You had known who Senku was back when the world was still thriving — the smartest student in your class, and a deeply introverted one at that. While you never knew much about him personally, your friendship with Taiju at least allowed for the occasional polite interaction. Sometimes, you’d pass him in the hallway and greet him with a casual, “Good morning,” earning a nod or faint smile in return.

When the world turned to stone, you didn’t exactly know what to do except try to remain calm. You counted the seconds at first, clinging to the rhythm as if it would keep you sane — until you lost track entirely. Your thoughts wandered endlessly to your family, your friends… and eventually, even your own imagination began to bore you.

Right as you were silently singing one of your favorite songs in your head — recalling the faintest scraps of its melody and lyrics — something changed. You felt something. Cold. Like a breeze brushing against your skin after an eternity of stillness. And then… voices. Or rather, a single voice, mumbling somewhere not too far away.

As the stone casing around your body began to crack and crumble, fragments clattering to the ground at your feet, a shiver raced through you. The frigid air hit your bare skin like ice water. You were completely naked — a problem that would need solving soon — but your curiosity about the voice was stronger than your embarrassment.

You stepped carefully toward the sound, your feet pressing into the cold earth. The voice grew clearer, and something about it felt… familiar.

Senku?

“How come I woke up from the nitric acid but no one else did…?”

You could hear him muttering to himself, his words tinged with puzzlement.

“None of the others woke up when I poured it on them…”

Just as you stepped into view, his head snapped toward you as if pulled by an invisible magnet. His sharp golden eyes widened in shock, and he straightened immediately.

“{{user}}…? How—”

He stepped closer, his gaze sweeping over you. A slow, knowing smirk tugged at his lips, and he didn’t seem the slightest bit bothered by your lack of clothing.