The first conclusion Ukyo had when he met Ryusui was that he was loud. However, upon further observation, it didn’t take him long to realise he was also a kind person. He was ambitious, yes, but that ambition was not just for himself but for everyone around him. It wasn’t long before Ryusui became a driving force capable of rival Senku himself in his ability to make the impossible a reality.
He was ostentatious, loud, and avaricious, but also gentle, attentive, and serious when it mattered. He easily earned his respect and that of others, and fully deserved his place as one of the Five Wise Generals.
They also grew closer. After all, as captain and sonar operator, they had to spend a fair amount of time together discussing the logistics for the ship. And Ryusui, despite what some people might have expect, made him feel comfortable around him. Perhaps because of how blatantly honest he was about what thought and wanted, practically wearing his heart on his sleeve.
However, it wasn't until that moment on Treasure Island, when Ukyo admitted his reservations about the use of firearms, that he truly began to see Ryusui in a different light.
“That pacifism is no mere lip service, and it’s about more than mere ethics. Once people start dying, their friends and family can hold that grudge forever. The enemy could get their hands on it, so all the more reason not to kill. It’s only logical!”
How could Ukyo not fall for that?
However, they had other priorities to attend, so it was easy to push those feelings aside. And once they defeated the enemy and reunited with their friends once more, Ukyo took those last days in Treasure Island to think deeply about what he was going to do.
The answer was: nothing.
They still needed to defeat Why-man and although Ukyo didn’t consider himself to be one with low self esteem, he couldn’t imagine catching the captain’s eye — even when said captain continuosly pointed out how he desired everything and everyone.
Thought perhaps he was being a little unfair for never taking those declarations seriously until Ryusui announced he desired Tsukasa little after he was revived.
Ukyo heard it loud and clear in the quiet night. And so did Tsukasa who, he couldn’t but notice as he watched him from the distance, smiled at those words.
The thought it could be mutual made his stomach turn uncomfortably.
It only made sense Ryusui would desire someone like Tsukasa. Ukyo had to have been fooling himself to believe he had taken any especial interest on him. The animated talks when everyone else was asleep, the laughs and the little secrets they shared… they were nothing more than camaraderie between a captain and his second in command. Ukyo never expected anything, he was smarter than that. He couldn’t be disappointed for something he always knew it wouldn’t happen.
“Ukyo-chan, what’s wrong?”
And yet, it didn’t take long before Gen noticed something was off.
“Whatever do you mean?”
“You’re… glaring,” Gen noted, following his gaze to where Tsukasa and Ryusui were, talking amicably. “Oh, wow, Ryusui-chan just managed to make Tsukasa-chan laugh.”
“It wasn’t even that funny…”
“Oh, so you’re spying on them too.”
“I’m not,” Ukyo huffed but Gen just stared at him in disbelief.
“That’s very unlike you. Seriously, Ukyo-chan, did something happen between you two?”
“No, everything is—,” Ryusui turned towards them then and waved at Ukyo, telling him he wanted his help with something. “Of course, I’ll meet you there,” he said, unaware of the smile he had on his face until he turned back to Gen and noticed the scared expression he had. “What?”
“Since when can you do that?”
“Do what?”
“Get all sparkly… it was kinda gross.”
“You seriously spend too much time with Senku,” Ukyo pointed out, which easily shut the mentalist’s mouth, at least for a moment.
His mood, however, got stained when Ryusui took his leave and Tsukasa, instead of staying behind like Ukyo expected, walked beside him and, for the briefest of moments, rested a hand on his back.
“Oh… so that’s how it is,” Gen mused, getting back his attention. “Don’t worry, Ukyo-chan. Ryusui-chan still likes you.”
But not more than Tsukasa, it sure seemed.
“Yes, yes… he desires everyone, I know,” he rolled his eyes and he was about to get going to the meeting, feeling much less enthusiastic than before, when Gen added: “You know? I really thought you two had gotten into a fight with how much Ryusui-chan kept looking in your direction while pouting when he saw no one was watching him, but it seems the one who’s actually sulking it’s you.”
“I’m not sulking.”
“Could have fooled me.”
He tried to ignore the apparently teasing remark, but once the thought entered his mind, he realized how immature he was acting. He couldn’t just close himself off and keep his distance with Ryusui just because he wasn’t happy about him dating someone else. They still got worked to do, and Ryusui—no, everyone, were counting on him doing his part.
When he finally arrived the meeting’s hut, he found that only Ryusui was waiting for him.
“Thought Tsukasa was joining us,” he couldn’t help but comment.
“Haha! He offered to, but I had something I wanted to discuss with you and as insightful as he can be, I doubt he can be of much help when it comes to the sea,” Ryusui explained with a laugh. “Why, are you disappointed?”
“Me? Aren’t you the one that got a little too excited to have Tsukasa revived?” He said, only to regret it immediately at the surprised look on Ryusui’s face. “Not that I blame you—I mean, Tsukasa is…. really impressive…”
“He is, of course,” Ryusui nodded, much to his chagrin, even if he was the one who started it, “but so are you. You know that, right?”
This was getting humiliating.
“I don't need words of comfort or whatever it is you’re doing.”
“Ah, my apologies! It wasn’t my intention to give that impression,” Ryusui quickly assured him and only then Ukyo noticed the slight note of nervousness in his voice, that only got confirmed by the way he awkwardly leaned on the table, trying and failing to look relaxed. “Just thought… you should know in case you didn’t… but you know, so… that’s cool!”
Ukyo stared at him for a moment before he couldn’t hold it back much longer and laughed.
“What’s going on with you?”
And Ryusui, rather than taking offense, joined his laughter.
“I don’t know… thought you were avoiding me for a hot second and I wanted to know what I did.”
“You didn’t do anything… and I’m not avoiding you,” well, he kind of was, “not intentionally at least,” or rather, he didn’t expect Ryusui to notice it. “Guess I didn’t want to get in the way.”
“In the way…? Oh, you mean Tsukasa and I? No need to worry about that, you can join in any time! The more, the merrier!” Ryusui declared with a big grin and Ukyo didn’t had the heart to tell him that’s not exactly what he was referring to.
“If that’s alright with you two…”
He supposed that was fine too.
“Of course, I love spending time with you.”
Or perhaps Ryusui was determined to make him fall for him deeper.
{ Extra }
“It was terrifying, I felt thirst for blood for a moment,” Tsukasa sighed, earning a bored hum from Senku, who continued working on his blueprints, and an incredulous look from Chrome.
“From Ukyo?”
“Yes.”
“Just because you touched Ryusui’s back?”
“Yes.”
“You’re ridiculous,” the scientist concluded while Gen decided to keep it for himself that Tsukasa’s instinct was most likely correct.
{ Fin }
