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Ever since Yasen disrupted the organization's communications, Kamisato Ayato had been tirelessly following the trails.
Unlike Victor Wang, besides the North Wing, he also had the public power of the Yashiro Commission and the secret aid of the Shuumatsuban.
Like Victor Wang, however, most of the information he gathered was dubious at best. And whenever he neared something crucial, it always ended in memory loss. Only his countless notes kept him afloat.
His work was truly demanding, so every time he came to cross-check intelligence with Yae Miko, it was already midnight after finishing his duties. Naturally, he left a note for Victor Wang and went back over Yashiori to the Kamisato estate.
"Tonight feels so long."
Fireworks… Inazuma's fireworks could only mean the Naganohara Fireworks shop.
But at this late hour, would it still be open?
Sure enough, when he arrived, the fireworks outside had already been brought in. The lantern at the entrance was extinguished. Only one window still glowed with light.
The Sacred Sakura was exposed, the enemy hidden. Their offense could be urgent or delayed, all at their whim.
Victor Wang didn't want to drag things out. Holding onto a sliver of hope, he knocked on the door.
"Huh? A customer at this hour? Just a moment!"
In less than half a minute, Naganohara Yoimiya opened the door, hands freshly washed but still marked by smudges of gray-black soot. A distinct gunpowder scent, unique to a fireworks shop, drifted out with her.
"Hello! Are you here to buy fireworks, or to order custom ones?"
Her steps were light, her butterfly-like hair bun and flowing fringe swayed softly, her smile as warm and sincere as ever—even to a stranger disturbing her so late.
Of course, it was Yoimiya. Beautiful, lively, endlessly energetic—the Heroine of Fireworks. Who wouldn't like her?
"Hello?"
She waved a hand in front of him.
"Oh! I have one of your shop's slips. Can you make me two more fireworks like these as quickly as possible?"
"Hmm… The Naganohara Fireworks Festival is coming up, and there are still many orders unfinished… plenty of people adding in last-minute requests like yours. I can do it, but could you wait your turn? Is it really that urgent?"
Victor Wang nodded firmly. "It is. The sooner, the better."
"Then there's no helping it… Alright! Let me see your slip. Hopefully you brought all the materials."
"Your face…"
"There's soot, isn't there? It happens when rushing overnight orders, don't worry about it~"
Yoimiya rubbed her cheek with the back of her hand. The smudges faded slightly, only to spread and smear worse.
"This recipe—ah, it's one from that recent Yashiro Commission order. Good, good. The quantities are a bit heavy, but it's all common materials. Since you're in such a hurry, wait inside. Just ten minutes… no, seven will do!"
Curious, Victor Wang followed Yoimiya into the shop.
Inside, it looked just like a regular storefront. Fireworks neatly lined the walls, with a counter at the center and passages leading back to the workshop.
Perhaps not wanting him to be bored, Yoimiya carried her materials to the counter and worked openly, cheerfully asking, "Ever seen fireworks being made?"
"No."
"The type you want is cylindrical, so we start with a tube. We've plenty ready-made. But yours uses more powder than usual—dangerous—so I'll need to reinforce it first…"
She cut and shaped the paper tube deftly, explaining all the while: "Then we seal the bottom with clay. It cushions the explosion and keeps the powder in place."
"Powder, powder, black powder. If you want fireworks to soar high, you can't do without it. But you must handle it with care!"
As she carefully poured in the powder, the strong, unburned scent of gunpowder filled the air. Victor Wang didn't dislike it—such a smell always reminded him of New Year's.
More than that, he actually liked it. Unburned, it was perfect. Burned, a bit too harsh.
"Alright! Now the most important step—the firework shell! Its composition decides the colors and shapes, so each must be crafted with care—"
This was the most time-consuming part. The slip he brought mainly recorded the mixture and placement of the minerals for the shells. Even ordinary fireworks needed each colored stone carefully arranged. Otherwise, they'd be nothing but firecrackers.
"By the way, I'm Yoimiya. Naganohara Yoimiya."
"I'm Victor."
"Where'd you buy your cloak? The pattern on the back is adorable—so lively!"
…Love at first sight with Baron Bunny, huh?
"Let's just say Mondstadt. There's a little red girl there—very fiery. This design's based on her 'friend.'"
"Mondstadt? Oh, right! Captain Beidou's ship docked just two days ago. Don't tell me you came on the Alcor?!"
Taking the freshly finished special firework from Yoimiya, Victor Wang raised it with a grin. "This one's for summoning Captain Beidou herself."
"Summoning? I don't quite follow… I missed thanking her in person when the Alcor came. Thanks to her, I didn't run out of foreign ores for fireworks, or they'd be dull. If you really summon her, could you thank her for me?"
Hands clasped, her faux-pitiful pleading expression—who could refuse that?
Victor Wang agreed without hesitation.
Leaving the shop, his next destination was the Kamisato estate to launch the signal firework.
Yasen already knew his memories were restored, so the decoy firework buried on Kannazuka was meaningless. But he still needed cover. Releasing it directly at the Grand Narukami Shrine would be too obvious.
And not just cover—safety. Alone, he was vulnerable. After firing a signal so blatant the enemy would notice too, he still had to wait for Beidou and Kazuha safely.
Other than the Shrine, the only option was the Kamisato estate.
Though Kamisato Ayato didn't want the Kamisato clan involved in North Wing matters, in this case he was willing to grant shelter.
"Tonight feels so long."
From visiting the Sato Eri's residence at noon and encountering Yasen, his route had been: Inazuma City → Chinju Forest → Konda Village → Yashiori → Inazuma City → Kamisato Estate.
If only teleport waypoints didn't cause dizziness and nausea… but no such luck. He'd just have to fly.
The trip passed without incident. By the time he arrived, it was past midnight. But the Alcor ran shifts around the clock. As long as nothing had happened…
Victor Wang lit the special firework. Its blast was loud, its ascent strong, soaring high before bursting into massive red light visible from afar.
Now, all that remained was to wait.
But waiting always stretched endlessly. Doubts crept in. What if no one comes? What if the Alcor really was destroyed?
The Kamisato estate was dark, save for Ayato, still awake. When he stepped outside again, Victor Wang asked nervously, "Do you drink tea?"
"Tea?"
"Bubble tea."
If he didn't keep himself busy, he'd go mad.
From his Inner Space, he brought out a vendor's cart, chilled milk with Mist Flower ice, tea from Qingce Village, pure water, bubblegum, and a special mold. Using the cart's stove, he brewed milk tea, pressed the bubblegum into chewy "pearls," and completed a cup of bubble tea.
"Try it."
After a moment's hesitation, Kamisato Ayato sipped. At first, it was ordinary milk tea—until something bounced against his teeth. Chewing it, the drink seemed to come alive.
"…Not bad at all. These pearls are?"
"Bubblegum. Fun to eat on its own too."
Ayato gave no comment, only savoring it slowly.
An hour later, someone finally approached.
"Captain Beidou! What happened to the Alcor?"
"Hahaha! Long story. We were tricked. Crew's fine, but the ship almost sank."
"That serious?"
"Already fixed. Cost us precious time though. Sorry we couldn't reach the rendezvous point…" Beidou, uncharacteristically embarrassed, glanced at Ayato before steering the subject away: "Never mind us. Looks like you've uncovered something?"
…
"Memory tampering?! No wonder…"
Kazuha and Beidou exchanged glances. "No wonder the Alcor exploded out of nowhere. No wonder the Tenryou Commission ships chased us relentlessly. No wonder we lost contact with the Crux. He may have vanished too."
"So, we just wait for them to make the next move?"
Victor Wang could only nod helplessly. "They hide, we're exposed. The Sacred Sakura and the North Wing remain in danger."
"But we can't be strung along forever."
Kamisato Ayato suggested, "Anchor the Alcor near the Kamisato estate. I'll deal with the Tenryou pursuers. That way, we can pool our strength in one place, close to the Grand Narukami Shrine."
"…Then it'll have to be so. Though it's not my place to say… I hope they come soon."