"Your clan's actions threaten the very foundations of Eternity. Until further investigations are conducted you shall remain in Tenshukaku's custody." Announced The Raiden Shogun, not even bothering to look the head of The Kaedehara clan in the face.

"Your Excellency, what I am saying is true. One of The Tri-commission is conspiring against you. Inazuma's Eternity is at stake." He replied struggling to remain calm but to no avail.

...

"The Kaedehara Clan shall be no more."

...

"NO!" Screamed Kazuha at the top of his lungs alerting me and Tama in the process.

"Kazuha!" I shouted as I quickly turned to his side of the bed only to find cold sweat covering every inch of his face merging with the tears running down his rosey cheeks.

"I'm sorry." He apologized, still gasping for air.

This is the third time he has such a nightmare. He's barely getting any sleep during the day since he refuses to stay at home while I'm not there and during the night, he is haunted by this recurring reminiscence of his father's trial.

I tried everything to convince him to go and pay a visit to his dad but every time I mention It, he either changes the subject or completely ignores me. So I found It best to just be there for him even If It means staying up all night with him and not going to work in the morning.

"Don't worry, I'm here." I finally said as I wrapped my arms around his trembling body and held him close to me.

"You should go back to sleep, you have a lot of work to do tomorrow." He whispered before getting out of bed.

"And where do you think you're going ?" I enquired as I swiftly grabbed him by his arm and pulled him back to me.

"It's a full moon, nature's splendour is at Its zenith now." He replied, the look of guilt engulfing his exhausted face.

"We've spent almost 6 months together, yet you still don't really know how much you mean to me Kazuha and I think that's solely my fault." I uttered after gently planting a kiss on his forehead.

"No... It's not like that." He said before I put my lips on his.

"You mean the world to me. So, I'll more than happily share this burden with you even If It means giving up on everything I spent most of my life working on."

At last, a smile shined through the gloom enveloping Kazuha's face and those maple-colored eyes glistened for a moment before he conveyed to me another secret concerning his clan.

"My father has always been a loyal subject of The Raiden Shogun. Our clan made a name for Itself through his innumerable contributions to safeguard her ideals. However, when he found out that The Shogun did not consider him for the leading position of The Kanjou Commission, he changed. He started questioning her decisions and deeming the sanctions of The Tri-Commission blasphemous. He was so consumed by envy and greed that he wrought shame upon our clan thus ruining us forever."

"Is that why you refuse to visit him ?" I asked weighing my every word so I don't add insult to the injury.

"I am trying to put my past behind me but It's still finding ways to catch up to me." He retorted ashamed.

"It's not an easy process but It is not impossible. I've been in your shoes and trust me when I say It's ephemeral. You just have to hold on."

"I don't know what I would do without you by my side... thank you." He uttered as we embraced each other tightly.

...

As the twilight of the setting sun lit up the entire cloud with fervent yet dimming flames and the sky's dusk was upon us, I turned to Kazuha, who was sitting on the front porch, lost in the grandeur of such scenery, and asked him.

"Are you familiar with The Naganohara family?"

"No, are they one of your new customers ?" He enquired without even turning to see me.

"No, they make the most beautiful fireworks in all of Inazuma. How about we go attend the festival taking place in the Narukami Island tonight ? I heard there's gonna be a display of The Naganohara fireworks. Plus, I'm a close friend with their maker and owner so we'll get a VIP pass." I proposed, already preparing myself for the eventual "I apologize, I can't."

"Will your other friends be there ?" He asked me as he finally looked at me.

"I think so, yes."

"Alright."

"Oh come on, It'll be fun!" I said before realizing that he agreed.

"Wait, we're going ?" I added shocked.

"Yes, It's time I get to know your friends." He chuckled, fixed my messy hair then got up to get ready.

"You won't regret It!" I shouted as I tripped and fell on my face from excitement.

...

Making our way through the entrance of the crowded Inazuma City, we encountered everyone from Watatsumi islanders to even Mondstadt and Natalan visitors. The festivals in Inazuma are numerous but they have never been this popular outside of The Narukami Island. Maybe this year is the year, we Inazumans finally get the chance to rival the popularity of the likes of Liyue and Snezhnaya. Maybe this is my chance to expand the buisness and become an international merchant.

"Where to now ?" Enquired Kazuha for his voice to snap me back to reality.

"Oh... Euuh... I remember their shop being right next to the blacksmith's." I retorted, trying vainly to decipher the faces of the crowd and find someone I know.

This book is hosted on another platform. Read the official version and support the author's work.

I've never lost my sense of direction in Inazuma City but this time It seems like my nervousness got to me even before I got to introduce my lover to my close friends.

"Want me to ask around ?"

"No need, there's one of my friends. We'll follow him." I responded, letting out a sigh of relief as I nervously waved for Tohma.

The moment he saw us, he came running like he always does whenever he finds a way to make fun of me.

"Hello you two. How are you doing on this fine evening." He saluted politely.

"Hey Tohma, this is Kazuha. Kazuha, this is Tohma; my best friend and sometimes the pain in my ass." I introduced them to eachother while trying to seem cool and poised but I only looked more anxious than I already was.

"It's a real pleasure to finally meet you Kazuha. This guy over here speaks so highly of you." He uttered before winking at me.

"The pleasure is all mine Tohma." Said Kazuha already blushing.

"Shall we gentlemen ?"

We carried on with our tour until we, suddenly started hearing someone shouting from afar.

"OH MY GOD !" Yelled Yoimiya as she raced through the crowds of people to hug me.

"IT'S SO GOOD TO SEE YOU AGAIN. I MISSED YOU SO MUCH !" She carried on with the shouting while I hugged her back.

Yoimiya and I date way back before she started shouldering the entirety of her family's buisness and I moved out of Narukami Island. She has been there for me since forever and I have assisted in almost every firework show she has ever made. She is an incredibly talented person and an even more sublime human being.

After she finally let me go I introduced her to Kazuha and the first thing she did was punch me in the guts and tell me to treat him well.

"It's so nice to meet you Kazuha. You know, when Tohma told me 2 days ago that this little, tall brat has landed himself a guy like you, I was like. NO WAY !"

"It's a pleasure to meet you too Yoimiya." smiled back Kazuha before she Interrupted him.

"So I rushed to my workshop and prepared a special firework just for you two. Aww you're such a gentleman... Just remind me later to give you the paper of ingredients in case you ever want to recreate It. Oh and one more thin-." And she kept yammering on and on until I finally put my hand on her mouth

"Euuh, Yoimiya take a breath." I told her.

"I already did." She mocked me for Tohma and Kazuha to burst out laughing.

"Where's Ayaka ?" I enquired as Yoimiya lead us to the best spot to watch a firework show, or so she claimed.

"Unfortunately, she couldn't attend. We have guests from The Tenryou Commission and for the first time in so long, The Yashiro Commission is in no need for a housekeeper." Answered Tohma with a slight grin.

"Umm... Guys." Intervened, suddenly, Yoimiya brushing the back of her haid nervously.

"Please don't tell me the spot is outside of the city." I said as I turned to her.

"Amakane Island." She replied with a large awkward smile as we went out of the city and headed to the island.

"In my own defense, I haven't slept for two days. I've been running errands for my dad all morning and the kids wanted me to play with them so I couldn't say no. Plus, I got challenged by that big stupid Oni Itto to a dango-eating contest. I won of course. Then lady Ayaka took me with her to help her choose a new outfit. She said It's for a special celebration but didn't want to give me any details which I found weird cause It's not so Ayaka of her. I can see mister Ayato doing that but never Ayaka... well looking at It now-"

"YOIMIYA!" I shouted again for her to finally catch a breath then carry on with her yammering.

"Don't Interrupt me, we're almost there. Ayato never says anything to anyone about The Yashiro Commission affairs. However, Thoma always has information about It... to some degree of course. Right Thoma?" She glanced at the golden-haired boy for his face to instantly go red.

"Well...who's hungry ?" He stuttered while Kazuha and I held in a laugh.

"Yup!" She chuckled before winking at him mischievously.

"Are we there yet ?" I Interrupted them as we neared the entrance of The Amakane Island.

"Mhm!" Right under that Sakura tree." Responded Yoimiya pointing towards a cliff that overlooked the entirety of Inazuma City.

"It does look like a splendid spot." Commented Kazuha for Yoimiya to smile at him.

"Thank you Kazuha. He should really learn a thing or two from you. Some manners for starters and proper etiquette for appetizers." She responded pointing at me with a smirk.

"Yoimiya where do you get the strength to talk this much!" I yelled annoyed so she just made a grimace to mock me.

Beneath the aged Sakura tree, Kazuha and I sat down. Right in front of us took Yoimiya her favorite spot while Thoma decided to sit further back.

The pitch black night sky was engulfed in serine quietude until the numerous multi-colored fireworks, lauched from all over Inazuma City, raced to reach the heavens only to explode into miraculous works of art dispelling the darkness and bringing forth unparalleled illuminating beauty. For once during this journey with her, Yoimiya fell completely silent as she solemnly contemplated the mesmerizing show. Her eyes glowing with utterly pure euphoria and an unmistakable innocence believed to be only found among carefree kids.

Amidst the awe-inspiring spectacle, I felt Kazuha gently grabbing my right hand and kissing it.

"Thank you!" He whispered.

"It's beautiful isn't it?" I whispered back as I held on tightly to his hand while resting my head on his shoulder.

"It truly is!" He responded before a maple leaf shaped firework adorned the sky catching both us by surprise.

We immediately turned to eachother, a wide smile of both bliss and disbelief on our faces. At that moment of ephemeral yet forever-memorable scene, I knew that my heart and soul are and will always be Kazuha's alone.

...Once love is found all that has been lost becomes forever the insignificant...

"You have my eternal gratitude Yoimiya. Your firework show and the special gift you prepared for us were exactly what we needed." Spoke Kazuha at the end of the show, bowing slightly to slaute Yoimiya.

"Aww come on ! It was nothing really. You brought happiness to the heart of that goofball. It's the least I can do to thank you." She responded pointing at me as I got up to join them.

"Just promise me you'll take good care of him. He might seem able to shoulder everything alone but in truth he can't do anything." She added for Kazuha to let out a silly giggle.

"He's in good hands. Worry not." He added before I embraced her tightly.

"Fantastic as always you unstoppable chatterbox." I muttered, barely holding in the tears of pure joy.

"Don't forget your paper slip. In case you want to recreate It for your wedding maybe." She chuckled as Kazuha and I looked at eachother shyly.

"Amazing work Yoimiya !" Interrupted her Thoma to save us from her relentless chatter.

"You should totally bring Ayato next time. I'll even design a boba drink firework especially for him." She shifted her focus to Thoma nudging him gently.

"I'll... I'll try to look into It... as you know... my lord is always busy." He said embarrassed.

"And when he's not busy, you get busy... right ?" She winked at him mischievously.

"Give him a break Yoimiya." I Intervened trying vainly not to laugh at the reddened Thoma.

"Okay, okay ! I already have to go. Pops must be waiting for me." She uttered, gave me, Kazuha and Thoma a quick hug , handed me the paper slip then raced to return to Inazuma City.

Suddenly, clouds of unchallenged tenebrosity gathered in the night's lucid sky ebbing completely the faint gleam of the stars. Violet lightning flashed through the horrifying darkness that now befell Inazuma to make way for the beatific but hollow thunder that bellowed with the indisputed words of an Archon whose unequivocal might, once tore asunder the very heavens.

"Visions are a creation of divine origin. They are a blessing bestowed upon the most ambitious of mortals. However, mortals are ever the flawed, never the perfect. Therefore, they are unfit to wield such powers. Within their yearnful grasp, These blessings are but curses, hindrances, thorns enveloping the path to what Inazuma has long coveted, an unchanging Eternity. Like corrosive weeds, they shall be ripped out root and stem as The Vision Hunt Decree commences. All Visions are to be confiscated and inlaid upon The Statue of The Omnipresent God, which will be constructed in Tenshukaku's courtyard. Those who even dare oppose the decree shall suffer divine punishment. Those who dare flee or enter Inazuma shall be met by the merciless storm of thunderous judgment as The Sakoku Decree takes hold. This is the way to achieve Eternity, for an ever-changing, transient world is ephemeral, bound to wrought calamity upon itself. Only through Eternity is Inazuma closest to The Heavenly Principles. Only through Eternal stasis are we for evermore absolute."