"Hehe, this is actually one of our best-selling items," Yoimiya said with a cheerful smile. "The ingredients are specially blended by me. It doesn't just repel insects—it also helps calm the mind."
"Sounds like a pretty great little gadget," Kagami Ren praised.
"Huh? You like it? If you do, just take one and try it out," Yoimiya said. "If it works well, you can come back for more."
"Then I'll take one. Put it on the Narukami Shrine's tab," Kagami Ren said. "I'll have a shrine maiden deliver the payment when they come into the city."
"Oh, there's no need for that! We're friends, right? Just take it as a gift from me," Yoimiya quickly waved her hands.
"…Alright then. Thank you," Kagami Ren said after a brief pause. Since she insisted, refusing further would only feel awkward.
Three milky-white diamond-shaped crystals appeared in his hand as he walked over to her.
"Hm? What's this?" Yoimiya had just finished her fireworks and stretched lazily when she saw him approach.
"As a return gift, these are condensed from my power," Kagami Ren said, handing her the crystals. "As long as it's not instant death, crushing one will heal any injury or illness."
"Huh?!" Yoimiya's eyes widened, and she immediately shook her head. "I can't take this—it's too valuable!"
"It's nothing significant to me," Kagami Ren replied calmly. "But I do have one condition. Don't use it on outsiders. Otherwise, it may bring you endless trouble."
Something so trivial to him could become a deadly temptation if exposed. These crystals would turn into ticking bombs in Yoimiya's hands.
"Take them. We're friends, aren't we?" Kagami Ren smiled.
"…Okay." Yoimiya nodded. She didn't doubt his words. A god had no reason to deceive a mortal girl like her.
"Oh right, Kagami Ren, I've got some new fireworks I want to test. Want to come with me?" Yoimiya asked excitedly.
"Sure."
"Dad! I'm heading out to test fireworks!" After calling out to Naganohara Ryuunosuke, Yoimiya led Kagami Ren out of the city.
In the outskirts of Inazuma, the sky gradually darkened. Yoimiya held the newly made fireworks in her hands, as happy as a child.
A cool breeze brushed through her hair. The dazzling fireworks lit up the sky, reflecting against her bright smile and flawless features.
In the distance were the warm lights of homes, above them a faint scattering of stars. Together with Yoimiya's radiant smile, they brought a touch of life to this otherwise oppressive land.
Fireworks were fleeting, vanishing in an instant—but that brief brilliance etched itself deeply into Kagami Ren's memory.
"Kagami Ren! Isn't it beautiful?" Yoimiya ran over excitedly, looking at him expectantly.
"Blazing lights beneath the moonlit sky—beautiful scenery, and an even more beautiful person," Kagami Ren praised.
"Ah…" Yoimiya's face flushed red at his direct compliment. Her hands fidgeted as she lowered her head, staring at her toes.
"When a woman lowers her head and can't see her feet, she's a peerless beauty," Kagami Ren thought, recalling the saying. Indeed, a shy girl was the most stunning sight in the world.
"Ahhh, Yoimiya! You're usually so good at handling conversations—why are you messing up today?" she scolded herself internally, utterly embarrassed.
Yoimiya was still inexperienced in matters of the heart. She didn't understand what she was feeling and simply thought she was acting strange. She didn't even consider romance.
Or perhaps she never thought about it at all. She only felt her heart racing whenever she looked at Kagami Ren and wondered if something was wrong with her.
She quickly lifted her head and said, "Kagami Ren, let's head back. It's getting late. I'll treat you to a meal—try my cooking!"
"Today was really fun."
"Yeah… it was," Kagami Ren nodded. He noticed the shift in her emotions, and for some reason, a faint disappointment rose in his heart.
But it made sense. Yoimiya treated everyone warmly—how could she think of anything more?
"It's getting late, so I won't trouble you. I still need to stop by Uyuu Restaurant and bring something back for Miko," Kagami Ren said. "I won't take up more of your time."
"…Alright." Yoimiya nodded, not insisting.
After escorting her back to the fireworks shop, Kagami Ren left for Uyuu Restaurant.
Yoimiya watched his figure disappear into the distance, scratching her head. Something felt… off, but she couldn't quite place it.
She turned and went back inside.
"Dad!" Yoimiya spotted Ryuunosuke sitting outside enjoying the cool air and quickly pulled him inside.
"Hey, hey? Yoimiya, what's going on?" he asked, confused.
"Dad, crush this!" Yoimiya placed one of the milky-white crystals into his hand.
"Hm? What is this?" he asked.
"Just do it!" she urged. If Kagami Ren was telling the truth… her father's hearing might be restored.
"Alright, alright." Ryuunosuke chuckled indulgently and squeezed the crystal.
It shattered.
In their astonished gaze, the fragments turned into white light and flowed into his body.
"Huh…" He felt a faint itch and a cool sensation in his ears, then nothing.
"Dad? How is it?" Yoimiya leaned close and shouted loudly, as she usually did.
"Ah! Hey, keep it down—you're going to deafen me!" he exclaimed instinctively.
"…Wait. My hearing!"
Ryuunosuke stared at her in shock. "Yoimiya… say something softly."
"Dad…" Yoimiya whispered.
"…!"
He heard it clearly.
"My hearing… it's back?" Tears streamed down his face. After decades, he could hear again.
Watching him, Yoimiya clenched the remaining two crystals tightly in her hand.
"Yoimiya… what is this?" Ryuunosuke asked seriously after calming down.
"It was Kagami Ren," she answered honestly. "He's the Grand Chief Priest of the Narukami Shrine… and also a god."
"I gave him a bug-repelling ring today, and as thanks, he gave me these."
She opened her palm, revealing the two faintly glowing crystals.