They said the drink could cut through the spice, but after just a few bites of fish, beads of sweat were already forming on Fang Qiu's face.
Sweat dripped from her, glistening.
The heat kept building in her mouth, and even the special drink Xiangling had mixed up couldn't tame it.
Helpless, Fang Qiu gave up and stuck to the non-spicy stir-fried dishes instead.
Amid the laughter and chatter, time slipped by.
Fang Qiu had long since eaten her fill, and now sat quietly to the side, watching everyone revel.
Xinyan stood at the bow, singing a song Fang Qiu had taught her during dinner while strumming the guitar-like instrument in her hands.
Whenever she hit the chorus, flames burst from the instrument in her hands, drawing cheers from the sailors, who didn't care that she'd botched a few of the lyrics here and there.
Paimon, meanwhile, watched Xinyan's performance while munching on food.
"Paimon, if you keep eating like that, you won't be able to sleep tonight."
"No way, I'm only half full. It's when I'm too hungry that I can't sleep."
"You've already eaten more than me."
"That's because you eat too little."
Watching the Traveler and Paimon bicker for a bit, Fang Qiu smiled and looked away, raising her eyes to the night sky.
Far from the bustling lights of Liyue Harbor, the night sky over the ocean looked far clearer.
Countless stars hung across the dome above.
It was a magnificent night sky the likes of which she'd never seen in her previous life.
"How does it feel?"
Beidou asked, leaning back in her chair as she looked at Fang Qiu.
She'd had a bit too much to drink, her face flushed red.
"Thank you for putting together this feast, Sister Beidou. I'm having a great time."
Fang Qiu said with a light laugh.
"Good, that's all that matters."
Beidou laughed, took another swig from her wine jug, and suggested they call the Traveler, Xinyan, and the others over to soak in the ship's bath together.
Fang Qiu naturally had no objection.
She'd worked up quite a sweat, after all, and going to sleep without washing up would be uncomfortable.
Besides, she'd be sharing a bed with the Traveler later, and it would be embarrassing if she smelled of sweat.
Though Hu Tao had once told her that she smelled nice even when sweating.
Still, it wasn't ideal.
Plus, she was thoroughly soaked in the smell of smoke and cooking.
The aroma of grilled fish and the feast, that is.
Better to wash up properly and change into fresh clothes.
Once the feast wound down, she and a few of the girls from the Alcor headed to the ship's bathhouse together.
Fang Qiu had to admit, she'd expected nothing more than a plain shower stall, something just good enough to rinse off in.
To her surprise, it rivaled the bathhouse on the Thousand Sunny from One Piece.
It seemed Sister Beidou took bathing quite seriously.
Though she had no idea what the men's bathhouse looked like.
Looking at the huge bath filled with steaming water, Fang Qiu couldn't help worrying whether the ship's freshwater supply would hold out.
It was only while soaking and chatting afterward that she found out.
One of the girls bathing with them was a Hydro Vision holder, so the ship never ran short of fresh water.
Fang Qiu couldn't help sighing again at how convenient other people's Visions were.
Her own Cryo Vision, on the other hand, only gave her freshwater once the ice melted.
After a nice, relaxing soak, she got dressed and headed back to the room with the Traveler and Paimon.
"Traveler, Paimon, which side do you two want to sleep on?"
Fang Qiu asked while changing into her sleepwear.
"Either's fine with us."
Paimon said.
Lumine nodded as well.
"Then I'll take the inside spot."
Fang Qiu rubbed her drowsy eyes and climbed into bed. To keep herself from tossing around in her sleep, she lay on her side, facing the wall.
It was already late, and after a whole afternoon of writing, drowsiness washed over her the moment she lay down.
"Traveler, let's get some sleep too."
Paimon said.
"Mm."
Lumine nodded.
Lumine took the middle spot, and Paimon lay on the outside.
Paimon fell asleep quickly.
Listening to the faint sound of waves outside the ship, Lumine glanced over at the already-sleeping Fang Qiu, then closed her eyes.
But no sooner had she shut them than a rustling stirred beside her.
Lumine's eyes flew open on instinct, and turning her head, she saw that Fang Qiu had rolled over and was now facing her, eyes half closed, breathing steady — clearly fast asleep.
Looking at Fang Qiu's peaceful sleeping face, Lumine smiled softly and closed her eyes again.
Fang Qiu really did have a lovely sleeping face.
Watching that sleeping face, Lumine suddenly remembered something Shenhe had mentioned back when they first met, during the rebuilding of the Jade Chamber — that Fang Qiu liked to cuddle whoever she was sleeping next to.
She wondered if that was actually true.
Thinking this, Lumine slowly closed her eyes.
Outside the window, the bright moon lay reflected on the water.
A gentle breeze drifted by, rippling across the ocean's surface.
The Crux Fleet continued its slow advance toward Inazuma, and on the deck of the Alcor, the sailors kept drinking and feasting on grilled meat.
Meanwhile.
Inazuma. Tenshukaku.
Ei sat upright at her desk, reading through a scroll of documents, the candle flame on the table flickering.
Suddenly, Ei set down the documents and looked up toward the darkness within the hall, saying flatly, "I've said this many times already, but I'll remind you again — trespassing into Tenshukaku is punishable by death. That little ninja under you follows the rules far better than you do. Couldn't you learn from her?"
"Her, hm?"
Yae Miko stepped out of the darkness, laughing softly behind her hand. "I asked her why she used the front gate, and she told me it was because you said trespassing was punishable by death, so she was scared."
"So, you're not scared?"
Ei's eyes narrowed, a faint flicker of lightning crossing her violet pupils.
"Don't be so fierce."
Yae Miko said with a smile, "It's just that the proper procedure to enter Tenshukaku is so tedious, and I didn't want to waste time. Besides, given my... particular status, I'd probably draw a lot of attention. And surely you don't want the people of Inazuma finding out you like reading light novels, do you, Ei?"
"I don't particularly like reading light novels."
Ei said flatly.
"Oh? Is that so. And here I came all excited to bring you good news — turns out my dear friend isn't so eager after all. What a waste of my effort."
Yae Miko sighed helplessly, feigning disappointment.
"Hm? Good news?"
Ei raised an eyebrow and asked, "Has Fang Qiu written a new book?"
"No, not that."
Yae Miko gave a mischievous smile and shook her head.
"Then what's this good news?"
Ei's interest immediately faded.
"Didn't I mention to you before about holding the festival?"
Yae Miko said with a smile.
"And?"
Ei asked.
"I invited Fang Qiu. Going by the schedule the Traveler gave me, they should have set off today."
Yae Miko shot Ei a teasing glance. "So, how's that for news?"
"Not bad."
Upon hearing Fang Qiu would be coming, the corner of Ei's mouth had curved up in an unconscious smile, but the moment Yae Miko pressed her, the smile vanished, and she simply nodded and said so.
"What a cold reaction. Maybe I should just send her back, then."
Yae Miko said, putting on a wounded expression.
"Hm?"
Ei's brow creased.
"Just kidding, just kidding."
Seeing Ei's reaction, Yae Miko laughed and waved a hand. "She's practically a money tree for me — she's pulled in a ton of readers who never used to touch light novels, and sales of our top titles have nearly doubled lately. Plus, when she comes to Inazuma this time, she's bringing a film she made together with Tianquan from Liyue. It's bound to be a huge hit here. Once she arrives, I'm going to treat her well."
As she spoke, she couldn't resist licking her rosy lips.
"A film?"
Ei looked puzzled.
The name reminded her a little of the Kamera she and the Traveler had used before.
"You'll find out when the time comes."
Yae Miko said, waving a hand.
Ei frowned at her but didn't press further.
She knew Yae Miko was just stringing her along.
"By the way, I noticed you looked hesitant just now. What business were you working on?"
Yae Miko asked.
"Nothing major, just the matter of relations between Narukami Island and Watatsumi Island."
Ei said.
"Watatsumi Island?"
Yae Miko's brow lifted, a playful smile tugging at her lips, and she said with mock seriousness, "How about this — I hear the living god of Watatsumi Island, Sangonomiya Kokomi, also loves reading, and she's especially fond of A Legend of Sword by a Liyue author named Zhenyu. Why don't I invite her to Narukami Island for this Irodori Festival, and we can talk things over then?"
"Hm?"
Ei fell silent for a moment, then said, "I'll leave that to you, then."
"Don't worry, I'm a professional."
Yae Miko said.
"Aside from telling me Fang Qiu has set off for Inazuma, is there anything else?"
Ei said.
"Of course there is."
Yae Miko said, walking toward Ei.
She finally stopped in front of the desk.
Just as Ei looked puzzled, Yae Miko took out a bottle of Dango Milk and set it on the desk. "It's all gone now," she said.
Ei said nothing, only looked quietly at Yae Miko.
"All right, all right, quit glaring at me. I just came into Inazuma City to have some fun and figured I'd drop by with the news."
Yae Miko waved a hand. "My Fried Tofu and fried skewers should be ready by now. I won't keep you from your work any longer."
With that, she turned and dissolved into a streak of crimson-cherry light, vanishing from the hall.
Ei let out a helpless sigh and opened the bottle of Dango Milk to drink.
"Not bad."
Ei looked out the window, where the bright moon hung high.
Moonlight poured down over Inazuma City.
Though it was already late, the city remained bustling with energy.
Plenty of people on the streets were talking about the upcoming Irodori Festival.
"Did you hear? They invited that old thief Fang Qiu to the Irodori Festival."
"Yeah, yeah, I heard. Wonder what that old thief even looks like."
"My little sister said some insider claims that old thief is actually super handsome."
"Handsome? How handsome can he be?"
"Mm... about as handsome as the head of the Kamisato Clan, I'd guess."
"That's actually really handsome, damn it... I really thought he'd be some old man. This is infuriating — handsome AND a great writer? Talk about winning at life!"
"I'm so damn jealous, ugh!"
"And Teacher Zhenyu is coming too! I heard Teacher Zhenyu is a gorgeous young beauty!"
"No way, really?"
"Of course it's true, why would that be a lie? Teacher Zhenyu's been in the business a long time, after all."
"Both Old Thief Fang Qiu and Teacher Zhenyu are confirmed to be coming. The only question is whether Lady Shina will show up too."
"I hope Lady Shina comes. Old Thief Fang Qiu and Teacher Zhenyu are both just 'supposedly' good-looking, but Lady Shina is a verified, genuine beauty."
"Fair point. Too bad Yae Publishing House hasn't said a word about it."
The crowd kept buzzing with chatter.
Meanwhile, outside Naganohara Fireworks.
Naganohara Yoimiya sat on a bench, carefully crafting fireworks. Once she finished a step, she set the firework aside and stood up.
"Mmm..."
After a good stretch, she looked toward Liyue, a smile tugging unconsciously at the corners of her mouth.
A few days ago, when the Traveler returned to Inazuma to report that Fang Qiu had decided to come for the Irodori Festival, she'd also told Yoimiya the departure date.
Today was that day.
"I wonder where Miss Fang Qiu is by now. I can't wait."
Full of anticipation, she picked up the Tricolor Dango beside her and bit into one, cheeks puffed out as she chewed and muttered to herself.
She quickly washed down the last of the Tricolor Dango with some tea, stretched her body once more, and sat back down on the bench.
"Energy refill complete. Back to work."
Yoimiya patted her cheeks and picked the unfinished firework back up to keep working.
But no sooner had she started again than a burst of hearty laughter from across the street interrupted her.
"Hahaha, finally out of the slammer again, thanks to Shinobu!"
Arataki Itto strode down the street with his usual swagger. Spotting a boy who'd stumbled by the roadside, he hurried over in a few quick steps and helped him up.
"It's just a little fall. A real man doesn't cry over that."
Itto said, striking a deliberately cool pose.
"Uh, Itto, I wasn't gonna cry."
The boy said, "Speaking of which, Itto, when are you gonna battle Onikabuto with me? I'm on a twenty-win streak now. Think you can keep up?"
"I've just been busy lately, that's all. Next time — next time I definitely won't go easy on you."
Itto said.
"But you said that same thing last time, and the time before that, and the time before that too."
the boy said.
"Ahem, that just shows you don't get it. To put it in Fang Qiu's own words, this is called giving you rope before reeling you in."
Itto said.
"I don't really get all this reeling and letting-go stuff, but anyway, Itto, you'd better hurry up."
the kid sighed.
"Don't worry, it's coming soon. When the time comes, I'll show you what a real Onikabuto looks like."
Itto said, waving a hand.
The kid said nothing, just stared quietly at Itto.
"Ahem, speaking of which, Genta, didn't the Traveler mention Fang Qiu was setting off today?"
"That's right, today's the day."
"Excellent, I can't wait! I just wonder if Lady Shina will come along for the festival too. Oh right, Genta, where's Shinobu? I wanted to talk with her about how to get Miss Fang Qiu and Lady Shina to join the Arataki Gang."
"Reporting, boss — when Sister Shinobu bailed you out, she spotted the priestess of Grand Narukami Shrine and said she needed to lay low for a while."
"Heh, Shinobu really doesn't have the guts I do as the boss. The priestess of Grand Narukami Shrine? Please, I, Arataki, the number one fighter under heaven, fear nothing like that."
Itto said.
No sooner had he spoken than a voice sounded from behind him.
"Oh? Is that so? Then how about we go get some ramen together?"
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