Miri's attitude is uniquely easy-going -- breezy in the way only someone truly put-together can be. While she's quick to go with the flow or get in on a laugh, it's no secret that, should something unexpected happen, they're the first to regain their compure -- if they ever lost it in the first place.

The only subject that Miri doesn't seem to have an easy answer to is that of family. Beyond a waved hand and an "I bounced around a lot between foster homes," all you're liable to get out of Miri is silence -- or, better yet, a changed subject.

SHEEP'S TAIL

At the age of four, Miri found herself adopted by a rather peculiar scientist by the name of Hoshino Ayato.

This, to Miri, is where her life began. Not when she was born; not when her parents died two years before; certainly not when she was shuttled to a nearby orphanage. No, it was only upon meeting their new parent that Miri considered their life to be truly of interest.

Hoshino-sensei was an odd sort. They told Miri (clearly and politely, as one might tell as adult) that their main interest in having a child was because it felt appropriate, given their age and status. Old money, celebrated academically and socially, one thing about Hoshino-sensei was excrutiatingly clear: they would not settle for less than perfection.

SEASIDE GUIDE

Fortunately, Miri's ironclad work ethic is something she was born with... or something she picked up at startling speeds. Every lesson Hoshino-sensei put in place, Miri pored over; every test laid before her, she performed above and beyond expectations. Etiquette, science, poetry, history -- nothing made her happier than working to make her parent happy. She was, after all, only six years old.

Still, it wasn't long before Hoshino-sensei's gaze began to turn away from her. She worked harder. The inevitable could only be delayed for so long. Miri had done wonderfully under Hoshino-sensei's instruction... but they had started so late. Surely, if Hoshino were to start again, with a child much younger -- a child with their own DNA -- the results would be even better. A perfect experiment. A perfect child.

When they told Miri (clearly and politely, as one might tell an adult) that they no longer had need of her, she asked only once to stay by Hoshino-sensei's side. Once rebuffed, she packed her things, and was sent on her way. She was, after all, only six-and-a-half years old.

BURNING HYMN

Every month since then, Miri has received a rather generous cheque -- deposited for some years into a savings account, then eventually wired to her directly. They've tried not to focus much on it. Instead, their efforts have gone towards school (bachelor's and master's, summa cum laude), work (lauded in her field), hobbies (a regular Renaissance woman!), and socializing (shmoozing with the best of them).

The obvious question presents itself: Why run oneself ragged for a cause long-lost? Perhaps the answer is simple stubbornness; perhaps, to Miri, the cause isn't lost at all. As she establishes herself more and more as the ideal heir, Hoshino's "perfect" child seems to get into more and more scandal. Surely the day will come that they realize they chose wrong; whether that results in them calling Miri back to their side or simply admitting their mistake, it doesn't matter to her.

But for the time being, they're content to keep burning bright. Perfection, after all, has no expiration date.

• She genuinely does prefer classical music, though she pretends not to.
• They want to like their Cor, but the steam it makes while they're swimming or showering... Well, at least it's on their head?
• She's a firm non-believer when it comes to astrology. Still, it's handy to know a few things for conversation, so Miri can rattle off her big three easy as pie! (Taurus sun, Gemini moon, and Sagittarius rising, for inquiring minds.)
• They hopped around a few different career paths in attempts to make Hoshino proud. Law almost stuck... before they realized nothing was going to do the trick. Becoming a mortician was a happy accident.
• Whenever they need to clear their head, they take the train out to the sea.