Inazuma.
Returning from the Shrine, Yuna remembered to bring back some delicious treats for the Boss and Mamoru.
"Shinobu, why are you giving these back to them? I won them fair and square! A bet's a bet, and Mamoru can vouch for me!"
"Boss, how old are you? And how old are those kids?"
Arataki Itto tried to argue, but Kuki Shinobu's steely glare forced him to reluctantly release his grip.
"But I won..."
Yuna stepped forward, patted the Boss on the shoulder, and presented him with a bowl of mixed stir-fried noodles.
Itto's nose twitched a few times as his gaze locked onto the noodles.
He looked back at Yuna, then back at the noodles, and pointed at himself.
Is this for me?!
Seeing the Boss's dumbfounded, almost flattered expression, Yuna felt a twinge of embarrassment.
I'm usually pretty good to them... why this reaction?
She distributed the remaining food among the others.
Even though they had already eaten, no one could resist the delicious spread.
Even Kuki Shinobu took a small portion.
"Second Sister, what's the Boss up to again?" Yuna asked, sidling up to her sister during a lull in the feasting.
"He won a bunch of random stuff today, including a jade pendant that looks quite valuable. It was probably just some kid gambling recklessly. Let's return it together later."
"Oh, got it! Sure thing!"
-
Inazuma City.
Yuna strolled alone down the bustling street, greeted by many passersby.
As a legendary chef known for her "seven days closed, seven days feasting" schedule, Yuna was a household name in Inazuma.
The public held a mix of affection and exasperation for her—loving her exquisite cuisine yet frustrated by her laid-back attitude.
Her Vision hung conspicuously on her back as she sauntered down the street, yet no one attempted to confiscate it.
Could the Vision Hunt Decree be just a hollow threat? Yuna wondered.
She continued her leisurely walk until she reached the Statue of the Omnipresent God.
The colossal statue was still under construction, its surface adorned with countless Visions.
Shogunate Army soldiers guarding the site spotted the gleaming Vision on Yuna's back. They glanced furtively at their Captain, only to see him pretending not to notice. Emulating his feigned indifference, they followed suit, turning a blind eye to her presence.
Yuna walked to the base of the Statue of the Omnipresent God, tapping here and there.
When the guards realized she was actually trying to pry off the Vision embedded above, they finally couldn't hold back any longer.
"Stop! Don't touch that!"
Yuna withdrew her hand. She had only wanted to examine it, but it was far more firmly embedded than she'd expected.
She remembered that after the statue's completion, the shogun would personally preside over the Vision Hunt Ceremony for the hundredth Vision. And the unlucky soul chosen for that honor was... Thoma, wasn't it?
Now that I'm openly wearing a Vision here, could my Vision become the 100th?
This place would also be the site of Lumine and the shogun's first clash.
She didn't want to steal Lumine's shining moment, but surely Thoma's was fair game, right?
After all, she had made him so many delicious meals and even taught him several recipes, complete with detailed instructions and tips.
That should count as compensation, right?
It's just one moment of glory. Surely Thoma wouldn't be that petty.
-
Yuna regretted returning to the Arataki Gang's headquarters the moment she saw the scene before her.
The Boss had clearly done something to anger Second Sister, and now all four of them were squatting on the ground, enduring her scolding.
Witnessing this scene, Yuna immediately turned to leave, but she was a step too slow. Kuki Shinobu called out to her.
"Yuna, come here."
"Oh, I'm coming!"
Yuna shot a furtive, questioning glance at Itto and the others, but they remained silent.
"Second Sister, what's wrong?"
Kuki Shinobu was still clearly furious.
"Ask them yourself!"
Yuna crouched down beside the four and whispered, "What did you guys do?"
They exchanged uneasy glances before Itto finally spoke up. "Ahem... uh, Yuna, listen, promise you won't get mad, okay?"
Yuna was utterly confused. Me? Get mad?
Why would I get mad?
Isn't Second Sister the one who's angry?
"Fine, just tell me. I won't get mad."
"Ahem... well, I was thinking, you know, you always cook alone and it must be exhausting. I've seen you do it so many times, and it doesn't seem too hard, so..."
Yuna guessed, "So you decided to do it yourselves and blew up my kitchen?"
If anything would make her angry, this was likely it.
Moreover, all four of them still had soot on their faces.
Itto scratched his head guiltily. "I didn't realize cooking was so hard! I just added a little extra oil to the pot, but it exploded, and the flames shot up so high..."
Yuna: "..."
Well, it's just a kitchen. We can rebuild it. After all, the Boss is pretty capable.
She turned to Itto and the others and said, "It's okay, we'll just rebuild it."
But Arataki Itto still looked stricken with guilt.
Yuna: "Seriously, Boss? Is that all? What else did you do?"
Itto: "The fire got out of control and spread to your and Shinobu's living quarters. We couldn't save them..."
Yuna silently drew her Claymore.
"Shatter-Rock-Strike!!!"
-
Lumine's Side
Lumine had been living quite comfortably these past few weeks, spending time with both Ayaka and Yoimiya, and even witnessing Ayaka perform the "Dance of the White Heron" for her and Paimon.
These experiences had fostered a sense of belonging in Lumine and Paimon towards Inazuma, a far cry from their initial unfamiliarity and unease.
"Lumine, hurry up! Yuna might be waiting for us!"
Lumine was already running, but Paimon still felt they were too slow.
The little one's hunger-fueled burst of energy left Lumine slightly stunned.
Paimon fluttered ahead, her small face beaming with anticipation.
They had tried to visit Yuna once before, but she had been out at the time, leaving them empty-handed.
Paimon was determined: this time, they would wait for Yuna no matter what.
For this meal, she and Lumine had scoured countless locations to gather the freshest ingredients.
"Lumine, we're here! Wow, Yuna's actually here!"
Lumine didn't need Paimon to point it out—she saw it too. But... why did the place look like it had been burned down?
Paimon waved her hand and called out, "Yuna, we're here!"
"Lumine and Paimon! You finally made it! I thought you'd forgotten about me!"
"That's not true! Paimon's been thinking about Yuna all along! Lumine's the one who forgot!"
Lumine, her face streaked with exasperation, tugged Paimon back, not missing the chance to retort, "Paimon only remembers the delicious food, right?"
"That's not true! Paimon only remembers Yuna!"
Yuna gently stroked Paimon's small face.
Finally, I get to touch her!
Little Paimon is even cuter than I imagined!
Lumine glanced at the house, which looked noticeably different from before, and asked Yuna, "What happened here?"
Yuna quickly explained the situation to Lumine and Paimon.
"You mean even cooking can cause a fire? Yuna, your boss must be totally unreliable!"
"Hey, hey, hey! I heard that! Who's talking behind my back?"
Caught red-handed, Paimon immediately hid behind Lumine, peeking out with a tiny head.
"Boss, are the supplies ready?"
Itto, unfazed by Paimon's earlier remark, arrived with Mamoru and the others, carrying two large baskets of ingredients.
"Yuna, it's all here!"
Yuna turned to Lumine and Paimon to introduce them.
"Lumine, this is the boss I mentioned earlier. Boss, this is the Traveler Lumine, and her companion Paimon."