Chapter 3

Within the hushed confines of a small school library, a girl of about six stood among the towering shelves, her lilac eyes darting across the pages of a thick tome. With a hefty thud, she snapped the book shut and returned it to its place, immediately reaching for another volume.

As she cracked open the new book, her eyes moved with preternatural speed, scanning entire paragraphs in seconds. The pages formed a continuous blur of motion under her nimble fingers, her mind absorbing knowledge at a rate that would have astounded any educator or scholar.

Several minutes later, Zoe closed the book with a satisfied sigh and slid it back onto the shelf. She sidestepped along the row, her gaze searching for something she hadn't already devoured. Her perpetual hunger for information was momentarily interrupted when a small figure came barrelling around the corner.

The boy, no older than five, collided with her like a human projectile. The impact sent him rebounding like a pinball, causing him to crash into the opposite bookshelf. The heavy structure swayed dangerously, tilting forward toward the two children trapped in the narrow aisle.

Without hesitation, Zoe braced herself and reached up with both hands. Her small frame caught the multi-hundred-kilogram shelf as if it were made of cardboard, muscles that shouldn't have existed in a child her age tensing beneath her skin, barely visible to any looking at her. With effortless ease, she pushed the shelf back into position as books clattered to the floor around them.

"That was very clumsy of you," she stated, her analytical gaze falling on the boy sprawled on the carpet. "Help me put these books back."

She extended a hand, pulling him effortlessly to his feet. Her enhanced vision noted the subtle bruising around his elbow and the dark shadows beneath his eyes—signs of exhaustion that most would miss.

"You need to rest more," she said matter-of-factly, already gathering fallen books with efficient movements. "Sleep deprivation will impair your cognitive function and study efficiency."

The boy stared at her, his shock momentarily overriding his indignation. His eyes widened further when Zoe flicked two books in his direction with pinpoint accuracy. Catching them reflexively, he glanced at the titles—the exact volumes he'd been carrying before their collision.

"How did you—" he sputtered. "You never even looked at me! How could you know which books were mine?" His bafflement shifted to annoyance. "And don't tell me what to do."

Zoe, already walking away with a small stack of books, didn't bother to respond. The boy's eyes narrowed, then widened as he read the titles of the books in her arms. Advanced mathematics texts that would challenge university students—not typical reading material for a six-year-old girl.

A spark of competitive interest ignited in his eyes. He jogged after her, following her to a table tucked away in the library's quietest corner. Sliding into the chair opposite hers, he dropped his basic physics textbooks beside her advanced mathematics tomes with deliberate emphasis.

"Hey, miss," he said, leaning forward with challenging eyes. "Do you actually understand those books? You seem far too young."

Sighing, Zoe closed her book while keeping one finger along the spine to mark her place. She fixed him with a look of mild annoyance.

"I believe I should be asking you the same question," she replied. "You can't be older than five, yet you're reading material most adults avoid. What's your name?"

"The name's Senku," he declared with unmistakable pride. "And stop calling me 'kid.' You can't be any older than me."

"For your information, I'm six," Zoe replied, turning back to her book with casual disinterest. "And I'll stop calling you 'kid' when I feel like it."

"Whatever." Senku shrugged, opening his own book. "Why are you studying anyway? I'm studying because I'm going to the moon as fast as possible."

A genuine chuckle escaped Zoe's lips as she reached over to ruffle his spiky hair. "Good goal, kid. I'm studying for the sake of knowledge itself... and because I can't stand not reading books."

The two children settled into companionable silence, interrupted only by the occasional sound of turning pages and Zoe's periodic trips to gather more books. As the afternoon light began to fade through the library windows, they reluctantly packed up their materials.

Zoe pulled a blank notebook from her backpack and jogged to catch up with Senku at the door after stuffing her bag with fresh books.

"Here," she said, pressing it into his hands. "Take this notebook. I want you to log any books you read so I can track your progress. Give me enough data, and I can design an optimized learning schedule to accelerate your studies."

Senku examined the notebook with a sceptical expression that slowly transformed into a grin. "Ha! Sure thing, Zoe. Though I doubt I'll see you much from now on. You tear through books like they're nothing."

They walked side by side down the street, their conversation flowing with an ease unusual for children their age—two intellectual islands finding unexpected common ground.

"Don't worry about finding me," Zoe said casually. "If you want to meet up again, I'm at 'Agatha's Home for Orphaned Children.'"

Senku halted mid-step, his eyes meeting hers with sudden understanding.

"Oh," he said simply, a wealth of comprehension in that single syllable. "Well, I hope to see you soon. This is my stop."

The farewell was awkward but sincere. As they parted ways, Senku glanced down at the notebook in his hand, a flicker of sadness crossing his features before he tucked it securely into his bag.

Reaching his home, he pushed open the door and followed the appetizing aromas to the kitchen. A tall, well-built man with kind eyes was pulling a steaming dish from the oven, his face lighting up when he spotted Senku.

"Senku! Welcome home!" Byakuya Ishigami's enthusiastic greeting filled the warm kitchen as he reached over to ruffle his son's hair, much to the boy's feigned annoyance.

Senku brushed off his father's hand and tossed the notebook onto the table before taking a seat. Byakuya's curious eyes settled on the unfamiliar item.

"Where'd you get this?" he asked, turning the notebook over in his hands. "Not your usual style."

Senku glanced up briefly from the textbook he'd already reopened. "Met a girl at the library. She asked me to log everything I read so she could help me create a study plan. She seemed smart enough that I decided to humour her."

"Is that so?" Byakuya's eyebrows rose in genuine surprise. "The genius Senku making a friend and acknowledging someone else's intelligence? That's certainly new." He served two plates of food while continuing. "Will I get to meet this mysterious new friend anytime soon?"

"Probably not," Senku replied, scribbling something in the notebook before sliding it toward his father. "She lives on the other side of the city. I looked up the address on the way home."

Byakuya examined the address, his expression shifting subtly. "Oh? And where is that exactly?"

Senku sighed at his father's persistent questioning. "It's that orphanage near the hospital. Why the interest, old man? It shouldn't matter to you."

"Just curious about someone who's earned the great Senku's respect," Byakuya chuckled, taking his seat at the table. "Tell me more about her. What's she like?"

Relenting to his father's inquiries, Senku put down his fork. "Her name's Zoe Sage. She's reading university-level material despite being only a year older than me." He paused, remembering their encounter. "She's also freakishly strong—caught a falling bookshelf with her bare hands. And she's observant. Noticed things about me that most adults wouldn't catch."

Byakuya nodded, outwardly calm despite his internal amazement at the amount of praise his son was offering this stranger. He mentally filed away the information, wheels turning as he considered his schedule for the coming weeks.

After dinner, Senku rinsed his dishes and retreated upstairs with the notebook and his textbook. Byakuya watched him go, a thoughtful expression on his face before he turned to his own research.

***********************

A week and a half later, Zoe trudged up the creaky steps of the orphanage, her backpack heavy with books "borrowed" from the local library. She pushed open the weathered door, offering a perfunctory greeting to the matron before heading straight for the stairs, already opening a book as she walked.

"Wait a minute, Zoe," called Julia, the matron. "There's someone here to meet you."

A barely suppressed groan escaped Zoe's lips as she turned and made her way back down the stairs. The heavy yet light footsteps of her small frame echoed in the sparsely decorated hallway.

She entered the sitting room with her book still open, stubbornly refusing to acknowledge the visitor until Julia's pointed throat-clearing finally made her snap it shut.

"Zoe, please put the book down and greet our guest," Julia instructed with the patience of someone well-accustomed to the girl's peculiarities.

"Fine," Zoe sighed dramatically, setting the book aside and fixing the visitor with an appraising stare. "Hello there, strange man. My name is Zoe Sage, and yes, I am an orphan despite having a last name."

The man sitting across from her chuckled, leaning forward in his chair. Zoe immediately began cataloguing details—his posture suggested confidence, his physique indicated regular physical activity, and the fine lines around his eyes spoke of someone who smiled often.

"Hello there, Zoe," he replied, unfazed by her directness. "My son told me about you, and I must say, you've piqued my interest. I'm Byakuya Ishigami, Senku's father."

Zoe's eyes widened in momentary recognition before narrowing with suspicion. She leaned forward, her lilac eyes boring into his.

"From what little I know of Senku, he doesn't seem the type to arrange social visits," she stated flatly. "So what do you want from me?"

From her position by the door, Julia winced at Zoe's bluntness, but Byakuya merely laughed, slapping a marked paper and pencil on the table between them.

"I was told you're smart," he said, his eyes twinkling with challenge. "Is that true?"

Scoffing at what she perceived as a transparent test, Zoe grabbed the paper and scanned it. She raised an eyebrow at Byakuya before smirking confidently.

Without breaking eye contact, she seized the pencil and began writing at a speed that defied normal human capabilities, her hand a blur of motion across the page.

"Smart is subjective," she stated as she worked. "What one person considers brilliant might be basic to another. But yes, I am quite knowledgeable." She punctuated her statement by sliding the completed paper across the table, her fingers forming a steeple as she regarded him coolly.

Byakuya's composure faltered as he reviewed her answers. His eyes widened progressively with each line.

"This is a test given to final-year university students," he murmured, genuine amazement in his voice. "How did you complete it so quickly and with such... elegant solutions?"

Maintaining her steely expression, Zoe clicked her tongue and wagged a finger at him. "Not so fast. It's my turn to ask questions. First, I can already guess your intentions, but state them aloud for Julia's benefit. Second, why should I bother with you when I'm clearly capable of managing on my own?"

Byakuya's surprised expression dissolved into hearty laughter that reverberated through the small room. Wiping tears from the corners of his eyes, he settled into a more serious demeanour.

"I'll be direct," he said, meeting her gaze steadily. "Senku is adopted—I consider him my son in every way that matters, but he doesn't share my blood. As a single father raising a brilliantly curious child like him, I worry about his social development." He leaned forward, hands clasped on the table. "I thought perhaps having an even smarter older sister might challenge him to reach greater heights."

His expression softened. "As for why you should consider it... I may not be wealthy, but I can offer you your own room, regular access to books, and a family to call your own. So, what do you say?"

Zoe made a show of contemplation, tapping her chin thoughtfully. Her lilac eyes studied Byakuya intently, searching for any sign of deception.

"Very well, Byakuya," she said finally, a hint of amusement in her voice. "I find this arrangement acceptable. I suppose I might be calling you 'Dad' from now on."

Byakuya's face broke into a wide grin as he stood up so quickly that his chair toppled backward. He extended his hand, which Zoe shook with surprising firmness.

The deal struck; Zoe left to gather her meagre belongings while Byakuya completed the necessary paperwork with the teary-eyed matron. Soon after, they departed the orphanage—Zoe with a backpack full of books and precious few personal items, and Byakuya with an expression of quiet triumph.

As they walked toward their waiting taxi, Byakuya glanced down at his new daughter.

"You know," he said casually, "Senku has no idea I came here today."

A rare, genuine smile crossed Zoe's face. "His expression when he sees me will be rather interesting to observe, don't you think... Dad?"

Byakuya's laughter echoed through the quiet street as they began their journey to her new home.

{A/N: HAHA this is coming along very well. Anyway can I please have Stones?}

{Stones?}