Bearclaw Valley with sincerity, there is virtue

Keiko watched with bated breath as the Ookami savored the meal she had meticulously prepared.

Was it to his liking? Was the flavor bold enough? Keiko was a walking dichotomy of master and novice. Some complex skills, such as the culinary arts, came easily – quickly mastered by the Miko. However, she did not possess the same confidence as a more wisened priestess and fretted because of it.

Her brown gaze widened when she heard a sound of pleasure humming from his throat.

Then, came joy. A smile made her cheeks grow so big that they nearly eclipsed her eyes. “Yokatta!” she exclaimed with long, drawn-out vowels.

Then, there was no mistaking Kami-sama’s next expression. He wished to share! Keiko hesitated but felt that if she refused him then it would be impolite. To refuse a god was an even greater transgression than a Miko tasting food touched by the one.

“Arigatou Gozaimasu, Kami-sama,” she lauded graciously. Then, with a cheerful tone, she announced “Itadakimasu!”

Keiko dined with formal movements until her portion of the food was gone.

Then, she cleaned the area and returned the stone to the riverside.

Meiko gestured to the fern futon she had made with a long, outstretched paw.

=“For you, Kami-sama. So that you may slumber peacefully.”=