After lunch, under Xiangling's enthusiastic guidance, Yoimiya got to meet the other girls around the shrine.
When Charlotte heard that Yoimiya was known as the "Queen of the Summer Festival", her eyes immediately lit up. She said she wanted to interview Yoimiya for a special feature and take a few photos while she was at it.
Yoimiya agreed with a bright smile, telling her she was always welcome to visit Naganohara Fireworks anytime.
After some casual chatting, Yoimiya got ready to say goodbye and head back down the mountain.
She hadn't come to the shrine today to hang out anyway. She was only here to deliver something, and figured she might as well draw a fortune slip while she was nearby.
Xiangling hurriedly called out to her, dashed back into the kitchen, and returned holding a lunch box. She pressed it into Yoimiya's hands. "Here! Take this!"
Yoimiya blinked. "What's this?"
Xiangling grinned. "Just some pastries and stuff. Take them home and let your parents try!"
Yoimiya was touched. She carefully accepted the food box and said earnestly, "Thank you, Xiangling."
Xiangling waved her off. "Don't mention it. Come play at the shrine whenever you've got time!"
Yoimiya waved back with a smile. "Yeah! See you guys!"
As she walked down the stone steps, Yoimiya glanced back at the torii gate of the shrine, a twinge of worry flickering in her eyes.
She had promised she'd visit whenever she had time… but from now until the start of the summer festival, she wasn't going to have any time at all.
After all, the fireworks show was the highlight of the entire festival. As Inazuma's most famous fireworks craftswoman, her shop was always flooded with custom orders every year. She was already barely keeping up.
Unless she happened to be delivering something near the shrine like today, she probably wouldn't be able to sneak in another break.
Yoimiya tapped her forehead and muttered, "I wonder if the lady guuji was satisfied with last year's fireworks. She'll probably place another order this year, right?"
Going down was much faster than climbing up. Yoimiya quickly made her way from Mt. Yougou back to Inazuma City.
Walking through the streets of Hanamizaka, tons of people greeted her, and Yoimiya cheerfully waved back at all of them.
As she passed a pharmacy, she suddenly remembered that her mom's medicine was almost gone.
Her dad was watching the shop today, so he wouldn't have time to pick it up either.
So Yoimiya stepped inside to buy another batch of medicine for her mom. She'd come to this pharmacy near their home so many times she'd long since memorized the prescription.
The moment she walked in, she spotted a familiar figure at the counter.
A girl in shrine maiden robes.
Yoimiya blinked, then immediately walked over and tapped her on the shoulder. "Nana!"
Kano Nana turned her head in surprise and nodded. "Oh, Yoimiya. You're here to buy medicine too?"
"Yeah. You know how my mom's health isn't great."
Yoimiya studied her, curious.
"What about you, Nana? Are you sick?"
Kano Nana hesitated, her tone a little awkward. "I… um… I've got a small… problem…"
"What kind of problem?" Yoimiya asked, way too curious now.
Kano Nana's cheeks went pink. She leaned close and whispered in her ear. "It's… that…"
Yoimiya's expression turned strange. "That? Huh… Wait, that can be cured with medicine?"
Kano Nana nodded seriously. "Yes! Miyuki took the medicine and she got better!"
Yoimiya stared at her, genuinely amazed.
Before she could ask anything else, the pharmacy owner walked over with a solemn expression and handed Kano Nana a packet of herbs. "Please use this prescription very cautiously."
Kano Nana nodded. "I understand."
The owner sighed heavily, obviously troubled. "If you weren't a shrine maiden from the Grand Narukami Shrine, I really wouldn't dare sell these poisons to you."
Kano Nana flashed an easy smile. "Don't worry, boss! I already bought a set for my friend a few days ago. She drank it and nothing happened. She's totally fine now—her illness is gone!"
The owner fell silent for a moment, then couldn't help asking, "Could you… tell me which physician wrote this prescription?"
Kano Nana shook her head. "Sorry…"
The owner looked disappointed and turned to call his workers over to gather Yoimiya's medicine instead.
As the owner, he normally didn't handle this kind of work himself. The only reason he'd done it earlier was because Nana's prescription had been terrifying—every ingredient was a toxin—so he had to personally make sure the measurements were perfect.
Yoimiya recited her mom's prescription to the assistant. Once he left to prepare the herbs, she leaned toward Kano Nana and whispered, "That doctor… is it Mr. Xia?"
"Mm. It's Mr. Xia."
"I saw you went to look for him this morning."
"That's right. I went to ask him to treat me. Mr. Xia's medical skills are amazing."
"Really?"
"Anyway, Yoimiya, I'm heading back to the shrine. See you later."
"Bye."
Yoimiya watched Nana's retreating figure, lost in thought.
So Mr. Xia wasn't just knowledgeable about fireworks, and an incredible cook, but also a brilliant doctor?
Then… could he cure her mom too…?
Wait.
Why was Nana heading that way?
That wasn't the direction back to the shrine.
Oh. She must be going to Yae Publishing House to buy the newest light novel.
Yoimiya silently looked away.
She waited a bit until her medicine was ready. The assistant packed everything up and handed it to her. Yoimiya thanked him, paid, and brought the medicine back home to Naganohara Fireworks.
The moment she stepped inside, she shouted, "Dad! I'm home!"
Naganohara Ryuunosuke poked his head up from behind the counter and chuckled. "Welcome back."
Yoimiya walked over, yelling louder than necessary as usual. "Yeah! How's business today?"
Ryuunosuke nodded. "A few regulars came by to place orders. I've already written everything down."
Yoimiya looked at the notebook and raised her voice again. "Got it! I'll make these fireworks as soon as I can! Where's Mom? I brought snacks for you guys!"
Ryuunosuke eyed the food box in her hands and smiled. "Snacks, huh? Take them to her. She's resting in the room."
Of course he was saving the treats for his wife first. Dad would always put Mom first, no matter what.
Yoimiya opened the food box on the counter, split it in half, gave one portion to her dad, then headed inside with the rest and the medicine.
Ryuunosuke looked at the pastries resting on the paper lining and let out a soft, helpless laugh. "These look like Liyue pastries… oh, hey, they taste great…"
Yoimiya stepped into the room and saw her mom sewing clothes in a chair.
"You're home."
"Yeah! Mom, I brought you some delicious pastries! Try them!"
"Alright. You eat too."
"I've already eaten! Well? They're good, right?"
"They are. Did a new pastry shop open in Inazuma?"
"Nope! A new friend I met today gave them to me. She's a chef from Liyue!"
"That's amazing."
"Right? If you like them, eat as much as you want! Did you take your noon medicine?"
"I took it."
"We're almost out of medicine at home, so I bought more. I'll brew it for you in a bit."
"Okay."
Yoimiya chatted with her mom a bit longer, then headed to the kitchen with the herbs.
Soon, she came back carrying a bowl of freshly brewed medicine.
And then she froze.
The food box was empty.
Every pastry was gone.
What???
Her mom had a poor appetite. She rarely ate more than a few bites, even when Yoimiya bought meals from the best restaurants in Inazuma.
But today… she'd eaten all of it?
Instead of happy, Yoimiya suddenly felt worried. She was scared her mom's stomach wouldn't handle the sudden overeating.
"Mom, are you okay? You're not feeling stuffed or anything, right?"
"No."
Her mom shook her head, looking strangely hesitant.
"I think my body feels better."
"Huh?"
Then Yoimiya watched, stunned, as her mom stood up from the chair—steady, bright-eyed, and full of energy she hadn't shown in ages.
It was like she'd suddenly regained her health.
What…
Yoimiya stared, shocked.
She hadn't taken the medicine yet.
Wait…
Yoimiya slowly turned toward the empty food box.
Could it be… Xiangling's pastries?
Right, earlier while they were eating together, Xiangling had mentioned her strange cooking utensils and their magical effects.
Something about an Eternal Spirit Knife, something about a Dragon-Turning Pot…
Xiangling had even said the dishes she made with them could extend someone's lifespan…
There's no way… right?
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