"Waiting for someone?"
"Waiting for someone."
"Waiting for who?"
Victor Wang shook his head. From the passing crowd, he suddenly spotted a familiar face.
"Yoimiya!"
Hearing his call, Yoimiya scanned the crowd and quickly locked onto him, walking over with a bright smile.
"Victor! What are you up to here?"
"Milk tea. Pearl milk tea. Want a cup? Just treat it as my thanks for you cutting in line to help me with fireworks last time."
"Sorry, I don't think I can drink milk… How about I buy one for my dad instead?"
"Can't drink milk… Oh, right, I almost forgot." Victor Wang quickly prepared a cup of pearl milk tea without the milk, just the pearls. "Actually, the real selling point of this drink isn't the milk tea—it's the 'pearls' inside. Want to give it a try?"
What she thought was just a gesture of friendship turned out to be a real surprise. Yoimiya took the cup and tasted it carefully.
"Bouncy, slippery, and sweet! It's like a mix between the chewiness of taffy and the texture of jelly. What is this stuff? I've never had anything like it!"
"It's bubblegum."
"Bubblegum? Never even heard of that before. Is it a kind of candy? Must be delicious, right?"
Yoimiya, warm, lively, endlessly talkative, curious about everything—only when watching fireworks would she fall silent. But now her restless eyes shone with eager expectation, fixed on Victor Wang.
"It's a type of candy. Just this year, it's become popular in Liyue. Since Inazuma's been closed off, it's normal you've never heard of it." In Victor's world, bubblegum and chewing gum weren't meant to be swallowed, but given the different ingredients here—and after Xiangling's influence—he'd compromised.
"But since I used it to make the 'pearls' for this milk tea, I brought plenty with me to Inazuma." He pulled open a drawer in his pushcart, revealing piles of bubblegum, and handed a handful to Yoimiya. "Here, take these."
"I already drank the milk tea, I'd feel bad accepting more. How about I buy them?"
"They're cheap. A whole bunch of these isn't worth much. Just take them."
Yoimiya insisted on paying. She ended up buying fifty pieces in one go. She unwrapped one, popped it into her mouth, and after a few chews, the unique texture burst forth.
"Mmm—! It's chewy like gummy candy, but with way more bite, and the flavor's strong without being sickly sweet! Kids will definitely love this!"
"In Liyue, that's exactly who loved it first. Not only because it's tasty, but because it's fun too—you can blow bubbles with it!"
"Blow bubbles?"
"Mm. That's where the name comes from. Once you've chewed it enough, make it soft, then use your tongue to push it forward between your teeth, and gently blow—"
A perfect bubble appeared.
Yoimiya didn't even have time to be surprised. She followed his instructions eagerly, and almost immediately succeeded.
"It really blows bubbles! This… this is basically a weapon against kids' wallets!"
She removed her bright red spherical hair accessory, twisted it open, and revealed a stash of tiny candies inside. Then she filled the remaining space entirely with bubblegum.
"This is amazing, amazing! Um… could I buy just bubblegum from you in the future?"
"Of course. But my stall might change locations."
"As long as you're still in Hanamizaka, I'll find you."
"Mm. By the way, you know Lumine, right?"
"Lumine? When I found out she also came to Inazuma on the Alcor, I wondered if you two might know each other. Looks like I was right."
"I heard from her that Hanamizaka has a master craftsman who can forge counterfeit Visions so realistic they're indistinguishable from the real thing. I'd like to ask your help in having Master Masakatsu forge me a set."
Yoimiya nodded. "Of course. Which element?"
"A set. One of each: Anemo, Geo, Electro, Dendro, Hydro, Pyro, Cryo."
With fake Visions, he could dispel suspicion over wielding elemental power without a Vision, and even mislead enemies. For example, wearing a Cryo Vision while actually using Pyro could give him an instant advantage. Or, if he could use all seven elements but only wore one Vision, he could deceive his enemies right into their graves.
It was obvious what he intended. But Yoimiya didn't press. "Got it. You must have your reasons. But seven is a lot. Even with the Vision Hunt Decree, they only managed to collect ninety-nine total. It may take a while."
"I'll leave it to you."
After Yoimiya left, the stall owner next to him leaned in, speaking in a sly tone. "So, it's Yoimiya you're waiting for, huh! Pretty, cheerful, and her family's fireworks business basically has a monopoly here. Can't say there are many in Hanamizaka who don't like her. But she's nice to everyone. Don't get the wrong idea, thinking she likes you in particular!"
Victor Wang glanced at him. "Old man, I'm not waiting for one specific person. I'm waiting for the fated one."
"And who's the fated one?"
"Anyone. If we meet, it's fate."
Whether thanks to Yae Publishing House or to Yoimiya, business picked up by afternoon.
After just a day of this, by the second morning his pearl milk tea didn't even need loud hawking anymore—customers came on their own. He finally had moments of peace to cradle the Array Stone and study it.
The Array Stone resembled a 2x2 Rubik's cube. Its six faces were the same color but etched with ancient runes. Turning it rearranged the symbols into new patterns.
Zhongli had once taught that the strength of a Geo shield depended on the type of construct. From Diona and Noelle, Victor had learned that shield strength also depended on elemental input, shape of the construct, and the will to protect. And Zhongli had revealed another secret—his Jade Shield's strength came from a special formation, hidden inside the Array Stone.
It was a 2x2, thankfully. If it had been a 3x3, with so many possible combinations, he might be studying till the end of the world.
So, he split his days: endlessly releasing Thousand Winds for training, and when he's free, experimenting with the Array Stone. He did sell milk tea part-time, but he never halted cultivation.
But fate arrived faster than expected. On only the second day, a tall, horned oni youth swaggered down the street, blowing bubblegum.
"Ahahaha! This bubblegum fits me even better than lollipops! Look at the envious stares of the crowd, tsk tsk tsk!"
Behind him, three underlings also tried blowing bubbles, though theirs were much smaller.
"As expected of Boss! You pull off what we can't!"
"Yeah! If there were a bubble-blowing contest, Boss would take first place for sure!"
"But this gum really is rare. Walking down the street, I've never gotten so many stares before. Those kids said it's imported from Liyue… Could it be true?"
"Pfft, who cares? I won it fair and square! My rightful spoils of war!"
Arataki Itto puffed up his chest, parading his giant bubble proudly.
"Milk tea! Pearl milk tea! With Q-bouncy, silky-smooth secret pearls! First-time customers get an 80% discount! Don't miss it!"
"What! 80% off? Did I hear that right?" Arataki Itto's ears twitched. He stared in disbelief. "Don't tell me you set the price sky-high, like ten thousand Mora, and keep it at a fake discount all the time?"
"No way! Honest business here—normally 2000 Mora, now just 400 Mora per cup. That's 1600 Mora saved! Oh, if all four of you buy, that's… uh… what's four times 1600 again?"
"It's 6400, man! Boss, this guy doesn't seem too bright. But it's so cheap… We won't get sick from it, will we?"
"Oh, the discount's special. Counting you four, you'll be exactly my 100th customer since opening. Everyone else only gets 50% off. You can ask around if you don't believe me."
"Sounds like a steal, Boss!"
"We haven't had milk tea in ages…"
Arataki Itto rested his chin on his hand, silent, chewing his gum. Only the bubble kept swelling and popping.
"Boss, one pearl milk tea. First one's half-off, right?"
Conveniently, another passerby chimed in. But Victor Wang gave him a flat look.
"This is your second time here. You're no longer a new customer. So, no discount."
"Ahaha… Look at my memory."
The man hadn't expected Victor Wang to recognize him in the bustling crowd. Caught trying to freeload, he paid the full 1000 Mora awkwardly.
More customers arrived. Itto still hesitated. His underlings grew anxious.
"Boss, if you don't have enough Mora, maybe try paying with bubblegum?"
"No! Every piece I eat is one less! Bubblegum's worth more than milk tea!"
"Then how about we each just pay for our own?"
"No way! This is Arataki Gang's group activity. How could I let you guys pay?"
"Then… what do we do? Someone else is about to become the 100th customer!"
"Hmm… Alright, one of you lend me 400 Mora."
The chubby one among them reluctantly handed over the coins. "What's this about lending? Don't make it sound so serious."
"I know it's hard saving up as part of the Arataki Gang. I'll pay you back tomorrow."
At last, Itto made up his mind. But instead of 400, he slammed down 2000 Mora.
"Actually, we've got another friend not here right now. Can I buy one for her too?"
"Five cups… Alright, give me a moment."
But just then, another "customer" barged in. While the Arataki Gang relaxed, relieved they'd secured the "100th customer" spot, the newcomer's words froze them.
"As I thought—an unlicensed street stall! You're not escaping this time. Come quietly with us!"
The man raised his arm, and suddenly several disguised Tenryou Commission officers surged out of the crowd.
Sensing trouble, Victor Wang waved his hand. In an instant, the entire stall vanished. He spun and darted into the maze-like alleys. His speed was so great the bystanders stood frozen.
The officers gave chase, but quickly realized no ordinary man could move like that. They'd come only to nab an unlicensed vendor—not a Vision holder. All they could do was watch him vanish into the city.
But someone else wasn't so forgiving.
"Oi! What the hell was that?!"
"Crooked merchant! You scammed us, didn't you?! Give back my dinner money!"
"Unbelievable! You'd better pray I don't catch you!"
Arataki Itto charged after him in a fury.