I Don’t Want to Be a Heroic Spirit

"Gorou, is the water boiling yet?"

"Almost, Master."

The large iron pot on the stove bubbled and steamed as water boiled vigorously.

Once the timing was just right, Kiichi Hougen eagerly tipped in plate after plate of dumplings.

"New Year's calls for dumplings, don't you think?"

The custom of making and eating dumplings didn't exist in Teyvat—least of all in Inazuma, which was based on Japanese culture. Naturally, these dumplings weren't store-bought; they were handmade by Kiichi Hougen and her three disciples.

To Kiichi, a New Year's celebration wasn't complete without some kind of "family activity."

Although Kiichi Hougen was Japanese, her decision to make dumplings was influenced by her Master—the Magecraft user [彼之风凰羽]—who thought the tradition was a perfect way to bring everyone together.

"These misshapen ones are definitely Itto's handiwork."

Kiichi Hougen held up a dumpling that resembled a leaking siu mai, shaking her head. "It's already spilling! Oh well, they're still edible. If they don't taste good, I'll just send them to Itto and let him enjoy his own creation."

Among all the dumplings, Itto's stood out spectacularly. Meanwhile, Sara and Gorou had followed Kiichi's instructions to the letter, creating neat and uniform pieces.

"Uh… it should be fine, right? The filling is the same for all of them, it's just the shape that's… creative," Gorou said hesitantly, glancing at one particularly questionable dumpling.

At some point during the process, Itto had decided to sculpt a humanoid figure. His limited artistic skill, however, resulted in something vaguely human-shaped but distinctly unsettling.

"Yeah, this one's definitely going straight into Itto's mouth."

Thankfully, Kiichi had pre-prepared the dumpling filling, leaving no room for improvisation with the ingredients. Otherwise, who knows what monstrosities might have been born?

"Sara's dumplings are beautiful—plump, perfectly shaped, and with neatly folded pleats."

Kiichi Hougen lifted another plate, this one containing Sara's creations.

Each dumpling looked like it came off an assembly line, reflecting Sara's disciplined and meticulous nature.

"Master taught me well…" Sara responded softly.

"Sara…" Kiichi sighed lightly before meeting her disciple's gaze. "Being overly modest can sometimes come across as arrogance. When someone genuinely praises you, the best thing to do is accept it and express your gratitude."

Sara froze for a moment before bowing her head respectfully. "Yes, Master."

"So… what should you say now?"

"Sara… thanks Master for the compliment."

Kiichi Hougen's lips curled into a warm smile.

In the pot, the water bubbled furiously as plump white dumplings floated to the surface.

"Time to scoop them up."

Starting with the less-than-appetizing dumplings, Kiichi fished them out of the water.

"Sara, why don't you—actually, I'll take these myself. If I don't, they'll get cold on the way."

Between Sara, Gorou, and herself, Kiichi was far more familiar with the route to Granny Oni's home. Besides, her speed was unmatched—a testament to her A+ agility.

Carrying a plate of clearly Itto-made dumplings, Kiichi paused. A thought struck her.

"There are others there, too. If Granny Oni eats one of these and gets sick, that'll be a problem…"

"Come on, how could dumplings make someone sick?" Gorou interjected skeptically.

"Gorou, that's because you're too naive," Kiichi replied, shaking her head. "This world is full of absurdities. Remember, Inazuma's also home to someone who once blew up their kitchen… while chopping vegetables."

"…Blew up the kitchen? While chopping vegetables?" Gorou echoed in disbelief. "Why would chopping need fire in the first place?!"

"Never mind," Kiichi said, waving off his incredulity. "I'll pack some of the ones I made, too. Alright, I'll be back soon."

With a small box of dumplings in hand, Kiichi Hougen stepped outside. A moment later, she vanished soundlessly, leaving behind a few silver feathers shimmering faintly in the moonlight.

---

When Kiichi Hougen said she'd be back soon, she meant it. By the time Gorou's next batch of dumplings had boiled, she was already walking back into the house, folding her wings as she entered.

"I'm back! Let's keep cooking!"

In the warmth of camaraderie, the group boiled and enjoyed their dumplings together.

Later, under the moonlight, the three of them climbed to the top of a small mountain.

This peak, the highest point on the island, offered an expansive view. From here, they could see the island's edges and, across the sea, another smaller island.

On that distant shore was a modest fishing village, its evening fires glowing like beacons in the dark.

When Sara had lived alone in this forest, she often came to this very spot to gaze across the water, watching the lives of the villagers. For her, it had been her only glimpse into the human world—aside from the occasional intruders who wandered into the forest.

"Master, why did you bring us here?" Gorou asked, trailing behind the others. He was confused because Kiichi had said nothing, simply leading them to the peak.

"This is for one of the most iconic New Year's traditions," Kiichi replied cryptically. "Sara, back when you lived alone here, you must have seen it every year."

Gorou tilted his head, still puzzled. But as realization dawned, his gaze lifted to the sky.

"Ah, it's time," Kiichi said softly.

Moments later, a streak of light shot skyward from the fishing village.

With a loud pop, the night exploded into vibrant color.

Fiery reds, ocean blues, emerald greens, and amethyst purples bloomed like flowers against the darkness.

For a brief moment, the world seemed to pause. Only the dazzling brilliance of the fireworks and the thunderous booms remained.

Even the dark, still sea reflected the vibrant lights, as if flames danced upon its surface, or a celestial river flowed beneath the stars.

Countless people, scattered across different places, found their gazes captured by the same breathtaking display.

"Watching others' fireworks isn't as fun," Kiichi Hougen remarked.

Reaching into her sleeve, she pulled out a stack of talisman papers, her smile as bright as the fireworks above.

"Now then… let's light up the sky!"

With a flick of her wrist, the talismans soared into the air. Upon reaching their peak, they burst into a cascade of dazzling sparks.

As the fireworks illuminated the night, their fleeting beauty reflected in everyone's eyes.

Under the radiant glow, Kiichi Hougen turned to Sara and Gorou, spreading her arms wide as she grinned at them.

"Happy New Year!"

For beings with long lifespans like Kiichi Hougen, even a hundred years might pass in the blink of an eye.

Yet, in the vast span of her life, there were always those moments—fleeting but unforgettable—that would remain etched in her memory forever.

As Sara looked at Kiichi Hougen's radiant smile, she felt it.

This day, these moments… I'll never forget them for the rest of my life.

---

T/N: Moments like these are the best...

Thank you for reading this chapter!

Wise-Senpai leads the way, sharing stories that inspire and connect us all. Your support is like the encouragement of a loyal companion, pushing this journey forward and lighting the path ahead.

If you'd like to support Wise-Senpai, you can visit:

[patreon.com/WiseTL].

Every contribution strengthens our resolve, paving the way for the stories yet to come!

Let's continue to explore these worlds together!

-Mash Kyrielight 💜