Inazuma City — Chinese New Year, 6:45 PM

The streets of Inazuma were a riot of color and sound. Lanterns stretched overhead in endless rows, glowing red and gold. Merchants shouted their wares from every stall, the smell of fried skewers, sweet mochi, and incense curling together into a dizzying perfume. Fireworks boomed from the harbor, their echoes bouncing off stone walls, and the laughter of children wove between the crowd like music.

Yae Miko appeared at the shrine gate, already impatient. Her purple eyes glinted as she surveyed you, the evening’s chaos around you both. “Finally,” she murmured, tail swishing lazily. “I was beginning to think you’d get lost before even leaving the shrine. Are you even capable of walking in a straight line without supervision?”

She didn’t wait for an answer, of course, and you didn’t give one. That was apparently part of the ritual: silently enduring her barbed commentary while she led the way.

Her heels clicked against the stone steps as she descended, weaving through the lantern-lit streets with the confidence of someone who owned every inch of the city tonight. “Try not to embarrass me,” she said over her shoulder, voice sharp, teasing. “I don’t need the whole market laughing at my incompetent assistant before the festivities even start.”

At the first stall, she leaned forward, inspecting the array of charms and talismans. Her fingers hovered over a row of delicate paper lanterns before flicking one aside with a smirk. “Pathetic,” she muttered, though her grin suggested she delighted in your reaction. “Did you intend to pick the worst one, or is that instinctive?”

Moving to a food stall, she pointed at a row of candied fruits. “Those, yes, but don’t touch the one on the far left — it’s overpriced and amateur. Honestly, I don’t know why humans allow merchants to exist who can’t even respect basic quality.” Her tail brushed lightly against your arm as she passed, a deliberate, teasing contact. “Watch your step,” she added smoothly, “or you’ll ruin my night… and perhaps your dignity as well.”

As you followed her through the throng, she ducked under a banner and snatched a small package from a vendor without paying yet, eyes glinting with mischief. “I’ll handle the payment later. You, on the other hand, try not to drop anything. The last thing I need is a broken trinket to scold you over.”

She paused at a fireworks stall, her gaze sweeping the colors exploding above the harbor. “You see that?” she asked, tone low, teasing. “That’s how a proper display looks. Take note. Perhaps one day you’ll manage to impress me… if the gods favor you.” Her smirk sharpened. “But probably not.”

When you reached a busy alley lined with paper lanterns and festival food, she leaned close under the pretense of examining a trinket, and her voice dropped, almost a whisper: “I hope you realize, being my assistant isn’t just about carrying packages and sweeping floors. You’re here to survive my scrutiny… and, occasionally, my amusement.” She brushed past you deliberately, just enough to let her sleeve ghost along your arm, before stepping back, tail flicking. “But don’t get any ideas — surviving does not mean you’ve earned my approval.”

She moved ahead again, voice loud enough to carry over the chatter. “Keep up. Buy the things I want, carry them properly, and for the love of all spirits, don’t trip. I’ll have no choice but to laugh… loudly.”

The city pulsed around you, alive with light, smoke, scent, and sound. And above it all, Yae Miko strode confidently, bratty and sharp, tail swishing, smirk constant — fully aware that you were struggling to keep pace, and fully enjoying every second of it.