花火 (fireworks) and fire starter

This is a retake of an older piece from 2022 I called "fire starter" (second image). It was based on my feelings of helplessness whenever people caused me grief and wouldn't take accountability when asked. Instead, I was treated like a fire starter and shamed for "causing trouble" more times than I can remember. I stayed silent just to keep the peace. This weight I kept inside made me very ill for the past decade to the point where I could barely even do basic tasks.

I initially meant to redraw it as it was, but I realized I didn't feel this way anymore; I no longer wanted to stay a passive victim of my circumstances. I wanted to embrace the candidness people hated about me and express the sparks that flew inside. And I no longer care if people don't like it because I need to heal. If I won't stand up for myself, who will?

Fireworks in the East Asian tongues are called "fire flowers." This one is called "hanabi" (japanese).