[Paimon: "Why don't you open it again?"]
Itto's heart screams a thousand nos, but he refuses to admit he's scared. Joking? I'm Arataki Itto, the manliest man in Teyvat—how could I be afraid?
[Arataki Itto, voice trembling: "I… I…"]
[Finally, as if steeling himself with great resolve, he declares: "Fine, I'll open it!"]
Though he musters immense determination, Lucian doesn't spare him. The book notes that as Itto says "I'll open it," he's so scared he lets out a hiccup.
In reality, Itto feels like he's lost all strength and dignity. Great, now I'm Arataki No-Face Itto. Thanks to Lucian's book, the whole world knows I'm afraid of ghosts. The title 'Oni Fears Ghost' might even reach the Abyss!
Just recently, Xiao got roasted in a story, and now it's finally "Watashi" (me)'s turn? Is today the day I have to lose all my face? Baka yaro!
Anyway, in the story, Itto reopens the door. The room's furnishings remain unchanged, and a few Inazumans suddenly appear. Lucian even draws a special illustration for them—a super close-up, so in-your-face it's practically touching their foreheads. Only their eyes and noses fit in the frame, with their mouths cut off.
Readers, engrossed in the story, flip the page and are startled by this jarring 'big headshot.' It's so abstract it feels like they're about to kiss the character! What's with this smooching perspective?
Can't we go back to close-ups of handsome guys and pretty girls like before? We'd be thrilled to see those from this angle! Shikikan, you drew it well, but don't do it again.
[The Inazuman, named Reiichi, complains: "All you do is play every day, and you're even leading our kid astray!"]
These Inazumans hold exorcism tools, with beans ready to throw at Itto. Itto can't fight them and, screaming like a merman with "AAAAAHH," bolts out of the room.
Scary or not, their 'professional equipment' is definitely ghost-repelling.
"Ahem, let me explain—I wasn't scared!" Arataki Itto says weakly.
The group smiles without responding. What can they say? Only, "Thanks for the pale excuse set you're still clinging to."
[Arataki Itto: "That was way too creepy! Why are there Inazumans in a place like this?"]
Readers are curious too. No matter how you look at it, Inazumans shouldn't be here. Actually, no humans should be here, except adventurers.
Sharp minds like Nahida, Ei, and Guizhong have already picked up on something. The door likely reflects the opener's deepest fears or most vivid memories. This space is extraordinary— even a demon god trapped here would struggle.
[Arataki Itto: "Whoever wants to open it, go ahead. I'm done. Next up—who's it gonna be? Hey, Paimon, you—you go!"]
Readers' eyes light up. Paimon? What kind of room would Paimon open? This is intriguing! Would it be a room with the Traveler cooking Paimon in a pot?
[Paimon, meekly: "No way, no way! You guys open it… I'm… I'm scared…"]
Her timid demeanor is oddly endearing, and Kuki Shinobu steps up, volunteering to open the door.
Behind the door Shinobu opens stands her mother. In reality, Kuki Shinobu's pupils contract—she's already guessed what's coming.
Sure enough, what follows is the last thing she wants to face: her mother's loving nagging.
["Shinobu, still reading? Stop that and think about what I said. Go be a shrine maiden at the Grand Narukami Shrine. It's a good job I found for you—definitely better than…"]
Yae Miko smirks. She'd love for Shinobu to be a shrine maiden, but Shinobu's not interested. Whether she wants the job or not doesn't matter—wearing a shrine maiden outfit for her 'big sister' to see would suffice.
Being a shrine maiden at the Grand Narukami Shrine is like working for a 'state-owned enterprise' with official status, under Yae Miko, who's fiercely protective. It's genuinely a great job.
But Shinobu doesn't like such rigid, rule-bound work. She prefers hanging out with Arataki Itto. With the Arataki Gang, she can put all her skills and certifications to use. If I don't earn those certificates, how will people know I've got the skills?
Over the years with the Arataki Gang, Shinobu's dealt with all sorts of chaos, using every skill she's learned just to clean up messes. It's exhausting, but it's the life she wants. Roasting lavender melons in the fields with her gang brothers makes her happy.
Shinobu simply dislikes feeling constrained or having her future planned for her. She loves the 'wild' vibe, like being a stray cat. Her description makes readers notice in the illustration that her pupils are indeed vertical, like a cat's.
[Itto hurriedly says: "Right, right! You're perfect for the gang life. Look at you—majestic, heroic… right, everyone?"]
He's clearly worried Shinobu might actually become a shrine maiden. The Arataki Gang can't function without her. But if Shinobu truly wanted it, Itto's personality means he'd support her, no matter how reluctant he'd be.
Yelan and Yanfei also approve of Shinobu's preference for a 'free-range' lifestyle. Yanfei says work should be something you love. As an Adeptus, she doesn't need to work—look at Zhongli, he's never going hungry. Though Yanfei's only half-Adeptus, starving herself would be quite the feat. She chose to be a lawyer purely out of her passion for law.
Yelan's similar, with a bit of a masochistic streak. She thrives on the thrill of a dangerous lifestyle—it makes her feel alive. She also enjoys pain, prefers spicy food, and loves the stimulation that keeps her sharp. When she's off duty, she's much more laid-back, letting dice decide what she does.
After Shinobu's attempt, everyone's convinced the door reveals the opener's least desirable scenario, making them even less eager to try. Especially Yelan—a woman with secrets. Secrets make a woman more intriguing, and she's not about to let this door expose hers.
But with only this door as a potential exit, they have no choice but to explore it. Yanfei steps forward, ready to take a chance.
[Itto gives a thumbs-up: "Oh! Benefactor, that's some guts!"]
Liyue folks are intrigued, wondering, What's Lawyer Yanfei afraid of?
Even Yanfei herself is curious. What is she afraid of? She doesn't even know.
===✧✦✧===
Character Voice · Kuki Shinobu: About Herself
"Free and unrestrained, I don't want to do everything, but to say 'no' to the things I don't want to do."