulder lightly. He was waking him up like a parent would wake up their child to school.
Soon Senku grumbled something and stirred, before opening his eyes, and blinking rapidly, confused what was going on. He exhaled and looked over his shoulder to see Xeno, Senku blinked at him, wanting an answer why was he woken up.
-"What."- Senku rasped, and immediately caughed, sitting up and rubbing his eyes to shook the sleepiness away. Xeno smiled a little before brushing a hair strand from Senku's forehead. Senku weakly batted the hand away, before running his hands over his face, still not awake enough.
-"Your little friend called. They were worried about you"- Xeno said calmly now slowly stroking Senku's head. Senku's eyes widen at that. Yuzuriha and Tajiu...called him? Senku was happy that his friends were okay, and he felt stupid for forgetting about them, then he realized something.
-"...You were talking with them...?"- Senku asked slowly, turning to Xeno with a serious glare that slowly started to change into anger. 'If that bastard said something to them..!". Xeno chuckled slightly at Senku's reaction.
-"Yes I did. But don't worry. I didn't tell them anything bad...only...I promised them you will call them"- Xeno smiled quickly, and his smile grew bigger when he saw Senku's expression shifting from suspicion to confusion to anger to fear.
-"You promised WHAT?!"- Senku shouted at Xeno. Then Senku grabbed his head trying to think about something, anything! He needed to think about something convincing enough so they wouldn't worry!
....
Wait....Doesn't Senku want to escape? He can just tell Yuzuriha or Taiju that he got kidnapped and they would help right? They were still in Japan so it wouldn't be that difficult right?....then why doesn't he want them to worry? To not come rescue him? Is he afraid Stanley might hurt them? Or Xeno would held them hostage to force Senku to work with him? Or...did Senku gave up completely trying to escape...? Senku's mind had millions of questions. Xeno saw his hesitation and spoke softly.
-"I suggest you call them quickly. We will be leaving soon."- Xeno's words seemed to shot Senku out of his thoughts.
-"...Leaving where?"- Senku asked feeling dumb again. Xeno looked at Senku, then smiled softly and tillted his head a little.
-"America of course."- Xeno said calmly. Senku stared at him for a while before his eyes shot open again as he leaned to Xeno again.
-"AMERICA?!! ARE YOU INSANE?!"- Senku shouted again. 'Nonononono! This can't be happening. He wants to leave? To America?! There's 10 billion precent there will be no hope for rescue that way!!" Senku's mind raced again. But then he remembered. He slowly looked up to meet Xeno's gaze, and gulped before speaking.
-"...Byakuya is in America..."- Senku said carefully observing Xeno. Xeno nodded
-"Exactly! Perfect time for a visit no?"- Xeno said cheerfully, his grin wide. Then he leaned closer to Senku.
-"I'm sure Byakuya would love to see his beloved son...especially in this state...don't you think...Senku?"- Xeno's words were cruel and they made Senku shiver.
Xeno leaned back and stood up, ruffling Senku's hair.
-"Rest some more, we will be leaving in a week."- And with that Xeno left Senku alone, confused and with only his thoughts and regrets.