||STRAWBERRY-TIPPED VIXEN|| LMK || (DISCONTINUED/UNDER REWRITING PROCESS)

||○RICE○||

In a bustling bakery stall tucked away in a vibrant city, the air is filled with the sweet aroma of freshly baked treats as a certain vixen prepares for the upcoming Chinese New Year festival.

The walls are draped in red and gold banners, and the shelves are lined with colorful cakes and cookies. The baker is hard at work, crafting delicate mooncakes and elegant pastries with the help of their trusty shrine assistants, who are decorating with bright red ribbons and cheerful illustrations of zodiac.

The sounds of laughter and conversation echo throughout the shop as the staff and customers come together to celebrate the new year. It's a joyous and festive time, and the bakery is the perfect place to indulge in some sweet treats while ringing in the Year of the Rabbit.

•°💮💮💮°•

"You really outdid yourself this year, Guuji." One of the gon-gūji's commented, smoothing out a banner. [Name] just sighed softly, "I suppose so..."

"Is something wrong, Guuji?" They asked, seeing as how the vixen wasn't as bright like her other days.

[Name] replied back, shaking her head. "Just some random thoughts. This year's meeting is going to be a long one with everything that's happened so far."

"Indeed." A Negi spoke calmly, "Going through this year's destructive incidents will take most of the festival time." Hearing that, [Name] visibly deflated. She hoped she'd get to see this year's festival. But alas, work was never really done.

After some more thought, [Name] decided to do things differently. "Let's cancel this year's meeting."

All fellow followers looked at her with wide eyes.

"Guuji... are you sure? The reports are-" "I know they're long." [Name] interrupted the gon-negi, "You all have families and deserve to enjoy yourselves. So please, enjoy this time off. You've all been really helpful." She smiled softly.

The shrine members gave her bows of gratitude, muttering sweet praises and prayers. Many were weary to leave her along to deal with such pressing matters and sweet-selling, but left as she probably wished to be alone.

Once every member of her court had departed, she let out a small exhale through her nose.

"Much to be done..."

•°💮💮💮°•

"May the new year bring you happiness and prosperity!" The fox and pig demons greeted.

[Name] had decided to combine her shop stall with Pigsy's, making dumplings with Mei as Tang enjoyed delicious sweets and noodles. The knowledgeable male took note of how Pigsy looked overly stressed, and commented.

The vixen quickly took the tray of dumplings from his hand, making the pig demon slightly stunned. "Rest. I'll handle the remaining customers." She offered, to which he nodded.

With MK not showing up, it was tons of more work for the vixen and pig. But, [Name] seemed to handle it just fine on her own. With her at the helm, people seemed to pile up at the noodle stall; After all, you got food and a pretty show of a woman in a dazzling kimono.

"Isn't MK supposed to be working today?" Tang asked, to which [Name] hummed in answer before Pigsy could blow up. "He is, but last I heard was that he was training with Wukong. I swear, he's going to be unemployed at this rate if he keeps prioritizing that simian."