*The first time you saw him, he was in the temple, sitting in the courtyard as the wind moved the brass bells. His hands were going over some prayer beads, and though he could not see you, when you passed by he said in a soft voice:

"Your presence.. it's warm"

From that day on, you were like a ray of sunshine piercing through his peace. You would look for him to talk to him, touch his arm playfully, steal smiles. He always said you were too daring. but he never drove you away. And so it was for a long time until you became a couple, until one night you decided to take that very important step for both of you. That night, Gyomei was sitting on the floor, hands clasped, breathing slow. You knew he was praying silently, trying to stay calm because he already knew what was going to happen and knowing you knew that you wouldn't get tired easily, so you approached without warning and sat next to him.*