Hanamizaka, Naganohara Fireworks.
Yoimiya crawled out of bed with a massive yawn and scrubbed her eyes with both hands.
She'd worked late into the night finishing those last few fireworks orders.
Technically, she didn't have to rush them that badly.
She only did it so she'd have time today to visit the Grand Narukami Shrine again.
If she could bring back more of the snacks Xiangling made, her mom's recovery would be even smoother!
And as for whether freeloading food was embarrassing… she was long past caring.
Yoimiya splashed her face with cold water, perked herself back up, and headed to the front room, where her dad was walking in carrying a bamboo basket.
"Dad! Morning!" she called cheerfully.
"You're up."
Ryuunosuke smiled, lifting the basket in his hand.
"Guess what I bought? Fresh eel. Your mom said she'd make Grilled Unagi Fillet for lunch."
Yoimiya blinked. Right—her mom had said that last night.
She scratched her head, suddenly embarrassed. "Dad, maybe save it for dinner instead."
Ryuunosuke cupped a hand to his ear. "Huh?"
Yoimiya raised her voice. "I said! Let's have the eel tonight!"
"Tonight?"
"Yeah! I need to go to the Grand Narukami Shrine again this morning!"
"You're going again?"
"I've got things to do! And I finished all the fireworks the customer ordered yesterday!"
"Alright then. Be careful on the way."
"I will!"
Yoimiya stepped out of the shop, bought a portion of dango milk as breakfast, and headed toward Mt. Yougou.
Since she had no deliveries today, she didn't need to hire a cart.
On the road, she ran into a pair of twin girls who were also heading to the shrine.
Yoimiya, being Yoimiya, immediately trotted over to chat them up.
"You're Naganohara Yoimiya, right? I know who you are!"
As the queen of the summer festival, she was pretty well known.
Yoimiya quickly learned their names—Zhu Zi and Rii.
Zhu Zi seemed to be the older sister and the lively one. Rii was the quiet one.
Curious, Yoimiya asked Zhu Zi what she did for work.
Zhu Zi shyly admitted she was a novelist.
"You're that author? I love your light novel!"
And just like that, Yoimiya and Zhu Zi became fast friends.
At one point, Yoimiya leaned in and said enthusiastically, "Let me tell you, the food at the shrine cafeteria is crazy good. You two have to try it at lunchtime! I know the person who cooks there! I'll take you!"
…Huh?
Zhu Zi's face slowly froze.
The friend you're talking about…
Don't tell me it's Xiangling?
---
Breakfast.
Xia Zhen was eating another one of Ei's lovingly made breakfasts.
She wasn't actually that hungry.
But since it was her little sister's heartfelt effort… she couldn't say no.
Even if this seafood porridge was a bit too sticky.
Still, for some reason, she liked the texture.
Beside her, Yae Miko was elegantly eating fried tofu.
Xia Zhen glanced over.
This was already her third plate.
Eating so much, this early… and she wasn't sick of it?
When Yae Miko brought back a fourth plate, Xia Zhen finally said, "Hey, fox girl, you're gonna make yourself sick."
Miko licked a glossy streak of oil from her lips, her voice airy. "Not my fault someone stole food last night."
Xia Zhen's heart skipped. For a second she thought she'd been caught.
"What food?"
"Fried tofu. That glutton Urakusai emptied the entire kitchen supply. I've been starving since last night. I finally get to eat something again…"
"Oh. That's all…"
Xia Zhen exhaled in relief.
Ei asked, puzzled, "Didn't I make you a late-night snack yesterday?"
Miko sighed dramatically, as if recounting a terrible sacrifice. "Urakusai said he was still hungry, so I gave him mine."
Ei looked at Urakusai, who was sitting with the old folks at the Dragon King's table.
"I should've made you another one when I came back."
"It's fine."
Miko waved it off.
It wasn't like the shrine had nothing else to eat.
Her palate had just gotten spoiled these past two days. She didn't want normal food anymore.
She was already planning to ask Xia Zhi for some instant noodles later, just to keep for emergencies tonight.
--
Sumeru, deep in the forest.
Collei checked the sunrise, then woke the still-sleeping Lumine and Paimon.
"Nnnh… is it morning already?" Paimon and Lumine mumbled, half-dazed.
Camping outdoors meant no real restful sleep.
Last night they'd taken turns on watch—Lumine first half, Collei second half.
It had been boring, but Collei had passed the time scrolling through her phone and sipping Silver Dew, so she felt decent now.
The fire was still burning thanks to constant refueling.
Collei pulled clean water from her space ring and nodded. "Hurry and wash up. We can eat breakfast afterward."
"Breakfast!"
Paimon perked right up.
"What are we eating? Is it Instant Noodles?"
"Yeah, instant noodles."
"Awesome!"
Collei smiled at their excitement, but then her expression turned a little troubled.
Because once they finished this breakfast… she'd only have a few cups left.
If they ran out, Paimon was definitely going to cry.
--
After breakfast, everyone headed back to Araumi to continue the clearing mission.
Urakusai joined them today.
Besides helping, he also wanted to see Inazuma's current state with his own eyes—especially the monsters living out in the wild.
Xia Zhen returned to Tenshukaku.
Yae Miko headed straight to the kitchen and said very seriously, "Mr. Xia, grant me instant noodles."
"?"
"If you need to pat my head, that's fine too. Just don't let anyone see."
"Can you act normal?"
"Fine."
Miko stared at him.
"Mr. Xia, give me some instant noodles."
"You don't like fried tofu more?"
"I do."
"I can make you fried tofu canned food."
"No!"
"Why not?"
Miko answered with grave conviction. "Fried tofu is only delicious when it's freshly fried. I will never accept it in canned form. To me, that's heresy. I'd rather eat instant noodles than tolerate fried tofu that's been desecrated like that."
…A truly fanatical stance.
"Alright, I'll never understand you foxes. So you want instant noodles?"
"Yes!"
"I'm running a little low myself…"
"Mr. Xia~"
Her voice immediately softened pitifully.
"Relax, I'll just make more."
----
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