"...Haa."
When Yoimiya saw her smile, the heart that had been hanging in suspense quietly settled as well, and her own lips curved upward.
That scared me to death! I thought Shogun-sama was angry. Looks like she wasn't after all, but—
Looking at the smiling woman, she felt her earlier tension gradually ease as well. Shogun-sama was not the sort of person who constantly radiated an oppressive presence. So she was actually very approachable, completely different from the rumors. Then again, that made sense. This was not a formal occasion, so perhaps she simply had not revealed that side of herself. Still, this kind of Shogun-sama was nice too.
"Ahem. Still... even so, since you were the one who encouraged those children, you should see the matter through to the end. Keep a close eye on them and don't let them get into danger."
The Shogun reined in her smile slightly and gently reminded her in a warm voice.
"Mm, don't worry... I'll make sure they're safe and protect them properly."
Besides, she had already agreed to lead the three children there herself when the time came, carrying their so-called "weapons." There was no need to worry about the three of them getting lost or anything like that.
"Good... What about afterward? What are we going to do?"
The Shogun relaxed a little after hearing her answer and moved on to the next topic.
"Huh? Afterward?"
Yoimiya froze.
"Didn't Ayaka say you still had things to take care of?"
She asked.
"Ah, right! I completely forgot. Oh dear... I should probably head back soon. The 'Naganohara Fireworks Show' is almost here, and I really do still have a lot to do."
Yoimiya slapped herself on the forehead and sighed self-reproachfully. She glanced at the sky, then turned her gaze back toward the woman. Her eyes lit up as she leaned closer.
"Shogun-sama, why don't you come with me?"
The girl made the suggestion expectantly.
"Me? As for me..."
"Ah, do you have something to do later? You're very busy, right?"
Yoimiya asked deliberately.
"Haa, not at all. I happen to be free this afternoon. If you don't mind, you can take me along."
After thinking for a moment, she said that to her.
It was not that she just happened to be free this afternoon. Rather, she was practically free every day now... After all, Ei had already taken over the duties she originally handled. These days, she was as idle as a sheltered young lady who rarely left her chambers.
"Why would I mind?! Of course I don't, of course I don't~! Wow... Today really is unforgettable."
Yoimiya clapped her hands happily, then took the initiative to grab her hand.
"—!"
Whoosh!
The very next second, she was pulled away by the girl's initiative, leaving her momentarily stunned.
"Wait... Where are we going?"
She was passively led along by the hand, following behind Yoimiya as she asked in confusion.
"To my house, of course~! We're going to Naganohara Fireworks."
The girl looked back and gave her a bright smile.
"..."
All right... I really can't handle children like this after all. No, that's not quite right... It feels like all the girls around me have their own way of taking the initiative, and... they all direct that "initiative" at me. The kind of initiative that overwhelms mine. Haa... This is simply what my personality is like. I can't change it.
Shogun-sama's hand is so soft!
Walking ahead and leading the way, Yoimiya marveled inwardly at this and deliberately tightened her grip ever so slightly around the slender hand of the woman behind her.
"..."
Looking at Yoimiya leading her from the front, the Shogun lowered her gaze to their joined hands, then rather adorably glanced at the back of the girl's head.
"Naganohara—"
"Hm? Hehe... Just call me Yoimiya~"
Yoimiya turned her head and answered with a smile.
"Y-Yoimiya... Is this Naganohara Fireworks Show you mentioned the event being used as the opening ceremony for the Akitsu Festival tonight?"
She asked curiously.
The Naganohara Fireworks Show was a very famous event in Inazuma, one could even call it uniquely Inazuman. But... this time it had been combined with another large-scale event, which made her somewhat curious.
"That's right... The fireworks show was originally scheduled for a few days ago, but since the Akitsu Festival and the fireworks show were so close together, we decided to hold them on the same day. Besides, the opening of the Akitsu Festival needed fireworks anyway, so this way we can kill two birds with one stone."
In other words, they were combining the joy meant for everyone into a single day, allowing everyone to truly put everything aside tonight, relax, and enjoy one of Inazuma's grandest festivities together.
"That makes sense..."
The Shogun, still being led along by the hand, agreed.
"Hehe, and this time the fireworks will last a full half hour. It's a huge project, you know. You'll get to see your fill all at once!"
The girl's voice was full of excitement and pride. After all, she had begun preparing this fireworks show and opening ceremony an entire month ago. Everything would come together tonight!
"..."
She could tell that the more this girl spoke, the more excited she became. Yoimiya clearly adored fireworks. Otherwise, she would never wear such a joyful smile, one as radiant and beautiful as the fireworks she spoke of blooming across the sky.
"You really do love fireworks..."
She smiled warmly as she spoke, her gentle voice making Yoimiya blush instinctively.
"...Mm, I do///. And—"
Yoimiya turned her slightly flushed face forward so the Shogun would not see it. Her sentence remained unfinished as she paused.
"...?"
The Shogun looked puzzled.
"I hope you'll come to love them too, Shogun-sama~!"
After suppressing the redness in her cheeks, Yoimiya turned back toward her and smiled again.
...I will.
She answered inwardly.
Because merely looking at this girl was enough for her to imagine the charm of fireworks bursting into bloom across the sky.
Several minutes later, Yoimiya brought her to Hanamizaka, near Naganohara Fireworks. The white-haired old man was still standing in front of the shop.
"Dad, I'm back~!"
Yoimiya walked straight over and greeted him.
...Dad?
She was surprised inwardly. So this elderly man was Yoimiya's father? She had only just learned that. She had originally assumed he was an employee, or perhaps some relative.
Then again, that makes sense. You probably wouldn't hire an employee who's hard of hearing.
She poked fun at herself inwardly.
"You're back, girl?! Haa, the fireworks show is almost here, isn't it? Everyone's fireworks are pretty much ready—hm? Aren't you the customer who came by earlier?"
Ryuunosuke immediately recognized the Shogun when he saw her.
"Hm? Came by earlier?"
Yoimiya looked confused.
"So you're a friend. I thought you were a customer... What a misunderstanding. How embarrassing."
Ryuunosuke sighed. Clearly, he had not heard his daughter's question.
"I initially came here to look for you, but he told me you had gone out, so I took the opportunity to ask where you had gone."
The Shogun knew he was hard of hearing, so she answered Yoimiya in his place.
"Oh, so that's what happened... No wonder you managed to find me so quickly and so accurately."
Yoimiya understood now. She had initially wondered how Shogun-sama had found her so quickly, but with that explanation, everything made sense.
"Haha! Since you're the girl's friend, come inside and have a seat! Naganohara Fireworks knows a thing or two about entertaining friends~!"
Ryuunosuke continued talking on his own.
"I know~! I'll take her inside to sit down later. I still have things to do right now!"
Yoimiya raised her voice slightly as she spoke to the hard-of-hearing Ryuunosuke, gesturing with her hands at the same time.
"Ah, Shogun-sama, if you want to rest, you can just go inside. My room is all the way in the back."
Yoimiya suggested.
"No need. I'll stay with you."
She shook her head and declined.
"Come in and sit down! I'll tell you about the history of the Naganohara family. Hehe~ Even people from Inazuma don't know all the details, you know~? A very, very long time ago—"
And yet, he still had not heard them... and had already launched into an endless story.
"Haa... Dad's telling stories all by himself again."
Yoimiya covered her forehead with a helpless, exhausted look, clearly troubled by it.
"He..."
Seeing this, the Shogun started to say something...
"Um... I'm sorry, Shogun-sama. My dad was injured a long time ago, and his hearing hasn't been very good ever since. I hope you'll forgive him."
Yoimiya looked at her apologetically.
Ryuunosuke's storytelling still filled the background... and somehow, within this little space, it felt strangely fitting.
"There's no need to apologize. I understand."
She shook her head, telling Yoimiya not to apologize like that. Natural disasters and human misfortunes were unavoidable. She understood.
Still, thinking about it, this girl had not had an easy life either. Her family ran a fireworks shop, her father was hard of hearing, and as for her mother... the Shogun had never seen her. Nor did she want to bring the subject up, since perhaps it was something sensitive for the girl.