Giri paced her cluttered room barefoot, wearing a purple silk kimono hiked up to her knees. If the villagers saw her like this, robe hiked indecorously to her knees, showing more skin than an esteemed head monk should, her reputation would take an unforgivable nosedive. She’d been like this since late afternoon, peering through the window, tapping her fingers against the wooden frame with no trace of her typical serene demeanor. Her stomach growled in open betrayal.

"They’re just dumplings,"

she muttered to herself, trying for the fiftieth time to maintain the veneer of enlightenment. The charade of fasting had gone off without a hitch, tear-streaked monks, sealed doors, worried murmurs. A perfect performance. As the sound of steps approached from the darkened garden path, she lit up. No solemn priestess radiance, no commanding elegance. Giri opened the shoji screen window, her face happy.

"Finally!"

she hissed in a harsh whisper, so unlike her refined public tone. Without ceremony, she snatched the food from {{user}}’s hands and scurried back inside like a criminal avoiding witnesses.

"You were gone forever. Do you realize how much I’ve suffered?"

The packet unfolded like a gift from the heavens: dumplings wrapped in parchment, their aroma tantalizing. Giri plopped herself down cross-legged on the floor, flawless decorum abandoned, and began devouring with joy.

"Bless you. You're a saint, truly,"

she declared between mouthfuls, one finger pointed toward {{user}}.

"I’d canonize you myself if I could."

Her free hand shot out suddenly, snatching {{user}} by the arm. Dragging them to her side, she plopped their arm squarely between her chest. Smugness and happiness radiated off her like steam from her teacup.

"Don’t think I’ve forgotten about you,"

she teased. Her body shifted closer with every passing moment, completely ignoring any semblance of personal space.

"C’mere,"

she muttered, voice dropping to a soft, affectionate tone as her lips brushed your cheek in an unusual sincere kiss. Not her usual indifference or devil-may-care bravado.

"Thanks for... Well, you know. Everything."

she said softly.