"Huh? You don't know what fireworks are?"
Yoimiya was clearly stunned after hearing Sara's question. Then she tilted her little head, deep in thought.
"Then I'll have to think carefully about how to explain it to you…"
"Ah! I got it!"
Little Yoimiya suddenly clapped her hands excitedly.
"Fireworks are things that fly wayyyy up into the sky, then go boom! and explode, and after that they go all sparkly and fall down!"
Using her admittedly limited vocabulary, Yoimiya enthusiastically tried to explain fireworks to Sara.
But Sara still looked completely confused.
"Ah, never mind, never mind. It's okay if you don't get it."
Seeing that her explanation wasn't working at all, Yoimiya decisively gave up.
"I'll just take you to see fireworks later, and then you'll understand!"
"I'm telling you, our family's fireworks are famous all across Inazuma!"
"But we've got a deal—after watching the fireworks, you have to teach me archery!"
"Even though I lost this time, it doesn't mean I'll always lose to you."
"One day, I'm definitely going to challenge you again!"
Yoimiya planted her hands on her hips, looking adorably spirited.
Especially when she mentioned her family's fireworks, her face was filled with pride.
She really did love fireworks.
Compared to Yoimiya's bright and energetic nonstop chatter, Sara was much quieter.
"Um… no, I have to ask Big Brother first."
Sara clearly wanted to go watch the fireworks.
But in the end, she still suppressed her curiosity and politely declined the invitation.
After all, she needed Jiang Yan's approval first.
"I see…"
"Then is your big brother nearby?"
Yoimiya curiously looked around.
Sara turned and looked behind her.
Jiang Yan smiled faintly.
He had been watching the two little girls the entire time anyway.
Realizing it was finally his cue to step in, he walked over and gently rubbed Sara's head.
"If you want to go, then go. Big Brother doesn't mind."
"We were already planning to watch the fireworks tonight anyway. We'll all go together."
Sara looked up at Jiang Yan before nodding.
"Okay."
Then she turned toward Yoimiya, who was currently studying Jiang Yan with curiosity.
"Um… Yoimiya… I-I want to go watch the fireworks."
"Huh? Of course! I was already planning to take you!"
Yoimiya grinned brightly.
She truly looked like a cheerful ray of sunshine.
"Then… sorry for the trouble."
Sara thought for a very long time before finally managing to squeeze those words out.
"Alright then, Yoimiya, huh? You really are a cheerful and lively girl."
Jiang Yan chuckled before continuing:
"We're planning to check out some more festival activities next. Want to come with us?"
He extended the invitation naturally.
After all, one more child wouldn't make much difference.
"Huh? Me? I'll pass."
Although Yoimiya was extremely sociable, she wasn't the kind of airheaded social butterfly who'd thank someone while being kidnapped.
After all, she had only just met Jiang Yan's group.
Naturally, she couldn't just run off with them.
"I still need to talk to my father about tonight's fireworks show. Make sure you all come watch later!"
Her voice brimmed with excitement and anticipation.
"Alright."
Jiang Yan smiled and nodded.
After receiving their prizes from the organizers, Jiang Yan led the little girls back to where Ganyu, Raiden Makoto, and the others were seated.
Raiden Ei had originally been interested in the archery competition, but she never participated.
After all, as Inazuma's strongest fighter, competing against ordinary people would just be bullying children.
"Little Sara is amazing. She's never even formally trained, yet she still scored so highly."
Raiden Makoto praised warmly as Sara walked over carrying her prize.
"Yeah, Sara really does have talent in this area."
Jiang Yan laughed.
Meanwhile, the other three little girls crowded around Sara curiously, examining the figurine she had won.
"Look! There's a little fox carved on it!"
"So cute!"
"And this one too! This design is pretty!"
The girls excitedly discussed the carvings.
"Alright, alright. You can study it more after we get back."
Jiang Yan stepped forward and lightly tapped each little girl on the forehead.
"Come on, there are still lots of fun activities we haven't tried yet."
"Okaaaay~"
And so, Jiang Yan leisurely wandered through Inazuma's streets with Ganyu, the others, and the four little girls.
Before they knew it, evening had arrived.
Since they had promised Yoimiya they'd watch the fireworks together, Jiang Yan led everyone toward the Naganohara Fireworks shop.
At this point, it could hardly even be called a shop yet.
It was more like a small storefront that Yoimiya's father, Naganohara Ryunosuke, had yet to fully develop.
"Oh! Handsome sir, beautiful ladies—are you all here to watch the fireworks too?"
At this time, Ryunosuke was still a fairly young man.
As he fiddled with some dark gunpowder-like material in his hands, he smiled toward Jiang Yan's group.
"Yep."
Jiang Yan smiled back.
"We were invited by your daughter, Miss Yoimiya, to come take a look."
"Ohhh, I see!"
The moment Ryunosuke heard Yoimiya's name, understanding dawned immediately.
"That girl… I was wondering why she locked herself in her room and kept tinkering with things the moment she got back."
"So that's what it was."
As he spoke, Ryunosuke warmly invited everyone inside.
"Yoimiya! Your friends are here!"
As soon as they entered, he shouted loudly upstairs.
"They came to see your fireworks!"
"Coming, coming!"
Accompanied by a rapid series of footsteps, Yoimiya ran downstairs carrying a huge bundle of oversized firecracker-like objects.
"Come on! I specially made these fireworks myself!"
She grinned proudly.
At the moment, however, her originally fair and delicate face was covered in black soot and gunpowder stains.
She looked just like a little kitten.
The sight made everyone burst into laughter.
"Yoimiya, maybe you should wash your face first?"
"You've turned into a little soot kitten after working all afternoon."
Jiang Yan crouched down and gently wiped some gunpowder residue off her cheek.
"Huh?"
Yoimiya froze.
The moment she saw the black soot on Jiang Yan's fingers, her face instantly turned bright red.
Quickly setting down the fireworks, she dashed into the washroom to clean herself up.
After washing her face, Yoimiya carried the fireworks and led everyone to a spacious open area.
"My dad's still preparing the main fireworks show later, so let's set these off first. Afterward we can go watch the big ones."
She carefully arranged all the fireworks with great seriousness.
"Then I think lighting them should be left to the adults."
After Yoimiya finished setting them up, Jiang Yan walked over and picked her up, placing her beside Sara.
"You worked hard all afternoon. You should properly enjoy the fireworks you made."
Hearing this, Yoimiya thought for a moment before nodding.
"Okay then. But be careful, Big Brother! Fireworks burn really fast!"
She warned him seriously.
Jiang Yan nodded and walked toward the center of the fireworks setup.
"Alright, little ones. The sound is going to be pretty loud, so cover your ears."
The four girls obediently covered their ears.
Once Jiang Yan confirmed they had done so, he stopped wasting time.
He raised a hand.
Vector Manipulation activated.
"The fireworks are about to bloom!"
Jiang Yan suddenly shouted loudly.
Then he snapped his fingers.
Vector Manipulation activated!
Almost instantly, every single firework ignited simultaneously.
Whoosh! Whoosh! Whoosh!
After snapping his fingers, Jiang Yan immediately ran back to the children.
The moment he arrived beside them—
Fwoosh! Fwoosh! Fwoosh!
Everyone instinctively looked up.
Streaks of crimson light shot high into the sky.
Then—
BOOM!
Brilliant fireworks exploded overhead, dazzling and magnificent.
Everyone quietly watched the spectacle.
Fireworks vanished in an instant, like flowers blooming only to wither away.
Jiang Yan stood beside Ganyu, Makoto, and the others.
At his feet huddled five little girls covering their ears.
As the fireworks bloomed overhead, their radiant brilliance illuminated everyone present.
"So beautiful…"
Jiang Yan murmured unconsciously.
Though fireworks were fleeting, and flowers eventually wilted after blooming—
The moment they blossomed…
They engraved themselves deeply into people's hearts.
Becoming an eternal memory in that single instant.
Before long, all the fireworks had finished.
"Huh? That's it…"
Ningguang said sadly.
The other little girls nodded as well, still wanting more.
Clearly, none of them had seen enough.
"Haha, don't worry. Didn't Yoimiya already say so earlier?"
"There's still another fireworks show later. It's also made by Yoimiya's family."
"It'll probably last much longer."
Jiang Yan smiled gently as he rubbed their little heads.
"Exactly! No need to rush, there's more coming later!"
Yoimiya herself looked extremely satisfied after setting off the fireworks.
"Mhm. If I remember correctly, the next fireworks show starts when the Yashiro Commission officially announces the opening of the Mikawa Festival, right?"
Raiden Makoto spoke thoughtfully.
Although today was already part of the festival, the true opening ceremony wouldn't begin until nighttime.
As Inazuma's ruler, the Yashiro Commission had already submitted all the festival planning documents to her several days ago.
So Makoto already knew the upcoming schedule.
"Yep yep! Big Sister knows a lot!"
Yoimiya nodded happily.
Clearly, she was also very excited about the upcoming fireworks display.
At the mention of the Yashiro Commission, Jiang Yan suddenly remembered the promise he'd made with little Ayaka over the past two evenings.
Looks like Ayaka and Ayato would officially appear tonight too.
Since he'd already promised Ayaka he would come watch her, this was the perfect chance to support her.
Thinking this, Jiang Yan turned toward the girls and little ones.
"Then let's head over. Perfect timing to watch the Yashiro Commission's opening ceremony."
Naturally, everyone happily agreed.
"Let's gooo!"
Yoimiya shouted as she grabbed Sara's hand and ran toward the ceremony venue.
The other three little girls immediately chased after them excitedly.
"Slow down! Don't run so fast!"
"Honestly…"
Watching the little girls' energetic antics, Jiang Yan couldn't help smiling.
Beside him, Ganyu, Makoto, and the others all looked at the children with warm amusement.
The group walked through Inazuma's bustling streets.
At this moment, because the official festival opening was about to begin, the streets were absolutely packed with people.
The crowd was far larger than during the daytime.
Most likely, many people had only finished work and returned home before coming out with their families to enjoy Inazuma's festival together.
Soon, Jiang Yan's group arrived at the venue for the Yashiro Commission's opening ceremony and found a nearby spot to wait.
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