After leaving Tenshukaku, the group planned to rest for a few days before setting off.
Three days later...
The street was packed with people.
“Paimon: Wow, it looks like it’s finally not so depressing.”
“Lumine: Yes, after Inazuma resumed foreign relations, people from various countries came to Inazuma for tourism.”
“Paimon: Huh? Is that Yoimiya ahead? She looks very excited.”
“Qixuan: Let’s go take a look.”
“Paimon: Hey—! Yoimiya, over here!”
Yoimiya excitedly ran over.
“Yoimiya: Cough, cough… (panting), I thought you all had already left, friends. I’ve heard everything. Thanks to you, Inazuma is finally not as depressing as before.”
“Paimon: Hehe, you’re making me a bit shy with all that praise.”
“Lumine: … … … … Paimon!”
“Paimon: Uh… I know, I know, it’s everyone’s credit.”
“Qixuan: What happened to Yoimiya? She’s so happy.”
“Yoimiya: Oh, it’s because Inazuma is just in time for the annual 【Summer Festival】. In the past, even fireworks weren’t allowed, but it’s different now. The Shogunate received an order from Raiden Shogun to arrange this year’s Summer Festival well. The most indispensable thing is fireworks, so Ayaka entrusted this important task to me.”
“Paimon: Wow—, it looks like a lot of fun.”
“Yoimiya: Of course! The Summer Festival will be held in Inazuma City. Miss Ayaka will set off the fireworks after the ceremony. There will also be various foods and fun things there. Do you want to come along, friends?”
“Paimon: Uh… Lumine, how about we…”
“Lumine: Paimon (prolonged tone).”
“Paimon: (poking fingers), Alright…”
“Qixuan: Alright, alright, we’ll participate. Lumine, stop scaring Paimon all the time. If Paimon didn’t like excitement, he wouldn’t be Paimon.”
“Lumine: But… aren’t we still supposed to…”
“Qixuan: You should also learn to enjoy the journey.”
“Lumine: Alright! Let’s go together.”
“Yoimiya: Yay! Then let’s go to 【Naganohara】 first. I’ve already prepared the fireworks, and I’ve also prepared a batch of samples to test the results.”
“Paimon: Then let’s go quickly, I can’t wait!”
… … … … … … At the entrance of 【Naganohara】 shop.
Paimon and the others were waiting outside the shop for Yoimiya’s sample fireworks.
“Paimon: Do you think Yoimiya’s fireworks will be like the ones that day?”
“Lumine: It shouldn’t be that bad.”
“Qixuan: Was it the time when Masakatsu was rescued? Hmm… it was indeed a bit fiery.”
“Paimon: That’s right, huh? No, how did Qixuan-jie know? He clearly didn’t…”
“Qixuan: Because~ I installed a 【monitor】 in Paimon’s stomach~”
“Paimon: Waaah!”
“Qixuan: Hahahahaha.”
Paimon realized she was being scared and then turned away, indicating she wouldn't talk to Qixuan anymore.
Ah!!!
A shout broke the silence, and everyone quickly rushed into the shop.
“Paimon: Wh-… what happened! Yoimiya, are you alright?”
“Yoimiya: … … Wuwuwu, I’m not good at all.”
“Lumine: What happened?”
“Yoimiya: My… my fireworks are all gone, both the samples and the official ones.”
“Paimon: Huh? How could this be! Who on earth did it!”
“Lumine: Who could steal fireworks?”
“Qixuan: Maybe the Treasure Hoarders?”
Yoimiya shook her head and said, “There are Shogunate Army guards arranged in the city, and everyone entering the city is checked and registered. Several Treasure Hoarders have already been caught.”
“Paimon: Uh… my head hurts.”
At this moment, Qixuan faintly sensed a demonic aura, then 【analyzed】 and 【located】 it.
“Qixuan: I know who stole them.”
“Lumine: Huh? Qixuan-jie has a clue?”
“Qixuan: I just briefly sensed it and found that there seemed to be a demonic aura at the scene, which means the one who stole the fireworks is not human, but…”
“Yoimiya: A demon?!”
“Paimon: But, aren’t they all outside Inazuma City?”
“Qixuan: Not necessarily. Some demons can completely blend in and not be discovered by people.”
“Lumine: So, should we go look now?”
“Qixuan: Hmm… I can feel the aura is currently in Chinju Forest.”
“Paimon: Then let’s set off quickly!”
Yoimiya also wanted to go at this time, then Qixuan said, “Yoimiya, stay and watch the shop. The shop still needs staff. Leave the rest to us.”
“Yoimiya: Alright… then be careful.”
On the other side…
Flower Demon: Is this really okay?”
“Kichiboushi: Don’t worry, Ioroi-dono will definitely be very happy.”
“Osoboshi: Although… fireworks are beautiful, these are not ours. Isn’t this bad?”
“Shousei: Who told Ioroi-dono and Saiguu-dono to make a bet and lose again? Alas… no choice.”
A large batch of fireworks was tied next to a flower demon, while three tanuki pushed a cart behind.
After a spatial fluctuation…
“Paimon: Ugh! Qi… Qixuan-jie, can you go slower next time?”
“Qixuan: Haha… I’ll try my best, you see Lumine is…”
Before she could finish speaking, she saw Lumine had already finished throwing up.
“Qixuan: … … …”
“Paimon: Huh?! Those ones in front are? Kichiboushi! Osoboshi! Shousei, and… …”
“Kichiboushi: Why do I feel like someone is calling me?”
Then the monsters saw Paimon and the others behind them.
“Paimon: So it was you guys who stole the fireworks! Give them back quickly!”
“Lumine: What are you doing with the fireworks?”
“Kichiboushi: Uh… that’s a secret, I can’t say.”
“Osoboshi: I told you we’d get caught, alas.”
“Shousei: Yes, it’s a secret!”
“Flower Demon: Uh… they did it all, it has nothing to do with me!”
The flower demon ran away at an extremely fast speed.
Lumine took out her sword and said, “Are you going to tell us or not?”
“Paimon: Right! Are you going to tell us or not! Otherwise…”
“Shousei: Ugh ah! We’ll tell, we’ll tell everything, don’t hit us!”
“Kichiboushi: How could you betray us!”
“Osoboshi: Actually, I think it’s better to tell.”
“Paimon: Hmph, consider yourselves lucky.”
“Shousei: It’s… it’s because Ioroi-dono and Saiguu-dono made a bet, and the result was obvious, Ioroi-dono lost again. Saiguu-dono had a condition, saying she wanted some beautiful things, so Ioroi-dono ordered us to find them.”
“Osoboshi: Because we heard that Inazuma City was holding a Summer Festival, we snuck into the city and found fireworks. We heard from the people in the city that this year’s Summer Festival fireworks are the most beautiful, so…”
“Paimon: So you went to 【Naganohara】 and stole the fireworks Yoimiya prepared?”
“Shousei: Uh… I’m sorry.”
“Qixuan: Alright, Paimon, just take the fireworks back. I’ll talk to Saiguu. You guys take the fireworks back first. Yoimiya must be very anxious.”
“Lumine: Alright then, we’ll head back first.”
“Paimon: Mm-hmm, Qixuan-jie, come back quickly too, otherwise you won’t see the fireworks!”
“Qixuan: Okay.”
Then Lumine and Paimon returned to 【Naganohara】 with the fireworks.
“Qixuan: Let’s go, let’s go see your Ioroi-dono.”
The few tanuki had no choice, and then Qixuan waved her hand and disappeared from the spot with the tanuki.
After Paimon and Lumine returned to 【Naganohara】.
“Paimon: Yoimiya! We’re back!”
“Yoimiya: Huh?! How is it, how is it! Were the fireworks found?”
“Lumine: Of course, the fireworks are all here.”
Then Lumine opened her backpack and took out the fireworks.
“Yoimiya: Mm-hmm! These are them, that’s great, I can finally test them tonight. If they’re not good, there’s still time to modify them. Huh? Why don’t I see Qixuan-jie?”
“Paimon: Uh… she has some things to deal with, she’ll be back in a bit.”
“Yoimiya: Alright, alright, then come help me. These fireworks still need some things added in some places.”
“Lumine: Okay!”
On the other side…
After the few little tanuki finished explaining what happened.
“Saiguu: Hahaha, Ioroi, why are you still so foolish?”
Although Ioroi was still sealed, the stone statue visibly turned red.
“Qixuan: Exactly, exactly. You can’t make a girl happy like this, it’s too ugly.”
“Ioroi: Hmph… I didn’t have such thoughts at all. You guys, go stand facing the wall and reflect!”
The few little tanuki dejectedly went to stand facing the wall and reflect.
“Saiguu: Alright, alright, don’t blame them. Didn’t you make them do it?”
“Ioroi: I… I didn’t tell them to steal things.”
“Saiguu: I’m very sorry, Miss Qixuan, for causing you trouble. He’s just like that. He’s lost to me many times over hundreds of years.”
“Qixuan: It’s no big deal. How do you feel? Is there any discomfort after fully recovering?”
Saiguu shook her head and said, “I feel even better than when I was young. Looking back now, it still feels incredible, like a true…”
“Qixuan: Are you trying to say a god?”
“Saiguu: Mm-hmm…”
“Qixuan: Aiya, alright, alright, let’s not talk about this anymore. Will you all come to the Summer Festival tonight?”
“Saiguu: Yae has everything arranged at Narukami Shrine, so we’ll all be there. Ei will also come, after all, she needs to go out and have some fun.”
“Qixuan: Okay, then I’ll see you tonight.”
“Saiguu: Mm, I hope Miss Qixuan has a pleasant festival.”
… … … … … … …
After Qixuan returned to 【Naganohara】, she suddenly heard a loud bang. Qixuan quickly walked to the shop entrance and saw only half of the roof beam had shattered.
At this moment, three voices came from inside.
“Paimon: Cough, cough, cough! Yoimiya, didn’t you say it wouldn’t explode after your deep modification?”
“Yoimiya: Hehe… I… I didn’t expect to add too much. The proportions were clearly calculated correctly.”
“Lumine: Cough, cough, cough! Let’s get out of here quickly! It won’t be good if this place collapses in a bit.”
The three walked out with faces covered in ash, then saw Qixuan standing at the door. Qixuan looked at these three sooty “people” and was now trying hard to suppress her laughter.
After washing up.
“Paimon: Hmph, Yoimiya said it was absolutely safe and fine, so we didn’t stay too far away, wanting to observe closely, but we didn’t expect… If Lumine hadn’t used her Geo element to protect us, we might have been injured.”
“Yoimiya: Wuwah! (Hands clasped together) Paimon, Paimon. You’re a big person, don’t hold grudges against a small one. I was wrong, okay? Next time I’ll treat you to Milk Dango, okay?”
“Paimon: Lo… looking at it for the sake of food, I’ll let you off this time, hmph!”
“Yoimiya: Hehe, Paimon is the best!”
“Lumine: So what should we do next?”
“Yoimiya: Don’t worry, I’ll go alone this time. I’ve already figured out the proportions. This time, there will definitely be no problem!”
“Qixuan: Trust Yoimiya, she is the 【Queen of the Summer Festival】.”
“Lumine: Alas, it can only be this way.”
Then everyone waited at the shop entrance for Yoimiya to come out, until evening when Yoimiya finally emerged.
“Paimon: How is it, how is it! Was it successful?”
“Yoimiya: Of course! It can’t stump me.”
“Lumine: Then let’s try it first?”
“Yoimiya: Okay.”
As Yoimiya lit the fireworks, streams of colorful fireworks bloomed in the sky, adding several hues to the night.
“Paimon: Wow! These must be the best fireworks at this Summer Festival!”
“Yoimiya: There are also some special surprises, but they can only be set off when the Summer Festival begins.”
“Qixuan: Let’s go, the Summer Festival is about to begin.”
“Paimon: Yay! Let’s go.”
At the Summer Festival…
Everyone, dressed in various colorful costumes, played at various stalls.
“Paimon: It’s really lively, but we haven’t changed our clothes, isn’t that a bit inappropriate? I should have changed into something nice earlier.”
“Lumine: Alright, alright, can’t food shut your mouth?”
“Yoimiya: Alas, how did I forget about that?”
“Qixuan: That’s not difficult at all.”
As Qixuan snapped her fingers, everyone’s clothes changed. Lumine’s was a long dress in black and white koi colors, Yoimiya’s matched her original outfit colors, and Paimon’s was a local kimono.
“Paimon: This… it’s so beautiful, Lumine!”
“Lumine: Huh? This dress… it really is beautiful.”
“Yoimiya: So… so magical!”
“Qixuan: Alright, alright, let’s go. Kamisato Ayaka is about to begin the festival prayers.”
On the altar…
“Kamisato Ayaka: Welcome everyone to Inazuma’s annual Summer Festival. This is a joyous festival. In this hot summer, everyone can enjoy the moon and fireworks together. I know that Inazuma has experienced many difficulties during this time, but we can overcome each one. Believe in our Shogun-dono, and believe in ourselves. Now, enjoy the Summer Festival to the fullest!
(Cheers from the crowd!)
“Paimon: Quick, quick, Lumine, there are so many fun things over there.”
“Lumine: I know, I know, slow down.”
Qixuan followed Lumine and Paimon, strolling around and looking at things.
At this moment, loud bangs echoed in the sky, and fireworks began, Paimon said.
After the first few fireworks, the fireworks suddenly changed shape, forming faces. Upon closer inspection, they were Paimon, Lumine, Qixuan, and various Inazuma dignitaries, even Raiden Shogun’s.
“Paimon: Is this the surprise Yoimiya talked about? It’s amazing!”
“Lumine: It’s truly beautiful.”
“Qixuan: And me too?”
On the other side…
“Yae Miko: How is it? Is it beautiful?”
Ei said while eating Milk Dango, “Mm… very beautiful.”
“Yae Miko: Alas, you really are unromantic.”
“Makoto: Alright, alright, Miko, Ei has just been out for too long. It’s good for her to come out more often in the future.”
“Ei: Sister…”
Saiguu in Chinju Forest looked at the fireworks and said, “Tonight’s fireworks… are quite beautiful, aren’t they?”
“Ioroi: … … … It’s… it’s alright.”
“Saiguu: Hehe…”