Inazuma.
Naganohara Fireworks.
Yoimiya was making preparations before heading out.
She had already made an agreement with Alice that after going to the manga shop to read manga, they would come to her shop to research fireworks.
After all, the fireworks shop had a much more complete selection of materials.
"Dad, I'm heading out!"
After straightening her clothes, Yoimiya smiled and waved to her father behind her.
"Sweetie, you must think carefully about Miss Alice's ideas. Don't let her lead you astray!"
Naganohara Ryuunosuke sounded a little nervous.
Although he greatly admired that woman, her way of thinking was simply too unconventional!
Besides, weren't fireworks supposed to be about creating beautiful visual effects?
If they could physically alter the environment, could they still be called fireworks?
They might as well rename the shop the Naganohara Arms Store!
"Don't worry, Dad. I'll be careful!"
Yoimiya smiled lightly.
She had long since realized that the two of them had very different ideas.
But personally, she still leaned toward Miss Alice's approach.
After all, traditional fireworks were simply too difficult to innovate!
"See you later!"
After waving to her father, Yoimiya jogged away.
She then headed toward the alley where the manga shop was located.
However, she unexpectedly encountered someone familiar on the way.
The girl wore red eyeshadow, while her long green hair was tied up with a cord and flowed behind her like the wind.
She wore a black fishnet crop top and a purple hooded jacket.
Most eye-catching of all was the distinctive oni mask covering her face.
It represented her identity—the imposing "Oni Deputy" of the Arataki Gang, Kuki Shinobu.
Yoimiya hadn't originally been particularly familiar with her.
But she couldn't help it when Kuki Shinobu had a troublemaking boss like Arataki Itto!
Because of the frequent conflicts caused by Arataki Itto, the two gradually became acquainted.
So Yoimiya smiled and greeted her.
"Kuki Shinobu, where are you headed?"
"Oh, it's you, Yoimiya! I just finished taking another certification exam. I'm going to find the boss!"
Seeing Yoimiya, Kuki Shinobu waved as well.
"Another certification? You're really working hard!"
Yoimiya looked at her with admiration.
Ever since getting to know Kuki Shinobu, aside from handling matters for the Arataki Gang, she was either taking a certification exam or on her way to one.
Junior Chef, Seamstress, Associate Actuary, Health Manager, Human Resources Manager...
One or two certificates wouldn't be anything special.
But when you had accumulated such a huge pile of them, that was another matter entirely!
Yoimiya had never seen anyone work this hard.
"Can't be helped. I just want to establish myself better in society."
Kuki Shinobu sighed helplessly.
Having a certificate could at least prove your efforts and make it easier to introduce yourself.
At the very least, when interacting with others, she wouldn't have to hand them a business card with practically nothing on it.
The only fortunate thing was that exams that were difficult for others were incredibly easy for her.
Otherwise, she wouldn't have been able to obtain so many certifications at such a young age.
"By the way, are you going to play with the kids again?"
Kuki Shinobu asked with a smile.
Because of matters involving children, the girl in front of her often ended up clashing with her boss.
Kuki Shinobu had lost count of how many times she'd encountered that situation.
"Nope. I'm going to Boss Han's shop to read manga. Want to come with me?"
Yoimiya smiled and invited her.
"If you get a good reward, maybe it can help you—or even the Arataki Gang—establish yourselves better!"
"A manga shop? Rewards?"
Kuki Shinobu was slightly stunned.
Although the Arataki Gang was somewhat down on its luck, they were still fairly well-informed about what was happening in Inazuma.
But why had she never heard of this manga shop?
Normally, if there were rewards involved, there should have been some news about it!
"It's a new shop that opened recently. As long as you read manga, you can receive a reward from the manga."
"It might be an ordinary item, a technical skill, or even powerful abilities!"
"I was actually introduced to it by Lady Guuji!"
Yoimiya enthusiastically began recommending the shop.
There was something really satisfying about introducing a newcomer to it!
No wonder Lady Guuji had recommended the place to her back then.
"There really is such a magical shop?"
Kuki Shinobu became curious.
Could you even obtain practical life skills?
If so, wouldn't getting certifications become incredibly easy in the future?
She truly lived up to her reputation as a certification enthusiast.
When other people heard about the wonders of the manga shop, they would only think about how to obtain powerful rewards.
But Kuki Shinobu was already thinking about how to use the shop's rewards to pass certification exams!
"Yoimiya, could you take me there?"
Kuki Shinobu looked rather expectant.
Now that such a magical manga shop had appeared in Inazuma, she had to take a look.
Whether for her own certifications or as the Arataki Gang's second-in-command, it was worth investigating.
As for her boss, she could always go find him later.
And as for whether the shop was real...
Kuki Shinobu had no doubts.
First, she trusted Yoimiya's character and didn't believe she would deceive her about something like this.
Second, if Lady Guuji had actually visited the shop, that alone proved that the place was extraordinary.
As a former shrine maiden of the Grand Narukami Shrine, Kuki Shinobu held Yae Miko in extremely high regard.
"Sure! Let's go together!"
Yoimiya nodded happily.
Under her guidance, the two headed toward the manga shop.
Before long, they arrived at the secluded alley.
"The shop is actually here? No wonder we never heard anything about it!"
After examining Solace Book House for a moment, Kuki Shinobu sighed.
Seriously, what normal person would open a shop in a place like this?
Even the Arataki Gang wouldn't consider setting up shop here!
"Exactly! I only discovered it by coincidence too!"
Yoimiya scratched her head in agreement.
If she hadn't happened to be playing with some children there and encountered Lady Guuji, she would never have imagined that there was a manga shop hidden here.
If that had happened, she really would have missed out on this opportunity!
"Don't think about it so much. Come on, I'll take you inside and show you the manga shop!"
Yoimiya waved her hand and pulled Kuki Shinobu toward the shop.
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