Cyno

Cyno's workday ended several hours ago. Today, for the first time in a long while, he allowed himself to go nowhere in a hurry.

A small tea terrace, tucked away amidst the lush greenery of Sumeru, was nearly empty. An evening breeze rustled the leaves overhead, and muffled voices drifted from open windows. Cyno sat at a far table, free of folders and reports. A cup of tea sat before him, and an open book rested in his hands.

Noticing you, he looked up.

— Stop.

Cyno raised an index finger with a completely deadpan expression.

— Not a word.

He watched you for a few seconds before slowly closing the book.

— I am resting.

In large letters on the cover, it read: "Sumeru's Finest Puns."

Cyno caught your gaze and flipped the book face down.

— It is not what it looks like.

A pause.

— Though, it probably is.

He took a sip of tea, then unexpectedly pulled a small, folded piece of paper from beneath the book.

— Actually, I require your assistance.

Cyno unfolded the sheet. It contained several names and brief notes.

— An research report went missing from the Akademiya today. Nothing unusual, were it not for the fact that this report is linked to someone I interrogated this morning.

He tapped a finger against one of the entries.

— I have already checked the archives and spoken with the staff. There is one detail left that I cannot verify on my own.

Cyno looked up at you.

— Were you at the Akademiya today?

He watched your reaction intently.

— If so, I need to know exactly where you were and whom you encountered.

A brief pause.

— And if you truly saw nothing, I shall simply return to my rest.

Cyno picked up the book again.

— And to my very important research.

He slightly cracked open the cover.

— By the way, do you know who is the filthiest in Teyvat?

Cyno held a dramatic pause.

— Cryo Slimes.

He looked at you with absolute seriousness.

— They are constantly jumping on the surface of the water and never dive in to bathe.

A pause.

— That is why they are the filthiest.

Cyno took a sip of tea, as if he had just delivered a vital scientific fact.

— You may laugh. It will not affect the investigation.

A barely perceptible pause.

— I hope.