Chapter 44: Fireworks Fade Easily, But Human Bonds Endure
When Bai Luo previously researched information about Visions, he had also investigated other related topics.
For example, whether a Vision's elemental attribute had anything to do with the holder's personality and living environment.
The facts proved that there was indeed some connection.
Take the Pyro element, for instance—no matter what situation they are in, people who possess Pyro Visions are almost always the most passionate and lively.
Well… except for a certain someone. No need to name names.
As one of the representative Pyro characters, Yoimiya was exactly that kind of person.
You could say that Hanamizaka felt even livelier than the main streets of the city largely because of Yoimiya and Arataki Itto.
Though the latter contributed more to causing trouble than anything else.
"Customer, were you watching that oni earlier too?"
Yoimiya might look carefree, but she had actually been paying close attention to Bai Luo's expressions the whole time.
When she casually mentioned Itto's race, Bai Luo's expression had clearly changed for a brief moment.
It was subtle—but definitely not positive.
"Yeah. I haven't seen an oni for many years."
"Actually, oni aren't that bad. Even though everyone in Hanamizaka complains about him, they actually like him quite a lot. Otherwise, they wouldn't have let him stay around here for so long." Yoimiya explained enthusiastically.
Just like she said, Bai Luo had already witnessed Inazuma's strong xenophobic tendencies.
It wasn't only non-human races, even the Fatui had taken a long time to be accepted.
Yet despite that, people allowed an oni to wander freely through the streets. That alone said a lot about their true attitudes.
"By the way… what kind of fireworks would you like, customer? Did you bring one of our family's fireworks notes?"
Yoimiya listened carefully to everything Bai Luo said, so she remembered that he had mentioned visiting before.
However, she didn't recall seeing him in her own memories.
Maybe he had been one of her father's customers?
Regular customers always had a fireworks note.
"A note?"
Bai Luo froze for a moment before suddenly remembering that in the game, after completing the main questline, she had given him a small note.
But something from the game was still just something from the game, it couldn't be brought into this world.
"Yes. It's a tradition of the Naganohara family. Speaking of which… fireworks bloom brilliantly for only a moment, which seems to go against the Shogun's idea of eternity. But the happiness and emotions passed down through those notes, along with the dazzling fireworks left in everyone's memories—aren't those also a kind of eternity? Maybe that's why the Shogun has never made things difficult for us."
"Sorry, I didn't bring a note."
"That's okay! Just describe the fireworks to me, and I can recreate them for you."
She showed neither disappointment nor complaint.
Yoimiya always managed to strike the perfect balance—never long-winded, never intrusive, never cold, and never overly persistent.
From elderly people in their eighties to toddlers who had just learned to speak, everyone could chat comfortably with her.
It was precisely this gift with words that made her so popular in Hanamizaka.
"The past… should stay in the past. Maybe I need a new beginning. Yoimiya, do you have any recommendations?"
"Hm… there are Scattering Petal Marbles that burst into flower petals when they collide, Chirping Spinners that make bright bird-like sounds while spinning, and Rainbow Dragonflies that change colors continuously after flying into the sky. These have all been pretty popular lately. Of course… there's also something new I've been developing recently—a bubble-blowing goldfish."
When it came to fireworks, Yoimiya became even more talkative.
She excitedly introduced her creations to Bai Luo, occasionally carrying sample items out of the shop.
If it weren't still daytime, she probably would have already rolled up her sleeves and lit one.
"You choose. I trust Naganohara craftsmanship."
Fireworks were only an excuse for Bai Luo anyway—he didn't really care what kind they were.
But his obvious lack of concern didn't escape Yoimiya's notice.
"Customer, fireworks fade quickly, but human bonds endure. No matter how unpleasant the past may have been, there must still be parts worth remembering, don't you think?"
Yoimiya didn't know what Bai Luo was thinking.
From his scattered words, she only guessed that he probably had a rather unhappy past.
"Fireworks grow cold… and people drift apart…"
That single phrase—"fireworks fade easily"—almost made Bai Luo instinctively start singing.
"Indeed. People often say fireworks vanish in the blink of an eye and are fleeting things. But as long as they are beautiful enough, they can bloom forever in people's hearts."
With a bit of effort, Yoimiya carried over a large, completely filled box of fireworks and placed it in front of Bai Luo.
"Fireworks are things that can carry wishes. When I made this box of fireworks, I received my own Vision. Speaking of which… at the time I even used my Vision as a flint to light them."
"Since the gods chose to give me a Vision at that moment, it must mean even the gods like these fireworks. Maybe they'll bring you a different kind of feeling."
Bai Luo could tell that Yoimiya was genuinely concerned about him.
That was the charm of Pyro Vision holders—no matter when or where, they were like the blazing sun in the sky, warming everyone around them.
Except for a certain red-haired man.
"How much?"
Fireworks that even the gods liked must be expensive, right?
But it didn't really matter. To him, Mora was just a string of numbers.
He had already earned plenty by selling books, and combined with the financial backing of the Fatui, he didn't need to worry about money at all.
"I'm not charging anything. If you feel bad about it, you can just write down what you felt when watching them. Maybe it'll give me some great ideas to improve my fireworks."
Yoimiya waved her hand dismissively.
This wasn't the first time she had done something like this.
In the past, her father would complain a little about it, but now that the Naganohara Fireworks Shop had been passed down to her, the final decisions were hers to make. Her father no longer interfered much.
"Then thank you very much."
Bai Luo paused for a moment but wasn't particularly surprised.
In his impression, Yoimiya was exactly the kind of person who would do something like this.
Afterward, Bai Luo chatted with Yoimiya for a while about interesting things happening around Hanamizaka, and casually tried to gather some information about the green-haired girl who looked somewhat like Yoimiya.
Eventually, Yoimiya was called away by her father to help with work, and only then did Bai Luo shoulder the box of fireworks and leave on his own.
After walking a few steps, his stomach suddenly growled.
Only then did Bai Luo remember that he had actually come out today to get lunch.
By the afternoon, most of the street food stalls had already lost their crowds. Bai Luo found a small stall in Hanamizaka and ordered some simple food.
Compared to the main town streets, Hanamizaka wasn't as luxurious, but it was full of the atmosphere of everyday life.
A girl carrying a fishing rod, an old man holding a hoe, a woman with a child on her back.
Each of them seemed to carry their own story, and eating here had its own unique charm.
After finishing his meal and feeling satisfied, Bai Luo carried the fireworks back to his small courtyard.
But as soon as he arrived at the entrance, he saw one of his subordinates pacing anxiously in circles.
"What's wrong? Did something happen at Tenshukaku?"
Seeing this, Bai Luo thought that the long-silent Raiden Shogun might finally be ready to meet him.
"My lord, you're finally back! There's a letter here from Her Majesty the Tsaritsa!"