#fraying mind

Another day, another boring day of work. Had you known the office life at the Yashiro Corporate was THIS boring, you would've pursued other careers instead. Not that you hate your co-worker, Archons no, they were lovely people.

But doing the same thing over and over again made you felt exhausted.

Grabbing the canned iced coffee from the vending machine. You stretched your arms and went back to work. It's the same thing always. Sort that and this, check the reports that was send in and then compile all of them to give them to Mr. Kamisato. Simple.

Speaking of your boss, you've heard from the people that he was a spitting image of one of his ancestor. Albeit his personality is similiar to that of his sister. But that's ancient talk. It's not like things are always the same.

Still, you wondered how life was like back then. Would you have been more 'free'? Will there be no one to dictate how to use yours? People with Visions are put into a different class, 'To make them learn how to use their powers better!' they said. What a load of bull, most of your teachers say some things like 'Don't do bad things!' and that's it. Walking back to your desk, you can feel your Electro Vision cackle softly around your neck.

Children was jealous of you, people your age was skeptical of you and old people were constantly praising how you have the same element as the Raiden Shogun. But really it doesn't matter if you had a Vision or not. You're still you. After all it's an era of peace now. There's no need for people with Visions to fight. Hell, most even use it for daily uses.

You sat at your desk and take sips of your iced coffee while scrolling through the emails of reports today. Goodness there was a lot of unnecessary ones. You mindly scrolled past. Half-reading the titles. Took you quite a while to seperate the important from the non-important ones. You yawned as you get ready to type away, only to be interrupted by someone.

"Yo, (L/N). Working on reports again as usual?" Oh it was Kaedahara. He must have been visiting Mr. Kamisato. "Mm, yeah. It can't be helped but these reports aren't going to write themselves. Although I wish they did." He chuckled at your little joke. Kaedahara might be a close friend to Mr. Kamisato but he was nice to everyone here. He sort of became a celebrity. Not that he wasn't already one. It's always told to everyone at a young age that a Kaedahara once parried Raiden Shogun's Musou no Hitotachi.

So cool, you wish you had a chance doing that. But going up against a god is kinda scary.

"I better ask Ezume to raise your salary then." It was your turn to let out a laugh "Please do." He left you with a wave and a goodbye as you return to your work. Typing away mindlessly in front of the computer and occasionally turning your head away from the screen to avoid eye damage. The sun was setting down as you typed away the last few numbers and words in the document. You eagerly send them to Mr. Kamisato and let out a yawn.

Stretching yet again, you proceeded to gather your things. It was nice being able to go home at 7PM but you have to start working as early as 5AM. You're pretty sure that if you quite, your sleep schedule will take a long time to adjust. What a pain. It felt like you were basically trapped with your job despite the good pay.

You wonder how it feels to be free. Having no bills to worry about and all.

As you walked back home, a curious figure catches your eyes. It was an old lady selling various trinkets. You stop in front of her small stall and looked at the things she was selling. Temaris, ornately-decorated fans, ningyo dolls and other things. It was quite the traditional catalogue. "See something you like child? Please take all the time to look." The old lady spoke to you. You hummed as you looked around more. You don't really have a use for any of these but.....

"Granny, how much for this braided cord?"

Your eyes was fixed on a kakugumi-pattern braided cord that was made using a violet and white threads. There was just something about it that was begging for you to buy it. The old woman smiled at you "Oh that's a fine choice dear, you can use it as a bracelet." The woman told you the price, which was surprisingly cheap despite the fine craftsmanship of it, and gave it to you in a small gift box.

"Granny, are you sure you can sell it this cheap to me? It seems so well made..." The old lady chuckled "It's fine deary! That cord has been searching for an owner for a long time you know. It used to belong to a young lord of Inazuma." You tilted your head at her, confused as how an item that belonged to a noble ended up being sold by her. "Well I don't really know the detail. The story was passed down by story so it must have changed a lot. In any case, you better go home now before it gets too dark."

"Thanks granny, you stay safe as well!"

Going into your apartment you stared at the gift box. Goodness even the box itself was fancy. It was black with red and white accents, there's even an Electro Mitsumodoe on it! That's the highest honour from back then until now. Whoever this noble was must have been a personal fighter for the Shogun or something. You weren't that great in history but you remember the Shogun having a tengu warrior as her champion, perhaps it belonged to her? Considering how a lot of warriors used braided cords as decorations for their weapons, perhaps she found it impractical and just gave it away? Ah but the granny said it belonged to a lord....whatever doesn't matter now.

Once a possible weapon decoration now a bracelet for someone like you. you clasped the bracelet around your wrist. Huh, it was quite comfy. Even after years, the threads is still in good conditions. After making dinner, you watched the television. Maybe there's some good shows tonight or reruns of that old show Mushounin. Clutching a pillow and laying down sideways on the couch, you mindlessly cycle through the channels until you found one that you like. Hours later you fell asleep on the couch, unaware of a looming shadow.

"Finally that old hag sold the cord to someone. Now, let's see if you're worthy of me....."

Well this is weird, you didn't expect to be aware that you were dreaming. Even weirder that you're in ancient Inazuma. The Tenshukaku stand tall and the Raiden Shogun statue wasn't hogged by tourists. Actually........where is everyone? Was it because you didn't know much of Inazuma history that not everything appeared? You roamed around the empty city, taking in the scenery. It does appear detailed however. You were able to enter the Uryuu Restaurant without waiting for a line and the Yae Publishing House is quite smaller than it is now.

'Huh, this is a really weird dream.....'

Maybe you should try leaving? You started walking out to the city only to be met with an invinsible barrier. Well, that plan's not going to work. So you guess you have to stay in the city for now. You were about to pinch yourself and wake up but a voice startled you.

"Tch, did you seriously think this was a dream? Just how dumb did people get over the years."

Looking back immediately you saw someone with a slender figure wearing traditional Inazuman attire. He was scowling at you, as if he was looking at a bug. Rude. "Uh, who're you?" You asked him. What did he mean this wasn't a dream? "I'm Kunikuzushi. And you, mortal, will house my conciousness for the time being. You have no right to refuse, you did buy the stupid cord after all."

.....what.

"Sorry I don't think I understand..." He grunts at your confusion muttering something about how he will make 'that traveler' pay for his situation. He snapped his fingers and suddenly both of you were in another place. A gloomy forest with torii gates. He then walked to you and stared at you intensely "Hmph, you even have the same element as her. I guess you ARE something. Whatver go back to your mundane life, I need time to rest." Before you could ask another question you suddenly wake up. Archons you were sweating. Taking a deep breath you went out of your bed. 4:07AM. That's enough time for you to clock in as usual.

You splashed cold water on your face and brushed your teeth. After taking a shower and changing into your working attire you realise something odd.