"It's nothing major. I'm planning to host a hot spring party tomorrow, and the Divine Priestess will be attending. It'll be a good opportunity for everyone to relax. I specifically came to invite you. Do you have time, A'ying?"
"Since Feng Yi, you've come all this way to invite me, how could I possibly refuse?"
Ei smiled faintly and pulled Feng Yi to sit by the tea table. She intended to personally pour tea for Feng Yi, but Feng Yi subtly took the teapot from her.
Within her Plane of Euthymia, Ei's contemplation of 'Eternity' had hit a bottleneck. Just as she was about to seek Feng Yi for a deep exchange and find some inspiration, Feng Yi unexpectedly came to find her. Could this be fate?
After an in-depth discussion (1000 words omitted here).
"A'ying, let's go out for a walk. In the few hundred years you've been in seclusion in the 'Plane of Euthymia,' the outside world has changed by leaps and bounds. Go out and see. Witness how new things have impacted the lives of the Inazuma populace. Perhaps you'll gain a new understanding of 'Eternity'..."
Feng Yi tidied her slightly disheveled clothes and invited Ei.
"It's not something I find necessary, but since it's your invitation... changing my mood might be good. I'll go out for a stroll."
Ei nodded. What mattered to her wasn't what she saw, but who she saw it with.
The two left the Tenshukaku and walked all the way to Inazuma's most bustling street.
"This is the current marketplace? It's truly vastly different from my memories. The shops lining the street, the merchants... yes, of course, they're not the same as before either..."
Ei walked side-by-side with Feng Yi, observing her surroundings and sighing softly.
"Genera- General... excuse me..."
A stall owner named Tomoki, who a moment ago was wondering why the lively street had suddenly fallen silent, found himself face-to-face with the most distinguished General. He was so flustered he could only clasp his hands in a reverent bow.
Tomoki: Whoa, is this the General's oppressive aura? It's so powerful... And why is the General at my humble stall? Have my long-hidden secrets finally been discovered?
"It's alright, no need for formalities. I'm just here to change my mood and look around. I see the goods you're selling are quite different from what I remember. Could you introduce them to me?"
Ei waved her hand. She hadn't expected her presence to silence the entire bustling street. She decided to appear as amiable as possible to put the stall owner at ease.
"Of... Of course! I sell all sorts of snacks, like takoyaki, dango, and... uh, dango milk!"
Tomoki gradually calmed down and enthusiastically introduced his products to the General.
"Dango milk? Hmm... I've never heard of such a dish."
Ei cupped her chin, her memory drawing a blank. It must be something new that appeared during her seclusion. Was this what Feng Yi meant by new things and changes? Ei suddenly became interested.
"There are many established shops in the city, so no matter what I sell, I can't compete with them. That's why my approach is to create new combinations for a fresh customer experience. For example, this dango milk I recently developed. The dango is made very sticky and mixes well with the milk..."
Seeing the General's keen interest, Tomoki quickly prepared a fresh serving for her.
"Our focus isn't just on taste, but on novelty and texture!"
Tomoki was very proud. His novel snacks quickly garnered him many loyal customers on this street. This further convinced Tomoki that innovation was the path to a shop's future development.
"Ah, I'm sorry, General! I don't have any issues with 'Eternity'!"
Suddenly, Tomoki thought of the contradiction between innovation and eternity. Wasn't pursuing innovation a direct challenge to the General? Cold sweat beaded on his forehead as he bowed sincerely and apologized.
"I've told you, no need for formalities, and don't be so anxious. The eternity I seek wouldn't be shaken by dango and milk."
Ei smiled faintly. If 'Eternity' were that fragile, what would be the point of pursuing it?
Confirming that the General didn't seem to be truly angry, Tomoki secretly let out a sigh of relief. He found that the General seemed quite different from the rumors.
"Actually, it was a mere coincidence. A friend was entertaining guests, made too much dango, and gave me some since they couldn't finish it. But for me, that was too much. And at the time, my milk wasn't selling well either. Since neither dango nor milk last long, so..."
Tomoki shrugged and chuckled.
"I decided to mix them, just to see. To my surprise, when the ratio was right, it tasted unexpectedly good!"
"A coincidence, hmm? Quite interesting. May I have a cup?"
"General, this cup is specially made for you. I hope you like it." As soon as the General finished speaking, Tomoki quickly handed over the freshly made dango milk.
"Mmm... Sweet and delicious. It has a texture like a dessert, and it's quite novel to drink. It's like... porridge? But clearly not the same... Regardless, I like it. This delicious dango milk must sell very well, how much is it?"
"Thank you for your affirmation, General! As for sales, well, this... to be honest, sales are quite ordinary."
"Eh? It doesn't sell well? Why?"
Ei couldn't understand why such a delicious dessert wasn't popular. Could it be her taste was unusual?
"Because... many people are unwilling to try it. They think the combination is strange, although those who have tasted it have given good reviews..."
Tomoki: How should I put it? Everyone's way of doing things is influenced by the General, they're all very conservative. Of course, I can't say that out loud.
Arataki Itto: Conservative? Hmm... I think you're absolutely right. My way of eating ramen is indeed a bit conservative. Maybe I'll try holding chopsticks with my feet next time...
"Oh, that's simple. Have the Yashiro Commission buy hundreds of cups and deliver them to every household."
Ei stated that such matters were trivial!
"No, no, no! General, that's too much!"
Yashiro Commission: Open up, open up! The Yashiro Commission is here to bring warmth!
The thought of the Yashiro Commission knocking on doors just to deliver dango milk made Tomoki tremble all over. He shook his head like a rattle drum, his small eyes filled with a desire to survive.