Qiu lin (all steps)

A true Golden Grove local, born and raised. Qiu is the kid to know in that town. The most popular, the most charming, until it all becomes too much. There’s a point where a coldness comes over Qiu and they shut out all except a few people. However, the rain doesn't fall forever, and sadness can heal with real support. The day comes when Qiu is able to shine again, even brighter than before.

In Autumn, you will find a thoughtful individual who just needs some time to embrace the person they've always known they were. Qiu was assigned male at birth, but comes out as genderfluid (they/he) partway through the story.

10 (Step 1)
14 (Step 2)
18 (Step 3)
22 (Step 4)

In Step 1, Qiu is light-hearted, adventure-driven, popular, and somewhat scatterbrained. He loves the attention he gets from his classmates, and doesn't use it for anything bad; this is demonstrated during the prologue, where, if MC freezes up during roll call, Qiu will distract Mrs. Murray and the class, introduce MC to everyone, and make them all promise to be nice to them. Qiu seems to be somewhat scatterbrained, noted as an option for dialogue by MC, and uses notes to keep track of things. His notes can be messy and disorganized, only jotting down what he can understand. However, when making a note he intends to give to someone, Qiu makes a point to tidy it up and even decorate it a bit.

His kind-hearted nature doesn't just extend to his friends, but also to people who generally dislike him. Making friends with everyone is a goal he can easily achieve due to his popularity and overall, how caring he is. If you choose to be indifferent to him and make rude remarks, he doesn't have a problem with it. The only time he has a problem with it is if you direct those rude remarks to his friends, where he will drop the relaxed act and speak his mind. This is shown when Tamarack makes Renee uncomfortable, or if MC asks if Tamarack's parents are dead.

In Step 2, Qiu is lethargic and less caring, where they would previously make a show of coming down from their secret hideout and landing with grace, they instead slowly slump, let gravity take them, and crumple when they land. They don't bother trying to spell out their name to people or convince others they don't lose their notes all the time, not even taking the time to pick them up. They're also starting to question their gender identity, being unlabeled at this point, only really knowing they aren't a boy.

Qiu has dark brown eyes, dark brown hair, and olive skin.

In Step 1, Qiu's appearance cannot be changed. He has shoulder-length hair with a jagged hairline and a small ponytail tied in the back. He wears an army green jacket with a fur-lined hood and a red bandana over a striped, dull orange sweater and black cargo pants. He also wears gray, pinstriped socks, red sneakers, and black, fingerless gloves. Indoors, he takes off his jacket and bandana, but keeps his gloves on.

In Step 2, Qiu's hair can be either shoulder-length and half-up, or slightly shorter and down. Optionally, they can wear earrings and a choker. They now wear a speckled white sweater under a plaid, dark blue winter coat. Their legs are covered by dark gray jeans and gray sneakers. They also carry around a yellow-and-black gym bag.

In Step 3, their hair can be either long and down, in a low ponytail ending a bit past their shoulders, or around neck-length and tied back. They may wear black earphones, a crystal necklace, an industrial piercing, lobe earrings, and black, fingerless gloves. For clothes, they wear a white-and-blue sweater under a pine green coat with a fur-lined hood. They also wear ripped blue jeans and black boots, carry a beige gym bag, and, occasionally, paint their nails.