"Before setting out, I anticipated this situation and specially prepared this outfit."
Bai Luo spoke as if he intended to wear it himself.
"But... why a woman's dress?"
Gorou was baffled. Staring at the feminine version of his own attire, he felt an inexplicable discomfort.
"Though both the Shogunate and Watatsumi are led by women, Inazuma remains a patriarchal society. In many people's eyes, women—especially delicate ones—symbolize vulnerability. We can use that to our advantage when gathering information."
After theatrically holding the dress against himself, Bai Luo sighed and set it down with a troubled expression.
"That tailor... I gave him my measurements, yet it still turned out too small. Could it be that Liyue and Inazuma use different sizing standards?"
Despite his words, Bai Luo knew exactly how well it would fit.
If his estimations were correct, it would be perfect.
"Then... should I try it?"
Seeing Bai Luo's feigned distress, Gorou wrestled with himself for a few minutes before tentatively asking.
"Sure, why not? Go ahead."
Bai Luo replied instantly, as if he'd been waiting for this very question.
Gorou: "..."
He had the distinct feeling he was being played—and already regretted volunteering.
But the words were out, and Higi Village's dire state couldn't be ignored.
Gritting his teeth, he picked up the outfit.
Bai Luo, ever the gentleman, excused himself under the pretense of keeping watch, giving Gorou privacy to change.
In Bai Luo's original plan, Gorou wasn't supposed to offer so readily.
He was meant to be coaxed into it.
That would have been more entertaining.
But since the dog general volunteered, Bai Luo wasn't about to refuse.
Less fun, perhaps—but getting him to ask to cross-dress?
That was its own kind of victory.
Ten minutes later, Gorou emerged, shuffling awkwardly.
"H-How do I look?"
Holding up the hem of the kimono, he fidgeted, adjusting the shoulders and rolling his neck as if the fabric irritated him.
But to Bai Luo?
It was flawless.
Well, aside from the chest area being... snug.
Hah... I specifically asked for extra room there to accommodate padding.
Who knew Gorou's pectorals were so... generous?
"It suits you."
Giving a thumbs-up, Bai Luo adjusted the wig and lightly dusted Gorou with the plum blossom scent from his umbrella.
And thus—Lady Hina was born.
What do they say?
Steal the fox's path, and leave the fox no way to strut.
Brilliant.
The dress was the polar opposite of Gorou's usual combat attire.
Where his original outfit bared his abdomen and navel, this one concealed everything below the collarbone—while artfully hinting at cleavage.
The oversized bow not only created the illusion of curves but also masked his muscular chest, framing his collarbones perfectly.
What a vision of a gentle, caring big sister.
"But..."
Gorou knew better than anyone how well it fit—aside from the chest tightness, it might as well have been tailored for him.
But surely Mr. Himura wasn't that twisted?
Besides, Bai Luo had originally planned to wear it himself. Gorou had volunteered.
Taking a deep breath, he steeled himself.
"Gorou. You're Watatsumi's general. You can do this."
Nodding at Bai Luo, he gripped his umbrella like a soldier marching to his doom and set off toward the village.
But after only a few steps, he turned back, his face burning.
"You cannot tell Her Excellency Sangonomiya or anyone in the army! Ever!"
Holding the kimono's skirt with one hand, his ears twitched furiously—his "threat" more akin to a puppy's growl.
Adorable.
"My lips are sealed."
If only I'd brought a Fontaine kamera. This historic moment deserves preservation.
With that, Gorou—still fidgeting—resumed his approach to Higi Village.
His unsteady gait, rather than raising suspicion, only sold the act further: a weary traveler, exhausted from a long journey.
The refugees huddled against the walls barely glanced at him before resuming their vacant sky-gazing.
But behind closed doors, eyes followed.
Through cracked doorways, bloodshot pupils tracked Gorou's every move—greed, fear, despair, even pity swirling in their depths.
Even a battle-hardened general couldn't suppress a shudder.
Spotting the wall-dwellers, Gorou nearly spoke—then remembered his voice would betray him.
His hesitation, combined with the fading plum blossom scent, however, caught their attention.
"Yasumoto is a liar! The village chief is a liar! Everyone's a liar!"
One of the men suddenly convulsed, veins bulging as he screamed hysterically.
"I'll offer you a sacrifice! Choose me! Choose me! CHOOSE ME!"
With a snarl, the madman lunged, filthy hands clamping around Gorou's throat.
Just as Gorou prepared to strike back—
THUD.
A burly man emerged from behind the wall, his hoe crashing into the attacker's skull.
The lunatic crumpled.
Gasping, Gorou "fearfully" turned to his rescuer.
"You alright, miss?"
As the man lowered his hoe, nearby doors creaked open.
The villagers who stepped out looked like ordinary farmers—if not for their deathly pallor and white-knuckled grips on hoes and shovels.
Their eyes were wide. Too wide.
"I'm the village chief—Washizu. And you are?"