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Chapter 7: Rise n' Shine n' Sparkle!

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A year. It's been a whole long year since I got pretty much segregated in Watatsumi Island.

Truth be told, it wasn't the worst outcome, yet I would have preferred freedom of travel. Sangonomiya Kiku, the current High Priestess and Kokomi's grandmother, was quite strict on what rights and duties I would have 'if I wanted to be treated as a trade partner'. I would have to abide by a set of rules she enforced, such as having someone from the army tagging along for my little travels 'behind the frontlines', and to never cross the frontline because I had no privilege to 'engage in combat' yet.

So yes, it was lil' old me, training on my own, playing with little Komi-hime as the poor girl was in desperate needs of friends, and being a farmer.

...Hm? Oh, the last bit was a bit of a silly side-project of mine.

After all, smuggling in those conditions can be so horrendous, so I decided to fancy myself a green-thumbed man with the few seeds and plants I had stored away to sell, ready to 'colonize' the little slice of land just south of Watatsumi. It was considered unsuitable for most people, but I knew how to climb the elevated spot so I paid for the land and then I got myself plowing the fertile ground until I could produce rice and other plants on my own.

It made a hefty amount of cash but... it wasn't the same as stealing from the morally-bankrupt to give to the morally-good folks. And making some cash out of it.

Still, it was life for a full year. Granny Kiku was also keen to ask me to report personally to her, the half-blind bat sounding always so ruthless and yet so 'quick to fold' whenever I spoke. I felt annoyed by it as I could tell she could sense the 'pitiful' side of me that warranted her sympathy. What a loathsome habit!

Nonetheless, months passed, I couldn't send any letter as I would have 'revealed myself an agent of the Shogun', and I got quite good with my dagger. To the point that I have gone weeks without using a sword due to my impressive nimbleness and flexibility around the shorter blades.

However, this isn't a boring account of what came to be through the year. Nothing biggie occurred for months, and I admit that I had expected this to go for two or three more years. I knew Komi-hime would inherit at a young age, give or take at 12 or 13, so I knew Kiku wasn't long for this world.

So, anyone can understand my puzzlement when Kiku called for me for an urgent manner, and I found her with some paperworks bearing the Fatui symbol... and also the House of the Hearth Insignia.

"Sampo-kun, I am glad you could make it here as hastily as needed," Kiku's solemn voice gained a 'bright' smile from me. "Please, sit."

"Sure thing, Granny Kiku."

She rolled her eyes, a change from the bitter glare the old hag would hurl at me when I got this habit from Komi-hime. She ultimately surrender to this nickname, and now she didn't fuss much about it. Yet, the topic clearly made her outright shrug at making a scene, and I was soon made aware of why she felt like that.

"There has been a change in Snezhnaya. A new Harbinger has been chosen after the previous Knave has been slain. They call her Arlecchino."

My smile turned... bitter. "Oh... so she did it."

Kiku frowned, looking baffled by this reaction. "Do you perhaps know how she replaced her predecessor?"

"She killed her," I hummed without hesitation, yet saddened by the fact that this canon event still occurred. "We all planned for that to ultimately happen, and as I left that place, it became Arlecchino's duty to do that."

...

"Tell me about the House of the Hearth," Kiku inquired, her eyes showing interest. "Would you say they are trustworthy as an institution to educate the youth?"

I held back a snort, but not because I didn't mean any disrespect - I just found this question outright weird and suspicious.

"Depends on the administrator for the branch. Or the reason for the question."

Kiku sighed. "Yesterday you were out for one of your 'businesses', and we were approached by the head of the Inazuma branch. He brought with him a young child that was meant to vouch not only the safety of the House, but the ability their education has in bringing the best out of the children."

"...What's the name of the man?"

"Efim Snezhevich."

I had a feeling it was the guy, and yet I was surprised that Efim was trying to reach out to Watatsumi. Then again, Kiku's interest meant he had expected some interest. Between Kiku and Kokomi, the former was far more militaristic, bitter, and too deep into the 'for the Greater Good' sort of mindset.

"Unless you wish to turn the Army you have under your command and then under Komi-hime's rule into a bunch of sleeper agents for Snezhnaya, I suggest you reject the idea."

My flat comment stunned the woman briefly as I would usually tinker around words. Either a joke or a bit of sass, but I was quite dry on the topic. I knew who Efim was, both by lore and personal standards. The 'Teacher' was a cruel lapdog that had served loyally under Crucabena and would not accept Arlecchino.

So, if he was truly making moves right now, it meant he was either trying to detach himself or perhaps making long-term plans to do so within the next few years.

The fact he was looking for fodders from the children in Watatsumi Island meant that he was trying to speed up the recruitment process which was... well, Mother would have been most furious about it.

Still, the news of Crucabena were pleasant to hear about, but I wasn't done getting some news through this meeting.

"If that's the case, then I will organize an immediate mission to deal with this upstart. And the girl- she will have to die too."

I actually frowned at that. I mean, I get Efim deserving death but... what about this 'girl' needing to be killed?

"Why?"

Kiku's face darkened. "The child... she has a Pyro Vision. The way she harnessed it... the way she smiled as Efim offered to show us how she can burn men alive-"

"I used to smile when my dear mother carved scars on my body," I interrupted dully, causing Kiku to appear disgusted by the fact. "The ways of dear Mother Crucabena were of love and hatred. I doubt this 'child' is a demon or something, rather she learned that the best way to handle the pain was to learn how to smile while suffering or being upset."

My words seemed to shake the elder some more, and then she closed her eyes. Moments of silence passed, and, admittedly so, I thought Kiku had died on the spot but-

"You will deal with it then. You shall destroy the camp, eliminate the adults and bring the children here in Watatsumi."

"That's acceptable-"

"And you shall take care of the girl then."

My smile almost fell at that. I already had my hands full with Komi-hime but... Maybe this was the best way for her to get a friend or something. The mere idea of giving a stroke to the old bat pleased me immensely.

I was off to the location Kiku mentioned after the meeting. I had to take a few stops by my little place, get some bombs, a few ropes, maybe some spare knives but... I was ready.

Or that's what I told myself as I was unprepared to learn who this 'girl' truly was.

The sun is falling down! Again~!

A mirthful grin adorned the young girl's name as her gaze aimed so earnestly at the retreating ball of fire from the tiny window of her room. Part of her wondered if she would find a way to play with it too once she was older, after all her Master told her that she was going to be the brightest and strongest - the tool to slay the one that hurt Mother and took her place!

Ah yes, that sounded lovely... and yet, something about it didn't sit well with her.

Many many years ago, when she was but a little toddler, the child was found by Master. The man known by others as The Teacher was quite strict but always favored her - he would always tell her that her fun fireworks were amazing but that she needed training to 'use them right'.

At first, obviously, the girl hesitated. Hurting others is not something she likes doing now either, but she learned that it was either her or the others. The painful experience of getting punished a few times ultimately taught the little brunette how to behave around her Master.

The Teacher was ruthless but 'caring' in his own way. Her mind wished to call him her father, but it felt wrong for some reason. He actually wanted her to do so, and she did, but it never came out as honest. It always felt like a lie. But Master hardly cared if a statement is true or not; if it pleases him, then the words are always true regardless on how wrong they are.

She even thought about asking him for a name. A parent names a child, after all, but 'Father' always displeased the notion of that. She was just 'Girl' or 'Brat' or 'His Favorite'.

While all of those worked just fine, it felt still annoying how that responsibility was skirted away. Her Master could be so frustrating but... the girl ignored it. Begging and pressing on the issue only had her hurt more, the few scars under her kimono healing but she doubted the Teacher would restrain from giving her something more permanent if she continued to pester him.

Upon this notion, the child had a single goal in mind: become strong enough to beat her Master's enemy and then, only then, ask him what name she deserved.

Yes, that made sense to her. And yet... the plan of hers wasn't meant to come true.

One moment she was doing the same as every evening, looking at the window and waving goodnight to the sun. The other moment, she got curious as she heard the other children had left their rooms. It was absurd considering that the Teacher was clear about those rules: no one could linger after dinner - everyone had to go to their rooms and prepare to sleep.

So, the girl waited for some of the caretakers to come by and hush the other children back to their room. A minute, then two, then four and finally ten. No one came to restore order, further surprising the little brunette as she stepped outside her room and found the children all piling by one of the larger window, whispering around as they were looking at-

KABOOM!

The child jumped in surprise, dark pink eyes widening in surprise and curiosity as she bolted around the window and the other children (who would definitely not let her anywhere near them as they all were afraid of her) and moved to the courtyard where a battle was unfolding.

Stopping to see the clash, the girl felt awed as a single individual weaved around various Fatui agents with ease. Two daggers were doing most of the work, which seemed to work effectively against the sword-users, while wind and bombs shredded into those that tried to attack the lone intruder by his blind spot.

What made the clash so impressive was also the fact that her Master was struggling. He was using his Cryo Vision to a powerful degree, conjuring swords and sending them in support of his minions. Yet, the blue-haired young man moved with nimbleness that the girl felt a degree envious about as she could barely catch up with her gaze with each of his actions.

Then, as ruthlessly as he cut down the various agents, a dagger slashed the Teacher across his chest. As the old man fell on his back, holding his bleeding chest and glaring at the intruder as he approached him, the Teacher's gaze turned to her and... there was desperation.

"G-Girl, kill him!"

This order should have a no-brainer, but the child hesitated for two reasons. First, she lacked a weapon and she wasn't within range to use her Vision against this attacker. The other reason was something more compelling as the blue-haired intruder turned to her. And she saw his smile.

Now, she was accustomed to the idea you had to show a smile onto your face when complying to an order. But... she hardly saw anyone replicate her own attitude about it so masterfully. She felt her breath taken in what felt a cold shiver, the smile, a gesture meant to be a warm and kind look, felt angry at first and then... sad. Sympathetic.

It shook the girl so much she barely noticed he had walked up to her after hurling a dagger into her Master's forehead, and she 'woke up' only as he knelt down and grasped at her shoulders.

"Hello."

She felt her frame stiffening at such threatening and yet pleasant welcome.

"H-Hi."

She was usually keen to talk without a stutter, but something was genuinely wrecking her nerves.

"My name is Sampo. What's yours?"

She frowned, opening her mouth and yet unable to conjure any of the terms used as her name. Girl, brat, child, Father's favorite.

She couldn't think of anything and the man took notice of it.

"You don't have one, don't you?"

Shyly so, the girl nodded and she saw those complex green eyes peering upon hers with a hint of intrigue, curiosity and... kindness.

"Well, if you allow me, I want to give one to ya. After all, those pretty butterflies in your eyes sure do feel in need of a proper owner."

Despite her months and months of training, despite years of being told she didn't deserve one (yet), the child felt something push her forward. A soft shove that made her speak.

"Y-Yes."

Please.

And the man... smiled properly and it made her feel happy.

"How about... Sparkle?"

For the first time in a very long time, Sparkle offered her own genuine smile as tears came along.

"T-That's silly! But- but I like it!"

AN

Sparkle - The Maddening Firecracker came home!

Always thought that she was a Pyro/Fire user without the mask. So, since she doesn't have one (yet), she relies on a powerful use of Pyro Elemental might! Still, she is the first of many kids that Sampo may have to deal with. The entire House's branch is now his to turn to a new leaf, especially since Kiku is not going to be around for long and I doubt Komi-hime wants that on her pile of burdens.