When they left Zhu Zi's house, the group continued strolling through town.
Zhu Zi pulled the little tanuki youkai along, holding her hand so she could join them.
After all, when Zhu Zi had been away, this girl had taken her place caring for her parents. Even if it was only out of gratitude, Zhu Zi still wanted to thank her properly.
The little tanuki looked around wide-eyed, like she'd never had the chance to wander a marketplace before. Everything the street vendors sold seemed fascinating to her.
Seeing the way she stared so eagerly, Zhu Zi simply pulled out her wallet and bought her whatever trinkets caught her eye.
As a bestselling author, Zhu Zi now had more money than her parents.
The little tanuki looked torn between wanting and being too embarrassed to ask. But when Zhu Zi stuffed the items into her arms, she had no choice but to accept, murmuring a quiet thank-you while her eyes gave away her joy.
A newly transformed youkai like her wouldn't have had any money.
When she'd said she wanted to take care of Zhu Zi's parents, it hadn't been just words. Every day she went out, worked hard, and brought back strange seeds or wild fruit to trade at the market for Mora.
Watching her now, hugging the trinkets like treasures, made everyone feel… a bit sorry for her.
Xia Zhen glanced at the little tanuki, then quietly asked, "Are all youkai in Inazuma living this rough?"
Yae Miko nodded, her expression tinged with helplessness. "Yes. In the past, great youkai would patiently teach the young ones, so they could smoothly blend into the human world. But now… all those elders are long gone. I can't possibly watch over them all alone. These little ones are lost and clueless, with no idea of human rules or common sense. And since they have no real skills to speak of, even if they manage to transform, many still live in the wild just like before…"
Kirara was the textbook case.
When she first took human form, she used her youkai power to explore every corner of Inazuma City—even the roof of the Shogun's Tenshukaku.
It wasn't until being chased around by the Tenryou Commission again and again that she finally learned rules like [don't climb other people's rooftops] and [don't eat the fish in ornamental ponds].
Later, she happened to meet Yae Miko at Yae Publishing House, and the great fox youkai taught her the invaluable lesson of [how to be a good youkai in human society].
Since Kirara was such a lively, interesting girl—and she knew the ins and outs of Inazuma's streets—Yae Miko eventually recommended her to Komaniya Express to work as a courier.
Kirara was one of the lucky few. Most youkai still lingered in the wilderness.
Xia Zhen fell silent for a moment, then said, "We really need to figure out a solution… Maybe we should open a special class for youkai at the school."
"School, huh…" Yae Miko murmured.
She had deliberately looked into Xia Zhi's background before. She knew he'd founded a school in Liyue.
Even though Mondstadt's plans for a school hadn't reached Inazuma yet, she'd already heard about it from her long hours chatting in group messages.
"Lady Zhen, are you planning to start a school too?"
"Mm."
"And Mr. Xia…"
"He'll still be the principal. You can start scouting teachers."
"Understood."
The liveliest part of Inazuma City was Hanamizaka.
It was much like Chihu Rock and Feiyun Slope in Liyue.
Shops of every kind lined the streets, and Yae Publishing House was among them.
When they passed the bookstore, Yae Miko stopped, saying she had work to take care of inside. She told everyone else to keep browsing, and she'd catch up after.
Xia Zhi went with her into Yae Publishing House to sign the novel copyright contract they'd agreed on the night before.
Normally, as chief editor, Yae Miko didn't handle contracts directly. The fact that she personally took it out this time drew curious looks from the other editors.
They crowded around to peek at the signature on the page—and their eyes instantly filled with reverence. "So you're Rainy Night With Blade but Without Umbrella!"
"Hello, everyone."
"Has the second part of your cultivation novel already been completed?"
"Yes. The third volume's finished too. I've already handed the manuscript to Chief Editor Yae."
"!!!"
The editors exchanged glances. One girl pushed up her glasses and said seriously, "Chief, you're busy. Why don't you let me handle Rainy Night-sensei's publishing matters?"
Another editor jumped in right away. "No, let me! I've got loads of proofreading experience. I'll make sure every word meets the highest Quality!"
"I…"
Yae Miko waved her hand, cutting them off. "What's the rush? When the book comes out, you'll be among the first to read it anyway. Don't just stand around here—get back to work."
"…Yes, Chief."
The editors sighed and returned to their desks to read over manuscripts.
But honestly, what were these writers even submitting? None of them were even in the same league as Rainy Night-sensei.
Yae Miko led Xia Zhi out of the back room.
From his god's-eye perspective, Xia Zhi glanced at the shop counter, which was stacked high with light novels sporting ridiculously long titles.
Like the one Zhu Zi had once mentioned to him: Reincarnated as the Raiden Shogun, I'm Now Invincible.
It piqued his interest, and he picked it up.
"How much is this one?"
"If Mr. Xia wants it, just take it. Consider it a return gift from me."
"What gift?"
"Fried Tofu."
Xia Zhi chuckled and slipped the light novel into his bag.
The two of them left the bookstore and continued down the street.
Since signing the contract hadn't taken long, they quickly caught up with the rest of the group.
Hanachirusato, however, had seemed distracted ever since they'd left Zhu Zi's house. She couldn't shake the feeling she'd forgotten something important. But no matter how hard she tried to recall, nothing came.
Just as she was about to give up, she suddenly heard a child's clear voice singing from the street corner:
[Blazing colors light the sky, fireworks know my heart's desire.
I wish to join the night, the night reveals its brilliance.]
It was an old nameless song that had long circulated through Inazuma.
At the sound of it, Hanachirusato's body jolted.
The lyrics felt so familiar in her ears.
As if… she'd heard this song long ago.
No—not her. Kitsune Saiguu.
Everyone knew that Kitsune Saiguu had always loved the beauty of short verse. She knew one thousand one hundred and eleven songs, and could use them with elegant artistry.
This nameless song might very well have been one of her creations…
Hanachirusato's gaze followed the children's voices. She saw them clutching shiny trinkets—some glass bottles, some stones—as they scampered toward a nearby shop.
The sign above the door read [Naganohara Fireworks]. They shouted cheerfully for "Sister Yoimiya."
Soon, a young girl stepped out from the shop. She accepted the children's treasures and exchanged them for fireworks.
"Remember to be careful when you set these off."
"Got it, Big Sister Yoimiya !"
The kids scampered off happily, clutching their fireworks.
The girl called Yoimiya shook her head and set the shiny trinkets aside.
Noticing someone watching her, she looked up and locked eyes with Hanachirusato.
A stranger…
Why was she standing in the doorway…?
Did she want to buy fireworks?
Thinking that, Yoimiya broke into a bright, energetic smile and called out, "Welcome to Naganohara Fireworks!"
Xia Zhi actually noticed Yoimiya before Hanachirusato did.
She had orange hair tied with cords, secured with a red comb, and adorned with a purple kanzashi and goldfish accessory. She wore a short orange-red happi coat patterned with fireworks, half slipping off her shoulder to reveal a bandaged chest. Over her left breast was a tattoo of fireworks; her arm bore sakura and goldfish designs. Around her waist was an otaiko knot, with a red shimenawa rope tied across her back like a heroic sash. A Pyro Vision hung at her side.
She was the same type of energetic girl as Amber and Xiangling.
What caught Xia Zhi's attention wasn't the bandages, but the Silver Tier Progress Bar floating above her.
[Progress: 0%]
Out of curiosity, Xia Zhi used [Skill Steal] on her.
And from her, he gained a new ability:
[Fireworks Mastery]
Suddenly, countless fireworks-related techniques filled his mind.
Then he noticed Hanachirusato's reaction.
She must've loved fireworks deeply. Otherwise, why would she even use "Fireworks" as her chat handle?
After Yoimiya greeted them, everyone stepped inside to browse the fireworks on display.
The most captivated was Klee.
Her eyes sparkled like they were glowing.
Yaoyao quickly grabbed her arm, terrified her little friend might accidentally toss out a Jumpy Dumpty and set the whole store ablaze.
Yoimiya laughed. "See anything you like? If not, we also do custom firework designs."
"Custom?" someone echoed.
"Mm! I've even recreated the Shogun's crest—the triple tomoe—in festival fireworks before. So rest assured, whatever you want, I can make it happen!"
With much pleading, Klee finally got permission to order a custom four-leaf-clover firework.
After taking the deposit, Yoimiya asked, "It'll take about two days. Will you pick it up here, or should we deliver it?"
"Deliver it, please."
"What's the address?"
"Grand Narukami Shrine."
"Got it!"
After making arrangements, the group left Naganohara Fireworks.
Yoimiya watched them go, murmuring to herself, "That was Lady Guuji Yae just now… And the one beside her, that looked like the Shogun. But the Shogun's never smiled like that before…"
Ah, whatever. Finishing the firework order came first.
Hanachirusato walked on, lost in thought.
Beside her, Qiqi had been watching for a while. Finally, she asked, "Are you troubled again?"
Hanachirusato blinked back to awareness and hesitated. "I just… feel like I've forgotten something important."
Qiqi nodded. "That's normal."
Hanachirusato frowned. "How is that normal?"
"Because I've forgotten a lot of important things too."
"…?"
Qiqi pulled out a small notebook. "This is a memo book I once made for myself. It's in my handwriting, but at first I didn't even remember writing any of it."
Hanachirusato stared at the book, falling silent.
Qiqi then pointed at Chi Yu. "She used to be a ghost. Back then, she forgot a lot too. It was only after meeting her master that she slowly remembered."
"How did she remember?"
"She ate Incense."
"…?"
"I did too. After eating Incense, I slowly started regaining memories."
"Wait—you can eat Incense?"
"Mm. We can. Not ordinary Incense—special ones our master makes."
"Then… do you still have any?"
"Yes. When we go back tonight, I'll let you try."
"Alright. Thank you!"
"You're welcome."
Hanachirusato looked at Qiqi's blank little face and thought, she really was such a kind person.
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