Bare, dainty feet pattered across the ground, the rhythmic tap-tap-tap echoing endlessly.
Yuna, carrying a massive bucket of ice cream, sprinted with incredible agility. Blessed with innate superhuman strength, she carried the heavy bucket as if it were child's play.
Despite running barefoot for over a decade, her feet remained pristine white, without a single callus.
Don't ask; it's just part of the setting.
The Kamisato Estate was quite a distance from Inazuma City, and since she woke up early anyway, Yuna considered the journey her morning exercise.
Having visited the estate countless times, the guards at the entrance recognized her immediately and waved her through without hesitation.
Unexpectedly, she found Head of the House Kamisato Ayato and Thoma deep in discussion.
"Ah, it's little Yuna! Are you here to see the Young Miss?" Thoma greeted her warmly, pausing his conversation with Ayato.
Yuna peeked her head out from behind the wooden bucket.
"Hi Thoma, and Ayato-nii-san! Is Ayaka-chan not here?"
"Ha ha, she's here. Wait here for a moment, and I'll go fetch her," Thoma replied.
As Thoma left, Ayato's gaze remained fixed on the wooden bucket.
"What's this, Yuna?"
Ayato was one of Yuna's loyal customers, especially fond of the milk tea she used to make.
Yuna gently set down the wooden bucket. "Hmph! This is what I'm selling at my stall this time—ice cream! But it's not quite finished yet. Ayaka needs to help me freeze it."
"Ice cream?"
Ayato approached, immediately catching a sweet, fragrant aroma. His eyes lit up.
"Once it's ready, can I buy a few servings from you first?"
"Mm-hmm, sure! But I need Ayaka's help first. Once she does, we'll make it together. Then you can have as much as you want, Ayato-nii—for free!"
Ayato smiled. He certainly didn't need the money. Yuna's creations were sometimes priceless, and besides, she was working so hard as a young girl. How could he possibly take her efforts for granted?
The politically astute Ayato deeply valued genuine sincerity in people. That's why he had become such close brothers with Arataki Itto.
In his eyes, Yuna and Itto were the same—pure-hearted individuals he greatly admired.
Ayaka had been at home. When Thoma told her Yuna had arrived, she immediately rushed outside.
"Yuna!"
"Ayaka!"
Their close relationship had blossomed thanks to Yuna's street stall.
One fateful day, Ayaka tasted Yuna's food and fell instantly in love with it. After sending Thoma on several fruitless errands, she finally figured out Yuna's stall schedule.
After helping Yuna deal with some trouble caused by the Commission Office, the two began to grow closer.
The easygoing and cheerful Yuna was a delight to be around. She was both adorable and beautiful, and possessed exceptional culinary skills. In just one visit to the Kamisato Estate, she had won over Thoma and Ayato with a single meal.
Gradually, the three became close friends.
"Ayaka, quick! Freeze this for me! I'll treat you to some delicious ice cream!"
"Freeze it? Like this?"
"Exactly! That's it!"
Confirming her target, Ayaka didn't hesitate.
Kamisato Art: Hyouka!
With a flick of her fan, a powerful surge of Ice Elemental Power instantly froze the entire bucket of ice cream.
"Uh... did I use too much power?"
"No, it's perfect!"
Yuna produced a spoon from who-knows-where. "Thoma, do you have any bowls? I forgot to bring any."
Thoma hurried off to fetch them, returning shortly with three plates and three spoons.
Yuna scooped out ice cream balls and placed them onto the plates.
Ayato was the first to taste it. The cool ice cream melted in his mouth, its refreshing sweetness, rich milky aroma, and fruity notes leaving him utterly delighted.
"Excellent!" he declared.
Having such a wonderful treat on such a hot day greatly lifted his spirits, which had been rather gloomy lately.
Ayaka took a bite, her face immediately lighting up with a smile.
"So this is what you're selling at your stall, Yuna? I guarantee it'll be a huge hit!"
"Of course! When has anything I, Yuna, sold not been a massive hit?"
Yuna's smug little expression made the three of them struggle to suppress their laughter.
Thoma hadn't even tasted it yet. Ayaka shot him a knowing glance, and he instantly understood, pulling out his coin pouch.
"Yuna, how much are you planning to charge?"
Seeing the coin pouch, Yuna frowned.
"I told you, this is on me! I won't take any money. We're good friends, aren't we?"
"Yuna, you should still charge something. After all..."
"No, no, no!"
Yuna shook her head vigorously, like a rattle drum.
She scooped up the wooden bucket and dashed away.
Thoma froze, stunned. He hadn't even finished speaking! Besides, they wanted to buy more!
Yuna was fast. Before they could react, she had already vanished into the distance.
Ayato and Ayaka turned to stare at Thoma.
Thoma: "..."
Ayato: "I'll take three servings."
Ayaka: "I'll have the same as my brother, three servings too."
Thoma's heart sank. He belatedly tried to chase after her, but by the time he bolted outside, Yuna was long gone.
Today, a corner of Inazuma City was bustling with activity.
Unlike the prime locations, this spot was rather secluded.
Yet despite its remote location, a long queue had formed.
Almost every customer who had tasted Yuna's cooking in the vicinity shared the same consensus:
No matter what this stall is selling, if there's anything left, buy it! It's guaranteed to be delicious and an absolute bargain!
And most importantly, the Boss is absolutely adorable!
Beside the stall:
Yuna was in charge of packing orders, Kuki Shinobu handled the cash, and Arataki Itto and The Trio maintained order.
"Wow, it's dessert this time! Amazing!" Yoimiya exclaimed.
"I'm glad you like it, Yoimiya-nee. Would you like the cake too?"
"Yes, please! I'll take everything!"
After her purchase, Yoimiya hurried home, overjoyed to have snagged her favorite sweets today.
Next up was Thoma.
"Eh? Thoma, what are you doing here?"
Thoma shot Yuna a reproachful glance, then discreetly gestured "3" with one hand and "2" with the other.
Yuna nodded in understanding.
Only then did Thoma step aside to wait.
Not long after:
"Sorry everyone, we're sold out!"
The stall, set up in the morning, sold out by noon—in less than two hours.
Having been warned earlier, the crowd didn't complain much, though some disappointment lingered.
"Boss Yuna, is it really all gone?"
"Yeah, I haven't been able to get any for half a month now!"
"Will you be here tomorrow?"
Some customers remained hopeful, but once it was gone, it was gone.
The last person who asked was clearly a newcomer; otherwise, they wouldn't have asked such a question.
Overtime?!
Impossible! Does Yuna look like someone who would work overtime?
I finally earned a bit from work—how could I go back without spending it all first?
Once the crowd had thinned, Yuna packed up Thoma's order and waited patiently. After a long while, a familiar figure strolled over.
"Little one, did you save my share?"
Yuna grumbled, "Lady Guuji, I was about to leave if you hadn't come soon."
"Don't be angry, little one. With your stall's irregular hours, it's hard for me to arrive on time."
Yuna considered this and realized she was right, her irritation melting away.
Before leaving, Yae Miko winked at Yuna.
"Little one, come visit the Shrine sometime."
"Sure, sure! I'll definitely come when I have time."
Once Yae Miko had departed, Kuki Shinobu finally emerged from the shadows. She genuinely wanted nothing to do with the Shrine's people.