You helped serve a bunch of villagers who came running to your little ramen shop, at first intrigued, they've been asking for more again and again. It was almost overwhelming.
"It's so chewy and amazing!" that kid Ganen exclaimed as he ate his third bowl.
"Is really IS delicious! The most delicious thing I've ever eaten!" a young woman said after tasting, seeing as the village's gourmet is loving it.
"(Y/n)-chan! Another bowl please!" Suika, doing the service, asked.
"Ah-Another one! How hungry are they?!"

"So you're the one who made this incredibly tasty dish?" that Ruby girl asked, with a hint of flirting, as Senku handed her a bowl. "You're...Senku right? What kind of girl do you like?"
"The kind of girl that brings me materials and help me for iron-making." he immediately responded.
"You're way too straightforward!" Kohaku glared at him. "You seriously don't beat around the bush..."
"He was never one for small talk." you smiled.

"This seriously makes me wish I had something to drink." you heard a voice say. "Like cola."

Your eyes widen and you froze in place. You glanced at where the voice came from to see a man eating by himself, his back turned towards you. What creeped you out was the fact that you don't remember ever serving this guy, let alone see him. You looked at Senku, who seemed to have realize it too.
"Cola...?" he quietly repeated.
"Is that one of your friends?" Kohaku asked the two of you.
As he placed his chopsticks down, you shook your head with an anxious expression.

She kept her composure and walked over to Ginrou and Kinrou, who have been struggling to not eat anything Chrome was trying to offer them.
"Sorry to break up the argument. I'll bring the explanation short and to the point."
"What's wrong?" Kinrou asked.
"An enemy."
Those few words were enough for the two guards to understand. Quickly and swiftly, they surrounded the stranger, pointing their weapons to his neck. He didn't react in the slightest.

"Answer truthfully." Kohaku commanded. "Don't even think about lying or I'll cut your throat open right here right now. Are you one of the long haired man's people?"
A moment of silence passed, you gulped, feeling the tension of the situation. Finally, he spoke.
"Mmmh~ being taken out by a cutie like you might not be so bad... But I think you're mistaking me for someone else." he raised his head, smiling. "I have no idea who this long haired man is. Ever since I broke free of the stone, I've been all on my own."

You let out a little 'oh' once you recognized him.
"You're Asagiri Gen." you pointed at him.
"Ohoho~ a fan perhaps?"
"Not really actually." you frowned.
His smile slightly widen, he must've known you were lying. You were never interested in his books though you did find him entertaining on tv, but you didn't wanna give him such satisfaction in that knowledge.

"An acquaintance of yours?" Kohaku asked.
"Not even in 1mm." Senku folded his arms. "He's a mentalist that writes these garbage psychology books."
"Oh, you've read them? I'm happy to hear that~! But garbage? That's a little harsh." he said, his smile not fading. "Anyway, I apologize for indulging in your ramen all on my own. Now would you please lower your weapons?" his eyebrows furrowed. "I'm so scared I'm shaking. I might end up spilling this ramen you worked so hard on."

He slowly raised his bowl to Ginrou's direction, knowing he'd act on it. He dropped his spear.
"I'll...I'll take it off your hands!"
He took the bowl and went to a corner to eat.
"There I was, out searching for food today..." Gen continued. "When, imaging my surprise! The nostalgic smell of ramen came wafting through the air~!"

As he was talking, you chewed on your bottom lip. You didn't know if it was his creepy entrance, or the fact he's a professional mentalist, either way you did not want to be alone with him. Or near him, or be the focus of his attention. Not like that last one's gonna happen you thought.

Senku chuckled and placed his hands on his hips.
"Well if that's the case, then we'll let him be."
"Wha-you're just gonna believe him?!" you looked at him.
"Oww~ come on now! No need to be mean." Gen wore a hurtful expression.
You looked back at the mentalist, but quickly looked away again as soon as you saw he was staring at you.
"It's fine." Senku said. "Besides, there's no such thing as a free meal. Everyone who ate any ramen will have to work!"
"Work?" he raised an eyebrow.
"You mean like washing dishing?" Ginrou asked, full of hope.

You were pretty sure their scream could be heard through out the whole village. Using Senku and Chrome's newest device made out of bamboo, they were restlessly huffing and puffing into the furnace , which was now smoking like crazy.
"We've upgraded the huff-puff device to power it up!" Chrome exclaimed. "Now our iron making ability has gone up to level two!"
"We could actually manage this if we take turns!" Kohaku smiled.

You and Senku were standing nearby, looking upon the workers. He glanced at you and noticed you were staring at Gen, frowning.
"You don't trust him, huh?"
"Not in the least." you leaned closer to him and whispered. "He's just a mentalist, how the hell did he made those clothes."
"Mmh." he looked back at him. "Good point." and walked over to him.
"What is he...?" you mumbled before stepping a bit closer, close enough to hear, but not enough to be part of the conversation.

"Asagiri Gen. How are Taiju and Yuzuriha doing?"
Gen stopped panting for a moment, which startled you. Then he sighed.
"Ah~ so that's what you were after." he said. "You thought if you worked me hard to the bone, I'd end up slipping up in my desperation. You really got some guts, you really think you can take on a mentalist in that kind of fight?"

Senku frowned slightly.
'So it was your plan!' you thought. 'Obviously it wasn't gonna work on him!'
"But don't worry." he continued. "They're fit as fiddles. Especially that Taiju with his bottomless stamina. As I'm sure you know..." he slowly turned around and sent him a creepy smirk. "Senku-chan~!"
His change of voice and expression sent a shiver down your spine. You sincerely hoped he'll never smile at you like that.

"So he is one of Tsukasa's men! Should I kill him?!" Kohaku rushed over with her blade.
"Wait, idiot." Senku smiled. "Asagiri Gen... I was already ten billion percent sure you were playing coy just to gain information. But why would you suddenly admit that you're with Tsukasa?"
"Because the situation has changed." he casually replied. "After I saw this."
He gestured to the furnace. You wanted him to explain further, but you held your tongue, not wanting to talk to him.

Unfortunately, as time passed, you could see him glancing at you from time to time, sometimes you could even feel his stare on your back.
After you took a turn with the huff-puff device, you sat down in your little corner with some water, simply exhausted. You drank big sips, leaning back.

"Don't drink so quickly~, you'll get sick."
You chocked in your shock and coughed loudly. You looked up and saw Gen standing in front of you.
"Oh my! I'm sorry I startled you! Are you alright?" he asked, 'worried'.
You coughed a few more times before shaking your head.
"I'm good."

He smiled and sat beside you.

'No! What are you doing?! Away with you!' you shouted in your head.
"Your name is (Y/n) right? Pleasure to meet you."
You didn't want to say 'same', but he was clearly waiting for you to say something.
"Cool."

You looked away a took a slow sip of water, frowning. He obviously wasn't trying to make small talk, he must have another reason.

"You're wondering why I'm talking to you right?"
You spun your head around and stared at him with wide eyes. His smile became more mischievous
"Well, I've never heard of you from Tsukasa, yet you know me, and you seem to be close friend with Senku-chan. So he must have de-petrified you after Tsukasa 'killed' him." he leaned closer. "So... I'm wondering myself: who are you?"

You were about to say something in the lines of 'no one of big importance really' and walk away, when he asked a follow up question.
"And why did Senku de-petrified you for?"

Your face went blank for a second. He raised his eyebrows.
"Oh~. You don't know either!"
You opened your mouth, but closed it right after. Feeling...conflicted.
"Or maybe you do..." his eyes narrowed, analyzing every little change in your expression and movements. "you just haven't realized yet."

You looked down, then back at him.
"Are you trying to mess with my mind or something?" you asked, pissed.
He chuckled as he leaned back.
"You seem to do that perfectly yourself!"
You frowned, but more out of confusion this time.
"Huh?"

He stood up.
"I'll leave you alone now." he smiled. "It was nice talking to you (Y/n)-chan~ but I have to go back to work now."
He cheerfully waved and walked back to the furnace. Leaving you alone with yet another question that'll cloud over your brain. As you watched him, you realized with a fast-beating heart that you may or may not be scared shitless of him.