That right there is the shinki experience. Actually, it's probably the experience of any person.

[His arm goes around her shoulders, offering a quiet comfort.]]

Even when we come to as fully grown adults, we're still starting life over from a blank slate. It might be a little chipped at the edges, depending, but it's still a blank slate regardless.

Although I think it's more like... When you're trying to figure out a recipe for the first time. Adding things, trying things in a different way, trying to find what you actually want. Sometimes the oven might catch on fire, or you use too much salt... but as long as you're still there, you'll have all the time to figure it out.

And personally, I think most shinki start out with at least one ingredient in their life on fire.

Usually it's the sugar.