Vacation?
The conference room was a sterile, glass-walled chamber, illuminated by the cold glow of fluorescent lights. Scientists, investors, and executives sat around a long, polished table, their eyes occasionally darting toward the man seated at the head of the table—me.
I wasn't the one speaking. No, I was observing, judging whether to approve the research in front of me. The others did the talking, but I held the power to decide what happened next.
A young scientist, eager but nervous, stepped forward. He clutched a stack of papers as if they were the last remnants of hope for his career.
“This new propulsion system,” he began, voice wavering slightly,
“has the potential to revolutionize space travel. It could—”
“Could?”
I interrupted, my sharp red eyes narrowing, my voice cutting through the room like a knife. I wasn’t one for vague optimism. “Either it will revolutionize space travel, or it won’t. And you’ve spent three months presenting ‘could.’ Show me why this matters.”
The young scientist hesitated, clearly thrown off balance. The air in the room was thick with tension as I leaned back in my chair, folding my arms. I was used to this. It wasn’t my first time dissecting someone’s work with cold, unflinching logic.
At my side, Chrome shifted in his seat. I could feel his nervous energy beside me, but he was learning to keep his thoughts to himself—something I’d drilled into him over the years. He wasn’t going to interrupt, not unless I told him to.
The scientist stammered, trying to explain the equations, the design, the potential for a breakthrough. But none of it mattered. I wasn’t here to hear a sales pitch; I was here to determine if this idea was worth pursuing. He was too caught up in the potential glory of discovery. But that wasn’t what I cared about.
I turned to Chrome. “What do you think?” I asked, my voice quieter now, though no less intense.
Chrome leaned in, eyes fixed on the papers. “I think he’s... missing the fundamentals. He’s got theory, but no real application. It’s just a lot of hope wrapped in math.”
I nodded, agreeing with his assessment. Chrome was getting better at this. He had a natural gift for spotting holes in logic, something I’d been training him on for two years.
“Exactly,” I said, addressing the scientist once again.
“Your ‘breakthrough’ doesn’t hold up. If you don’t have the application to back up your ideas, you’re wasting my time. Go back to the drawing board.”
The young scientist’s face fell, but he nodded and turned to leave, probably already planning how to salvage his reputation. The meeting had drained him, but not me. I wasn’t here to babysit egos.
Once the room had quieted, I stood up, stretching my arms over my head. The tension in the air hadn’t left, but it didn’t faze me. I’d made my decision, and that was all that mattered.
Chrome stood with me, his eyes a little wider than usual. “You really shot him down, huh?”
“Not shot down,” I corrected, my voice now tinged with the kind of sarcasm I didn’t usually allow in front of a crowd. “Just redirected. If he wants to play with rockets, he better learn to stop dreaming and start building.”
I stepped out of the conference room, the buzz of the building’s ventilation system almost too loud against the silence that followed the meeting. The bright midday sunlight hit my face, but even that didn’t clear my mind. I needed space to think. I needed air.
I glanced at Chrome, who was still trailing behind me. “Come on. Let’s grab a drink. I need something stronger than this corporate nonsense.”
“Nahh, I don’t drink anymore,” Chrome said with a grin, stretching his arms behind his head. “But I do feel like eating ramen!”
“Then let’s go to my favorite ramen place,” I replied, already making my way toward the exit.
The building we left behind was a towering monolith of glass and steel, a place where decisions that shaped the future of science were made daily. It was suffocating in its formality—too many people in suits or lab coats, too many pointless meetings filled with corporate nonsense and corruption that want to make money with the invention we made. The second the heavy doors shut behind us, I let out a breath I didn’t realize I was holding.
The parking lot stretched ahead, mostly empty except for a few sleek, high-end cars belonging to executives who probably cared more about their image than their work. My own car was far less pretentious—a matte black vehicle, fast and efficient, designed for practicality rather than luxury. I didn’t need people to know I was rich; I just needed something that worked.
Chrome slid into the passenger seat as I got in, the engine roaring to life with a low hum. The roads leading out of the district were wide and pristine, lined with towering buildings covered in reflective windows. Neon billboards flashed advertisements for the latest tech innovations, and pedestrians walked briskly on the sidewalks, too caught up in their own worlds to pay attention to the car speeding past.
As we moved further from the city center, the atmosphere changed. The roads narrowed, buildings became more modest, and the flashing lights of the corporate world faded behind us. It was quieter here—less polished, less artificial. The kind of place where no one cared about who I was or what I did.
I pulled into a small alleyway, parking next to a humble ramen shop tucked between an old bookstore and a secondhand electronics store. The shop’s sign was faded, its wooden entrance slightly worn with age. No paparazzi would bother coming here. No executives would waste their time in a place like this.
Perfect.
The scent of rich broth and sizzling pork filled the air as we stepped inside. The old man behind the counter gave a simple nod of acknowledgment. No fuss, no fake politeness—just the kind of atmosphere I liked.
I took a seat at the counter, cracking my neck. “Same as usual,” I told the owner.
Chrome plopped down beside me. “Make that two! I’m starving.”
As the steam from the kitchen wafted around us, I finally felt my mind settle. No scientific debates, no business politics—just ramen, the only kind of distraction I welcomed.
As Chrome sat beside me, patiently waiting for his ramen, he leaned back slightly, tapping his fingers against the wooden counter. His expression was casual, but there was something thoughtful in his eyes.
“Hey, Senku, I’ve got a question,” he said, breaking the comfortable silence.
I barely glanced at him, resting my chin on my hand. “What?”
Chrome exhaled, as if choosing his words carefully. “Don’t you think it’s time for you to take a little break? I mean, I get it—you’ve got a ton of work on your plate. More than anyone, actually. But you deserve a break, you know? Even geniuses need to step away from the lab sometimes.”
I let his words hang in the air for a moment, watching as the steam from the ramen pots curled upward, filling the shop with the rich scent of broth and spices. A break, huh? That wasn’t something I usually factored into my schedule. There was always something to do, something to research, something to build.
I leaned back against the counter, exhaling slowly. “And what exactly do you expect me to do on this so-called break?”
Chrome shrugged, resting his arms on the counter. “I don’t know, just do something that’s not science-related for once.”
I scoffed, barely holding back a smirk. “Yeah… impossible.”
“What? Why!?” he blurted out, turning to face me fully.
I gave him a deadpan look. “Because everything I do is related to science. That’s just how it is. Minus ten billion points for even suggesting otherwise, Chrome.”
He groaned, slumping against the counter. “Man, you really don’t know how to switch off, huh?”
Before I could respond, the old ramen chef placed two steaming bowls in front of us. The aroma of perfectly seasoned broth and fresh noodles filled the air, cutting through our conversation. Chrome practically lit up at the sight, immediately grabbing his chopsticks.
“Fine, fine,” he muttered. “At least take a break long enough to enjoy this.”
I picked up my own chopsticks, stirring the broth absently. Science never stopped, but I supposed—for the next few minutes—I could at least focus on something else.
“…Tch. I’ll allow it.”
As we finished off the last of our ramen, I wiped my mouth with a napkin and turned to Chrome.
“Hey, do you know a small town called Hoshikawa?” I asked, my voice casual, but there was a subtle curiosity beneath it. I hadn’t expected to ask, but something about the town caught my attention.
Chrome’s eyes widened, and he nearly dropped his chopsticks. “Ohh!!!” His voice was full of excitement. “That’s the small town where I grew up! It’s also where me and my beloved Ruri live!” He practically bounced in his seat, the joy clear on his face. “Why’d you ask?”
I leaned back in my chair, the slight tension building in my chest, though I tried to hide it. “I'm doing research there,” I replied, my tone neutral, but the curiosity was still there, digging deeper.
Chrome’s face immediately shifted. His excitement dropped, replaced by a furrowed brow and concern. “Wait, are you gonna make the people leave there!? I WON’T ALLOW IT!” He almost leaped out of his seat, his voice rising.
I couldn’t help but smirk at his overreaction. It wasn’t like me to disturb people’s lives for no reason. “Relax, dumbass,” I said, leaning forward and placing my chopsticks carefully on the table. “No, I’m not doing that. It’s just some research. Nothing’s going to disturb your precious little town.”
He sat back, his body still tense, but the relief was evident on his face. “Phew. For a second there, I thought you were about to turn Hoshikawa into your next big experiment.”
“Come on, do I look like someone who wants to uproot people’s lives?” I said, the corner of my lips twitching into a dry smile. “I have bigger things to worry about than a small town.”
Chrome looked at me skeptically for a moment but eventually nodded, though he still seemed a little uneasy. “I swear, Senku, you better not start messing with Hoshikawa. That’s my home.”
I gave him a reassuring nod. “I’ll keep my experiments to places that can actually handle them. Now, calm down and enjoy your lunch.”
After a brief pause, I leaned back in my seat, tapping my fingers on my phone absentmindedly. “Also... it surprises me that you actually lived there, which probably means that town isn’t that far away.”
Chrome leaned back too, staring at the ceiling for a moment before responding. “Actually, Hoshikawa is pretty far away. The drive here to there is… about eight hours.” He rubbed the back of his neck, slightly embarrassed by the distance.
I raised an eyebrow, the realization hitting me. Eight hours. That’s far more remote than I expected. It wasn’t the type of place you’d expect to hold anything groundbreaking—but something about it had piqued my interest. It seemed worth checking out.
“Eight hours, huh?” I muttered, tapping the phone screen as I considered the logistics of traveling there. "Guess it’s more out of the way than I thought.”
Chrome chuckled, his enthusiasm returning, although it was mixed with a hint of nostalgia. “Yeah, it’s out there. But it’s a peaceful place. You’d like it. Not a whole lot of excitement, just the usual small-town life.”
I stared at the phone again, letting the thought sit in my mind. Small towns were rarely places for big discoveries, but sometimes, a hidden gem was just waiting to be found.
“Maybe I’ll take a look sometime,” I said, more to myself than to Chrome.
“Well, if you do, you better let me know first!” Chrome grinned, nudging me lightly. “I’m not letting anyone mess with Hoshikawa, especially if it means Ruri’s gonna get upset.”
I smirked. “Don’t worry. Your secret’s safe.”
“Man, I miss that town… I miss Ruri,” Chrome said, his voice tinged with a mix of nostalgia and sadness. His gaze wandered off, lost in thought, and I could tell he was probably picturing the quiet streets and familiar faces of Hoshikawa.
I leaned back, picking my ear absentmindedly, not missing a beat. “Welp, you're in luck,” I said, my voice casual, a smirk tugging at the corners of my mouth. “We’re going there. We’re the researchers that are going in.”
Chrome snapped out of his trance, his eyes widening in surprise. “Wait, really? You’re serious?” he asked, his voice incredulous. It was hard to tell whether he was more excited or worried.
I raised an eyebrow, my expression unchanged. “Do I look like I’m joking?”
For a moment, Chrome didn’t respond. He just stared at me, his mind working overtime, processing the unexpected news. Then, a grin spread across his face, though it was mixed with a bit of apprehension. “Huh, I guess this is gonna be one hell of a trip then, huh? I wasn’t expecting this at all, Senku. But… I guess I’ll be able to show you around, huh?”
“Sure,” I replied, my voice dry but tinged with something like amusement. “Just try not to get too sentimental. I’m there to do my job, not tour the town.”
Chrome laughed, rubbing the back of his neck. “Right, right… but if we’re really going there, you better not ruin anything. It’s still my hometown.”
“Relax,” I said, placing my phone down and leaning forward slightly. “I’m not interested in messing with your precious little town. But I will take a look at the research potential. That’s all.”
He nodded, though there was still a hint of doubt in his eyes. I could tell it wasn’t just the research that worried him. It was the idea of me in Hoshikawa—where he was more than just a scientist. He was Chrome, the kid who grew up there. I could understand his hesitation, but this was business, and I wasn’t about to let personal feelings get in the way.
“Oh wait, I just realized…” Chrome said, his face lighting up with sudden realization. “There’s no hotel in there, so you’re probably gonna have to stay with me and my younger sister Yumi.”
I looked at him like I wanted to shoot lasers from my eyes.
“What!?”
I practically growled, leaning forward.
Chrome threw his hands up defensively, trying to calm me down. “No, no, no! I mean, it’s a small town, so people don’t really stay there overnight, but look, we have three rooms! It will work out!” He waved his hands around as if he could physically wave away my disapproval.
I narrowed my eyes at him, a mixture of disbelief and annoyance settling in. “Are you seriously telling me I’m going to be stuck staying in a small town, under the same roof as you and your sister?”
“Yep,” Chrome said, completely unfazed by my growing irritation. “It’s the only option unless you wanna find some random place to crash for the night. Besides, I know you’re not exactly a ‘social butterfly,’ so you won’t be a bother.”
I threw my hands up in the air. “This is insane. I’m a scientist, not a couch surfer. But whatever, I’ll survive. Don’t make me regret this.”
“Don’t worry!” Chrome grinned like the situation was a joke. “We’ve got a nice cozy place, and Yumi makes amazing food, so you won’t starve. It’s not so bad, right?”
I leaned back in my seat with a resigned sigh. “I guess I’ll survive… just don’t expect me to participate in any family bonding.”
Chrome smirked. “No promises, Senku. You’re family now but how many days do we have to stay there?” Chrome asked, leaning forward a bit as if bracing for some kind of official answer.
I shrugged nonchalantly, my gaze flicking between him and my phone. “Idk,” I replied, not particularly concerned with the timeline. “As long as it takes. I’ll get my research done and leave when I’m done. Simple.”
Chrome blinked, surprised by my lack of urgency. “So... no set time frame? You’re just winging it?”
I nodded, tapping my fingers on the edge of the table. “I don’t do schedules. I work until I finish, then move on to the next thing.”
Chrome scratched the back of his head, a little uneasy about the lack of clarity. “Right, well... I guess I better make sure there’s enough food for the long haul, then.” He grinned awkwardly.
I didn’t respond right away, just picked up my phone and started tapping away, thinking about the research. That was all that mattered.
The drive back to the city was quiet, the roads illuminated only by the occasional streetlight passing by. Chrome sat in the passenger seat, his earlier excitement replaced by a comfortable silence, occasionally glancing out the window. I kept my focus on the road, the hum of the engine filling the space between us.
As we approached the city, Chrome broke the silence. “Hey, Senku, thanks for this... I wasn’t expecting to be heading out to Hoshikawa with you, but I guess it’ll be fun.”
I gave him a half-hearted smile, eyes still on the road. “It’s not about fun, Chrome. It’s about the research. Don’t get too sentimental on me.”
He chuckled, but there was a note of warmth in his voice. “Yeah, I know. But I still appreciate it. I’ll see you around.”
I slowed down as we neared his apartment building, pulling up to the curb. Chrome unbuckled his seatbelt and turned to me, offering a smile. “I’ll call my sister to let her know that I'll be back with a guest” he said, giving me a thumbs-up.
I nodded, not saying much, my mind already shifting gears. “Yeah, sure. Later.”
With a final wave, Chrome disappeared inside, and I pulled away, making my way back to the mansion.
As the familiar city skyline loomed ahead, I couldn’t help but let my thoughts wander. Hoshikawa. A small town, out of the way, and yet, something about it had caught my attention. There was research to be done, sure, but something about that place... it nagged at me. Maybe it was the simplicity of it all. Maybe it was Chrome’s attachment to the town—or his attachment to Yumi, the sister he was so protective of.
I turned into the driveway of my mansion, the gates opening with a soft creak as I pulled in. The house loomed before me, vast and empty, save for the endless labs and equipment inside. But even with all the space and the scientific wonders at my disposal, I found myself thinking about Hoshikawa. The town Chrome called home. A place I’d have to visit for research. But beyond that, something else lingered in the back of my mind.
I parked the car, the engine quieting down, but the thoughts kept swirling. Maybe there was more to that town than just a research project. Maybe... just maybe, there was something I hadn’t figured out yet. Something I needed to understand.
I sighed, grabbing my things from the passenger seat. As I walked into the mansion, the weight of the day still hanging over me, I couldn’t shake the feeling that my visit to Hoshikawa might end up being more than just work.
But then again, I never did anything just for work. It was always about science. Always.
END OF CHAPTER