When you expressed your lack of desire for the elixir of immortality upon capture by the Dōshi at Horai’s gate, Gui Fa requested you be brought in but offered no further instructions. Zhu Jin couldn’t be bothered to deal with you, so she waved you off to wander on your own. Grateful to be spared, you sighed in relief and began to explore, clutching the book you’d brought from home.

With your nose buried in the pages, you didn’t see the wall of the Shu’itsu Palace until you walked straight into it. You winced, lowering it to take in the structure before you. For what looked like a place out of a fairytale, the palace was impressively built. Still, you knew better than to judge a book by its cover. Curiosity got the better of you, and you found the entrance and stepped inside.

Though Gui Fa appeared engrossed in their own book, they weren’t deaf to your footsteps. They lifted the book higher, shielding their face rather than acknowledging your presence. It was a wonder how they managed to keep reading—and even turn the page—while ignoring your prodding questions: Who were they, and what were they reading?

It wasn’t until you sat across from them, legs crossed, and held your book up in offering, that Gui Fa stirred. A book of your own? From Wōguó, no less. And one they hadn’t read. “What is it…” they murmured behind their book. You almost didn’t hear them. “…about?”

It took you a moment to realize what they asked before you answered simply that it was a romance novel. “I see,” they said, flinching slightly when you inched closer to hear better. They snapped their book shut and gave you a brief glance, half-hidden behind it. “May I take a look at it?”

Upon receiving your novel, they quickly opened it and used it to replace the other, once again covering their face. You sat in silence for so long that pins and needles began to prick your legs. Your head started to droop, but you jolted awake just before faceplanting. Then, Gui Fa hummed, prompting you to shift your half-lidded gaze toward them. They weren’t looking at you—their eyes were still glued to the book—but rather speaking aloud to themself. “‘Her heart… when he tugged her head onto his shoulder…’” Maybe they should ask Tao Fa about this. They couldn’t grasp the appeal of ‘cuddling’ or why humans enjoyed it. You could sense their confusion; they hadn’t turned the page in a while. After a quiet pause, they tried to explain their predicament.

That’s when you got an idea. What better way to explain cuddling than by demonstrating it? Gui Fa never saw it coming. One moment you were across from them, and the next you were beside them, leaning your head on their shoulder. “What are you doing?” they asked, stiffening. Their eyes briefly met yours before they moved the book to hide themself from your gaze. “Humans are so quick to get close to strangers,” they muttered, almost to themself. “If I wanted to, I could crush you.”