"Hehehe, this is one of our most popular items. Many people love buying this from me,"
Yoimiya said with a smile. "The herbs are carefully blended by me. Not only do they repel insects, but they also help calm the mind and soothe the spirit."
"Sounds like a really nice little gadget," Akira praised.
"Huh? Do you like it? If you do, take one and try it out," Yoimiya offered. "If it works well, come back and get more."
"Then I'll take one. Charge it to the Grand Narukami Shrine," Akira said. "I'll have the shrine maidens who come to Inazuma City to shop bring you the payment."
"Oh, there's no need for that trouble. Aren't we friends? Consider it a gift from me," Yoimiya quickly waved her hand.
"Hmm... alright, thank you very much," Akira thought for a moment. Since Yoimiya had already said so, refusing would seem overly fussy.
Akira's hand glowed, and three milky-white diamond-shaped crystals appeared. He walked over to Yoimiya.
"What's up?" Yoimiya had just finished making the fireworks and was stretching. Seeing Akira approach, she asked curiously.
"As a return gift, these three crystals are condensed from my power," Akira handed the crystals to her. "As long as it's not instant death, crushing one of these crystals will heal any injury or illness."
"Huh?!" Hearing Akira's words, Yoimiya's eyes widened, and she quickly waved her hands. "I can't take these. They're too valuable."
"It's just a small gesture, not that valuable," Akira said. "But I have one condition: don't use these crystals on anyone else. Otherwise, they'll bring you endless trouble."
To Akira, these crystals were just a casual gift, but their ability to heal any injury or illness, once exposed, would turn them into a ticking time bomb for Yoimiya.
"Take them. Aren't we friends?" Akira smiled.
"Alright... okay," Yoimiya nodded. She didn't doubt Akira's words. As a deity, he had no reason to deceive a mortal like her.
"By the way, Akira, I have some new fireworks to test. Do you want to come with me to try them out?" Yoimiya invited.
"Sure," Akira nodded.
"Dad! We're going to test the fireworks!"
Yoimiya called out to Naganohara Ryuunosuke before leading Akira to the outskirts.
In the outskirts of Inazuma, the sky was gradually darkening. Yoimiya held the newly made fireworks, as happy as a child.
The cool breeze gently brushed the girl's hair, and the vibrant fireworks complemented her radiant smile, highlighting her flawless beauty.
In the distance, the lights of ordinary homes flickered, and above, faint stars dotted the sky. Together with Yoimiya's bright smile, they brought a touch of vitality to this oppressive nation.
The dazzling fireworks were fleeting, but the brief moment of brilliance left a lasting impression on Akira.
"Akira! Did you like it?" After setting off the fireworks, Yoimiya ran over excitedly, looking at Akira with anticipation.
"The fireworks light up the moonlit sky, but the scenery pales in comparison to your beauty," Akira praised.
"Oh!" Hearing Akira's straightforward compliment, Yoimiya's face turned red with embarrassment. She fidgeted with her hands, looking down at her feet.
"When a woman lowers her head and can't see her feet, she becomes the epitome of beauty," Akira suddenly recalled this line of poetry. Indeed, a shy girl was the most beautiful sight in the world.
"Oh no, Yoimiya! You're usually so good at keeping conversations balanced. Why are you so flustered today?" Yoimiya scolded herself inwardly. This was so embarrassing!
Yoimiya was a young girl who had yet to experience love. She didn't understand the nuances of such interactions and simply thought she had overstepped today, not considering the possibility of romantic feelings.
Or perhaps, Yoimiya hadn't even thought about such things. She wondered if she was feeling unwell, as her heart kept racing whenever she saw Akira.
Yoimiya looked up and saw Akira gazing at her. She quickly said, "Akira, let's head back. It's getting late. I'll cook for you and let you taste my skills."
"Today was really fun."
"Yeah, it was," Akira nodded, sensing the shift in Yoimiya's mood. For some reason, he felt a hint of disappointment. But of course, why would Yoimiya think about such things? She was kind to everyone.
"It's getting late, so I won't trouble you. I need to head to Uyuu Restaurant later to bring some food back for Yae Miko," Akira said. "I won't take up more of your time."
"Alright," hearing Akira's words, Yoimiya nodded and didn't insist.
After seeing Yoimiya back to the fireworks shop, Akira left directly for Uyuu Restaurant.
"Dad!" Yoimiya saw Naganohara Ryuunosuke sitting there enjoying the cool air and quickly pulled him into the house.
"Huh? Yoimiya, what's going on?" Naganohara Ryuunosuke looked at his daughter, confused.
"Dad, crush this!" Yoimiya took out one of the milky-white crystals and placed it in Naganohara Ryuunosuke's hand.
"Huh? What is this?" Naganohara Ryuunosuke asked, puzzled.
"Oh, don't ask questions. Just crush it," Yoimiya urged. If what Akira said was true, then her father's hearing problem would be cured, right?
"Alright, alright," Naganohara Ryuunosuke looked at his daughter with affection and crushed the crystal with a squeeze.
"Hiss..." Naganohara Ryuunosuke felt a slight itch and coolness in his ears, but then the sensation faded.
"Dad, how do you feel?" Yoimiya saw her father in a daze and, as usual, leaned close to his ear and shouted.
"Ouch!" Naganohara Ryuunosuke was startled by the sudden loud noise. "Yoimiya, lower your voice. You're going to deafen me..."
"Wait! My hearing!" Naganohara Ryuunosuke looked at Yoimiya in shock. "Yoimiya, say something softly."
"Dad!" Yoimiya called out in a very soft voice.
"!" Naganohara Ryuunosuke was stunned because he heard it clearly.
"I... my hearing is back?" Naganohara Ryuunosuke's eyes filled with tears. After decades, he could hear again.
Seeing her father's reaction, Yoimiya tightly gripped the remaining two crystals in her hand.
"Yoimiya, what's going on?" After calming down a bit, Naganohara Ryuunosuke looked at Yoimiya with a serious expression.
"It's Akira," Yoimiya answered honestly.
"Actually, he's the Great Divine Official of the Grand Narukami Shrine and also a deity."
"Today, I gave him a Kōtaiwa, and in return, he gave me these three crystals," Yoimiya opened her hand, revealing the two glowing crystals.