"I've figured it out! The little yokai's Yokai Power alone won't cut it, but with me leading the charge, it'll be no problem at all!"
Itto struck a confident pose. "Let this great lord—Arataki King of the Hundred Demons Under Heaven, Itto—lead you all in putting on the most epic Mikawa Flower Festival ever!"
He remained as self-assured as ever.
But as Kuki Shinobu had pointed out, he wasn't just boasting; he genuinely believed in his ability to pull it off.
Behind Itto, the three little yokai's eyes sparkled with admiration.
Itto's charisma was undeniable. Otherwise, Kuki Shinobu and Kuki Yuna wouldn't have joined his gang, and Ayato wouldn't have become his close friend and sworn brother.
"Ohh—" Yae Miko voiced her support.
Paimon, still a bit worried, turned to Lumine. "Are you sure this is going to be okay...?"
Itto bristled. "What kind of question is that? This time, it's not just me pitching in—everyone's helping out, even Ayato-nii! We'll gather the materials in no time, and the festival will be ready before you know it. Just wait and come enjoy the fun! Ha ha ha ha ha!"
So many people?!
Yuna squeezed her way to the front. "M-m-me too! I'll help! The Mikawa Flower Festival definitely needs lots of food!"
As soon as Yuna spoke, Lumine, Paimon, Itto, and Yae Miko all turned to look at her.
Paimon spun excitedly in place. "If Yuna's coming, the festival will be super, super lively!"
Yae Miko approached and placed a hand on Yuna's forehead. "Little one, if you need help, don't hesitate to ask your big sister anytime~"
Yuna didn't hesitate. She genuinely needed Yae Miko's assistance.
"Lady Guuji, could you bring over the mobile kitchen? And some tables and chairs while you're at it?"
Yae Miko smiled and left.
Yuna didn't waste any time either. She hurried home to gather all the ingredients, determined to treat everyone to a proper feast.
But to ensure the Arataki Gang wouldn't have to eat dirt for the next few days, Yuna decided to charge a small fee.
After all, none of them seemed short on Mora. As for the three little guys...
Since they were now considered members of the Arataki Gang, they could naturally eat for free.
-
Itto and the others worked alongside the yokai to set up the festival grounds. Yae Miko also brought Yuna's mobile kitchen, placing it in the most prominent spot.
By the time everything was arranged, it was already noon the next day.
Yuna brought out all the delicious dishes she had prepared at home and arranged them neatly. Taking advantage of the lull before the festival's official start, she rushed to prepare more food.
Ayaka had been roped in to help freeze ice cream.
Lumine and Paimon were peeling potatoes beside Yuna.
Word had spread about the Mikawa Flower Festival preparations, and many participants from the Test of Courage had already arrived.
Seizing the opportunity, Itto announced that Yuna would be running a stall at the festival. The moment the grounds were ready, crowds flocked to the area—far more than had attended the Test of Courage event.
Yae Miko teased Yuna, remarking that even her painstakingly prepared Test of Courage couldn't match the allure of Yuna's cooking.
Yuna took great pride in this. After all, her food was undeniably delicious!
As soon as Yuna's dishes were ready, the festival officially began.
"Boss, one bowl of ramen!"
"Coming right up!" Yuna swiftly got to work.
Lumine and Paimon helped sell ice cream nearby.
With the midday heat at its peak, and Yuna's ice cream already famous, the line of customers was long and eager.
"Ha ha, Yuna, look at all these customers I brought back from Inazuma City!" Itto grinned widely, eager for praise. Yuna handed him a bowl of ramen. "Just eat."
The three little guys and Itto squatted beside Yuna's stall, each holding a bowl of ramen and slurping it down with gusto.
It wasn't that Itto didn't want to sit—there simply weren't any seats left.
Ayaka, Ayato, Yoimiya, Kazuha, Gorou, and the other volunteers helping set up the festival had already claimed all the spots. Even Yae Miko had taken a spot at a table, a bowl of ramen before her.
While Yae Miko adored fried tofu, she wasn't limited to just that. She adored anything Yuna cooked.
Kazuha took a sip of broth, gazing out at the sea. The gentle sea breeze carried a unique flavor.
Yoimiya swiftly set down her bowl, patted her stomach, and called out to Yuna, "Yuna, another bowl over here!"
She had been looking forward to finding Yuna's delicacies at the Third Round Test of Courage, but luck hadn't favored her this time. Not only did she miss the food, she hadn't even caught a whiff of its aroma.
Gorou, still putting the finishing touches on a game stall, hunched over his bowl, slurping loudly.
Eating before finishing his work was truly inexcusable. This would never have happened to him before, but the aroma was simply irresistible!
Gorou had tasted Yuna's cooking many times and knew it was exceptionally delicious. The tantalizing scent had been wafting over him the entire time he worked, and he simply couldn't resist.
Yuna was adept at preparing large meals quickly and efficiently, maintaining order even amidst the hustle.
After finishing their meals, Itto and the others stayed to help.
The festival was bustling with activity, everyone enjoying the festive atmosphere.
The original Mikawa Flower Festival had been a grand gathering for yokai. Now, the current iteration also welcomed humans.
Seeing such a lively scene naturally reminded Chizuru of the festival's past.
While this celebration couldn't quite match the grandeur of the true Mikawa Flower Festival, the sight of such a lively gathering, filled with familiar games and performances, still filled her with genuine joy.
Paimon brought over an ice cream cone and offered it to Chizuru:
"I'm not sure if you can eat, but wanna try this? Yuna made it, and everything Yuna makes is super-duper delicious!"
Chizuru took the ice cream and thanked them.
She didn't really need to eat, but... she could still enjoy a little.
The ice cream was sweet and cool, instantly lifting her spirits.
After finishing her treat, Chizuru strolled through the festival.
Lumine and Paimon had already sold out of their ice cream. They waved goodbye to Yuna and hurried after Chizuru.
Yuna's nimble hands moved with incredible speed, transforming dough into delicate strands of ramen before tossing them into the boiling pot.
"Boss, one bowl of ramen, please!"
The soft voice made Yuna look up. She saw a girl in a white hooded robe.
"Coming right up!"
Yuna quickly prepared a bowl of ramen, ladled in broth, and topped it with braised meat before handing it to the Kitsune to serve.
The Kitsune carefully carried the ramen to the girl's table.
The aroma made Chu Xi instinctively swallow. She removed her hood, picked up her chopsticks, and began to eat.
The Kitsune froze, mesmerized by the Big Sister's beauty.
After taking a bite of noodles and a sip of broth, Chu Xi looked up in surprise at the bustling Yuna. Their eyes met.
Yuna smiled at Chu Xi, who, overcoming her shyness, nodded back.