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If you were to ask the question “which man do you fear the most?” to any Inazuman citizen, the answer, depending on who is asked, will always be one of two men. Those of course being:
Kaedehara Kazuha, the man who blocked the Musou no Hitotachi, activated a second vision whilst already holding one, stole from the Raiden Shogun and survived, and saved the mysterious traveler from being killed during the vision hunt decree;
Or,
Shikanoin Heizou, Cyclone, the greatest detective to have graced the Tenryou Commission in all its existence, sporting a track record that is completely spotless, famed across the country for his intelligence and in smaller circles, his fighting prowess as well.
Unbeknownst to the Inazuman public, the two men in question were well aware of the reputations they had garnered. They did not, however, care.
The shop owners around Inazuma city, when questioned, would without a doubt tell you they respected Kaedehara Kazuha with everything they had. The boy had practically saved their country from the civil war that was actively taking place within, and had helped the traveler in their quest to change the ideals of the Shogun.
This does not, however, stop the fear they had for him as well.
Many of the shop owners could recount the day Kaedehara fled the country. News had spread across the city quickly of a duel before the throne, and watching the gloomy weather outside definitely signaled something going down in Tenshukaku. It was as they watched a boy clad in the colors of autumn sprinting down the streets, pursued by hordes of guards sporting the Tenryou crest, that the rumors began to spread.
It was Kaedehara that battled before the throne, he fled before the Raiden Shogun could execute him.
The Raiden Shogun’s Musou no Hitotachi had missed the mark, or somehow, Kaedehara dodged, and now he is wanted.
Kaedehara had actually not dueled before the throne, but had instead prevented the duel from happening by causing a ruckus, and now is due for prison time.
Of course, these theories were soon cleared up as the real story swept the nation soon after. A stolen vision husk, right from under the feet of a god. A boy, hand burnt and heart broken, fleeing to Ritou, fleeing the country entirely. At the time, the shop owners on the streets did not know whether to respect the man’s ideals, or to shun him as the criminal he was. Needless to say, no amount of respect for the boy was spoken aloud - the man had disrespected the Raiden Shogun, and any talk of going against her word was treason. But the thought remained.
When he returned with the winds of the rebellion, bringing an end to the war and hard times that had shrouded Inazuma for the past years, those words did come out. He was a savior, truly, and immensely powerful in his own right. The rumors started again.
Did you hear he activated that dead vision he stole?
He blocked the Musou no Hitotachi, you know.
He had to have been faster than the Shogun, to get between her blade and the traveler!
These rumors did not die down. In fact, with every appearance the man made in the city, they grew stronger. He was a kind looking boy, with soft eyes and short stature, but the bandage on his hand and streak in his hair were telling. Vision holders were, of course, very recognizable. Whenever someone had the courage to ask Kaedehara if the rumors were true, he would shift nervously on his feet, as if the attention bothered him. This did not stop him from confirming that, yes, he did parry the previously unparryable blade. Yes, his friend’s vision did light up in that moment.
The people in Inazuma City’s streets respected Kaedehara with everything they had. But they swore to those who asked them:
Never would they get on Kaedehara’s bad side. Ever.
On the stormy cliffs of Yashiori Island, many groups of nobushi and kairagi took refuge amidst the rain. The sheets of precipitation coupled with the frequent and loud strikes of lightning would deter almost any passerby from disrupting them.
There was one downside to the area, however. The wind. The storms brought with them gales that blew hard. They pushed over trees, they blew away attempts at shelters, and they blew the rain harder into the people themselves. The worst part of the wind, though, was that it masked the approach of the cyclone.
Oh no, not a storm. Well, The Cyclone could be considered a storm, they supposed, but the nickname in question refers to a boy. A young one who carried with him the power of the winds, and one of the few brave enough to push through the storms of Yashiori just to ruin their plans.
Shikanoin Heizou had, as a matter of fact, done this multiple times already.
The treasure hoarders that took refuge under the cliff sides had sworn up and down that they had covered all their tracks, had not left a single thing behind that could link them to the thefts they had committed. Yet still, somehow, they would only be able to watch as a small figure strolled leisurely up to their camp, flashing a badge and declaring them under arrest.
The Fatui would typically attempt to put up a fight, but they too would end up behind bars for the meddling they had been attempting. Even the more powerful of their soldiers would be bested, their leaders exhausted at the end of whatever showdown must have taken place. The reports that the other groups received advised them to be extremely cautious, that even with their best efforts, they had been found out. Never was cautious ‘cautious enough’ for them. There would always be something they forgot, something to be exploited.
When asked, Shikanoin would cite the principle of exchange. That at every crime scene, a perpetrator was bound to leave something behind. For every crime committed, evidence would be left, be it hairs, fingerprints, clothing fibers, or bloodstains. His job was to find the evidence and follow it, at which he obviously excelled.
The many groups of criminals, try as they might, were always subject to the exchange principle. Or, as they would say, were rather subject to Shikanoin. Once targeted, there was no escape for them. Shikanoin’s track record would always stay clean.
“So you don’t have any left in stock?”
While the traveler looked extremely confused from behind him, Kaedehara just looked slightly downtrodden. The panic the stall owner felt was real, though, and the lack of flowers on her shelves - usually a sign of good business - was only serving to make it worse.
“I’m truly sorry Mr. Kaedehara, sir, usually I have more with me, but there were just so many people buying today, I’m not sure why -”
Kaedehara smiled softly, “It’s quite alright, I’m glad business is well with you. I suppose I will just have to search elsewhere.”
The stall owner’s face paled quickly. “Thank you very much sir, and again, I’m very sorry we don’t have your needs in stock. If you come back any day later, I’m sure we can give you a discount, or even goods free of charge if you would like -”
Once again, Kaedehara cut her off. “That won’t be necessary, but thank you anyway. I hope you have a nice day, ma’am.” Turning away, he walked off, the traveler and their floating companion following him after a pause. The vendor breathed a sigh of relief, leaning against the side of her stall.
After a few minutes, the man at the stall next to hers tentatively peeked his head in from around the side of her stall. “Was he upset?”
“No, I don’t think so. I can’t believe today of all days was when he came to get flowers. Business was going so well, too.” She sighed.
He, too, looked relieved. “I’m glad there were no hard feelings. Imagine if he had been upset.”
“I don’t think I want to.”
“Yeah, that’s fair.” They both shuddered.
(“Why did you even want flowers anyway?” The little pixie asked.
Kazuha sighed softly. “Ah, it’s just that it’s my first day back in Inazuma for a while, and Heizou doesn’t know I’m here yet, and well…”
The traveler smiled at him. “You wanted to surprise him?”
Kazuha laughed. “I didn’t tell him I was here early, and he’s out on a case right now, so there’s no chance he sees the Alcor anchored at Ritou. I figured this time I might actually manage to surprise him, yes.”
Paimon tilted her head. “This time?”
Kazuha only shook his head in response, and the traveler hid their giggle behind a hand.)
“I just don’t understand!” The kairagi yelled in frustration. “The guy is what, 5 ’3? And looks like he just became an adult yesterday! How?! How does he manage to disrupt every single plan our groups try to put into effect?”
“Actually, sir,” a nobushi to his right spoke hesitantly, “Cyclone is only 5 '1, he wears two inch platforms. And he’s not eighteen, he’s-”
“I do not care,” the kairagi growled, “how tall the brat is. All I have an interest in is what is giving us away, or how to rid ourselves of this issue entirely.”
“Um,” the nobushi spoke again, “are you suggesting… um, eliminating Cyclone, sir? Because I’m not sure that’s a good idea, he’s kind of a really good fighter. From what I’ve heard, at least! I mean-”
“I am suggesting ridding ourselves of a problem. If it involves killing the kid, then yes, that’s exactly what I mean.”
“Not to be a buzzkill, sir,” spoke another nobushi, this one to his left, “but he is right. Shikanoin is known to have taken out whole Fatui camps alone.”
The kairagi sent a glare his way. “If you have another suggestion, then by all means, let’s hear it.”
“I think we should figure out a way to do things that doesn’t leave behind any evidence. At all.”
The kairagi yelled again, “And how do you suggest we do that?!”
“You don’t,” a voice said behind him. “Kinda really hard to do.” Hadn’t all the nobushi been in front of him?
Turning around yielded nothing, no one was behind him. A snapping noise made him angle his gaze downwards, though, which gave sight to a very unimpressed looking Cyclone.
Wait.
“How did you get in here?!” he raged.
“You left the window open.” The kairagi screamed in anger. “Now, please just come with me, I have somewhere to be tonight.”
(Opening the door, Heizou could not keep the smile off his face. “Kazuha?”
From the back of the small apartment, he heard a sigh, and Kazuha stepped out of the bedroom with a small bouquet tucked behind his back. “I never can surprise you, can I?”
Heizou let out a small laugh, taking the flowers from Kazuha. “Thank you. They’re beautiful.”
“They’re from Mondstadt.” Supplied by the traveler, then. “They are quite beautiful, aren’t they? Then again, certainly not the most beautiful thing in this apartment.”
“You sap.”
Kazuha smiled widely, wrapping an arm around Heizou’s waist. “Yes, I suppose I am.”
He smiled wider, throwing an arm around Kazuha’s shoulder and leaning in for a kiss. “Welcome back.”)
A rumor was spreading in Inazuma City. This was nothing new. It centering around Kaedehara Kazuha was also nothing to be shocked at. But, someone had heard from someone else that someone had seen Kaedehara Kazuha and Shikanoin Heizou (The best detective the Tenryou Commission?) together in Chinju Forest “on a date.”
“I swear it,” they said. “I’m telling you, there’s no way they’re just friends. They were sitting on a rock, Shikanoin’s head was on Kaedehara’s shoulder. Kaedehara was waxing poetry about him. Tell me there’s any way that’s platonic.”
When this same person was questioned later on the same topic, they had turned white as a sheet, refusing to answer any questions. “I have been informed that stalking is illegal,” was all they would say on the matter.
But the rumors did not slow. Stories were shared about the two of them, both of when they were together to when they were alone. They ranged in significance as well. Stories that were likely to be evidence of the two of them dating (restaurant staff reporting them gazing at each other lovingly) to stories that were likely just that: stories (Kaedehara buying flowers at a flower shop, looking upset when they were out of stock).
Either way, the rumor was spreading and it was spreading fast. All eyes were trained on them whenever either of them passed in the streets.
One of them was used to the attention. It got very tiring, very quickly for one of them, though.
“Why. Is everyone staring at me?” The street went abnormally quiet as Shikanoin asked the question.
Nobody dared to answer for a while. Shikanoin started to impatiently tap his foot. “Well?”
“Uh,” a brave soul spoke up from somewhere in the distance. Most wouldn’t be able to tell who it was at all, or even try, but somehow Shikanoin’s gaze snapped to an older teen. “Are you and Mr. Kaedehara… dating, sir?”
A pause.
Raucous laughter.
The tension held on the street did not disappear when the laughter started, oh no. It got much worse. The poor boy who spoke’s face was bright red and fearful, probably terrified and rightfully so.
But Shikanoin kept laughing, eyes squinted shut. Eventually, he calmed himself down, wiping a tear from his eye as he turned and started to stroll away lightheartedly, muttering to himself things that sounded suspiciously like “oh, that’s funny,” and “gotta tell Kazuha about that one.”
The street was silent for a bit after that, slowly returning to life. The boy who spoke looked back as he felt a tap on his shoulder.
“Here,” a shop owner held out a stick of dango, a look of pity on his face. “Free of charge. For taking one for the team.”
The boy took the stick gratefully. “Thank you sir. I cannot promise it will happen again. I think I might freeze up in shock.”
“Understandable, young one. We completely understand.”
(“Did I tell you about earlier today?” Heizou asked from where he lay tucked into Kazuha’s side.
“You told me about the Arataki gang getting arrested again.”
Kazuha could feel Heizou’s excitement growing without even looking at him. “Oh, no. The other thing.”
“Well now I’m curious.” He responded.
“Y’know how everyone stares at you when you walk around?” Heizou asked.
Kazuha rolled his eyes. “I do wish they would stop that.”
“Well they were all looking at me like that while I was walking to the police station today.”
Kazuha turned his head to Heizou in interest. “Oh?”
“Yeah, I had to stop and ask why. Nobody answered for a while until some kid asked me if we were dating.”
Kazuha let out a light snort. “Really?”
“Yes! I had to stop to laugh, of course. Then I just walked away.”
“Huh.” Kazuha said with a smile.
Heizou’s grin was wide. “You know, I really thought they knew we were dating. I wonder how long it’ll take them to confirm it.”)
Nobody wanted to ask Kaedehara if he and Shikanoin were dating. Not after what happened when they asked Shikanoin. The poor, poor kid who had saved them all from Shikanoin’s anger was scarred after the experience. None of them wanted to risk the possibility of inciting Kaedehara’s anger.
So asking them directly was out of the question. Asking an acquaintance was the next best option, right? But who?
Shikanoin didn’t have that many close friends. Kujou Sara was out from the start, she was even more terrifying than either of the two men. Shikanoin was also most likely acquainted with others from the Tri-Commission, but asking his fellow doushin yielded no results. Asking anyone else from the commissions was too scary to risk.
Kaedehara also had few options to work with. Someone asked Naganohara Yoimiya, as she was known to hang out with Kaedehara on occasion. This just led to her being confused, however. Asking Captain Beidou of the Crux was never even an option, as it was reported that she was somewhat of a mother figure to Kaedehara. Nobody wanted to enact the wrath of an angry mother, especially not one known to slay gods.
They did have one common acquaintance, though, and with hard work, some determined Inazuman citizens tracked down and cornered the traveler.
“What?” Asked the traveler when questioned. “Why are you asking?”
“Because we’ve seen them around being kind of, well, romantic, and we wanted to know if there was something going on,” explained a writer.
“Why not just ask them themselves?”
The traveler flinched under the weight of around a dozen incredulous stares. “Have you met them?”
“Yes, I am friends with them.”
“They are possibly some of the most terrifying people in the country.”
“What.” The traveler deadpanned.
“It’s true!”
“Kaedehara Kazuha is the sweetest guy ever. Not an antagonizing bone in his body.”
“He stole from a god, had two visions at once, and parried the Musou no Hitotachi!”
The traveler sighed. “Yes, this is true, but he is also just a wandering samurai who is really tired of all the attention. And Heizou is, too! I mean, don’t get me wrong, he loves the attention, but he told me sometime last week you all were staring at him when he was walking to the police station. Was that about this?”
The people glanced at each other. “Well, yeah,” a food merchant said, “But can you blame us? I mean, every criminal fears that guy’s name. He’s the best detective at the Commission. Dating Kaedehara Kazuha, allegedly.”
“He is one of the most laid back people I have ever met. Ever. You know when I met him he was on Watatsumi Island practically ditching his job? Yeah.”
“Well…”
The traveler looked at the small mass of people scrutinizingly. “Why are you all so caught up in their private life, anyway?”
Nobody had a good response to that. The traveler let out a breath.
“Well,” an advertiser asked quickly, “before you go, do you know if they’re dating?”
The traveler sent them a pointed look. “I am privy to this knowledge, yes.” And then they teleported away.
(They were both laughing at this point, the traveler grinning widely. “Really?” Heizou asked wildly through loud cackles. “You just left like that?”
The traveler shrugged, smirking. “I figured they didn’t need an answer from me.”
Heizou devolved back into hysterics and Kazuha looked up from where he was failing to hide his own laughter. “Traveler, we are lucky to call you a friend.”)
When asked who the most terrifying man in Inazuma was, most would answer either Kaedehara Kazuha or Shikanoin Heizou.
The correct answer, however, was both of them. Together.
Nobody really knew whether or not they were dating. Well, most didn’t. The ones who did know were sworn to silence, shaking at the thought of letting the secret slip. This did nothing to ease the public’s fears of either of the men, but they did not seem to care.
But, when glimpses of them were seen together, looking up at the stars at night, every Inazuman had to admit, it was kind of cute.
(Even if they were abruptly made aware that stalking is illegal when caught.)