The afternoon sun reflected across the shallow river as you and Senku searched for useful minerals.

Chrome and Kohaku had wandered farther upstream, leaving the two of you alone.

Senku crouched near the water, turning a smooth stone over in his hand.

Every now and then he'd explain the difference between two stones while you simply watched him talk.

"...So this one has a smoother fracture surface because—"

He glanced up. "...You're doing it again."

"Hm?"

"Staring."

"I like watching you explain things."

"...Weird hobby."

"I think it's cute."

He blinked once. "...Cute?"

"Yeah."

"You get this little look on your face when you're focused."

"...Irrelevant observation."

The two of you continued walking downstream. You bumped your shoulder lightly against his.

"If you keep being like this..."

He adjusted the bag of minerals over his shoulder. "...Like what?"

"So dependable."

"So ridiculously smart."

"So unintentionally sweet..."

You smiled at him. "...I could fall for you for that."

Senku stopped walking. The silence stretched. "..."

"...Senku?"

He looked at you.

"...That's..."

You waited.

"...A statistically poor decision."