Receiving an invitation meant showing up with careful preparation and gifts to demonstrate respect for the host and the occasion.
I specifically inquired—the Irodori Festival was still three days away.
"Don't bright red and pure white have special meanings here?"
I pondered. Since this was a nation modeled after Japan, I should avoid those colors. I knew nothing about buying clothes or fashion—this was like forcing a duck onto a perch, utterly torturous.
I needed to find someone with decent taste to accompany me shopping.
A girl would be ideal, but—
"The girls I know don't even number enough for two hands."
Kuki Shinobu was versatile, but we'd only met once—not familiar.
Paimon? Impossible.
Madam Nastalya? In Ritou, too enthusiastic a business partner—no.
Sayu? Forget Sayu. That child looked like she'd fall asleep mid-shopping trip.
Granny Oni? No.
I slumped in despair outside a clothing store in Inazuma City, pounding my chest in regret. "How did this happen? I don't have a single female friend!"
I heard the distinctive clatter of geta footsteps—someone running fast, with many small items clattering along. I barely had time to look up before seeing a rapidly approaching crate and—
—I got stepped on.
［Important character detected: Naganohara Yoimiya］
The System gloated.
［Your female friend is here］
——
"Sorry, sorry! I didn't see you! I didn't expect anyone to be kneeling there—completely missed you! Really didn't mean to step on your face... Is your nose okay?"
My face was wrapped in bandages.
"Honestly," I said numbly, staring at the ceiling through the gaps in the bandages. "I feel like my nose has become a basin."
She panicked. "What do we do? I'm so sorry!"
I tried to scratch the medicated spot on my face, but her warm hand immediately stopped me. "No, you can't scratch! What if you get scarred?"
A bit hot.
Did Pyro users all have such high body temperatures?
I withdrew my hand and turned my head. "I'm fine, really."
I'd rather have twenty Violetgrass than your first aid.
［This teaches us: don't slump in despair on the street, or a beautiful girl might break your nose］
"...Go die."
I gritted my teeth, muttering softly.
Naganohara Yoimiya was an enthusiastic, talkative, and highly energetic girl. I'd just seen her running around the beach with a bunch of kids last night, and today she'd stepped on my face while hurriedly moving things—
When she tripped over my face, I had to cover my bleeding nose with one hand while using the other to tug her skirt down with my free hand.
Just bandages were too daring—she'd have flashed everyone.
［Yoimiya Favorability: 20］
—No wonder her initial favorability was so high.
As for what happened next—
Under the stunned gazes of all passersby, my bloody-faced self was dragged home by a horrified Yoimiya and wrapped into a cotton swab head—her abandoned items would apparently be collected later.
"Really, Miss Naganohara," I struggled feebly. "My recovery is very good. It'll be fine by tomorrow. My nose is fine."
"Just call me Yoimiya."
She fretted, mumbling as she lifted a corner of the bandage. "Being called 'Naganohara' doesn't even feel like me—Ah! Your nose is still swollen! We should see a doctor!"
I barely managed to grab the festival ornaments on her clothes.
"Really, no need. Good food and rest will fix it."
The girl looked skeptical, her eyes lingering on my nose. To distract her, I sat up and grabbed her hand—
"I'm Miya Ryuguu! I saw last night—your family's fireworks are famous! So beautiful!"
Whether she remembered or not, I had to make her recall.
"How did you... Ah!" Yoimiya's eyes shifted from doubt to realization. "You're the girl with the dog last night?"
"Good eyes."
［Indeed good eyes］
"I still think you're trying to avoid doctors." Her suspicion remained. "Kids always hate doctors. You look—"
"Really, I might be older than you." I slumped, pulling down my collar. "My recovery is really good. This was slashed just three days ago—healed perfectly."
Once again, I cursed this body for being short.
She immediately tugged my clothes back up.
Showing a little shouldn't have revealed my other scars. Did I scare her?
"I remember who you are now."
"Huh?"
Yoimiya frantically unwrapped my bandages, cupped my face, and stared for several seconds before her eyes widened in delight. "I know you! Green eyes, black hair, long kimono—you're Miya Ryuguu, that super talented new adventurer from the Guild!"
"I'd heard of you! Didn't expect you were the one with the dog last night."
"They say your ice explodes like fireworks and lasts forever! How do you do it?"
［Yoimiya Favorability: 25］
Stop stop stop stop—
"Ahem." I tried to create some distance. "If you could—"
［This is a good opportunity］
Yes, a good opportunity. I organized my words.
"If possible, there's something I'd like to ask you. It's urgent—concerns many people's pride. Miss Yoimiya?"
"Just Yoimiya." She blinked her large eyes. "Of course! What is it?"
"Do you know how to buy clothes?"
——
According to Yoimiya's taste—
I felt this girl's aesthetic might be entirely shaped by fireworks and festivals. The high-saturation warm colors drove me to despair. Layer upon layer, I was trussed up like a kumquat tree tied with red ribbons.
"Um, Miya."
She and the shop assistant looked at me strangely.
"I don't know, but goldfish and flower-patterned yukata don't seem to suit you."
［Not as bad as Rococo. You look like an exploded firework now］ The System was definitely mocking me. I suspected it had saved an image of my current state.
Abandon your Rococo nonsense.
The shop assistant's perfectly maintained smile twitched. "Actually, this young lady might suit darker colors better?"
That "young lady" was unnecessary.
"Darker ones?"
Yoimiya clearly hadn't considered that. She darted over to examine the darker-toned kimonos—kimonos, still kimonos. Meanwhile, with the assistant's help, I removed the orange hair tie with candy decorations.
"They don't have to be kimonos. We have modified styles from other nations and Inazuma here. Would you like to see?"
Yoimiya pulled me deeper into the store.
Then her eyes lit up. "Miya, what about that one?"
It was a Liyue-style long dress—more of a long shirt, really. Teal base with light cyan patterns, a Japanese-style obi for the waist, side slit—paired with white tapered pants inside. It looked like it could work with boots.
In my opinion, perfect for throwing punches like in The Matrix—must feel great in a fight.
Not exactly dark, but it escaped the deadly high saturation of warm colors. After trying it on, I couldn't hide my satisfaction. The sleeves were short, just past the elbows, offering good coverage without hindering my ability to swing a sword.
And somehow—
It suited festivals rather well.
"Yoimiya, let's get a meal. My treat." I paid for the outfit directly, arranged with the shop to order several more sets for pickup later, and felt uplifted. Having a chatterbox companion was indeed better than being alone.
"Hey! I know a great eatery! I'll lead the way."
——
If the festival invitation had come from Thoma, Miya Ryuguu felt she might have been more enthusiastic.
But with the festival approaching, he must be busy.
Dragged along by the fireworks-loving girl, listening to her excited discussions about the upcoming event, Miya Ryuguu would certainly see him at the festival—fiddling with her new clothes, both nervous and hopeful, mixed with fear for the future.
"Right now, perhaps, I truly see him as family."
The girl spun around as if showing off a favorite dress, seeming happier.
"System, do you think he'll praise me?"
——
A horse stamped its hoof, perhaps displeased at hauling goods late at night, but someone patted it reassuringly, so it only snorted. The newcomer's gaze swept over the shipment—an unusually large quantity of alcohol.
"All this headed for Inazuma?"
"Yes," the carter said. "Master Ragnvindr instructed us to ship to Liyue first, then transfer to Inazuma."
There hadn't been news of Inazuma purchasing alcohol in ages, and someone was buying this much at once. The Sakoku Decree really was lifted—
The man nodded, signaling the convoy to depart through the main gate.
Moonlight filtered through clouds, glinting off the man's gloved hand and blue hair. His gray-blue star-pupiled eyes shimmered slightly. Mondstadt, blessed by Barbatos, enjoyed eternal spring—wind and rain held at bay. A city of gentle breezes and freedom, its nights were pleasant—especially with a drink.
"Captain Kaeya! Didn't expect you—thought it would be Acting Grand Master Jean—"
"She's always busy, running nonstop. I handle small matters. You know how it is." The man laughed, clapping the soldier's shoulder. "The night is long. Keep it up."
The soldier looked at him.
"Is Mr. Charles on leave today?"
"Huh? Why?"
"Because I heard Master Diluc always gives you... grape juice?"
The man paused.
Kaeya laughed all the way to the Angel's Share, laughing so hard that the red-haired man behind the counter slammed a freshly polished glass down with a thud.
So Charles really was off.
Mondstadt had two famous bars: Angel's Share and Cat's Tail. But a decade ago, there were three.
That wildly popular tavern was just two streets from Angel's Share. It operated for only two years before closing permanently after its young owner, Minella, was abducted and sold to distant Inazuma—a place the Knights of Favonius couldn't intervene.
"You should be glad there aren't many customers today."
From against the wall near the bar, a nun with wine-purple hair remarked coolly, "What trivial matter has you so amused?"
"Quite trivial indeed."
Kaeya pulled out a stool, his belt accessories scraping the table edge softly. "—That much stock? Seems an Inazuman is opening a tavern. Wonder about their skills."
"The Inazuman Irodori Festival—news has reached here."
Rosaria suggested, "If you're truly curious, that young alchemist Albedo received an invitation. You could go together. And that little one."
"Klee?"
"She's still in solitary confinement." Diluc spoke suddenly, placing a glass before Kaeya expressionlessly. "You still haven't fixed the grape trellis she blew up with you last time."
"—The 'good big brother' who leads mischief, huh?"
Kaeya looked into the glass.
Full of grape juice.
Ah. He understood.
Master Diluc, silent since he entered, had been waiting with this. He grinned through gritted teeth. "So petty, Master Diluc. Don't worry—I'll help repair it."
Might as well feed the grapes to the birds.