The road leading to the island, below Mount Kagemori.
"A bunch of good-for-nothings! What kind of state are you in!"
Shinsuke Hiiragi's scolding echoed from afar.
But unfortunately, his authority was of no use at this moment.
The only response he received was weak sighs.
The samurai of the Kanjou Commission, who were usually arrogant, were now utterly disheveled.
They were all injured, heads hanging low as they trudged along.
That cold woman in the fox mask...
She was too terrifying, too violent.
"Father, please calm your anger."
Chisato Hiiragi bit her lip lightly and reached out to support him.
No matter what, he was her father.
But unfortunately, her concern was met only with cold mockery.
Shinsuke Hiiragi let out a cold laugh.
"What, are you secretly delighted?"
"Do you think that brat Qin Yu hit them well?"
"The envoy is injured, how will the Hiiragi family explain this!"
Chisato Hiiragi felt even more disappointed, merely shaking her head.
Father, why do you think this way...
"Hmph."
Seeing Chisato Hiiragi's silence, Shinsuke Hiiragi flicked his sleeve and left.
"..."
After calming down, he realized this was an opportunity.
A great chance to pressure the Yashiro Commission.
Publicly disrespecting the Almighty Shogun...
No one could bear such a crime.
United with the Tenryou Commission, the Yashiro Commission would surely be unable to resist.
He would personally petition the Raiden Shogun tomorrow!
After all, the Almighty Shogun was incredibly powerful.
She likely wouldn't investigate such a minor matter.
Just as usual, let them say whatever they want!
As long as the Yashiro Commission was suppressed.
The implementation of the Vision Hunt Decree would naturally follow.
And the profits from the collaboration with the Fatui...
A cold smile tugged at Shinsuke Hiiragi's lips.
And that brat.
Enjoy your fleeting triumph for now.
If I can't get you, someone else will!
The news has probably been sent by now.
...
The samurai's injuries were not light, and they had to stop to rest.
Chisato Hiiragi sat alone on a rock.
She was used to being ignored.
Chisato Hiiragi propped her head on her hand and looked up at the starry sky, unable to hide her disappointment.
At this time, Xiao Yu should still be at the festival.
"..."
A faint curve appeared on the girl's lips.
There were many new toys at the festival.
There were delicious snacks.
And many warm and interesting people.
Everywhere there was a warm and comfortable festive atmosphere.
People laughed, people shared.
Completely unlike the Kanjou Commission.
The evening breeze blew, and Chisato Hiiragi's nose stung slightly.
She looked up at the vast expanse of stars.
Confined since childhood, she loved counting stars.
Because she could count them however she pleased.
Counting horizontally, counting vertically...
No one could stop her.
Chisato Hiiragi chuckled silently.
What was she thinking, Xiao Yu would surely find her childish.
"..."
Her smile slowly turned bitter.
"A world of freedom, it's so nice..."
She really wanted to spend the fireworks festival with Xiao Yu.
The girl's disappointment lasted only a short while.
"No, no!"
She quickly shook her head and rubbed her cheeks.
She had promised Xiao Yu to be strong!
Suddenly, a point of light streaked across the sky.
Chisato Hiiragi was instantly captivated.
So beautiful, was it a shooting star?
She stood up abruptly, her beautiful eyes shining.
She clasped her hands together, her heart filled with anticipation.
"Almighty Shogun, please bless Xiao Yu."
"Give him endless desserts and inexhaustible Mora!"
"And also..."
The girl greedily made many wishes.
But none for herself.
If Xiao Yu was happy, she would be happy too!
She opened her eyes sheepishly.
"Huh?"
Chisato Hiiragi let out a soft exclamation, her beautiful eyes widening.
The beautiful shooting star in the sky...
Seemed to be flying this way.
Her mind went blank.
Could this be a gift from a god?!
In the night sky, the light grew closer.
Just as Chisato Hiiragi was about to get a clear look at it.
It suddenly extinguished.
"...!"
Chisato Hiiragi reached out, trying to catch the disappearing light.
But a shooting star is fleeting, how could it stop for her?
She lowered her head in disappointment, murmuring:
"The shooting star is gone... Xiao Yu too..."
Her vision blurred.
With colorful hues.
Wait, there's light?
Chisato Hiiragi instinctively looked up at the night sky.
The next moment, she stood there, dumbfounded.
A dreamlike brilliance bloomed, dyeing the night sky into a magnificent ocean.
Like a scene from a fairy tale, beautiful and magnificent.
"It's so beautiful."
Chisato Hiiragi covered her mouth, her beautiful eyes reddening.
It was fireworks, many, many fireworks.
She finally understood.
That wasn't a shooting star just now.
It was clearly a fireworks display for her alone, given by Xiao Yu.
His promise to her had never been forgotten.
The childhood promise became clear.
"When you stop crying, I will give you fireworks as a gift."
Qin Yu had said that then.
"Thank you! Xiao Yu!"
"I like you the most!"
Under the dazzling brilliance of the sky, the girl jumped up and shouted with all her might.
As if to let the whole world hear.
As the girl's heart filled with joy, a commotion arose in the distance.
"What is it! Who's setting off fireworks!"
Shinsuke Hiiragi scanned his surroundings and said coldly.
The samurai lowered their heads awkwardly, remaining silent.
They looked quite nice...
Just as Shinsuke Hiiragi was about to erupt in anger.
He heard the girl's shout from afar.
Damn it, it's that brat again!
Shinsuke Hiiragi, his face full of rage, strode towards the sound.
Chisato Hiiragi looked at him, her gaze no longer evasive.
Shinsuke Hiiragi's heart faltered.
This daughter, whom he had never paid much attention to, had such a look in her eyes.
"Rebellious! Utterly rebellious!"
"Are you trying to collude with that scoundrel... Ah!"
Before he could finish speaking.
A dark mass plummeted from the sky.
With a *bang*, it landed squarely on Shinsuke Hiiragi's head.
It was a bundle of fireworks casings, tied together by an unknown person.
"Father, are you alright!" Kuaishuge
Chisato Hiiragi cried out in alarm.
Yet, a sense of inexplicable relief washed over her.
"Quick, protect the head of the family! There's an assassin!"
The samurai in the distance descended into chaos.
"Which scoundrel, throwing things from high up..."
"I'm reporting this to the Almighty Shogun, to punish you...!"
Shinsuke Hiiragi extended a hand, trembled as he finished speaking, and fainted.