Chapter Text
All was silent around the Grand Narukami Shrine aside from the ringing of the bells hung from the large sakura tree. A boy in a wide-brimmed hat sat in the grass along the cliffside with his chin rested on his knees, a few sakura petals drifting down beside him. Alone he stared at a pink omamori held in his hand, his senses being lulled by the chirping of crickets.
Kunikuzushi's thoughts were stirred by the steps of heels approaching him from behind. He didn't have to look behind him to know who it was.
"It seems you're getting better at hiding from me," Yae said in her ever-so-silky voice.
Kunikuzushi didn't respond, the gentle breeze billowing through the drapes on his hat. Yae frowned, walking closer to kneel beside him. "Is something the matter, dear?"
The boy sighed. "Why do I have to stay at the shrine?"
The fox envoy put a comforting hand on his shoulder. "What, don't you enjoy my company here?"
As much as he didn't want to admit it aloud, Kunikuzushi did appreciate her company. After being cast out by Ei, Yae had taken him in out of pity. The pink-haired woman had allowed him to call this place home, but over time the Grand Narukami Shrine began to grow more and more suffocating.
Kunikuzushi worked up the courage to speak aloud, letting out a deep sigh. "I want to see what else there is to Inazuma."
Yae pondered for a moment, turning her gaze upwards to the stars. "Perhaps I can find time to take a day off, leave the other shrine maidens in charge." She turned back to the boy with a smile. "What say we head into town together one day?"
Kunikuzushi looked to her, his eyes brightening. "Can we really?"
She nodded. "Of course. Everybody needs a little bit of fun from time to time."
-
Kunikuzushi hung a couple of steps behind Yae as they made their way down the main street of Inazuma City. Many heads turned upon seeing Guuji Yae herself making an appearance. A few people took note of the oddly-dressed boy walking alongside her. Kunikuzushi observed Yae's confident strides and the way she carried herself. He tried to match her, standing a little taller and glancing back at all the curious gazes.
"Is there anything that has caught your eye?" Yae spoke up.
Did anything catch his eye? There were so many sights to see in the main city that it was slightly overwhelming. Yae laughed lightheartedly, catching his uncertainty. "Here, why don't we check out one of my favorite stalls?"
Yae lead him along to a cart where a man stood selling dango. The salesman smiled at the curious look on Kunikuzushi's face.
"I assume you've never had dango before?" the woman beside him questioned.
Kunikuzushi shook his head. "What's it like?"
"They're a sweet type of dumpling. I can get you one if you'd like?"
The man working the cart spoke up. "Please, you can take one for free! Anything for a guest of Guuji Yae." He held out a tri-colored dango to Kunikuzushi. The boy took it from him, glancing over the dessert before taking a bite out of one piece. He paused to savor the taste before smiling and taking another bite.
Yae grinned at him. "I guessed that you'd enjoy sweets." Just like her, she added to herself. Yae held out a handful of mora. "I'll take one more if that's alright."
"Of course!" The salesman took the payment from her and handed over a second dango.
Yae tapped Kunikuzushi on the shoulder, who was already busy trying to figure out how to eat the last piece without it accidentally dropping off the stick. "Come, Kunikuzushi. I have one errand to run before we head back to the shrine."
The boy pouted. "Already? But we just got to the city."
The woman grinned. "Don't worry yourself. We can always come back. Next time we can explore more treats for you to try." The boy slightly lightened up at that.
She then lead Kunikuzushi down the street to Yae Publishing House. The man at the booth recognized her immediately and bowed to her. "Greetings, Guuji Yae! Here to check up on stocks for the bookstore?"
"Yes," she smiled. "How have sales been of recent?"
Kunikuzushi tuned out their chatter as his eyes scanned the many books lining the shelves on display. Not sure where to start, he took one at random and started flipping through it: a tale of a samurai warrior who vanquished all evil from the lands. He put it back and flipped through another, this time a novel about two lovers kept apart by their social status. He went to reach for a third book until he heard the sound of soldiers approaching from behind. A pair of men armored in purple stood at attention.
"Guuji Yae, the Raiden Shogun requests an audience with you."
Yae looked up from her conversation with a curious raise of her eyebrow. She sighed. "I suppose if it cannot wait..." She glanced at Kunikuzushi, then the guards. She approached the boy and handed him the spare dango in her hand. "I must ask you to stay here for a moment. Is that alright?"
Kunikuzushi frowned. "Why can't I go with you?"
"It's important shrine maiden business. Confidential, you might say." She gave him a reassuring smile. "The gentleman here at the publishing house will keep a good eye on you. I promise I'll return as soon as I can."
The boy frowned. "Alright..."
Yae headed off, trailing after the two guards. Kunikuzushi awkwardly twirled the dango stick in his hand, turning to the man at the booth.
"Er, I've... heard much about you from Lady Yae. I believe your name is Kunikuzushi?"
He nodded, an awkward silence hanging between them until Kunikuzushi's curiosity broke it. "Who is the Raiden Shogun?"
The man's eyes nearly bulged out of his head. "The Raiden Shogun. Surely Lady Yae would have told you about her Excellency herself?"
The indigo-eyed boy was taken aback by his surprise. Who was this Shogun and why was she spoken of so highly?
All Kunikuzushi knew was that he had many questions for the fox envoy later. He shook his head. "No, please tell me more." And so the shopkeeper rambled on to a very curious Kunikuzushi about the god of eternity herself.
-
Kunikuzushi was sat quietly in the shade, nibbling at the rest of his dango as Yae returned. She smiled at the boy, offering him a small wave.
"I apologize for the delay. It seems I can't always escape my work even when I leave the shrine."
Kunikuzushi stood up and brushed himself off. "Do we really have to go back already?"
"I'm afraid the sun will be setting soon. We should be heading back if we are to make it back to the shrine before nightfall."
Kunikuzushi's face fell. "Will we get to spend more time together next time?"
"I will do my best. It seems I had some... unexpected business to attend to." Yae began to lead the way through the streets as people began to close up their shops for the night.
Eventually Kunikuzushi was overtaken by his curiosity. "Why didn't you ever tell me about the Raiden Shogun?" he blurted.
Yae seemed to pause and consider her words before she replied. "She's a very reclusive person. I'm afraid she doesn't often make public appearances. She is a very important person here in Inazuma though."
The boy slightly tilted his head. "Are you two friends?" Kunikuzushi further questioned.
"You could say that. We have known each other for a great many years. I always enjoy telling her just how cute you are! But alas, she has been too busy to meet you."
"But not too busy to see you?"
"She is very... selective when it comes to who can meet with her."
"Why doesn't she ever come out? I'm sure she'd enjoy the city," Kunikuzushi said with a slight pout.
"The Raiden Shogun has her reasons. Unfortunately, I cannot reveal them to you just yet. We made a pinky promise between friends," Yae added with a wink.
For some reason, Kunikuzushi couldn't help but sense that the fox envoy was hiding something from him, but he had exhausted himself of questions for the day. Surely there wasn't anything bad about this Raiden Shogun person? What kind of high-ranking official was rarely seen by her own people? All he knew was that he planned to meet this Raiden Shogun someday out of his own curiosity. Maybe he could introduce her to the delicious dango Yae had gifted him? He was sure she'd like it.