She wore a modified cheongsam in shades of light green and moon white, with gold flowing cloud and wave patterns embroidered on the hem and cuffs.
The waistband was cinched tightly, with several small jade pendants and tassels hanging below.
She wore elegant silver ornaments around her neck and wrists, which made a soft tinkling sound when she moved.
He held an exquisite folding fan in his hand, the fan surface painted with landscapes and fox shadows, the fan ribs turning gently between his fingers.
A fluffy fox tail swayed gently behind it, its fur changing color from brownish-yellow to white tips, soft and glossy.
She stood at the doorway, bowed slightly, and gave a greeting.
It's not a knightly salute with one knee, but a more elegant lady's salute with a certain classical charm.
"This humble woman, Tingyun, greets Higashino."
Her voice was clear and melodious, with a soft and gentle quality unique to the water towns of Jiangnan.
"From today onwards, I will serve as your secretary. Please guide me."
Higashino Makoto looked at her, his dark eyes devoid of any emotion.
Tingyun.
He certainly recognized the name.
Or rather, he recognized this image.
A character in <Honkai Impact 3rd: Star Railway>, the chief representative of the "Whistling Flames" Sky-Faring Commission Ship "Xianzhou Luofu".
The shrewd and sophisticated fox-woman refers to herself as "this humble woman," and speaks with an unfathomable smoothness and wit.
He chose this image because of her temperament.
Elegant, intelligent, and with a hint of danger.
Standing before him now, she was more... vivid than he had imagined.
Those fox ears are real.
That tail is real.
The light that shone in those Kohaku eyes was real.
"Come in."
Higashino Makoto said.
Tingyun straightened up and stepped into the room.
Her steps were light and graceful, and the silver ornaments jingled crisply with her movements.
The fox tail swayed gently behind it, gleaming softly in the sunlight.
She walked up to Higashino Makoto, stopped, and gently unfolded her folding fan, obscuring half of her face.
Only his Kohaku eyes were visible, carrying a hint of sly smile.
"Higashino, you look... even more handsome than I imagined."
Higashino Makoto raised an eyebrow.
Have you ever imagined me?
"Certainly."
Tingyun her folding fan and twirled it in her hand.
"When I was in Novas Atier, I often heard other guardians talk about you. Some said you were gentle, some said you were dignified, some said you were aloof, and some said you were warm. I wondered, what kind of person is this sir?"
She tilted her head, and her fox ears twitched slightly.
"Now that I've seen it, I feel that what they said is both right and wrong."
"What's the meaning?"
"It means that adults are more... complex than they describe. And, I really like it."
Higashino Makoto looked at her for two seconds.
"You're quite the smooth talker."
"I'm just telling the truth."
Tingyun bowed slightly, twirling her folding fan between her fingers.
"Furthermore, as your secretary, one of my duties is to make you happy. Speaking sweetly is an important way to do so."
Higashino Makoto chuckled softly.
"Indeed. But is it really okay to say it out loud?"
"I don't like beating around the bush."
Tingyun straightened up, looking at him with her Kohaku eyes.
"Adults don't like beating around the bush either, do they?"
Higashino Makoto did not answer.
He simply leaned back against the headboard, his hands behind his head, his dark eyes staring at the ceiling.
"Tingyun."
"Exist."
"Let me touch your tail."
Tingyun paused for a moment, then smiled.
It was a smile tinged with surprise.
"Would you like to touch it, sir?"
Higashino Makoto turned his head to look at her.
Tingyun walked to the bedside, sat down sideways, and her fox tail wrapped around her from behind, gently draping over the bed.
"Please."
Higashino Makoto reached out and touched the fluffy tail with his fingers.
The fur felt soft and warm to the touch, like the finest silk.
He stroked it gently, from base to tip, the fox tail trembling slightly between his fingers.
"Grown ups..."
Tingyun's voice was softer than before, carrying a subtle, almost imperceptible change.
"If you touch me like that... I'll..."
"What can you do?"
"I'd feel embarrassed."
Higashino Makoto withdrew his hand and looked at her.
Tingyun's face flushed slightly, her fox ears twitched gently, and a hint of panic flashed in her Kohaku eyes.
But that panic was only momentary, quickly masked by her signature smile.
"My lord, you are truly..."
She unfolded her folding fan, obscuring half of her face.
"--Too cunning."
Higashino Makoto's lips curled up slightly.
"You look prettier when you blush than when you force a smile."
Tingyun's fan trembled slightly.
"Grown ups--"
That's the truth.
Tingyun looked at him, her Kohaku eyes flashing with complex emotions.
Then she closed her folding fan and took a deep breath.
"My lord, if you do this, I will be in a very difficult position."
What's so difficult about it?
"This is difficult. I originally intended to take it slowly. But since you're so direct, I don't know how to proceed."
Higashino Makoto looked at her.
"Then let's not take it slow."
Tingyun paused for a moment, then revealed a relieved smile.
"The master is right."
She placed the folding fan on the bedside table, put her hands on her knees, and straightened her back.
"Then this humble woman will... not stand on ceremony."
Higashino Makoto raised an eyebrow.
"Don't mention it."
Tingyun did not answer.
She simply sat there, her Kohaku eyes fixed on him, a meaningful smile playing on her lips.
The fox tail swayed gently behind it, gleaming softly in the sunlight.
Higashino Makoto looked at her, a glint of light flashing in his dark eyes.
"Tingyun."
"Exist."
You are indeed different from them.
What's different?
They get nervous around me. You don't.
Tingyun tilted her head, her fox ears twitching slightly.
"I get nervous too, but I don't like others to see it."
Higashino Makoto chuckled softly.
Are you nervous right now?
Tingyun silent for a moment.
"... a little."
"Why?"
"Because adults are more... dangerous than I imagined."
"Danger?"
"It's dangerous."
Tingyun's voice softened.
"It's not the kind of danger that will hurt people. Rather, it's the kind of danger that makes young women want to get close, understand, and possess them."
Higashino Makoto stared at her for a long time.
"You're quite bold to say that."
"As I said, I don't like beating around the bush."
Tingyun stood up, walked to the window, and opened it.
Sunlight streamed in, illuminating her profile.
Her long, dark green hair shimmered with a golden light in the sunlight, and her fox ears twitched gently, catching the sounds of the wind.
"Grown ups."
She didn't turn around.
"I have a question."
"Explain."
"When you created the Guardians, why did you choose this appearance for me?"
Higashino Makoto was silent for a moment.
"Because it looks good."
Tingyun's fingers paused for a moment.
"That's all?"
That's all.
Tingyun turned around and looked at him with her Kohaku eyes.
"My lord, do you know? For me, the word 'beautiful' is both the highest compliment and the most perfunctory answer."
What kind of answer do you want?
Tingyun thought for a moment.
"The answer I want is... because you are you."
Higashino Makoto looked at her for two seconds.
You are who you are, no reason needed.