Uneasy daily life

The white figure deftly ignited the fire.

"Hey--"

Yukino was startled and quickly stood next to Angelina: "I have a hostage!"

"what?"

Angelina was applying sunscreen lip balm, enjoying a peaceful moment, when she was suddenly pulled into the battlefield.

"The heartless kidnappers cruelly murdered the hostage. I will never forgive them!"

Bai Yingmanliang, filled with grief and indignation, raised the firework tube and hoisted it onto his shoulder.

“Ahhhhh?!!”

Angelina was so frightened she almost used her superpowers.

Bang bang bang bang bang bang-!

The fireworks exploded with a deafening roar, enveloping the white figure in a flurry of green, yellow, purple, and red sparks. As the smoke rose and spread, clusters of sparks flashed back and forth with a dense cacophony of sounds, before fading into silence after a few brief, rapid seconds.

Angelina: "?"

Yukinoshita Yono: "..."

Did he pretend to scare me, but actually use his own body as proof?

A round of applause suddenly rang out. Angelina and Yukinoshita looked over and saw the prop master clapping with a smile. His expression could be summed up in one word—"Wonderful!"

"Sir, are you alright?" Angelina asked softly, then suddenly noticed the strange smell of the smoke drifting over. She sniffed and said in surprise, "Huh? Strawberry flavor?"

Yukinoshita smelled the air mixed with smoke: "...It definitely smells like strawberries."

"Don't you like this flavor?" The prop master was conducting after-sales surveys. "What flavors do you prefer?"

"I prefer citrus flavors like oranges..."

Angelina answered instinctively.

Yukino slowly raised her hand to rub her temple: "Fireworks... can taste fruit?"

"Otherwise what?" the prop master retorted.

It was so obvious that even Yukino Yukinoshita had some self-doubt. Generally speaking, shouldn't fireworks smell like gunpowder?

"It even tastes like watermelon!"

A white figure burst out of the smoke, brandishing a firework tube: "Props maker! I'm going to shove this firework in your mouth and give you a good venting session, so you'll fart watermelon-flavored farts!"

The prop master reached into his pocket and ran away.

As the smoke cleared, one of Goto Ichiri was still frozen in place, having exited his Guitar Hero mode.

This is...this is terrifying. I can't keep up with the pace of things at all. Is this what life is like for a social butterfly?

Goto Ichiri, who aspires to be a sunny girl, a social butterfly, and a popular figure, discovers that her wish might be a little too grand.

After a period of commotion, it got dark. After a heated exchange, Baiying and the prop master continued to work overtime making fireworks, while the other three prepared to go home. Yukinoshita and Goto Ichiri still had to take a half-hour train ride back to Tokyo.

The result may not only be psychologically extraordinary, but also physically extraordinary.

Yukinoshita quietly mended her somewhat cracked worldview.

Ok……

This feels even more fun!

Chapter 125 Lackeys and Mascots

How to organize a fireworks display?

The process has been memorized, and the plan has been revised several times. Now that it's time to actually implement it, situations are bound to change, requiring real-time adjustments—for example, the scheduled fireworks display time has to be postponed due to the possibility of rain caused by a typhoon…

Yukino glanced at the increasingly heavy clouds outside the window, feeling a little depressed. Fate had dealt her a small, unpredictable blow. Even though she didn't have any intention of getting off to a good start and everything going smoothly, she still couldn't help but dislike this kind of unlucky setback.

This was the first time I had represented my family and tried to do some of the things my father was in charge of.

Strictly speaking, the fireworks festivals in various places are organized by the local governments. My father, as a member of parliament and the head of the Yukinoshita family, is the main person in charge of the fireworks festivals, while I am just an agent.

If something goes wrong and isn't done well, it will damage Father's reputation and authority...

Although I don't think my father has that kind of thing, I still have to leave some for him in front of outsiders.

According to Bai Ying, she was the ceiling among temporary workers. If she didn't do her job well, the leaders would step in to take the blame and declare that temporary workers had no responsibility. This was the essence of upward management...

What are you thinking about? Instead of worrying about failures and flaws, focus on completing the task.

In the office, Yukino Yukinoshita pulled herself out of her reverie and couldn't help but check the plan steps one last time.

I should be able to do it, right?

Click-click—tui!

"Uncle, look at that brave girl, all pomp and circumstance, full of the enthusiasm of a first day at work and the urge to stir up trouble. She even seems to want to use her hands as an iron to smooth out her clothes without any wrinkles—look, the lengths of both ends of her bow tie are the same, it must have been adjusted."

Pointing and gesturing accompanied by the sound of cracking sunflower seeds.

Yukinoshita Yukino: #!

...There's absolutely no problem with checking your appearance in front of the mirror before going out.

“That’s called being focused and striving for perfection.” Yukino’s father changed the subject, then said with displeasure, “Why are you, an outsider, here?”

The white-clad figure asked curiously, "Aren't these random people the uncle?"

Yukinoshita's father leaned back in his chair and sneered, "As a member of parliament, it is my duty to preside over and organize traditional events like the fireworks festival. You, an idle and unemployed bum, are the real scoundrel. Why don't you get up now?"

“That’s not right. Uncle is just a mascot and a scapegoat.” Bai Ying said sincerely. “Although I am a homeless, jobless, and unemployed person, I still have a lot of passion and enthusiasm. I was invited by the hero to come here to help. I am a person who does real work. Compared to him, Uncle is the one who is just an idle person.”

“I did invite Haku-kun, but I only mentioned it. I didn’t expect Haku-kun to be so enthusiastic and take the initiative to get involved,” Yukino Yukinoshita said calmly. “It seems that Haku-kun was already interested, and I was the one who wasted that opportunity.”

Conditions? What conditions? Damn it! What happened while I wasn't aware of it?!

Hmph! You treacherous eunuch who holds the emperor hostage to command the feudal lords!

Yukinoshita's father glared at her angrily: "How dare you! How dare you defy me, the person in charge?!"

Ha! A mere eunuch clique that relies on imperial power, strong on the outside but weak on the inside!

The white figure stood firm: "How dare you! You actually defy the special invitation of the main executor?!"

These two insects are making no attempt to hide their bites!

Yukino Yukinoshita said coldly, "If you want to prove you're not just nobody, then do something practical and help me revise the plan..."

"The plan is perfect, there's nothing that needs to be changed," said Yukinoshita's father.

Beneath the snow, the snow gazes silently.

"..." Yukinoshita's father said solemnly, "I am the mascot and the scapegoat. The responsibility lies with the leader and the leader's dereliction of duty."

"Good! I always thought the hero's plan was too mundane, not chaotic at all!" The white figure was overjoyed, rubbing his hands together as he stood up and said, "Let me make a tiny, minor modification to your plan..."

"Planning and coordination are none of your business."

Yukino Yukinoshita immediately rejected the idea, saying that letting this guy make the plans was somewhat like risking her life amidst the fireworks.

“Exactly, you still want to be a leader?” Yukinoshita’s father immediately chimed in. “You’re nothing but a beast of burden. Recognize the difference in status and get back to work.”

"Uncle, you're the one who needs to recognize the difference in status. I'm not an ox or a horse, but a hero's lackey."

Bai Ying sat back down regretfully, continuing to eat sunflower seeds while arguing with Yukinoshita's father. The topic unknowingly veered towards who was Yukinoshita Yukino's right-hand man.

Bai Ying immediately swept up all the sunflower seed shells, then swept the office with a broom in her left hand and a mop in her right. She took the opportunity to mock Yukino's father for providing all the support except for verbal assistance. Of course, the latter could not tolerate this, so he picked up a handkerchief, wet it, and began to wipe the table and walls.

Yukino glanced at the two who were exchanging opinions intensely, then pretended not to see them, feeling rather speechless. Her irritation and worry disappeared, leaving her pondering the current situation.

According to the weather forecast, Chiba is a relatively small area affected by the typhoon, and the rain should clear up in a few days, but the timing is uncertain.

For example, the location.

The venue should be spacious enough to accommodate many residents and tourists, and ideally, it should be free of tall buildings to avoid obstructing the view of the fireworks. Now, due to the typhoon, geological issues also need to be considered; if the venue has excellent water retention capacity, leaving muddy floors, it would be quite unpleasant.

The originally planned ideal location had mountains, water, and a shrine...

"Excuse me, Mr. Yukinoshita."

As Yukino Yukino was pondering this, a woman in her forties walked into the office, her clothes soaked with rain, and carrying a folded umbrella.

"Huh? Wasn't it Ms. Yukinoshita who organized this before?"

The woman glanced subconsciously at the unusual scene in the office and naturally saw Yukino Yukinoshita behind the desk. She was somewhat surprised and blurted out a sentence.

"..."

Don't be angry. It wasn't intentional. Getting angry and caring is just petty.

Just as Yukino was about to reply, the arrogant voice of the lackey came from the side.

“Madam, the former Miss Yukinoshita has fallen on hard times and been exiled to Tokyo. The young Miss Yukinoshita sitting here now is the representative of the Yukinoshita family and is in charge of all affairs of the fireworks festival.” Bai Ying said with a reserved tone, “At this time of the new dynasty’s elegant governance, we should not discuss the old affairs of the previous dynasty, as it will have a bad influence.”

woman:"?"

Yukinoshita's father: "..."

"He's used to talking nonsense; my sister was just doing something else," Yukino Yukinoshita offered a tentative explanation.

"The affairs of large families are truly terrifying." The woman shook her head and sighed. "Just a few months ago, I met Yang Nai once. I never expected that in such a short time, she would be exiled to the frontier. Miss, you're only in high school, aren't you? Your methods are truly ruthless... Old classmate, have you been sidelined and become the emperor?"

Yukino Yukinoshita glanced at her father subtly; it turned out to be someone he knew.

“Yono’s ambitions lie elsewhere,” Yukino’s father said vaguely. “You can discuss anything with Yukino.”

“That’s right, this is the Yukino Shogunate era.” The white figure stood firmly on Yukino’s side. “Auntie, don’t worry about mere mascots.”

...To address oneself by one's own name in this tone is a mix of chaos and a touch of joy. Noticing this joy, one also feels a subtle sense of anger, as if one's own feelings are too cheap.

Yukino Yukinoshita rubbed her temples, her icy gaze fixed on the white figure's lips, and turned to ask, "Ruri... Auntie, is there a problem at the shrine?"

"Judging from the rainfall and the weather forecast, I'm afraid my shrine can't be used as the venue for the fireworks festival." Ms. Ruri chuckled and said with some regret, "Today's rainfall is quite heavy, and it's unlikely to clear up for the next few days, so the roads will inevitably be a bit muddy."

Yukino Yukinoshita frowned and asked, "If the next few days are sunny, it should be feasible, right?"

"That depends on the weather. If it stays sunny long enough and the surrounding area becomes dry, I will let you know."

After briefly discussing a few things, Ms. Ruri took her leave.

Bai Ying pushed the mop to clean up the muddy footprints, sighing, "He died before his mission was accomplished, leaving heroes to weep with sorrow..."

"It's just that the best option isn't available."

Yukino Yukinoshita retorted, pondering, "If the Ruri Shrine isn't an option, then we'll have to consider changing the location..."

There was still a hint of resentment in his words. He was full of ambition and ready to make the best plan, but luck dealt him a crushing blow.

"Don't worry! I'll make some teru teru bozu (sunny dolls) and hang them up right away!" Yukinoshita's father patted his chest and assured them, "The official announcement of the fireworks festival to the residents is in four days. As long as the teru teru bozu works, everything will be fine!"

"To dare to use superstitious and superstitious words to disrupt the court and bewitch His Majesty, their intentions are deserving of death!" the lackey said righteously. "If this plan fails, then let's turn the old man into a teru teru bozu (a Japanese doll shaped like a sunny day)!"

Yukinoshita's father said sinisterly, "I think instead of making a teru teru bozu (a type of Japanese doll), it would be better to sacrifice you, you traitor, to the heavens. Such a gratifying thing would surely make even the heavens smile with joy..."

"Shut up, both of you," Yukino Yukinoshita snapped, stopping their bickering. "If the best option isn't working, then consider alternative locations and plans. We have a lot to do right now. Instead of wasting your energy arguing, why don't you help me review the application documents..."

The white figure looked troubled and sighed, "Brave warrior, I am just your lackey. Helping to bark a couple of times and bite people is already the limit of my ability. Being a slave is not my forte."

Yukino's father said seriously, "Yukino, if you want to go into politics, you have to learn to solve problems on your own and accumulate experience. I am just your support, and I can resist attacks when necessary. If I were to come forward, people would definitely look at my face first when communicating issues, which is not a good thing for you. You have to lead by example and build other people's trust in you."

So you're just here to cause me trouble?

Yukino Yukinoshita's gaze is deep and unfathomable, she holds great power, and her murderous intent is gradually rising.

"Oh dear, my time to be a dog is up for today, time to clock out! Off to Tokyo for a musical!"

Bai Ying put down the mop and broom, picked up the umbrella by the door, and slipped away.

Tokyo? Kabuki?

Under the snow, the father's brows furrowed slightly, his gaze deep and unfathomable.

The office quieted down, and Yukino Yukinoshita focused on handling her work.

Yukinoshita's father looked at his daughter's earnest and hardworking appearance, feeling gratified but also somewhat worried. He had been in charge of the traditional fireworks festival in recent years, not because of his prominent position, but quite the opposite, because he did not participate in those messy political struggles.

Fireworks displays are a widely recognized festive activity.