Speaking of which, readers were curious: how did Miko and Itto even meet? They were already shocked that Itto knew Ayato and was his bro, but now he not only knew Ayato but also Miko and Sara—what kind of Inazuma networking king is he? He's practically connected to all of Inazuma's elite. The only question is whether he knows Ei.
Getting sidetracked—Itto rushed over because he'd decided to hold a "Mikawa Flower Festival" to fulfill the little youkai's wish.
["Led by the one and only—Arataki, King of All Oni and Youkai, Itto—I'll make this the greatest Mikawa Flower Festival ever!"]
[Fox Youkai & Kappa & One-Eyed Monk clapped together: "Lord Arataki is wise!"]
In reality, the Arataki Gang's three lackeys scratched their heads. This scene felt familiar! What's going on? Stealing our gig? The moves, the words, even the number of people—it's all the same! This is our thing! If you're doing it, what do we do?
Readers also realized something: Arataki Itto's Arataki Gang seemed to have grown again. He really was the ever-strengthening Arataki Itto! Who knows if his gang will keep expanding in the future?
Naturally, no one opposed Itto's proposed festival. Everyone present loved a good time—just look at how happily that fox was smiling. Miko and Yoimiya were practically festival Adepti. Ayaka was also in her element. Though she hadn't attended many festivals, she had tons of experience organizing them. With such a talented crew, the festival was set in motion immediately—especially since Kamisato Ayato had been scheming this all along.
The Traveler invited Chizuru to join, and after Miko's guidance, Chizuru no longer refused to connect with others. In fact, she'd always wanted to bond with people but had been suppressing it, pretending her heart didn't ache when it did. Now, she didn't have to hold back anymore—her "strength" had arrived.
At the festival, Gorou and Arataki Itto were chatting. Itto mentioned once catching a massive fish and struggling with what to do with it, so he submitted a query to Yae Publishing House's Leisurely Monthly. The magazine published Itto's question alongside Miss Hina's "solution," visible to all of Inazuma. Writing this, Lucian strongly suspected Itto didn't actually need advice—he just wanted to brag! Isn't this just a fisherman "getting lost"? Normal people get lost on the streets, but you get lost in a magazine? Everyone knows the degree of "getting lost" reflects a fisherman's joy—so just how happy were you!?
Coincidentally, Gorou also worked part-time at Yae Publishing House, offering advice for people's troubles. He'd recently responded to a similar query. Gorou didn't know his reply was published, so he hadn't connected the dots. But clever readers were already thinking: Is this… really a coincidence?
Itto, you might have good news and bad news. Good news: you might be getting really close to your beloved Miss Hina. Bad news: you might've become bros.
Smart readers spotted the issue, but denser folks like Itto noticed nothing.
[Itto pondered: "Someone else was troubled by catching a super big fish? Could it be…"]
["Could there be someone in this world who can rival me in fishing? No way, no way! You guys enjoy the festival—I'm gonna catch an even bigger one today!"]
Readers shook their heads. Sure enough, you can trust Itto's analysis and deduction in critical moments, but otherwise? He's a goofball. Kujou Sara also shook her head: "That idiot."
Even in reality, with a god's-eye view of the story, Itto didn't notice anything off. Shinobu, beside him, had a playful smile. The Arataki Gang's three stooges didn't catch it either, still praising their boss for catching such a huge fish—something even a prophet couldn't do! Takuya, however, noticed and fell silent.
Itto puffed out his chest proudly. Some people get shy when praised, but that's definitely not Itto.
Back to the story, beside Itto, Yoimiya was playing "scoop the water balloon" with the One-Eyed Monk. The game was like scooping goldfish, using fragile tools to catch things—whatever you scoop before the tool breaks is yours. Yoimiya, a festival goddess, had her own tricks and even taught them to the Traveler and others.
[Yoimiya: "Close one eye, aim carefully, then use a light touch to scoop it up quick!"]
[One-Eyed Monk: "But Yoimiya-nee, if I close one eye, I can't see anything—!!"]
Pfft, that line made readers laugh. It's a bit of a cold joke, not even a pun—note it down, Cyno. That's a natural talent. Effort-driven types like Cyno still need practice.
Even with Yoimiya's tips, the Traveler didn't manage to scoop anything. Lumine was used to solving problems (and problematic people) with brute strength. Asking her to suddenly use finesse and brainpower? That's a tall order. Luckily, Chizuru was skilled and scooped a water balloon for Paimon.
The trio continued strolling the festival, chatting briefly with Ayaka and Sayu, who were eating ramen. Ayaka loved ramen since her usual diet was strictly controlled, and heavy, salty, oily foods like this were rare treats. That's why, during the hotpot game with the Traveler, she tossed in cake. She rarely got to eat hotpot or cake, so when she had a chance to let loose, she went all out and ate them together!
Seeing this, Furina's eyes lit up. "Right! If hotpot can have cake, why can't dumplings have cake?" She still hadn't let go of her "dessert dumplings" from the last Lantern Rite. Lucian was speechless. That was a "dark cuisine" hotpot game, meant to be "dark." We're just having a holiday meal with friends, treating each other like family since most of us don't have "real" families… it's nice to gather like this.
What are you trying to do? Make it a family reunion? Family-hero Furina? Sure, this "innovative dish" won't kill anyone, but we're not gonna say, "What's so dark about these dumplings? They're great!" Lucian pointed at himself: "Do I look like a dumpling to you?"
"Eat me instead." He even extended his arm toward Furina. Furina chomped, her teeth lightly grazing without biting flesh. Lucian yanked his arm back: "I was just saying—you actually tried to eat me?"
Furina stuck out her tongue, turning away to ignore Lucian. That's what you get for scaring me earlier. Furina was adorable in that moment, but Lucian was thinking of something else. He thought: Should I run? Maybe go back to Lumine. If Furina gets stabbed by this story later, will she stab me too? How about I do a goodnight dance, milady, so you'll go to bed?
===✧✦✧===
Character Voice · Furina: About Knives
"Do you know what 'knife' means? Not an actual knife—it means a story that's emotionally painful! Lucian told me about it. I don't know why it's called a 'knife' either."