To The Temple

Akane sat in his place at the office, already typing in codes. "Man, that was close."

"You mustn't share this with anyone," Raijin said.

"Why exactly would I in the first place? I mean, who takes a bullet to the chest and comes to work the next day?" Akane shook his head.

"A certain someone who is speaking with a voice they cannot see."

"Pfft, let me breathe," Akane scoffed.

Rin leaned back, staring at Akane in confusion as the latter kept on talking to himself. "You okay, man?"

"What the hell do you even mean by that?" Akane said to Raijin, oblivious to Rin's question.

"Uh, are you okay?" Rin asked again.

"Shit that. You're saying rubbish. I can't fight," Akane palmed his face, still lost in the conversation with Raijin.

Rin frowned, drawing his hand back, behind Akane. "Are you…" He smacked Akane's head. "okay?!"

"What?" Akane snapped out and turned to Rin, forcing a smile. "Totally fine."

Rin squinted before turning to his computer. "New look's nice."

After a deep exhale, Akane returned his gaze to the computer. How exactly was he supposed to deal with this kind of life now?

As if in cue, Raijin gave him the very answer he needed. "You know I can hear you if you just say something in your mind, right?"

'Well then congratulations on making me look like an idiot for the past few minutes.' Akane thought.

"You were already one to begin with."

'Just shut up and let me work.'

"Type faster. You can go home earlier than usual, cover up your range today and maybe even dip into tomorrow's."

Akane paused. 'What? I've been typing like this for the last five years and my speed hasn't increased a bit. You don't expect me to just write fa—' Akane started typing again, his fingers a blur on the keyboard. 'What in the world?'

"You're one dumb mortal, y'know that right?" Raijin complained. "You got a power from the god of 'lightning', now when lightning comes to mind, what's next? Speed, you slow witted dimwit."

Akane was too excited to clap back. His grin was wide as he type codes at a speed that he never imagined he could posses. "I might just be the luckiest guy in the world, haha," he mused.

"Oooohh, so Yuki said yes?" A head appeared in front of him. One of his colleagues. Miwa.

"Seems like it. I saw her drag him away earlier," Rin smirked as he leaned back.

Two others from behind, scooted their chair close to Akane's.

"How did you feel when you told her?"

"What was her reaction?"

Akane blinked. "Eh?"

"What's… going on here?" Yuki said as she walked over to their row with some papers in hand.

"Hop, nothing." Miwa slumped back to her seat and the others dispersed as well.

Yuki put a hand on her waist and raised an eyebrow. "Are you guys gossiping about me?"

They all denied it with forced expressions. Of course they would.

A lot of the Akane's coworkers always believe he had this huge crush on Yuki but would never admit it to anyone. What else could explain why he was extra nice to the one person who was all too serious at work?

The rest of the day passed in a blur and Akane managed finish his days work at exactly 4 o'clock. He stretched on his seat, letting out a triumphant sigh.

Rin turned to him, "Taking another break?"

"Nope, done for the day," Akane mused, his try at hiding his excitement clearly terrible.

"Uh, wow. You took steroids for your fingers?" Rin mocked, nudging his arm. "You're joking, right?"

"Absolutely not," He replied, standing up and packing his things to leave.

One thing Akane loved but couldn't enjoy from at work was that, once it was 4 pm, anyone could go home as long as they were done with the days work, which was extremely rare, because most people finished by 8 or 9 pm. Only cleaners and all those who had the least work in the company hd the privilege of leaving around 6 or 7 pm.

He was always grateful for not being in the animations department. Those guys sometimes slept under the desks, because they couldn't go home. Three hour naps and they were up and running again. Not like the pay was that great either.

He picked up his bag and waved at Rin. "See ya tomorrow."

Everyone in the office perked up from their systems, watching him as he made for the door. The last guy out was now the first guy out.

"Bye everyone. Bye Yuki," he said as he stepped out of the office, closing the door.

Yuki narrowed her eyes as she watched the door close behind him. 'Something definitely is wrong with him,' she thought.

… …

Outside, Akane was in a heated conversation with Raijin. One of the reasons he even decided to leave immediately.

"Dude, I don't know how to wield a stick," Akane protested. "A sword? What am I? A modern day knight?"

"They will come for you and you'll need a way to defend us, fool," Raijin snapped.

"Again, I ask. Who are the 'they?'"

"I…" Raijin trailed. "I can't remember, but I know they're coming."

Akane sighed as he stepped out of the company building, the warm rays of the sun hitting his face.

"So, we're going to get some training now, let's go," Raijin said.

"No, I'm going home and I'm going to eat and sleep till the next day," Akane finalized, walking left to the subway station.

He came back running right, screaming as he kept on getting zapped. People around looked him with that 'is this guy crazy or something' kind of look as he jumped while running.

… …

He arrived at a temple, drenched in sweat. It was a temple where his father used to bring him when he was young. For some reason, he didn't feel his stamina drop after the run.

It was literally an hour long journey on a bicycle maybe, from where he worked to this place. Was it another of the lightning god's power? Most definitely.

"We're here," he muttered. "Been five years since I last came to this place. I don't even know if they remember me."

Raijin's tone was somewhat mocking. "I know that already. You don't have to tell me a thing about you. To me, you're the easiest book to read. I even know thoughts you forgot, and I can—"

"Please! Stop," Akane clasped his hands together. "There are somethings that took years to forget and I don't want to remember them. You made me remember one yesterday, so stop."

Raijin was silent for a moment. "Kissed a fish."

"Duuuude!"

An elderly woman with a walking stick, probably in her late forties, came out of the temple after hearing the commotion, but only saw one person. She walked over to Akane and bowed her head with a smile. "Welcome to the Shigai Temple, mister. How may I help you?"

Akane scratched the back of his head, laughing nervously with his eyes closed. "Oh, hehe, nice to see you again, Nana Sensei,"

The woman squinted to look at him, then she took out her glasses and put them on. Her eyes widened as she realized who it was.

The last thing Akane heard before opening his eyes to see an old lady in the air coming with a kick to his face, then passing out was, "You little shit!"