I have this from time to time.
What helps is that I only use rice fresh from the rice pot (ie piping hot)
A bit of soy sauce and pickled veggies are good with it. A simple yet tasty meal
I'll keep reading this, but this forced "return to the status quo" is absolute BS.
You (author-san) made this progress, keep it. Keep going. Achieve the goal early and show them getting settled into their new founded relationship.