The day of the meeting with Yae Miko had arrived.
That morning, the weather wasn't particularly pleasant. The sky was a hazy grey, and a light drizzle fell softly upon the lands of Inazuma. The air was moist, carrying with it the earthy scent of damp soil.
Inside the Komore Teahouse, Shao Yun, Lumine, and Paimon sat together in the warm room, enjoying their breakfast.
Today, Lumine and Paimon were eating unusually fast, barely chewing before swallowing their food, which made Shao Yun a bit concerned.
"Slow down. Don't choke," Shao Yun reminded them kindly.
However, Lumine and Paimon didn't seem to pay him any mind. Instead, they picked up the pace.
Shao Yun, puzzled, asked again, "What's the rush? Why so hurried?"
Lumine swallowed her last bite, set down her bowl and chopsticks, and smiled at him. "Shao Yun, you take your time. We'll go handle a commission real quick."
Shao Yun was a little surprised. Couldn't they take one day off?
"Aren't we supposed to meet the Raiden Shogun today? You're still taking commissions? Just rest for a day."
Lumine shook her head and stood up from her chair. She waved to Paimon, ready to head out.
"Don't worry. The commission is from a kid named Shota—he's right in front of the shrine in Inazuma City. It'll be done in no time. Wait for us, we'll be right back! Then we'll go see Yae Miko together."
Shota? That "O Archon, Hear Me!" commission?
That thing isn't urgent at all. It's raining outside too—don't tell me that kid's actually standing there soaking in the rain.
"Hey, it's raining outside! That kid…"
Before he could finish, Lumine had already happily walked out with Paimon, leaving Shao Yun alone.
Shao Yun let out a helpless sigh and slowly set down his bowl and chopsticks, muttering quietly to himself.
"Sigh… It's really not worth it. That crappy commission isn't anything important. Just for a tiny bit of commission money, you two are working this hard…"
"No wonder the NPCs in Teyvat call you the 'blonde fool' and the 'grievance pixie' behind your backs!"
His mood now thoroughly soured, Shao Yun had no more appetite.
He handed his bowl and chopsticks to the teahouse staff, then slowly made his way to the counter and sat on one of the high stools.
Sitting at the counter, his eyes fell upon the manager, Taromaru, who sat right on the counter.
As soon as Taromaru saw him, he stuck out his tongue and wagged his tail excitedly.
Seeing the adorable dog, Shao Yun's mood lifted slightly.
He reached out and gently patted Taromaru's head, then rubbed its cheeks and asked softly, "Taromaru, what did you have for breakfast today?"
Taromaru pulled back his tongue, tilted his head, and gave Shao Yun a puzzled look, as if saying, "Do I look like I can speak human?"
Shao Yun burst into laughter at that response. "Haha, I know you can't talk, but I'm just bored out of my mind."
After the laughter faded, he picked Taromaru up and began gently stroking its back.
Taromaru looked a bit helpless, simply lying in Shao Yun's arms and letting him do as he pleased.
Just then, the door of the Komore Teahouse was pushed open. The bell above the door jingled with a crisp jingle-jangle.
Taromaru looked toward the entrance, and upon seeing who it was, barked cheerfully.
A graceful voice followed.
"Ayaa~ When it rains, all your fur ends up damp and clingy."
Shao Yun turned to look. Yae Miko was walking in from outside, her pink hair still glistening with tiny raindrops from the gentle drizzle.
Her moist hair tips shimmered under the warm light of the room, adding an alluring charm to her already mischievous demeanor.
Seeing her wet hair, Shao Yun asked curiously, "Lady Yae? I thought you'd be waiting for us at the Statue of the Omnipresent God."
Yae Miko's lips curled into a sly smile as she brushed aside her damp strands.
"Even an unintelligent young fox knows to find a tree hollow to hide in from the rain—let alone me, a living, breathing human."
She gave a slight nod, eyes gleaming with mischief, and asked softly, "Do you have a towel or something? I need to dry off my fur."
As she spoke, she gracefully flicked her pink locks, proudly displaying her beauty.
Shao Yun stood up and, with a faint grin, presented the dry Taromaru to her with both hands.
"No, but Taromaru's fur is quite dry. How about using him?"
Taromaru turned in shock, staring at Shao Yun in disbelief. I may not be human, but you're the real dog here! What kind of suggestion is that? You're using the teahouse owner as a towel!?
His jaw dropped slightly, looking like he was about to speak from sheer frustration.
But all that came out was a low, miserable whimper.
Yae Miko giggled behind her hand, her laughter as clear and sweet as silver bells.
Then she waved her hand lightly and said, "Hahaha, Miss Kozue said the towels are behind the counter. I'll grab one myself—no need to use the teahouse owner. Still, your idea was very entertaining."
Taromaru turned to look at Yae Miko, horrified. So you really were thinking of using me?!
He had expected her to reject Shao Yun's outrageous proposal, but to his dismay, she seemed to consider it.
He sighed inwardly, feeling utterly disrespected.
Yae Miko walked behind the counter, bent down, and pulled out a soft towel.
She carefully dried her damp pink hair and the fluffy fox fur on her ears.
Meanwhile, Shao Yun sat back down and returned Taromaru to the counter.
Taromaru lay there, head hung low, sulking with an air of aggrieved indignation.
Yae Miko smiled faintly and took the high stool to Shao Yun's left. Her enchanting violet eyes roamed curiously around the room.
Suddenly, as if remembering something, she asked, "By the way, where are Lumine and Paimon? Where did they run off to?"
Shao Yun shook his head with a sigh, gently petting the sulking Taromaru on the head as he replied, "They went to take care of a commission. No matter how much I tried, I couldn't stop them. There's just no reasoning with those two…"
"So, we'll have to wait here a bit longer before heading to Tenshukaku to meet the Raiden Shogun."
Yae Miko nodded in understanding.
Then she reached out and softly scratched Taromaru's chin, her tone light and playful.
"No problem. I don't like going out in the rain either. So, why don't we chat for a bit and pass the time?"
Afraid Shao Yun might misunderstand, she quickly added:
"Don't worry, this is just a simple conversation. Nothing else will happen. Of course, if Taromaru is willing to let us keep petting him, that'd be even better."
She flashed the manager on the counter a sly smile.
Taromaru felt a rising sense of despair. As the teahouse owner, he felt utterly humiliated.
Not only did the humans treat him like a plaything, even a fellow fox didn't spare him. Couldn't they show a little respect?
But what could he do—bite them?
These two were big shots. Taromaru wasn't stupid. If he got turned into dog stew, he'd never get to live out his years in peace.
Shao Yun couldn't help but chuckle at the dog's pitiful expression.
He nodded, agreeing to her suggestion. "Sure. What should we talk about?"
Yae Miko suddenly turned her head and looked behind Shao Yun, daring to bring up that one.
"How about the one behind you? After you all left the Grand Narukami Shrine the other day, it came straight to me."
Shao Yun stiffened slightly, nervous. "Don't tell me… you made a deal with it?"
Yae Miko gently shook her head, her lips curling into a smile, her eyes glinting with amusement.
"Nope. I simply told it to leave. Surprisingly, it actually did."
Shao Yun breathed a sigh of relief, though a trace of anxiety still lingered.
"That thing is cunning, treacherous, always scheming. The best way to deal with it is to avoid any interaction at all…"
The mere mention of it unsettled him, and he quickly changed the subject.
"Let's not talk about it. Nothing good ever comes from that topic."
Yae Miko raised an eyebrow and pressed on, "Alright then, new topic. I'm quite interested in that light novel, The Gunslinger Butcher from Fontaine."
"But what fascinates me even more is you, the real-life inspiration behind the protagonist. Compared to the novel, I'd rather hear your real story."
She leaned her cheek against her palm, a lazy smile playing on her lips, eyes gleaming with curiosity about his past.
Shao Yun rolled his eyes. "I'm worried you'll blab about it—or worse, write another light novel."
Yae Miko chuckled. "Relax. A fox's mouth is sealed tight."
Shao Yun shot her a warning look.
"If you blab, I'll skin you and make Lumine a fox hat."
At that, Yae Miko quickly mimed zipping her lips shut.
Satisfied, Shao Yun nodded and pulled a bottle of Guarma Rum from his bag. He popped the cork, took in its aroma, and let his mind drift to the past.
He began slowly, "My memory's a mess now… but I remember… we met on a beach in Mondstadt…"