#shikanoin heizou's hangout | Explore Tumblr posts and blogs

thomine · 7 months ago

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like a ripple in a pond : heizou

heizou does not believe in coincidences, so seeing you at tenryou street piqued his curiosity. however, it's not your appearance on a street you hardly frequent that bothers him. it's your expression.

pairing: heizou / reader info: general audiences, mystery, minor npc oc, canon compliant, happens after inazuma archon quest (but knowledge of the quest is not needed) word count: 5.1k words links: read on ao3 / work tag note: title given by @/isekyaaa. beta'ed by ekolu & mimikyu

When he crosses paths with you on his way home, the shocked expression you have when he calls your name tickles his intuition.

Nothing is a coincidence, Heizou believes, and he should be the one that’s surprised.

First, his office is located in Tenryou, and it’s also in Inazuma City, the place he lives. It’s no anomaly to see him on the street. Second, you live in a village far away. Third, you only ever visit Yae Publishing House during your trips to the city.

The girl at your side might be a clue though.

When Heizou walks over with a big smile to say hello, the girl stands awkwardly, hands itching for a handshake, but she is also poised for a bow. She doesn’t seem like a local. He wants to assume she’s your friend, but if you are visiting someone you rarely hang out with, casual clothes might not be your choice of wear.

With all these pieces, Heizou is seeing a clearer picture of the situation. You’re giving a tour to someone from another nation. How sweet. However, that does not explain why you are shocked to see him. The Tenryou Commission did send a search party to find his whereabouts, so maybe you chanced upon this rumour and thought he was missing. But you know him. He is never lost with his intuition in the lead. You’re the last person he expects to fall for such stories.

He exchanges greetings with you, and you give a pleasant smile, but soon return to that new distant demeanour of yours. It has been a month since he last saw you at the publishing house. You were always joyful to meet him, sometimes even gracing him with snacks from your home as both of you chewed on dried lavender melon while discussing mystery novels. This is a change he isn’t prepared for, so he focuses on the girl by your side.

“My name is Shikanoin Heizou, a special detective working for the Tenryou Commission. Welcome to Inazuma,” he says as he extends his hand to the foreigner.

Her eyes flit Heizou up and down, and although she tries to be polite, Heizou can sense some doubt in his claim as a detective, not to mention a special one. She returns a friendly grip, body relaxed, but tenses up again. Her eyes beg at you for some guidance, but you’re deep in contemplation.

“It’s nice to meet you Shikanoin… Heizou?” she says after her failed call for your attention. She then introduces herself as Bertha, and Heizou smiles at her name. So she’s from Mondstadt.

“You can call me Heizou.”

Bertha loosens up, releasing a faint sigh. “Oh, I’m glad I didn’t offend you. I heard that some people like to be called by their first name, but some are stricter and only want to be called by their last name.”

“Not at all. I don’t find it a big deal, but if you remember my full name, it might come in handy if you find yourself in a tight pinch.”

“Oh, that’s really nice of you,” she says in a way that’s hard to decipher if she’s being friendly or she means it. “There were a few instances I did feel unwelcomed,” Bertha mumbles, then she returns to her cheerful self and continues, “but you’re really too kind. Your friend too! I was lost but your friend offered to be my guide for free!”

“I had time to spare,” you bashfully say, walking closer to Heizou. “Can I speak to you for a bit?” You give Bertha a sheepish smile. “I have some matters to discuss with him. We’ll be back! Give us a minute.”

Before she can respond properly, you’re walking down the road. Heizou tips his head to Bertha as a small note of parting and follows suit. Questions sharpen his senses as he scavenges you for keywords. You’re restless. Tired too. Each observation adds a layer to his hill of concern for you. What have you been doing the past month to end up in such a state?

“Actually… I am lost,” you admit after finding a good place out of Bertha’s earshot. You glance behind Heizou to watch her. He takes note how she seems more interested to ask about an Inazuma charm than ask for directions from the nearby store owner. “Bertha wants to go to Komore Teahouse and I thought I knew the way but I guess… I overestimated myself.”

Getting lost… Thinking you’ll know the way but not really… Heizou taps his forehead. Have you been frequenting Inazuma City? It explains your tiredness. The walk back to your village requires climbing and sometimes bandits loiter the paths. It matches your predicament too. Increased visits to the city made you confident you can navigate it by yourself… but if you did frequent the city, would you be lost? Unless you’re only visiting a few places, and Komore Teahouse is out of your parameters.

“Where did you meet Bertha?” Heizou asks. You are taken aback by his question. Reasonably so since the starting point does not matter when someone is lost. Even a baby is aware of this. “If you tell me, we will know where you took a wrong turn. You won’t get lost again.”

After a bit of hesitance, you oblige. “I saw her at Ogura Textile and Kimonos. I took a left turn believing it was a shortcut but… no success. What a relief that you appeared. She still thinks I can guide her. I wouldn’t want her to know I’ve been leading her to nowhere. Plus, how embarrassing… I approached to help but I ended up being lost as well.”

Heizou’s intuition pricks.

Your expression when you saw him had no inclination of relief. Not that it was hostile—it was surprise, mixed with a drop of disbelief.

“Then it must also be a relief to hear that you’re walking in the right direction,” Heizou says, smiling at the way your eyes light up. “Since you’re on the main road, it’s easy. Walk straight and just before the staircase to Hanamizaka, that’s when you turn to your left.”

“Thank you,” you say, but there is something else on your tongue you’re not sharing. He can tell from the way you lick your lips and press them together, as if sealing an envelope.

Heizou spent his past few days tracking down a case. It was exhilarating to enter the ruins and find treasure hoarders deep in their mischief. This case of you, however, is a different kind of exhilarating.

His intuition blares, warning him not to let this moment go. Not that he will. His brain is whirring with possibilities of what he can dig, and he isn’t satisfied with all the information he currently has.

“Perhaps I can join you, just in case,” he offers.

You stiffen.

“It’s a straightforward path and I’m sure you can manage yourself,” Heizou says, “but my way home is in the same direction. It won’t hurt to do a little detour, would it?”

You furrow your eyebrows and watch Heizou suspiciously.

“You’re suspecting something…”

“Aiyaya, how quick you are to accuse me. I just want to follow along.”

“And…?”

“And?” Heizou repeats, hands on his hips, smile stretching playfully. If he stitched everything right, Heizou is a problem to you, but he wasn’t one a month ago. Something has happened, and his intuition is telling him he has to find out why before it’s too late. “Aren’t you happy you bumped into me?”

“Relieved,” you correct. Heizou is smirking, silently arguing that it’s the same, and your quietness is your agreement. “If it doesn’t bother you, I don’t see why not…” you relent. It is never nice using your inability to say no to his advantage, but this is necessary to unearth your strange behaviour.

Heizou snaps his fingers in delight. He was worried he’ll have to return to paperwork after his cases. His intuition to leave for the publishing house a little later today was genius, serving him a delicious find.

“We shouldn’t keep Bertha waiting, should we?” He asks, and you sigh, deflated, but when you look at him, you have a restrained giddy smile on your face. Locking eyes with him, however, makes you squirm and you stare at the ground as if to collect your strength, yet you aren’t afraid of him like Bertha is. You’re standing close, almost as if preparing for the winds to sway you to bump into his shoulder.

His intuition tingles.

Oh.

How very exciting.

You are surprisingly well known in Inazuma City, Heizou observes, and although it distracts them from making their way to Komore Teahouse, the small conversations reveal plenty about you. Some of his colleagues recognise you, and interestingly they aren’t doushin that patrol the city. Ogura Textile and Kimono shop is just by the entrance of the police station. It should be expected that doushin will find you familiar if you’re frequently within the area… but they seem too friendly for you to be a face they witness crossing the streets on a regular basis.

He tries to ignore the small bud of green in his stomach, covering it with a yawn as one of his colleagues brag about his accomplishments. You’re nodding, listening, but your eyes wander too much. Sometimes you seem to be staring into space. After a minute or so, Heizou decides to save you from your misery, pulling you away.

An old lady also stopped the group to give you groceries in exchange for a kind act you did, which you eventually accepted so she could let you off.

Heizou can see Bertha’s eyes grow with innocent admiration with every pit stop. When you introduce her as your friend to the locals, they extend their warm greetings. It isn’t a surprise when, at the teahouse, she frantically requests to exchange contacts. She even reveals the address of her lodging in Inazuma City, practically begging you to find her.

Only you. It seems Heizou is redacted out of the situation, left to stand at the side and wait.

“I am truly so grateful. I came to Inazuma alone believing it will be a smooth trip. Who knew my understanding of the Inazuma script and local customs is so shallow…” Bertha clasps both your hands. “You really saved me back there.”

“Oh, it’s not a big deal,” you say like a saint. “I’ll be happy to help within my means. But, um… could you let go of my hands now?”

“Oh, sorry.” Bertha looks as if you struck a knife in her chest.

“N–not that I hate it or anything—I can’t delay any longer. It’s getting late and I need to go home.”

Heizou wants to laugh. There you go again letting people do as they want with you. Physical contact is not part of Inazuma’s culture, so he knows you’re at least uncomfortable. Bertha doesn’t need to know that though. She looks at the darkening sky and agrees, bidding you goodbye, and waves to Heizou as an afterthought.

You seem weary, and Heizou almost feels culpable approaching you for what he’s going to say next.

“Let me walk you home.”

‘Almost’ because the stupor in your expression is worth it.

“Yes, you shouldn’t walk me back home.”

“Okay, let’s go.”

“No, wait, I said you shouldn’t!”

“But you said ‘yes’.”

“As a detective, you shouldn’t cherry pick your clues.”

“As a detective, I am supposed to pick up things between the lines.”

“No, no, no. You’re reading this wrong. I don’t need you to walk me back home. I know the way and—wait a minute. I should just go now. The more we talk, the later it’s going to get. Good bye. It was nice meeting you.”

Heizou expects you to dash away, as your words imply, but you’re walking at a comfortable pace, and after a few metres, you do look back.

“I said not to follow me,” you hiss, intending it to be a warning but you sound conflicted instead.

“That’s hard when you’re making it too easy to do so.”

To his surprise, you stop and turn. You take a step closer to him and corner him like a culprit. Heizou is tempted to raise his hands in surrender, but he just smirks instead.

“Listen here, smart guy. I don’t know what you’re thinking but whatever you’re thinking of is wrong. You should just go your merry way and I will go on my own.”

“Then answer me this question, and your prize is that I’ll leave you alone.”

You shrink, looking uncertain.

“I’ll hear it first.”

He clears his throat comedically, adjusting his attire as he straightens his back, then stares into your eyes. You look away before returning with a gaze of equal determination.

“Can you explain what you’ve been doing near the police station?”

As if Heizou got caught in his own webbed game, you smile, eyes narrowing. The hunter has become the hunted it seems, when you so readily answer him.

“I guess you don’t know, but I am a freelancer who occasionally delivers parcels in Inazuma City. Most of the orders—well, the ones I take anyways—are to the police station.”

He tilts his head and looks at you. You’re really bad at lying, needing every word of yours to be factually correct. In some sense that’s your charm. Under his inquisitive presence, you falter for a split second before steeling yourself.

You’re trying to throw him off from his original hypothesis. That has to be the reason why you’re still shaky in some aspects of your stance. You didn’t reveal any new information, but it’s nice to know his assumption that you frequent only the police station is correct, aligning with how you could not find Komore Teahouse.

With your guards up, it’s not easy to get more out of you. Regardless, the sun is no longer in the sky and the city is illuminated by street lamps. It is a great condition for one thing…

“Look at the time. I don’t think you should go home alone when you don’t have a weapon or vision to defend yourself. I guess it is in my interest to accompany you.”

You open your mouth in rebuttal but squeeze your eyes. Then, your raised index finger filled with accusatory intentions falls to your side as your shoulders slump.

“Fine. If you think it’s not a nuisance.”

You’re reluctant at first, answering his questions plainly, but as the night deepens, you start speaking the way you used to at the publishing house. Excitedly, you rap about your trivial adventures at the village, recounting tales like a narrator observing life unfold. In your good mood, Heizou tries asking about your delivery job, but you change the subject to ask about his cases. When you try to sneak a few questions on his whereabouts to piece together the incidents that led him to appear at Tenryou street, he gives you what you want, but, tit-for-tat, he doesn’t reveal he was on his way to the publishing house.

When you reach home, you’re all smiles, as if you did not oppose his suggestion to walk you back home at all.

His intuition tingles.

He’s getting closer to the truth.

“That helpful delivery person has not come in weeks,” a colleague of Heizou laments as he enters a restaurant well known to tourists and high flyers, not so much doushin. “I ordered something and I was hoping it’d be that freelancer to arrive, but it was just a regular employee from Komaniya Express.”

“Oh, I know that freelancer—Heizou’s friend, right?”

Heizou does not say anything as he enters the restaurant after his colleagues for lunch. Many have commented his increased presence in the city is strange considering his love for pursuing personal cases that leads him to other islands of Inazuma, but no matter how much they poke, Heizou does not say anything more than he has personal dealings in Inazuma City.

Unfortunately, you haven’t stepped foot into the city for a while, puzzling him. His intuition doesn’t lead him anywhere else.

“Oi, Brother Heizou, help your brothers out, would ya? We want to know more about your friend.”

Something ugly buzzes in his gut. Over the weeks, as he dug for more evidence to solidify his hypothesis, he learned a lot about you. He has known you for a while, but only as a novel enthusiast. His first encounter with you was at the Publishing House, and buying novels was the only reason you travelled the distance from your village to the City. He didn’t question much and left after he browsed through the shelves, but you were always there when he visited, and it was fun having discourse with you on the reality of these novels.

Turns out you took the long journey to the bookstore not just for yourself, but to buy books for the village. The old lady you bumped into? She is from your hometown. She was visiting her grandson who lived in the city, and that grandson, inspired by the books you brought back, decided to chase his dreams. He’s apparently an up-and-coming novelist.

As gentle as ripples on a pond, sometimes he worries how fragile you are, but it amazes him how large your small actions become.

To have his colleagues fawn over you is expected considering your deeds, but Heizou still doesn’t like it.

“Aiyaya, it’s a little too early to be talking about all this. We haven’t even ordered our meals. Come, Uesugi, what do you want to eat?”

Uesugi, a colleague, brightens up at the invitation, and the boys holler and hoot as they scan the menu.

In the midst of chaos, a voice finds its way to Heizou’s ears.

It’s Bertha. She dashes towards Heizou’s position, uncaring about the way his colleagues fall silent and watch her with great curiosity. Heizou doesn’t care either. What he cares for is if you are with her, and if you are, then his intuition is right. Bertha is the reason you’ll visit the city again.

“Oh, it’s such a pleasure to meet you! We were just talking about you. Come, let me show you where we’re seated.”

Without any warning, Bertha grabs his hand and drags him up the stairs. Heizou’s colleagues just gawk. Even their honed quick reflexes are no match against the shock that sits them in their place, and he is carried away before they know it.

“We’ll order for you!” one of them shouts before Heizou is gone.

He has no idea how Bertha has the strength to sprint up the stairs. Upon reaching the second floor, he is slightly exhausted but tries to compose himself when he spots you sitting at a nearby table. You’re sipping your drink, and when you notice him, you almost choke.

“Take a seat!” Bertha gestures to the seat beside you. You cough, twisting your body away from him. It is only after you take a deep breath do you sit proper, straining your face to remain expressionless.

“Bertha,” you say with a controlled voice, “Your break to the toilet was faster than I expected.”

“That,” she says, pursing her lips in embarrassment, “I actually forgot about that because I was so excited. I shall go now.” But it seems as if it is intentional, for she giggles on her way down the stairs.

Heizou pulls out the chair opposite you instead since Bertha is gone. Plus, he’ll give himself till Bertha returns. The longer he stays, the more questions his brothers will ask him. You do not like being bombarded with grand gestures, something his colleagues will do when they realise you’re in the vicinity.

You return to your drink, staring at the table.

“How’s lunch—” you say.

“It’s nice to see you around—” he says as well.

Both of you gently laugh. He gestures for you to go first.

“I didn’t know you'd eat lunch at this restaurant. You don’t seem like someone who likes fancy food.”

“That’s right. I prefer more homely dishes, but my friends wanted something special.”

“Special? Is today a special day? Wait a minute, when is your birthday?”

Heizou chuckles, leaning against the table. “It’s not my birthday. They’re just being sentimental that I’m around. I am their model employee.”

You nod, laughing, and then fade to silence.

“It’s nice to see you around,” Heizou starts. You’re almost back to your normal self, it seems. Less tense, less rigid. More welcoming. Still, a streak of sadness stains your mien.

“Yeah… Bertha wanted me to accompany her through her itinerary. She’s invited me to join her a few times but I declined, and then I felt horrible about it… This is the second of the seven places she wants to visit. I’m in for a long day, huh.”

“Is that why you haven’t been doing deliveries, then?”

“Not really,” you say, shrinking into your seat. “Did… Bertha say anything to you?”

Oh? Heizou can feel his lips curving into a smirk. She did drop that you were talking to her about him. He tries to control his expression and tap his temple in thought.

“Perhaps she did…”

You jump in your seat, hands reaching out to create some barrier between him and you. “Look, I can explain. I–I–”

“You can when I walk you home,” Heizou says as he stands. “I believe you’ll have a long day today, and it’ll be dangerous for you to go home yourself. I’ll meet you at Bertha’s.”

“Wait, I don’t know when I’ll end. How about I meet you at the police station?”

The rowdiness from his peers below reminds him of their casual talk about you.

“The hostel is fine. If not, I'll wait for you. How about that?”

“I don’t really have a choice if I want to explain myself, right…”

“You’re right,” he teases. You look down in your seat, but he manages to catch you biting your lip to abate a nervous smile. “I’m not giving you another opportunity.”

He leaves, crossing paths with Bertha on his way down the stairs. She’s upset he can’t stay, but understands that he’s still on the clock and the meal his colleagues ordered for him has probably arrived. She bids farewell and Heizou rejoins with his friends.

They pester him with questions on who Bertha is, which he answers honestly. A few catch on that Bertha isn’t alone and asks who the other person might be.

“Even a detective should have his secrets,” he says, then smiles and stuffs himself with food.

As quick eaters and obedient guards of the Tenryou Commission, they finish their meal before lunch break ends. Thankfully, neither you nor Bertha make your way down. As some quip about you and their sadness for your absence the past few weeks, Heizou can’t stop grinning.

His intuition is always right.

He’s looking forward to tonight.

Heizou throws his jitte into the air, catching it by hooking the handle with his index before spinning it idly. He has been waiting for 10 minutes with you nowhere in sight. He’s surprisingly optimistic though, especially considering Bertha’s personality. She will not let you slip away. It’s highly likely she knows of your meet up with Heizou at the end of the day. She would have pestered you for details, and you’ll give what she wants.

“Sorry to keep you waiting…” you say behind him. He turns, confused why you’ll appear from the hostel, only to have his eyes feast on a wonderful sight. His jitte drops to his floor. You’re wearing traditional clothing, styled and tailored in a way that perfectly brings out your form. Heizou’s heart almost forgets its job. He bends down to pick his weapon.

“Bertha decided to use me as a model… uh…” You lift your sleeves and twist to look at yourself. “This is making things worse, isn’t it?”

“Where are your clothes?”

You sink, hands covering your face. Heizou kneels with you.

“I wasn’t paying attention and bumped into someone who spilled noodles on me.”

Nothing happens out of coincidence, Heizou believes.

You groan. “I’m making this worse for myself.” Your hands are shaking, so he takes them gently in his and gives them an encouraging squeeze before standing to pull you up.

“I wonder what was on your mind,” he asks, partially knowing the answer. You don’t release your grip on him even though you’re on your feet.

You sigh. “This is the time for it to all be revealed, isn’t it? Although I believe you already figured it out.”

“I’m not a mind reader,” he says. “Even if I do know, don’t you want to say it?”

“No, I don’t.” You keep your head low. “Not really.”

He keeps quiet, patiently waiting for your next move. You look at his hand that’s holding yours, then at him before your face is stricken with nervousness. He gives an encouraging squeeze.

“Do you remember our first meeting?” you ask.

“At Yae’s Publishing House.”

A small smile graces your features as you seem to reminisce. “Your wit captivated me. I found you so charming, but scary. You could understand every twist and turn of the novels, I was envious.”

Heizou nods. He remembers that, and at that time he was grateful for your agreement. Normally people push aside his own beliefs, or even accuse his intuition to be child’s play. There’s a reason people call him peculiar and eccentric. It took a while to gather the trust of his comrades he currently calls his brothers, but you trusted him immediately. That made it easy to get along with you. He might not admit it, but meeting you was his highlights, not the best seller books.

“As we talked more, I started to like you, Heizou.”

The ambience is thick with suspense. It is what he expects to hear, but he stands, now the stunned one, unable to fathom the honesty in your gaze.

You finally pull your hand away from his grip.

“When you stopped appearing at the publishing house, I wanted to see you again, so I tried many excuses to visit Inazuma City in hopes I’d bump into you. Truthfully, I was a little offended that when I tried, you were nowhere to be found. Then, just when I gave up, you were there. ”

“You quit your job as a delivery person, didn’t you?”

You nod.

“And,” Heizou adds, “the day we met would be your last day in the city.”

“I went to the publishing house without fail. Went for multiple trips and even stayed there for a whole day just to increase my chances. I always wondered when we would meet again.”

As you speak, your head lowers. You touch your attire, eyeing it carefully. “I was thinking about what will happen now before I got noodles all over myself. I was so nervous, but Bertha is right. Keeping these feelings inside isn’t doing me any good. I rejected her invitation because I didn’t want to go to the city, to have anything to do with you… but I eventually agreed because it felt too good to be true that we walked home, and maybe I’m greedy…”

You lean against the wall, arms hugging yourself as an attempt to be smaller.

“She said if I don’t tell you, she’ll do it for me as the highlight of her trip before she leaves. Knowing how she is, I was worried she’ll give you a run down version of my feelings as the truth. I know I said I like you, but I’m really here to say I’m not going to anymore.”

Heizou can only stare. Soaked in sincerity and moonlight, you’re enthralling.

“This is so embarrassing,” you admit, facing his nonplus reaction. “You shouldn’t say anything. I’ll just go home now.”

Heizou wants to grab you before you elude him, but his intuition freezes him in place. Where is the joy in that if you succumb to his plea? At this moment, there is no greater test for you than him giving you the space to express yourself. For once, you don’t have to adhere to other’s desires, and in the quiet, he hopes you can hear your own. So he stands at the entrance of the hostel as he watches you go. Each step, his heart aches. His hands itch to reach forward, but he keeps them to his side.

His intuition is always right.

You stop your march.

Slowly, you look back, and you dash towards him.

“It’s not easy to like you,” you confess when you return, panting. “And I keep telling myself I can stop liking you if I don’t see you but I’ll remember how we would talk for hours and I’d fall in love with the way your mind works, and then spiral into a mess of listing everything amazing about you.”

For a long time, you have been at the back of his mind too. While he runs around Inazuma, led by his intuition, he wonders how you’ll react to seeing him again. Perhaps his insistence to find the truth is also stemmed from his disbelief that you can look at him with such dejection. Where was the smile he found beautiful?

He doesn’t believe in coincidences, so this moment can’t happen if it isn’t for his frolicking attitude. He doesn’t regret it, but it does cause a small twang in his chest knowing he’s hurt you.

“I can’t change who I am,” he says.

“I know. I’m not asking you too. I don’t know what I’m asking, honestly. After this we can ignore each other and I’ll never visit the city again.” You look at him to search for some kind of confirmation or rebuttal.

“Do you really want that?” he asks instead, and perhaps you see your reflection through his green eyes as you widen yours in gentle surprise, like facing a revelation. “You can do what you want with me. I’m not going anywhere.”

You take a step closer. He doesn’t budge, letting your breath hit his skin. A second later, you declare like a criminal: “I missed you.”

You hold his face and press your lips against his.

Heizou does not believe in coincidences. A ripple has to be caused by something. Humans have to be moved by something. He has fallen under scrutiny for this view, but there is no moment greater than this that proves his point.

It is not a coincidence your lips mold his.

It is not a coincidence he likes you, and it’s not a coincidence you like him.

author's note: i am not quite sure how and what to tag this story as, but it's my first time trying to write something leaning more towards mystery. i was really worried that the thought process of heizou could not be followed, so i'm really grateful to my friends for beta-reading the fic & sharing their honest thoughts! the fic would have been a mess if not for them.

another note is that… this fic is lowkey dedicated to a friend of mine who shall not be named, but if they see this, just know i understand the heizou drought and i hope this helped you go through it a bit before he's released from the basement in the next patch, HAHA.

i have more to say about this fic so do check out the author's commentary! especially since the total word count of this document is… around 19k.

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nya-vivi · 5 months ago

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Shikanoin Heizou's character main inspiration (and why it is not Detective Conan).

Before anything, I will like to preface this by saying that I have not seen (or read, for that matter) any Heizou's character inspiration analysis that covered the work I'm about to cover. I could be completely off mark and there could be one, but I'm afraid I have simply not seen it. If there is and someone could be so kind to @/ or link it, I will update this post to add that analysis.

Another thing I will like to say is that I do not deny the obvious inspirations and takes on the popular manga and anime series like Detective Conan (Meitantei Konan) and Bungou Stray Dogs, but to my understanding, those works do take inspirations from other previous works, such as the Sherlock Holmes' saga, the mystery works of Edogawa Ranpo and other very popular detective novels referenced in Heizou's constellation names (you can find a link to that here!), so rather than to say Hoyoverse's inpirations were newer detective media, I would say all those share a common inspiration of older works of the same genre.

The rest of the analysis under the cut, to not clog anyone's dashes. This should be spoiler free for the most part, but there may be allusions to some of Heizou's hangout event endings.

Said all that, allow me to recount the events that led me here, as I feel it is appropiate.

It felt like a miracle came to me one day I was browsing the novel aisle of my favorite manga shop. I was waiting for my friend to decide which Puella Madoka Magica to buy to inflict psychological pain on her psyche when I saw a weird title: Police Detective. So naturally, being the big snooper I am, I took it to snoop around and saw the full title: Police Detective Heizou.

Flabbergasted.

I had been looking into his character for a while and hadn't been able to find anything. Althought, to be completely honest, not very inquisitively, as I got frustrated and thought that another person would be so kind as to do the work I didn't want to do (spoiler: it didn't happen). So really, to say I was shocked wasn't an exageration.

I had always thought that Heizou was a…pretty weird name to name someone based on Japanese culture, even more having more common names in animanga like Ayato, Ayaka, Shinobu, Kokomi… You get me. So I had always the suspicion our dear Heizou was based on something, I just couldn't find what.

And lo and behold there was! I did a small mistake, I didn't get a photo nor did I write down the name of the author, so I didn't have a lead comming home and cried about it. And then I decided it was time to woman up and to search well and wide. And I found a very elusive wikipedia page called Onihei Hankachou.

Onihei Hankachou (鬼平犯科帳), as you can read on wikipedia, was a series of historical novels written by Shoutarou Ikenami from 1967 to 1989, based on a real-life special police officer called Heizou Hasegawa (the wikipedia article is in japanese, my apologies in advance).

I will not be detailing everything in the wikipedia article, as I think It is well explained, but because every analysis needs both evidence and explanation, I will comment on the more important and notable things.

I'm going in the same order as the wikipedia. To not confuse anyone, 'Heizou' will be the genshin character, meanwhile, the novel and historical figure will be named by his surname 'Hasegawa'.

While we don't know fully the home life of Heizou, we know that, like Hasegawa, he was looked down. Not because of illegitimacy, but rather because he didn't want to inherit his father's dojo and wanted to become a detective. Because of that, Heizou ran away from home.

This can be corroborated in Heizou's Vision Character Stories and in the Shikanoin Heizou's Inazuma Commercial Street Bulletin Board message.

In the Vision one it says: But just like every other rebellious child in the world, he only wished to escape having to take up his father's work, even as he was forced to learn martial arts alongside him.

Meanwhile in the Bulletin Board, his older brother discredits him saying 'he names himself a detective'. While it's true that there's no detective position in the Tenryou Commission, the wording feels really condescending.

Then, it says that he led a fast life. This has little to explain, but in a lot of his Character Stories, he is always running off and nobody knows where the hell he'll be next lol.

On the remaining highlighted text, in his hangout route Heizou Talks Fraud we can see how Heizou does reinsert previous minor offenders to act as his eyes and ears in the streets, and in Kuki Shinobu's voiceline titled Shikanoin Heizou, Heizou regularly buys information off of the Arataki gang in exchange of good words whenever Shinobu bails them out.

While Heizou reinserts minor offenders, we can see that his attitude towards what I call assertive criminals (ie.: criminals that knew they were commiting a crime and didn't care nor showed remorse) is pretty strict and even irritated in some cases. After all, he hates the abstract concept of 'Crime' and everything it means, but he is also very cunning and knows how to make use of those assertive criminals.

Meanwhile, like the literary Hasegawa, he is pretty forgiving and merciful towards accidental criminals. In the route of Long-Sealed Mystery, he didn't want to involve Ryuuji with the murder more than he was involved and didn't include it in the final case paperwork; and when the whole debacle with smuggled goods happened in The Missing Thing, Heizou decided to stick around instead of making things difficult for Sangonomiya, but still with a warning to Gorou to not lie to him again.

All in all, I think it is pretty obvious how the novels and the character 'Heizou' relate to one another. Obviously, a lot of details were changed, but the connection is undeniable.

As final message, I have to say that I did not have the pleasure nor the time to read the novels, but I encourage everyone who wishes to know more about the source material to give it a read if they can! This analysis is not really a deep dive into the parallels of the work and the game, mainly a word-vomit on a topic I had been very interested for some time but had not the chance to really look up.

I close this big post with well wishes <3 anyone who wants to share or debate or anything (as long as it is politely!) is very welcome to do so!

#genshin impact #shikanoin heizou #genshin impact analysis #genshin impact character analysis #idk how to tag this

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hoyotournament · 5 months ago

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Round 3: Welt Yang vs Shikanoin Heizou

(Propaganda under the cut)

Welt Yang:

i don't care WHO welt gets paired with he needs to clear this. he gave up his childhood to take on the role of a heroic protector immediately after witnessing firsthand the deaths of his father and his important mentor at a young age. he's been alive for over 80 years by now and never once has he strayed from the path he set for himself. he's insanely kind, almost to a fault, and he's saved the whole of humanity on earth more than once. he's died and been reconstructed over and over and he quite literally bears the burden of everyone who lived before him within his own body. welt is the DEFINITION of selfless and he continues to do what's best for the universe as he travels

Shikanoin Heizou:

heizou's apparent self-contradictions are pretty interesting. he's a government employee who doesn't care that much about rules, he's a detective who doesn't see 'truth' as an ultimate goal, and he's a skilled martial artist who you first encounter stuck in a cage. though i have not read his character stories he has a very memorable personality from his hangout and quests. also he was the og melee catalyst we gotta respect our roots

#tournament poll #hoyoverse #hoyoverse men tournament #honkai star rail #hsr #honkai impact 3rd #hi3 #welt yang #genshin impact #genshin #shikanoin heizou

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genshinresource · 2 years ago

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Genshin Impact Hangout Event Series Overview (2/?)

#genshin impact #character artworks #event artworks #in-game illustrations #PNGs #Hangout Events Series #Kuki Shinobu #Shikanoin Heizou #Faruzan

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kazumiku · 1 year ago

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Sides of a coin

a shikanoin heizou filo smau

pairing | heizou x fem!reader

genre | university au; rivals to lovers; slow burn; crack; light angst; fluff; eventual smut (will be tagged)

synopsis | sworn rivals since childhood. swearing that they both hate each other—having no shame in showing it. but what if realization dawns upon them and the questions starts to rise? having to brush feelings off until somebody makes the first move.

warnings | kys jokes; suggestive content; midly ooc; offensive language; ignore timestamps; unrealistic portrayal of university life; self indulgent; very messy progression; tags may change

status | on hold (tryna make it english because my tagalog slang is declining)

taglist | open (send ask or reply)

Introducing the names of Sides of a coin

↬ mabangong tambay sa kanto, mini miss yaur, extras

First stage; Realization

01 → Libro ; 02 → Kape ; 03 → Bet

04 → Tagpuan ; 05 → Tie ; 06 → Competition

07 → Group chat ; 08 → Cat ; 09 → Affectionate

10 → Prince; 11 → Switch ; 12 → Cookies

13 → Hangout

Second stage; Resistance

14 → Plan ; 15 → Stolen ; 16 → tba..

17 → tba.. ; 18 → tba.. ; 19 → tba...

Third stage; Resignation

? → tba..

Fourth stage; Embracing

? → tba..

main navi !

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smilingangel582 · 1 year ago

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Afraid of nuthin'

Warning spoilers alert well until Heizou's hangout event and itto story quest

Ps. If u aren't a fan of tickling and friendly things that don't seem more your type and less bizarre, feel free to scroll down... thank you and enjoyyyy my loveliees!

(Lee!heizou and ler!Itto - featuring oopse... *clamps a hand on my mouth* It's a secret and a surprise ending)

***

"Heizouu!"

Startled by the booming voice outside of shimura's restaurant, the young detective Heizou almost spills his tea. It's the third time this month, at least... that Itto gets him to react so differently.

"Itto old chap... Maybe it's better to lower your volume down in public places. " Heizou squints with an assuring expression when the oni steps in almost slipping into a crashing speed at the fragile looking restaurant.

"Oopse, you got it my hombre," he salutes now, walking along with Heizou, who's in fact on his break but rather scavenging for some new intriguing mysteries under Sango's nose.

"Hey buddy," Itto speaks after a few minutes of strolling, probably out if boredom.

"Yes?"

"I'm interested... every instant I see ya, especially during the test of courage," Itto gestures comically as they walk outside Inazuma a bit "you don't seem scared of anything... right?"

Tricky... if he said yes, it would mean Itto will start a troublesome game of finding Heizou's fear, leading to trifling conclusions. Then if he says no... and admit he is. He'll have to spill the impossible. Truthfully, not even he knows what he's afraid... maybe when there will be a day that mysteries won't exist?

"Um... well Itto, I am a human so it might be dramatic to say I'm not scared..."

Either way as Heizou deduced Itto intends to investigate his fear.

Chuckling now "Well, say you are more fearless than an oni, but you are a wee human so I bet you are scared of something..."

Sighing Heizou shrugs and it took quite a while for Itto to even analyse and figure out anything.

Honestly, Heizou's job is still with him himself... no one can take his job. At least the traveller gladly isn't despite having exceptional skills.

"Maybe like me! Is it beans?"

"I'm a human not an Oni..."

Groaning even more Itto pouts a bit. Chuckling at the childish display of the large but kid oni, Heizou professes "Alright Itto, trust me... I'm afraid of somethings but I am not as brave as an oni... does that feel better?"

Oni grins but slightly accepting it. He turns to Heizou and then pokes side. "If I would say you certainly need to eat m-"

"H-hey!" Heizou arcs his back from the touch and backs off, tittering uneasily he states "Itto... space please..."

Curious oni is a dangerous oni, Heizou knew he's skilled to note that about him. Another poke but Heizou prepares by staggering back only to land on his back.

"Heizou? Are you perhaps ticklish?" A look of genuine delight in the discovery.

"H-huh why would you say that I-Itto?" Barely making eye contact.

The oni shrugs but helps him up and slightly offers a playful snicker, "ahh well my compadre you better watchout cause there is someone even scarier than an oni..."

"If you are referring to ghost-"

"Those too but!" He emphasises with a smirk, making Heizou connect the dots before Itto could get to the point. Gently trying to slip away, he stepped back, but Itto caught him without an effort by the arm holding it up as he began his conversation.

"You know who that guy is?"

Gulp, this is not good... if this oni really plans to tickle him, it's the end of his day.

Tactic one, distraction...

"Ah, look at the time... uh... my breaks over Itto... hehe, I better head ba-ahahack!" He poked his ribs now.

Failed... abort! Abort!

"Shikanoin Heizou, you will get a visit from the tickle monster!!" As if he never heard a single word from Heizou since that topic. Fingers immediately dug into his bare sides, beginning his attack properly.

Maybe he should consider a change of clothing since Lumine enjoys poking him here and there.

"Ahaha wahait aha, maybe hehe, I am ticklish buhuhut... ihihits nohohot ahaha feheheeear!" Pushing his hands off slightly averting his eyes to see if there's a crowd watching him struggle to escape a child oni.

Itto's strength is commendable when he pins both his small wrist above his head "Heizou, look here bro, fear of tickles is something everyone has tho some tend to enjoy it...buuut" his fingers lightly tracing his stomach now heizou feels determined to admit he's got a fear of the tickle monster -or rather tickle oni.

"Well you are a detective... might spill a thing or two... right?"

"Aahahahas ihihif a lihihittle tihihickling cahahahan dohoho thahahat!?? Noho, sir!" Heizou's right arm kept pushing him away though with no success.

"Oooooh" mistake, big mistake Heizou realised too late. Too late! He squeaks "NO! Wait!"

Bursts in immediate laughter when Itto tickles his under arms. Itto nods casually "I see, so you are not afraid of the tickle monster making you spill the tea... my bro, if you promise to say the word Onikabuto I'll let you go... but that means you will submit to this little interrogation method..."

Since when did this Oni became soo... evil? Or bad? Heizou was too busy struggling the tickles that are total torture under his arms. He shakes his head "SEHEHERIOUSLY IHIHIHITTOO NOHOHO MORE GAHAHAHAMES... LEHEHET MEHEHE UP!"

"Armpits huh?" Itto snickers enjoying this waaaay more than the victim. Heizou can't even tickle back due to the struggles he wasted. "Well tell me what's the password! Come on little guy... I'll let you go if you say that... hmmm?"

His fingers slowly crawl down, making Heizou giggle but laughing less, as they remain on their sides still tickling. He squirms and yelps "Ack! Ihihittooo! Plehehease!"

"Begging? Alright not so tough now wittle detective... you sure are cute for someone who's not afraid of nuthin'!"

Itto won't shut up. Is this for real? Is Heizou the detective resistant to any torture gonna go submissive against tickling? No way...

Heizou squeals now feeling the fingers crawl up again "AHAHA haha whahahahat thehehe?"

"Incyyy wiiincyyyy Oniii went uuup the ticklish sideees!"

"Nohohohot thahahaaat ohohoho myyy ahahahrchoons!" Heizou blushes furiously. Especially when Itto is singing this version very loudly for the whole town to hear. No! Just yhat alone is intolerable!

"AHAHAH ok ok!!!! Noho more singing!" He panics when the fingers swiftly reached his armpits not even tickling "OK! EEEHEHE IHIHI UHUHUHU OHOHONIKABUTOOO! I SAID IT I SAID IT!"

Itto burst into laughter now hitting his own thigh "Ohooo my! Yohou can't stand thahat can ya!"

"Uhuhunfair... it wahas embarrassing..."

"But you had fuuuun compadre??"

Looking at the excited oni he sighs with a giggle "OK ok... I did,"

"It certainly looked like it"

The familiar windy light voice makes Heizou's blood run cold. He turns to see the anemo vision holder Kazuha.

"K-k-kazuha! What b-brings you he-hear?" Heizou stammers immediately, blushing more at the sight of his former target and now close friend standing there with a fond smile. Smiling even eider Kazuha gestures to the crux fleet. "A trip back to my home again, of course, wanderers may wander, but i also wonder..." leaning forward over Heizou's face."What my dear friend is doing, as a detective that's intriguing..."

Itto applauds with sudden excitement but also getting their attention "My bro your poetic!"

"Why thank you... I see you discovered my friends weakness,"

Itto chuckles "Lil dude be going 'I ain't afraid of nuthin' so I found out he's scared of the tickle oni!"

Kazuha's airy light laughter suddenly draws the wind. "Whyy, he's adorable, isn't he... squealing at his age...?"

"Kaaazuuu, please..." Heizou grabs his hand to stop him, "Itto let's give Kazuha a tour, and we'll introduce you to his heroic actions. " he pulls him away instantly to avoid further vociferous teasing on him.

They were already leading ahead, and Kazuha poked him teasingly about the initial incident, making the detective more embarrassed.

Meanwhile...

"Waaaait..." Itto still ponders and murmurs."Such a familiar nameee, Kazu... kazuha... Kaeda... oh!" and then he runs after them suddenly, recalling"

"Mutso no hitotachi!!!! Waaaaait, I want to fight ya too! Wait, uppp!!!"

(A/N:Sorry about the spelling. I can't remember it... the end, thanks for reading)

#tickle fic #genshin impact #genshin impact tickle #cute #lee!heizou #ler!itto

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