Paimon explained, "We're going to take a picture for you. Just leave the details to us. All you need to do is stand over there and strike a pose."
"Simply put, a picture can record you in this very moment. It's perfect as a souvenir."
Ei stared blankly. "And what is striking a pose?"
Lumine clarified, "Because what we're recording is an image."
[Yae Miko: Hahaha! Does anyone else feel like Ei really resembles a country girl fresh off the farm?]
[Kujou Sara: Please do not describe Her Excellency the Shogun with such words.]
[Paimon: Miko's at it again.]
[Zhongli: Generally speaking, the current Ei truly does resemble a country girl fresh off the farm.]
[Ei: Miko, I still remember stories from your childhood. Would you like me to share them with everyone?]
[Paimon: Can't wait!]
[Furina: Can't wait!]
[Yae Miko: Ei, you only resemble a country girl. I am a genuine country girl.]
[Paimon: Miko is completely under control!]
[Cloud Retainer: I think I understand something now. No wonder Ganyu always wants to hide whenever I tell stories about her childhood.]
[Ganyu: But Master, you have already told everyone.]
[Paimon: Round like a ball as a child, rolling down the mountain.]
[Ganyu: I am not watching the livestream anymore. I am going to work.]
Ei had a sudden realization. "I see. So you want me to strike a pleasing pose for you, correct?"
"Come to think of it, this is a bit embarrassing."
"What would be best? Help me think of something. Make it look nice, but not too exaggerated. I feel like I might not be able to loosen up."
Lumine thought for a moment. "We could try a dignified pose."
Ei turned sideways and placed one hand on her hip. "How about this?"
Lumine considered. "Maybe we could try something else. A more serious pose, perhaps."
Ei crossed her arms and stared sternly ahead, resembling an elderly teacher.
Lumine observed. "Let's try a more casual pose."
Ei obediently placed one hand on her chest while letting the other hang naturally at her side. "If it is casual, something like this should work. This kind of movement feels quite natural."
Paimon then adjusted the position and took a photo.
[Paimon: Ei is so obedient!]
[Yae Miko: Ei is a very gentle person. She just has her own convictions.]
[Lumine: Does Miko have her own convictions too?]
[Yae Miko: Of course. Isn't it thanks to me that Inazuma was saved?]
[Paimon: That is actually true. If Miko had chosen to stand by and watch, we could not have done any of this. Kujou Sara would have thrown us in jail the moment we met.]
Ei stared at the photo in disbelief. "This is so magical. Is it some kind of spell? Have you created another me inside here?"
"But she seems unable to move or speak."
Lumine explained, "It is just a record. The person in the picture is not really you."
Ei mused, "Just moments ago, I thought it did not look good and that my body seemed a bit stiff. But now looking at it, it appears much more natural than I imagined."
"The pose is exactly the same. The scenery behind is exactly the same. How is this achieved?"
Paimon chuckled. "That is what makes it so amazing!"
Ei scratched her head. "Wait, I still do not quite understand the principle. Please explain further."
"If the person in the picture is not me, then how can they look exactly like me? And if it is me, then what am I now?"
[Paimon: Such a profound question.]
[Ningguang: Is the past self the same as the present self? I think not. After one minute passes, you gain one minute's worth of experience.]
[Keqing: Day by day, there must be improvement. The future me will become even better.]
[Zhongli: The past me and the present me are both me, yet they are not the same.]
[Paimon: My head hurts even more now.]
Paimon was dizzy from Ei's question. "This is beyond my ability to answer."
Lumine looked at Ei and said, "Maybe it is like the difference between you and the Shogun."
Paimon perked up. "Oh, right! Do you consider the Shogun to be you?"
Ei came to her senses and replied, "Of course. I have never intended to hand Inazuma over to someone else's management."
Paimon pressed further. "Then what are you now?"
Ei fell into thought. "Speaking of which, I am also me. That is beyond question."
Lumine offered, "Consider this: your existence does not have to be singular."