ART: Gingko

“No need to stand … or stand on formalities.” He strode forward and crouched beside her, offering a hand. “I’m Gingko.”

Tsumiko’s eyes widened, for her gardener had claws.

He sighed. “Nobody told you about me?”

“No.”

“Figures.”

Gingko pushed back his hat. He was younger than she expected—about her own age, perhaps a little older. While he had the famed beauty of the inhuman races, his pupils were round. Which only confused Tsumiko further, because it made Gingko seem more human.

—Tsumiko and...