After enjoying breakfast, the old uncle ran some small tests on the ear-protection artifact he had developed.
Once he confirmed that the effect was fine and that it would remain functional even after he left, he set off with peace of mind toward the Naganohara Fireworks Shop.
But while walking on the road, the old uncle caught an extraordinary conversation carried by the wind.
"Did you hear? Lord Shura Anyakonsen-shou is still alive! Someone discovered the place where the lord had been living in seclusion in the Chinju Forest!"
"Really? I knew Lord Shura Anyakonsen-shou couldn't have passed away so easily!"
"May Lord Shura Anyakonsen-shou bless the world with peace..."
"Huh? Is that true? How can they be sure it's the place where the lord lived in seclusion?"
"Hey, you wouldn't know this, but many fox spirits were staying in that small cabin, and someone found a new soul-soothing relic of Lord Shura Anyakonsen-shou near the cabin!"
"I know about that! Those fox spirits were all extraordinarily graceful, and because of their connection to the lord, they were very friendly toward people!"
I...
The old uncle felt a myocardial infarction coming on...
So the chuunibyou title "Shura Anyakonsen-shou" had finally spread after all?
Back then, he had even buried that gravestone far away because it felt unlucky...
Don't panic... the problem isn't too big yet...
He hadn't heard any news about his appearance being exposed. He should hurry and deliver the ear-protection device first...
Getting a reputation like this in Inazuma...
The old uncle only felt something called "with great power comes great responsibility" crashing down on him.
He needed to move faster...
The old uncle used Anemo power to quickly arrive at the Naganohara Fireworks Shop.
"Hmm? Old uncle! Good morning!"
Little Yoimiya looked very excited to see the old uncle suddenly appear.
But she also felt something was a little off. Was the old uncle acting a bit strange today?
He was still as gentle as before, but there seemed to be something different...
The old uncle reached out and patted little Yoimiya on the head.
"Here, take this. Working in the fireworks industry long-term makes it easy for your ears to go deaf from overly loud noises. From now on, make sure your dad—and yourself—wear these in your ears..."
Today's old uncle was the same as always, but there was an added tone of earnest concern.
"Old uncle, I understand."
Little Yoimiya put on the ear-protection headphones the old uncle had given her, yet she felt that the surrounding sounds didn't seem to change much.
"These headphones will automatically adjust the volume of the sounds you receive. You must wear them properly at all times. If you want to hear louder sounds, just take them off then. Don't worry—they won't feel uncomfortable when worn normally."
"Wow, that's amazing!"
Little Yoimiya's eyes were filled with curiosity about this adeptus mechanism.
She even let out a loud "Ha!" herself to test the change in sound.
Watching little Yoimiya happily playing with it, the old uncle felt a sense of fulfillment.
All these days spent researching these adeptus mechanisms had been worth it.
With this, there should be no need to worry about Yoimiya's dad's ears having problems anymore.
Now entering the stage: the next one from Fontaine technology!
Secret arts of the adepti! Kid!
The old uncle lifted little Yoimiya up and looked at her as she gazed back at him.
In the end, he decided to do something fun that was suitable between kids.
"Actually, old uncle me has a hidden identity. But little Yoimiya, you have to always remember my current identity, okay~"
Little Yoimiya looked at the old uncle. At this moment, the old uncle seemed to be smiling very happily.
"Mm! I'll definitely always, always remember the old uncle!"
That morning, little Yoimiya and the old uncle exchanged some small knowledge about fireworks together—an adult following a child's thoughts on how to make beautiful fireworks work.