What was supposed to be a pleasant lunch with Jin Guangyao -- a chance to relax, catch up, and watch the parade -- takes a turn for the unexpected when Shen Yuan's accosted by a mask seller just a few steps away from the lamppost in Wilful Machine. The vendor explains the purpose behind the masks and quickly convinces Shen Yuan to buy one -- a cute fox-like half-mask, with attached ears -- and that's that. Shen Yuan doesn't even realize anything's changed when he catches sight of Jin Guangyao and calls out to him, hurrying over to wrap both his arms around one of his friend's.

"Jin-gongzi!" he says, loud and cheerfully. "A-Jin? Jin-gege, were you waiting long? You shouldn't have been, I walked as fast as I could!"

He's far more exuberant than he was the last time they talked -- and even odder than that, he's sprouted two large, red fox ears from the top of his head while three fluffy tails twine poke out from beneath his robes, all three of them wagging happily.