#dcst kinro

A sharp sound. Light. Air. You fall to your knees, coughing, stone dust all over your skin.

“Careful there, Y/N.” says a voice you know too well.

You look up fast. White spiky hair. Sharp green eyes. A small grin.

“…Senku?” you whisper.

“Ten billion percent” he answers “Welcome back to the land of the living.”

You blink, confused “Wait—how—what happened? Where are we?”

He hands you a really useless dress to cover yourself “Humanity got turned to stone. Long nap. I woke up first. You were my classmate, remember? The one who always drew manga characters during science lectures?”

You let out a breathy laugh “You said that was a waste of brain cells.”

Senku smirks “Yeah, and now those brain cells are my new entertainment department. I revived you because people need fun as much as they need food.”

He leads you to the village. The air smells clean and wild. People wear furs, not clothes. Everyone stares when they see you.

“Whoa,” says Chrome, eyes wide, “Another one from the stone world!”

“Yeah” Senku corrects “She knows about comics, anime, music—all the stuff we lost. She’s gold for rebuilding culture.”

A man with a spear stands by the gate. Green eyes. Serious face. Kinro.

You stop. He’s tall, the sunlight making his eyes shine even brighter.

Senku says, “Kinro, this is Y/N. She’s with me.”

Kinro stares for a second too long, then turns away quickly “Understood.”

You smile shyly “Hi! Uh, nice to meet you.”

He clears his throat “You… should get proper clothes.”

You laugh a little “Yeah, everyone keeps saying that.”

Senku grins “He’s just being polite. Don’t mind him, he’s allergic to fun.”

Kinro frowns but doesn’t answer. You notice his ears turning pink.

That night, you sit by the fire telling stories.

“So in this show,” you explain, waving your hands, “the main character can stretch like rubber—”

“Impossible!” Chrome interrupts “You’re making this up!”

“Nope! It’s fiction!” you say, laughing. Everyone joins in. Even Kohaku giggles.

Kinro stands nearby, pretending to be on guard duty again. His eyes drift to you every few seconds.

Kohaku leans close to him “You keep watching her.”

He stiffens “I’m watching everyone.”

She smirks “Sure you are.”

You notice him after a while and wave “Hey, Green Eyes! Come join us!”

“I’m fine here.” he says quickly.

“Aw, come on,” you tease “You can’t guard the fire from that far away.”

He hesitates, then walks closer. You grin up at him “See? That’s better.”

Kinro doesn’t reply, but the corner of his mouth almost, almost moves.

And when your laughter fills the air again, he lets himself listen.

It’s been a few months and now you’re part of the village… clothes, work, friends, even a small hut near the lab.

You help Senku and Gen with new ideas: music boxes, board games, little shows to make people laugh.

Life feels simple but warm.

One afternoon, you sit near the lab, sorting papers when Gen leans on the table with his usual grin.

“So, Senku,” he starts, voice playful, “I’ve been thinking. Out of all the statues in the world, why her? Why did you choose to wake up our dear Y/N first?”

Senku doesn’t even look up “Because she’s useful. She knows modern culture, media, human psychology, entertainment. It’s efficient.”

Gen laughs “Efficient, eh? Or maybe… personal?”

Senku raises a brow “Personal?”

Gen smirks wider “Did you, my scientific friend, perhaps have a crush on her back in the old world?”

Senku snorts “Please. Ten billion percent no.”

You look up from your work and roll your eyes “Senku isn’t one to think about things like that.”

Senku nods “Exactly. My love is for science.”

Gen turns to you “And what about you, Y/N? Did you like him?”

You laugh, shaking your head “Nah. Not my type at all.”

Gen gasps dramatically “Oh? Then who is your type?”

You grin “Hmm… someone calm, brave, maybe a little shy.”

Gen wiggles his eyebrows “Oho, interesting~”

Not far away, two guards stand by the village gate… Kinro and Ginro. They hear everything.

Ginro’s jaw drops “Did you hear that, brother?! She said brave and shy! That could be me! Maybe I should ask her out. I’ll start by bringing her a flower!”

He starts to move, eyes sparkling.

Kinro blocks him with the end of his spear “Don’t.”

“Eh? Why not?”

“She doesn’t need your nonsense.”

Ginro pouts “You’re just jealous.”

Kinro’s eyes narrow slightly “You’ll embarrass yourself. And her.”

Ginro sighs but still grins “Huh, you’re blushing, Kinro. Maybe you’re the shy one she likes.”

Kinro turns his face away, silent.

Ginro laughs loudly “I knew it! My serious brother has a crush!”

“Focus on guard duty.” Kinro says, voice firm. But his grip on the spear tightens a little.

Back near the lab, Gen keeps teasing “See? Even she admits Senku’s not her type. Maybe she already has someone in mind.”

Senku shrugs “As long as it doesn’t distract from her work, she can like whoever she wants.”

You smile quietly, eyes drifting toward the gate where the green-eyed guard stands tall and still.

“Yeah,” you say softly “Whoever she wants.”

The sun is high. You’re walking around the village with a sort of self made notebook, jotting ideas.

“Okay,” you mutter, “I need a new game for the villagers… something fun but easy to teach…”

You stop at the forge, at the well, at the bakery, asking everyone questions. Everyone laughs, gives suggestions. But the last stop is… the gate.

The two brothers, Kinro and Ginro, stand tall as always.

You clear your throat “Hi! Mind if I ask you a few questions for a new game?”

Ginro immediately perks up “Questions for a game? Ooh, maybe the prize is… a date with me!”

You blink “Uh… what?”

Ginro grins “Yeah! I could even bring flowers! I’m good at flowers. And… maybe a hug at the end?”

Kinro’s jaw tightens. He doesn’t say anything, just stands still.

You tilt your head towards Kinro, grin slowly, and your eyes flash a little… dangerous “Am I allowed to punch him?”

Kinro’s voice is calm “Yes.”

Your fist moves fast. Smack. Right in Ginro’s shoulder.

“YOW!” Ginro screams, hopping on one foot, then stomps off, crying and muttering about flowers and unfair treatment.

You cross your arms, grinning “Well. That’s done.”

Kinro stares at you. He doesn’t smile. He doesn’t speak. He just watches.

You tilt your head “You’re quiet. I like that. Calm people are… easy to talk to.”

He looks away “…I’m listening.”

“Good enough,” you say cheerfully. You sit down on a rock near the gate, scribbling in your notebook “So… you two are brothers, right?”

Kinro nods once “…Yes.”

“Which one’s older?”

Kinro frowns “…Me.”

“Ah. That explains the serious face.” You grin “The younger one’s trouble, huh?”

His lips twitch. He doesn’t answer.

You scribble a little in your notebook, then look up “So… what’s it like, guarding the village every day? Boring?”

Kinro pauses “…Sometimes. Mostly… important.”

“That’s fair,” you say, nodding “But hey, I bet you see a lot of interesting stuff too.”

He tilts his head slightly “…Maybe.”

You grin, leaning closer “You know, I like learning about people like you. Quiet, strong… types. Makes me feel like I can learn everything if I try.”

He glances at you, briefly meeting your eyes “…Why are you smiling like that?”

“Because I like talking to you,” you say simply “You don’t have to talk much. I’ll do enough for both of us.”

Kinro doesn’t answer. He doesn’t move. But you see his eyes soften a little.

You scribble another note in your notebook, then glance at him “So… friends?”

“…If you insist.” he says finally, voice low but steady.

You grin wider “Good. Friends it is.”

The two of you sit there, quiet but comfortable. No one else around. Just you… and Kinro.

The morning sun is soft and warm. You’re carrying a basket of small stones and sticks, materials for the new game you’re designing.

You find Kinro standing by the edge of the village, sharpening his spear. Green eyes catch the light.

“Hey,” you call cheerfully “I need your help with something. I promise it won’t be dangerous.”

He glances at you but doesn’t smile “…What kind of help?”

“I’m making a game,” you explain, waving a stick “Something where villagers have to move stones in patterns without dropping them. Could use a strong guard to… test it.”

Kinro raises an eyebrow “…Testing, huh?”

“Yep! You can show me if it’s too hard or too easy.” you say, bouncing on your toes.

He finally nods “…Fine. Lead the way.”

As you explain the rules, you notice his attention on you, subtle but constant. He doesn’t say much, but you don’t mind.

“So,” you say casually, “have you ever played anything like this before?”

“…No,” Kinro admits “…I mostly spar or guard.”

“Perfect,” you grin “You’re my first official player!”

He stiffens slightly, then picks up a stone. You hand him another.

“Here,” you say “Try balancing it. Don’t drop it.”

He frowns, concentrating “…This is… harder than it looks.”

You laugh “Told you! I designed it to make people think, not just run around.”

After a few minutes, he’s doing surprisingly well. You clap softly “Wow, Kinro! You’re actually good at this. Maybe you’re smarter than you let on.”

He flushes just a little, lowering his gaze “…I’m focused.”

“Focused… and cute.” you tease lightly, nudging him with your shoulder.

He freezes, eyes widening slightly. “…I… am not…”

“Shh,” you grin “You don’t have to say it. I know.”

The two of you sit for a while after the game, quietly arranging stones and sticks. You tell small stories, funny things from the modern world, silly TV shows, games you love. Kinro listens, occasionally asking short questions.

“You really like all this… entertainment stuff?” he asks finally.

“Of course!” you say “People need fun, even if it’s just a simple game or a funny story. That’s how you make life brighter.”

He nods slowly “…I understand.”

At one point, a stone rolls toward the edge of the cliff by accident. You jump to grab it, but Kinro’s hand is already there, steady, stopping it.

“Thanks” you say softly, holding his hand for just a second before letting go.

He doesn’t look at you. He doesn’t smile. But his grip lingers a little longer than it should have.

You grin at him “See? You’re already part of the game… and part of the fun.”

He clears his throat “…I… guess so.”

By the time the sun is starting to set, you two sit side by side, stones and sticks scattered around. No one else is nearby.

“You know,” you say casually, “I like talking to you. Even if you don’t talk much, it’s… nice.”

Kinro looks at you “…It is.”

You smile, leaning back on your hands “Friends?”

He doesn’t hesitate this time “Friends.”

And in the quiet of the evening, with the sky turning gold, it feels like the first real bond is forming between you and Kinro, slow, careful… and maybe a little dangerous for Ginro if he ever shows up again.

The forest is quiet. You carry a big basket full of sticks, stones, and other little things for your new board game. The path back to the village is uneven, and the basket is heavy.

“Ugh… maybe I took too much.” you mutter, wobbling.

Out of nowhere…

“Here.”

You look up. Kinro. His spear is still on his back, but one hand is already under the basket “You’re struggling.”

“I… I can manage.” you say, surprised.

He shakes his head “No. You’re carrying too much.”

Before you can protest, he lifts the basket easily and starts walking beside you.

“…Kinro?” you ask, laughing softly “You’re supposed to be guarding. Rules are rules.”

He frowns, glancing around as if he’s looking for something.

You grin, teasing “You never leave the guard spot.”

He blinks at you, silent for a moment, then just shrugs “I… can make an exception.”

By the time you reach the village, a small crowd has gathered. Chrome, Kohaku, and even Senku are watching.

“Wait… what?” Chrome whispers “Kinro is… helping her?”

Kohaku’s eyes widen “But he never leaves the post!”

Senku smirks “Interesting. Seems the friend-from-the-modern-world effect is real.”

You step down from the path, holding part of the basket while Kinro carries the bulk “Thanks, Kinro. You didn’t have to.”

He grunts softly “…I know.”

Ginro watches from afar, jaw dropping “Whoa… my brother is… helping her? And… looking… normal?”

Kohaku nudges him “See? Told you there’s something there.”

Ginro blushes “…Maybe I should ask her first about board games…”

You laugh and unload the basket with Kinro “See? Told you it’s fun to have friends in the village.”

He sets the basket down carefully, eyes on you the whole time “…Friends.”

“Exactly.” You grin at him “And good friends look out for each other.”

Kinro doesn’t reply, but when you glance at him, you notice his eyes soften just slightly. The strict, calm guard is gone for a moment, replaced by… something warmer.

The villagers whisper among themselves, confused and curious. Kinro leaving the guard post? But as he walks back to the edge of the village after helping, his posture still straight, he glances at you once more.

And you catch the tiniest, almost invisible smile on his face.

The weeks pass quickly.

Every day, the village feels louder with laughter, chatter, the sound of hammers and tools, and your voice somewhere in the mix.

You talk to everyone. You always smile. You help with games, with science, with stories.

And Kinro he’s there. Always close enough to see you, never close enough to touch.

At first, he tells himself it’s nothing. He’s just… protecting the village. Watching over you like everyone else.

But then, one day, he catches himself staring too long while you’re laughing with Kohaku. His heartbeat goes wild. Too fast.

He straightens, gripping his spear tightly.

No… focus. Rules are rules.

But the rules don’t stop his heart.

He starts noticing little things. The way you hum when you work. How you push your hair back when you think. How you always talk to him first, even when others are around.

Every time your eyes meet his, he feels… something. A heat he can’t explain.

One evening, as you wave to him before going back to your hut, he just stands there. Silent. Watching.

It’s not just friendship anymore, he realizes.

I… like her.

The next day, Kinro does something no one expects. He leaves his guard post and walks straight toward Senku’s lab.

Inside, Senku and Gen are busy working, something with glass tubes and a lot of smoke.

Gen spots him first “Ohhh? The mighty guard Kinro leaves his post? What’s this, a miracle?”

Senku doesn’t look up “If the village isn’t on fire, make it quick.”

Kinro stands stiffly, his usual serious face hiding how nervous he feels inside “…I need to ask something.”

Senku raises a brow “Go on.”

“…What does Y/N like?”

Both men freeze. Then they share the same slow, evil grin.

Gen leans closer, voice dripping with amusement “What does she like? Ohhh, Senku, did you hear that? The serious golden knight is asking about romance!”

Kinro’s ears turn red “…It’s not… romance.”

Senku finally looks up, smirking “Right. Sure. You’re just… scientifically curious about her interests.”

Kinro looks away, jaw tight “I only… want to give her something she likes. Something from her world.”

Senku shrugs “I have no time for this love experiment. But—” he gestures lazily at Gen “—she was talking the other day about missing ‘manga’. She said she misses reading a good new one.”

Kinro blinks “…Manga?”

Gen chuckles, eyes twinkling “Ohh, right, you wouldn’t know. It’s like… a story drawn on paper. With pictures and words. People read them for fun, to laugh or cry.”

Kinro’s expression is blank, but his mind races “…Drawn stories.”

“Exactly!” Gen says with a grin “It’s art, emotion, humor, sometimes romance—oh wait, maybe you want to make her a romantic one~?”

Kinro’s face goes red again “…No.”

Senku rolls his eyes “Heh. Whatever your reason, good luck. I’m too busy rebuilding science.” He reaches over and hands Kinro a few sheets of precious paper “Here. You can use these. But make it count.”

Kinro stares at the paper as if it’s gold “…Thank you.”

Gen leans against the table, teasing grin still in place “So… what’s the plan, great guard? Going to write a tale of love and destiny?”

Kinro ignores him and turns toward the door “I’ll… figure something out.”

“Sure you will,” Gen calls after him “Just don’t make it about fighting rules!”

Senku smirks “He probably will.”

Outside, Kinro walks toward the edge of the forest, the papers tucked carefully under his arm.

He stops, sitting down near a quiet stream.

He stares at the blank sheets for a long time.

He’s not an artist. He doesn’t know how to draw. He doesn’t even know what a manga really looks like.

But he knows what you look like. How your laughter sounds. How your eyes light up when you talk about your world.

That’s enough.

He takes a small piece of charcoal from his pouch, something used to mark the ground during patrols and presses it against the paper.

The first line is shaky. The next one is smoother.

He draws a stick figure. Then another. Then the sun. A bad tree. He frowns, erases with his finger, tries again.

Hours pass. His hands get darker with charcoal. His paper fills with uneven shapes but slowly, they start to look like something.

Like you. Laughing. Holding a strange modern book.

He doesn’t know if it’s good. Probably not. But it’s his. And it’s for you.

He sits there until the sky turns orange. Then he carefully folds the papers and hides them inside his vest.

For the first time, he allows himself to smile.

If this can make her smile… it’s worth it.

That night the air is cool and still. You’re on your way back to your hut when you see the two brothers at their post.

“Good night, you two” you call softly.

Ginro waves with both hands “Good night, Y/N! Sweet dreams of me!”

You laugh “You wish.”

Kinro’s reply is quieter “Rest well.”

He opens his mouth again, then closes it, stepping back as if he’d changed his mind. His eyes linger a second longer than usual.

You tilt your head, smiling “Something wrong?”

He shakes his head “…Nothing. Good night.”

Days pass, and it keeps happening.

He catches your sleeve like he wants to speak, then pulls back.

He takes a breath as if to say something important, then goes silent when anyone walks by.

You notice. Of course you do.

One afternoon, you decide you’ve had enough guessing.

You walk to the gate where he stands, perfectly still, eyes scanning the horizon.

“Kinro,” you say with a mischievous smile, “I need your help. It’s important.”

He straightens immediately “What kind of help?”

“Forest duty.” you answer vaguely.

“…Forest duty?” he repeats, suspicious.

“Yes,” you insist “Come on.”

You lead him through the trees until you reach a quiet clearing filled with soft grass. You stop and sit down on a small hill, putting your bag beside you.

Kinro looks around carefully “Where is the problem? Is someone hurt?”

You laugh “No problem. No danger. Just sit.”

He blinks “…Sit?”

“Mm-hmm.” You pat the ground next to you “I don’t need help for real. I just wanted to be alone… with you. Just a few minutes, I swear. Then you can go back to your duty.”

He hesitates, torn between the rules and your voice, then finally lowers himself beside you.

The forest hums quietly around you.

You glance at him and smile “These days it looked like you wanted to tell me something. This is your chance… if you want to.”

For a moment he doesn’t move at all. Then he looks away, shoulders tense.

“I… did something,” he says finally, voice low, “but… don’t laugh at it.”

You blink, confused but gentle “Okay. I promise.”

He studies your face, making sure you mean it, then reaches into his vest and pulls out folded sheets of paper.

“…Here.”

You take them carefully “What’s this?”

He exhales “…A manga.”

Your eyes widen “A manga? Wait—who drew it?”

He looks down, cheeks pink “…Me. You told Senku you missed reading them.”

Your heart jumps “You talked to Senku about me?”

He nods once, still not looking at you.

You unfold the paper and stare at the lines. They’re rough, smudged, drawn with charcoal. The figures are clumsy but full of effort.

You squint a little, trying to understand “I’m really glad for this, but I’m sorry, Kinro… can you explain what’s happening here?”

He gives a tiny, nervous laugh “…I can’t draw. Not well.”

You smile softly “You have other talents for sure.”

He glances at you, and you shift a little closer, close enough that your shoulders touch. He stiffens but doesn’t move away.

You point at one of the stick-like drawings “Who’s this?”

“…That’s me.” he admits.

“And this one in the dress?”

“…You.”

You grin “I see.”

He begins to explain each page, the two figures training, then laughing, then standing together under a big drawn sun. His words come slowly at first, then faster as he forgets to be shy. The story is simple but warm: two people who meet after a long sleep and rebuild their world side by side.

When he finishes, you hold the pages like treasure “You ran out of paper?”

He nods “Senku said it’s too precious to waste. I used everything he gave me.”

You look up at him, eyes bright “Kinro… this is one of the sweetest things anyone has ever done for me.”

He swallows, still pink “It’s not perfect.”

“It doesn’t have to be,” you answer softly “It’s you.”

You stay like that for a while, quiet and close, the forest whispering around you.

Kinro glances sideways as your smile makes his heartbeat race again, faster than ever.

The forest is quiet. The two of you are sitting close, the half-finished “manga” between you. Kinro’s voice has gone very small.

“You… liked it?”

“I loved it,” you whisper “It’s honest. Like you.”

The words hang there, heavier than the air. You shift a little closer, your knees brush. He doesn’t move.

“Kinro,” you murmur, “in your story… do they end up together? Do they kiss at the end?”

He freezes, startled by the question.

You smile as shy as he never saw you be “Kinro… can I… can I kiss you?”

He turns toward you, his eyes catching the last light through the trees. The space between you feels smaller, warmer.

He then snaps out of the freeze and give you a big solid nod.

Then you reach up and rest your hands lightly against his cheeks.

He leans just slightly into your touch, breath unsteady.

The forest wind moves through the leaves, gentle and bright, as if the whole world exhales with you. Then you kiss him. It's soft and calm just as the moment wants it to be. Your hearts beating fast, together, as if they're connected.

After the kiss you leave your hands on his cheeks and smile at him so brightly “Thank you for all this Kinro.”

Your hands move on their own before you even think about it, wrapping around him in a quiet hug.

He freezes instantly, his whole body tense, his face turning a deep shade of pink.

For a second he doesn’t even breathe, like he’s not sure this is real.

You hide your face against his chest, smiling to yourself.

He finally exhales, slowly, carefully, afraid to move too fast, as if the smallest mistake might wake him from a dream.

The morning sun spills over the village like honey, bright and loud with voices. You’re helping Kohaku carry baskets when she gives you that knowing grin.

“So,” she says, stretching the word, “you and Kinro went to the forest yesterday?”

You blink innocently “We did. I… needed help with something.”

“Mhm.” Kohaku’s grin widens “And now you’re glowing like someone polished you with sunlight.”

You laugh “That’s just the sweat.”

From the other side of the field, Ginro nearly drops a bundle of firewood “I knew it! She did something to him! Look at him!”

Everyone turns. Kinro is at his guard post as usual, but something is different. His posture is still perfect, yet there’s a small softness around his mouth, a calm that wasn’t there before.

He even waves at a child who greets him. Waves.

Chrome whispers, “He waved. Kinro waved. That’s basically a confession in guard language.”

Gen bursts out laughing, fanning himself dramatically “Ah, young love in the Stone Age! The stoic knight has fallen!”

Senku doesn’t even look up from his workbench “Took him long enough. The data was obvious weeks ago.”

You roll your eyes, cheeks warm “You’re all reading too much into things.”

“Sure we are,” Gen says, sing-song “And that tiny smile you’re hiding is just coincidence, right?”

You try not to smile harder, but it’s useless.

The day goes on like that, with whispers, giggles, teasing. Even the older villagers seem amused. Every time you and Kinro cross paths, passing baskets, talking quietly over meals, someone is watching, smirking behind a hand.

Kinro pretends not to notice, but his ears turn pink every single time. Still, he doesn’t scold anyone. He just keeps working, calm and steady, the faintest curve on his lips when you’re near.

By evening, the whole village has silently decided on something: you and Kinro are the pair now. The sweethearts of Ishigami Village.

You haven’t said it out loud, and, obviously, he hasn’t either, but somehow everyone already knows. And maybe you both like it that way.

Days go by, and nothing is ever said out loud. You and Kinro never call each other anything different, never hold hands where people can see, never even sit too close. But somehow… everyone just knows.

And because it’s Ishigami Village, that means one thing: nonstop teasing.

Today you’re with the Science Team, helping Senku and Chrome move heavy wooden parts for some new “machine”. You don’t even know what it’s supposed to do yet, something about “centrifugal force”, “mechanical advantage”, and “don’t touch that, it’ll explode”.

After hours in the sun, everyone’s starting to sag a little.

Gen wipes imaginary sweat from his brow “My poor delicate hands were made for performance, not manual labor.”

“Then perform some lifting..” Kohaku snaps, carrying two beams at once.

You’re somewhere in between, panting but still smiling “Okay, okay, one more—”

Suddenly a shadow falls across you. Kinro steps in, silent as always, and takes the beam right from your hands.

You blink “Kinro?”

He doesn’t meet your eyes “You look tired. I’ll take it from here.”

You open your mouth to argue, but he’s already carrying double what you were. Effortlessly.

From a few meters away, Ginro’s voice rings out like a trumpet “Whoa, WHOA, Kinro helping the ladies!? Is the world ending?!”

Kinro ignores him completely, which of course only fuels Ginro further “I mean, look at him! So chivalrous! So heroic! Next thing you know, he’ll be handing out flowers to all the girls!”

Gen smirks, leaning close to Ginro “Hmm… all the girls, you say?”

Ginro blinks “Yeah!”

“Because from where I’m standing,” Gen says, gesturing with mock seriousness, “he’s only helping one of them, the others are still there, sweating.”

Ginro freezes. His eyes dart from Kinro, who’s still quietly working beside you, to you, laughing softly, brushing a strand of hair from your face.

“Oh.” Ginro says “Ohhhhhh.”

Gen grins like a fox “Took you long enough to load that data, buddy.”

Chrome laughs “Yeah, even I knew that!”

Kohaku crosses her arms “Honestly, it’s kind of cute.”

Senku, who hasn’t looked up once from his blueprints, just mutters, “Statistically speaking, everyone knew.”

Ginro throws his arms in the air “WHAT?! Am I the only one who thought they were just weird friends?!”

Gen pats his shoulder “You sweet fool.”

Meanwhile, you try to hide a smile, but Kinro catches it. His expression softens for half a second before he looks back down at his work.

“You didn’t have to take my spot, you know.” you tell him quietly.

“I know,” he says simply “But I wanted to.”

And from behind, Gen whispers loudly to Chrome, “Did you hear that? ‘I wanted to!’ That’s practically poetry from him!”

Kinro sighs, still working “…I can hear you.”

Gen laughs “Ah, romance and rage, a perfect combination!”

By the end of the day, the machine is finished, everyone’s exhausted, and the rumor mill has officially decided one thing: even if you two never say it, Kinro is absolutely, definitely, hopelessly yours.

 EPILOGUE

The night is calm, the air full of the smell of firewood and the sound of laughter from the village square. You step away from the noise for a bit, walking toward the small spot overlooking the lights.

The stars are clearer here, endless, quiet, beautiful.

You remember how you used to stare at the sky through a window, with city lights drowning everything out. Back then, you wished life could feel like one of the stories you read or watched, full of adventure, full of people who mattered.

Now here you are: in a stone world, with friends who feel like family, and a boy with beautiful green eyes who somehow turned all of this into home.

Footsteps crunch softly behind you.

“Still awake?” Kinro asks.

You smile without turning “Couldn’t sleep. The stars are too loud.”

He stands beside you, silent for a while. Then he sits down, spear resting across his knees. You glance at him, his profile calm, that tiny line between his brows gone.

“Hard to believe how much has changed,” you whisper “When I woke up here, I thought I’d never fit in.”

“You fit better than anyone.” he says quietly.

You rest your head against his shoulder. He freezes, then relaxes slowly, the tiniest breath escaping him.

“See?” you murmur “Even you don’t seem so strict anymore.”

He chuckles under his breath, a sound you don’t hear often but that you love “Maybe I just stopped fighting what was obvious.”

You look up at him “And what’s that?”

“That I’m happier when you’re near.”

Your cheeks warm, but you don’t move away. The stars blur a little as your eyes sting with happy tears.

Down by the fire, the others notice you both on the hill.

Gen smirks immediately “Look at that. Our favorite couple enjoying the moonlight.”

Ginro squints “Wait, are they actually—?”

Kohaku elbows him “Yes, Ginro. They are. Everyone knows it but you.”

Senku doesn’t look up from his notebook “Statistical certainty reached weeks ago.”

Chrome laughs “Still, it’s kinda nice, huh?”

“Yeah,” Gen says with a grin “Stone Age or not… love’s got good timing.”

Back on the hill, you hear faint laughter below but don’t care. You just sit there, head resting on Kinro’s shoulder, both of you quiet as the night deepens.

For the first time since you woke up in this strange world, you don’t miss the one you left behind.

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