(Long chapter)
↢3rd Person POV↣
"I judged you wrong. I'm sorry." y/n grumbled, "But don't think for a second that I like humans! You're all trash!"
"But... aren't you human too?" Yoimiya asked as Paimon and Aether frantically tried to silently warn her not to say that.
Y/n only rolled her eyes, "Nye. I'm a mitachurl. Not human. Not hilichurl. Mitachurl."
"A mitachurl, huh?" Yoimiya exclaimed, eyes bright, "That's pretty cool!"
The h/c haired girl blinked before turning away, grumbling a quiet, "Tomo..."
"Uhm, who are you?" Aether asked.
"Allow me to introduce myself! I'm Yoimiya, the current owner of Naganohara Fireworks!" Yoimiya chirped, "It ain't much, but it's honest work, hehe. Great to meet ya!"
"Practically everyone in Hanamizaka knows Yoimiya. She's the Queen of the Summer Festival!" the person, the one y/n had almost forgotten about, exclaimed, "Without her and her fireworks, summer on Narukami Island just wouldn't be same."
"Summer Festival...?" y/n echoed.
"Whoa, that's quite the introduction! Paimon loves fireworks! It's nice to meet you!" Paimon chimed.
"Stop it Hanshirou, you'll embarrass me!" Yoimiya laughed, "As for thanking me, you'd be better off thanking Master Masakatsu. He's the one that gave me the fake Visions in the first place."
"Who's that?" y/n inquired.
"He makes faux Visions! His handiwork allowed me to keep my own Vision. Whew, I can't even imagine trying to run business without it..." Yoimiya replied.
"Yes, Master Masakatsu is a good man." Hanshirou agreed, "It's too bad good people seldom get the recognition they deserve."
"Master Masakatsu!?" Paimon demanded, earning a curious look from y/n.
"Huh? Do you guys know him too?" Yoimia asked the trio.
Aether nodded, "We were actually just on our way to rescue him."
"You don't say! Then it sounds like the Shirasagi Himegimi has a plan..." Yoimiya murmured then grinned, "Awesome! I've been thinking about breaking him out too recently!"
"Well why haven't you gone already Yoimiya? It'd save us a lot of trouble." y/n questioned, tilting her hear.
"If I just marched straight in there by myself, I'd probably get Miss Kamisato in a whole heap of trouble, hehe..." Yoimiya explained with a sheepish grin before her expression lit up, "So... how about I join you three instead?"
"Sure! Welcome to the team!" Paimon exclaimed and y/n glanced at the pixie with a curious expression.
"...?"
"Ayaka told us to go look for help at a fireworks shop..." Aether began, "I'm guessing she was talking about you."
"Hee-hee, seems like I've finally got a new job to do!" Yoimiya declared then added I a much quieter tone, "...Y'know, besides hiding Vision bearers in my shop, that is..."
Y/n only blinked, "...?"
"So, Master Masakatsu is being held at the Police Station. I've already surveyed the area and found a way in." Yoimiya explained, keeping her voice low.
"Whoa, talk about a reliable source. Seems we've got the right person on our team!" Paimon exclaimed, excited.
"So, we're breaking someone out of jail?" y/n asked, voice almost hesitant.
"Yep, that's the plan." Aether confirmed.
Everyone visibly tensed when y/n grinned, cracking her knuckles.
"Alright! Let's go!" she declared, sprinting away with blazing eyes.
"Y/N! COME BACK!" Paimon shouted, "C'mon! We gotta catch up! She might burn down the police station!"
~~~ᕕ( ᐛ )ᕗ•°*
Y/n, as usual, didn't leave much work for Aether, Paimon and Yoimiya.
She was the first one in and the last one standing, leaving a trail of either burnt or frozen guards in her wake.
She even found all the magatama shaped thingies so that she could help Aether, Paimon and Yoimiya open the big door so they could find the "Master Masakatsu" dude.
And guess what?
She found em.
"Y/n, don't run off like-" Aether began but y/n pressed a hand over his mouth, pushing him backwards so they'd be hidden behind the wall and out of sight.
"Hush." was all she said before all four folks peeked around the corner.
Two guards. One dude on the ground.
'Mf, they're torturing him-' y/n realized when she noticed how much pain the man on the ground seemed to be in.
"That must be Master Masakatsu!" Paimon whisper-shouted.
"...Did you really think that little trick of yours could fool us?" one of the guards asked in a cruel tone that made y/n want to punch him in the face..
"Locking you up was just the beginning." the other sneered and yet another strand of y/n's patience snapped.
"Oh no... Those Tenryou Commission brutes are torturing him..." Yoimiya whispered, eyes wide, "What do we do?"
"If we don't come up with a way to break him out fast, then..." Paimon paused, "Eh!? Yoimiya, when did you get back here???"
"I was behind you the entire time-"
"We could just let y/n take care of this... knowing her, she'd knock them out before they could warn anyone else in here." Aether mumbled then gave the fuming y/n a wary look, "...or she'd kill them."
"Hell yeah I will-" y/n growled, preparing preparing attack only for Aether to grab her by the arm and tug her back into the legendary hug of no violence.
"Hey, you there! What are you doing!?" a voice suddenly shouted, causing the group of four to pause and go back to watching.
Y/n blinked, spotting a young woman with indigo hair and golden eyes.
She had an electro vision and a red mask that resembled a bird with a long beak.
"Ah! M-Ma'am!" one of the guards stammered, startled.
The other seemed just as nervous, "W-We were just teaching him a little lesson... that's all."
"Huh? Who's that?" Paimon asked.
"That's Kujou Sara, adopted daughter of the Kujou Clan of the Tenryou Commission." Yoimiya replied, "She's also a general in the Shogun's Army."
"I think Kazuha mentioned her before..." Aether mumbled and y/n blinked.
"He did?" she asked and Aether sighed.
"He did. You just weren't listening."
"...oh."
"Make way, let me have a look at him." the young woman ordered and walked forward to observe Masakatsu.
She was silent for a moment.
When she spoke, y/n got chills.
Not sure why. But she got chills.
"...I'm sure you're well aware that torture is strictly against military regulations." she began.
"Y-Yes, ma'am..."
"If you are unashamed of such disgraceful action, then you are also unworthy of the Tenryou Commission itself!" the young woman snapped, "Do I make myself clear!?"
"Y-Yes, ma'am. I-It won't happen again!" one of the guards cried.
"Whew, Paimon sure wouldn't want to get on her bad side..." Paimon murmured and y/n nodded her agreement.
"Hey, this is our chance! Let's move while they aren't watching Master Masakatsu!" Yoimiya exclaimed.
"Yoimiya! Are you sure now's the right time!?" Paimon whispered back.
Y/n almost sighed when Yoimiya stepped on a loose piece of wood, emitting an loud, annoying creaking noise.
"Who is that..." the scary golden eyed woman murmured before ordering, "Quick, go and investigate!"
"Yes, ma'am!" the guards exclaimed before approaching the group's hiding spot.
"The-They're coming!" Paimon squeaked, clearly freaking tf out.
I mean, I would too.
"Sorry sorry sorry! I didn't mean to..." Yoimiya apologized frantically, "But don't worry, I've got us covered. Time for my little present..."
In the distance, there was the loud booming of fireworks that startled y/n, cussing her to jump a little bit, "SHI-"
"Wha-! Fireworks!?"
"Huh? Was that an explosion!?" one of the guards demanded.
"It sounded like... fireworks?"
"Quick, let's hurry!"
The guards quickly ran off, no noticing the small group as they went.
Y/n took that opportunity to leave the spot and go running to rescue the prisoner who had been tortured.
The others followed quickly, gathering around the injured man.
"Oi! We're here to rescue you!" y/n exclaimed, "You can accept me as your new God later!"
"Y-Yoimiya? Is that you?" the man questioned and y/n scowled.
"Nye! I'm y/n! That's Horimiya!" y/n said sharply, pointing at Yoimiya.
"Master Masakatsu! Sorry we took so long..." Yoimiya apologized then glared in the direction the guards had gone, "Ugh... those awful guards!"
"C'mon, we've got no time to lose! They could be back any minute..." Paimon began.
"Mm... we may be a bit too late." Aether informed the others, pointing in the direction where Kujou Sara was watching.
"Oh... You were over there watching us this whole time, weren't you?" Paimon questioned with actually asking a question.
"Yes. Leave, before I let my judgment get the better of me." the young woman ordered, "He's in serious condition, be sure he gets immediate medical attention. But remember... once he's recovered, it won't be long until I bring him right back."
Y/n blinked the grinned, "Heh! As if! We're gonna hide him and we're gonna hide him well! I'm the best at hiding things!"
"Leave this place."
"DON'T TELL ME WHAT TO DO, I'LL LEAVE WHEN I-" Aether whacked y/n on the back of her head.
"Stop arguing and help us get him out of here!" he ordered and y/n growled.
She didn't complain again though, lifting up the man with ease and running ahead with a, "NEXT TIME WE MEET, WE'RE GONNA FIGHT, YA HEAR ME!?"
Yoimiya, Paimon and Aether followed the furious girl while the young woman watched them go, golden eyes remaining on y/n.
"..."
~~~ᕕ( ᐛ )ᕗ•°*
"Phew! We're finally outta that creepy place." Paimon said, relieved when they finally got to a safe place.
"Yes... Finally, I've made it out of there..." the wounded man sighed.
"Master Masakatsu? How do you feel? Can you hold on?" Yoimiya asked as y/n supported the injured man,, still grumbling to herself about how she was gonna kick someone's ass.
"Don't worry, I think I can make it to the infirmary without keeling over." Masakatsu assured the blonde then offered the angry y/n a smile, "And thank you for carrying me out of there. You're quite strong!"
Y/n blinked, seemingly in a daze before a proud look settled on her face, "Of course I am! Think nothing of it you Old Geezer!"
Rather than being offended, Masakatsu only laughed and ruffled the young lady's hair.
"Thank you, all of you! I'll take him to get treated. I'll treat you to a round of drinks once this is all over!" Yoimiya exclaimed.
"Don't worry about us, just take care of Master Masakatsu!" Paimon replied before Yoimiya and the man left.
Not before they both gave a very proud y/n some headpats and compliments of course.
"Whew, good thing we were able to rescue him." Paimon said as the three of them began approaching the Komore Teahouse.
"Kumojo Sora, right?" y/n asked.
"No. It's Kujou Sara, y/n."
"Same thing. >:("
"Right, Kujou Sara... do you think she was making up for how the guards were treating him?" Paimon inquired.
"It seems as though there are some okay people among the ranks of the Tenryou Commission..." Aether murmured then smiled at y/n, "Just like there are some okay humans like Master Masakatsu and Yoimiya!"
"You too, Aether. You're an okay human too." y/n agreed with a small nod.
"How about we go tell Ayaka and the others the good news?" Paimon suggested.
"Yeah! Let's do it!" y/n agreed.
When they returned to the Teahouse, y/n was too bored to listen to the conversation. So, she busied herself by braiding Thoma's hair instead.
Whenever he moved, she would bonk him on the head with an angry, "Stay still!"
"--it is time we make ready our next set of plans..." Ayaka was saying as a very focused y/n finished Thoma's braid, observing it before deciding it was bad and started all over again.
"There's no need to rush, milady. Things seem to have taken a turn for the better, at least. Not only have we rescued Master Masakatsu, but our list of allies appears to be growing." Thoma chimed in, "Ah yes, which reminds me... the Tenryou Commission seems to be making preparations for a celebration... they call it a ceremony of sorts."
"A celebration?" y/n echoed.
"Mhm! And the number of samurai out enforcing the Vision Hunt Decree seems to be waning. The days ahead may be more peaceful than usual." Thoma confirmed as y/n lost interest once more and went back to braiding.
"A ceremony, you say? Why would such a task be left to the Tenryou Commission?" Ayaka murmured.
"I don't know, but I'm sure it has nothing to do with us." Thoma said with a small shrug, "Anyway, with the Tenryou Commission busy with preparations, we should have a little more breathing room than usual."
Y/n frowned, an itty bitty voice in the back of her mind telling her that it was bad news. A ceremony... what type of ceremony would be held now?
"Hmm, you do present a good point." Ayaka said as y/n's braincells got to work, "Being in a constant state of alert will only tire us further, perhaps a period of rest is in order. Thoma, what would you suggest?"
"I'd say a celebratory feast is in order. Might I suggest an evening of hot pot together!" Thoma exclaimed and instantly had y/n's attention again,, "Funny enough, I learned a new hot pot game recently. I'm sure you'll find it quite amusing!"
"Feast?" y/n breathed. It'd been a while since she'd last had one of those.
When was her last feast...
Aha!
The one about two years before. Way before she met Aether. When her family was still-
Ah, damn it.
Y/n violently slapped herself across the face to keep herself from crying.
"A hot pot game? What's that?" Paimon asked then shrugged, "Well, as long as it has to do with eating..."
"Let's do it!" y/n declared.
"Simply put, every person prepares an ingredient to add to the hot pot. Once the meal begins, we add all the ingredients together." Thoma explained, "Then we take it in turns to close our eyes, pick an ingredient out of the pot, taste it, and guess whose ingredient it was. Anyone who guesses correctly can go again, and whoever finishes the meal with the most points is declared the winner. Tradition even has it that the winner receives blessings from the God of Hot Pot."
"God of Hot Pot?" Y/n and Paimon breathed, exchanging excited looks..
"Don't you think it sounds like fun?" Thoma chirped, "Hehe, I've been wanting to give it a try... in fact, I've already got my ingredients prepared!"
"You really do wanna play, huh!" Paimon said then glanced at Aether, "Well, sounds like we've got our work cut out for us! Time to gather some ingredients."
"What should we choose?" y/n asked then grinned, "I wanna try spicy stuff!"
"Let's be team daredevil..." Aether decided, exchanging an evil grin with the h/c haired mita-girl.
"Ooh, Paimon proposes we gather raging demon-level Jueyun Chilis, super salty Ham, Mist Flower Corollas..." Paimon listed.
"AGED MITA MOVO LATA!" y/n declared.
(I imagined her like this-)
"Hehe, This is already shaping up to be a hot pot to remember...!"
Indeed it was.
"Ugh, my stomach! It feels like Yoimiya's fireworks are going off inside me..." Thoma groaned, looking miserable while y/n was still happily stuffing her face with the food that was now too harmful for normal human beings to eat.
"I honestly thought Thoma would win that one. But, knowing y/n and her stomach of iron, she practically crushed the competition." Aether chuckled and y/n paused, giving him a curious look.
"Uh, Thoma? You okay buddy?" Paimon asked hesitantly, worried for the blond.
"Salt-crusted herring, unripe Lavender Melon, flash-boiled dango..." Thoma murmured, "Oh, and whatever that thing was that nearly froze my tongue off... hold up, my life is starting to flash before my eyes-"
Y/n blinked, watching quietly as he rolled over and flipped on the ground.
"Time I call it a night, everyone..."
"...kucha slime." y/n mumbled and went back to eating, reaching for the remaining little cakes that Ayaka had added.
"Hehe, you've only got yourself to blame Thoma... all those strange things you ate were ingredients you added yourself." Ayaka chuckled.
"But weren't you the one who added those little cakes Ayaka?" Paimona she'd then shuddered, "Boiling cakes in hot pot... bleurgh... think of the texture..."
"I must apologize... to be perfectly honest, I thought the cakes would be a tasty addition..." Ayaka murmured.
"Hm? They taste fine to me." y/n mumbled around her food.
"They do?"
"Mhm."
"Anything tastes fine to you, y/n?" Aether sighed, shaking his head, "You eat slimes.
"So? They taste good! >:("
"Uh oh, I'm definitely not okay..." Thoma groaned, "Ugh, I need to lie down."
Some time passed and y/n finished off the remaining food while Thoma finally recovered from whatever tf he was going through.
Y/n was surprised he didn't have diarrhea after eating all those chili peppers.
"Whew... I feel like a new man." he sighed, clearly feeling much better, "So without further ado, I hereby declare that the winner of today's hot pot challenge is..."
"Me!" y/n shouted.
"Huh? No you didn't!"
"Yeah I did! I ate what was left without passing out!" y/n snapped, "Therefore, I win!"
"She got you there, Thoma." Aether chuckled, amused by the interaction.
"That's not how the rules work-"
"Oh yeah? If you're so pissed, fight me!"
"Alright then! Let's go outside and settle this like adults!" Thoma decided.
Y/n grinned, "With pleasure!"
"Oh brother..." Paimon murmured as the two idiots headed outside.
"We all deserve some rest. Take some time to relax and we'll meet up back here tomorrow." Ayaka told the remaining duo with a smile.
"Right! Thank you, Ayaka!" Aether replied with a lil wholesome smile.
Ayaka nodded with a smile of her own and the trio paused when they heard shouting from both y/n and Thoma.
"We should go stop them-"
"I agree..."