"How many hours did I sleep?" Still groggy from her nap, Reimu blinked in confusion at Sakuya, who was tidying up the room nearby.
"It's already the next day—almost lunchtime, actually."
"???" Reimu stared out the window in utter bafflement.
She had only drunk a small bottle of liquor... so how did she sleep that long?
Doubtful, she got up to check things out, but the moment her feet hit the floor, she staggered lightly—her whole body feeling weightless.
There was none of the usual discomfort of a hangover. In fact, she felt lighter, as if some unseen burden had been lifted. She could barely feel her own weight.
Was it her imagination, or was her skin smoother too?
"…What the hell?"
That liquor made her feel this good afterward?
Scratching her head in surprise, Reimu hopped around a little. Once she confirmed there were no side effects, her eyes sparkled with delight.
This stuff is amazing!
She wondered if the boss had more. Even Yukari probably couldn't resist something like this...
Suddenly, a thought hit her, and her expression shifted dramatically.
'Oh no—that liquor was supposed to be for Yukari! And the money and the will are still with her!' She panicked and bolted out of the room, rushing toward where Yukari was staying.
Even if I drank it by accident, I still risked my life to get it! I deserve at least a hazard pay, right?!
Meanwhile, Yukari was trailing behind Rin with great interest, watching him dig out a mountain of ingredients.
"Oh my~ Boss, what's the occasion? You've got so much food today!"
"With this kind of stockpile, we could throw a banquet."
"An annual celebration, maybe?" Rin raised an eyebrow while deftly cutting freshly peeled crawfish.
Yukari's cheeks flushed slightly. She gave him a coy glare and poked at the big fish swimming in a nearby basin.
"We starting at noon?"
"Just a few dishes to tide us over. The main meal's tonight."
"If there's anything in particular you want, I can prep it for lunch too."
"I'm not picky~" Yukari replied cheerfully. Just as she was thinking about catching some rabbits for snacks, Rin's voice called out again:
"Oh right. What about the wife you promised me? Bring her tonight. I'd like to meet her."
"..." Yukari's smile froze. She immediately started to fumble.
You're seriously bringing that up now?!
"Don't you already have Marisa? Why are you still thinking about a second one?!"
"Symmetry looks better, you know? And you were the one who made the promise. Don't tell me you're backing out?"
Under Rin's suspicious gaze, Yukari looked away sheepishly.
Scratching her face, she mumbled, "I was just worried about your health... after all, you're human, and the one I was gonna introduce is a youkai…"
"It's fine. I'm strong. I can take on ten at once." Rin's eyes gleamed with determination.
Marisa? Totally rocked. Time to climb the next peak.
Yukari glared at him. With that kind of appetite, don't come crying when the harem explodes and you get hacked to death!
Seeing that Rin wasn't going to let it go, Yukari felt even more conflicted.
He's been pretty pleasant company these past few days… free food, free drink, lots of fun—life's been easy. If we really became a family... maybe that wouldn't be so bad?
But Ran… she's like a sister. How could she just give her away?
Yukari frowned deeply, little mental versions of herself arguing furiously in her head.
After recalling all the warm family-like moments of the past few days, she finally sighed.
"I'll bring her over for you to meet. If you both hit it off, I won't stand in the way. But if she's not interested, I won't pressure her either."
"No problem." Rin agreed immediately.
As long as she appears, he'll eventually catch them all. No retreat!
Grinning, Rin returned to prepping crawfish.
"I'll add another dish for you tonight."
"With all I'm sacrificing, don't you think I deserve a lifetime membership—free food and drinks forever?"
"Technically, if things work out, that membership should go to the one you introduced. You're still just mooching."
"Boss, that's some quick backstabbing…"
"Hey, I'm bringing my family here. If we become one big family, you shouldn't be so stingy."
Yukari poked Rin's cheek in protest.
A family shouldn't draw such lines—it's how disharmony starts!
"Then how about you marry into the family too? That way, we really will be one."
"Oh my~ Greedy boys aren't attractive."
Feeling Rin's hungry gaze, Yukari blushed and pulled her hand back quickly.
She mumbled something about wanting spicy crawfish for lunch, then disappeared into a gap to hide.
'Geez, for an old hag, she can be surprisingly bashful sometimes…' Rin chuckled and went back to work.
Meanwhile, Yukari had just returned to the general store and was about to cool off on the rocking chair when Reimu appeared.
The moment their eyes met, Reimu had an awkward, guilty look.
Before she could speak, Yukari spoke up first:
"I didn't get the liquor, by the way."
"Ahem… That was an accident! I even risked my life to taste-test it for you. You see, about that hazard pay…" Reimu tried her best to look pitiful and play the sympathy card.
Yukari was unmoved.
"Nope. Unless you can get another bottle, I'm not paying."
"Tch." Reimu clicked her tongue.
Figures—it's never easy to make money around here.
"The boss only had one bottle. Who knows when the next shipment will be…"
"How about this: give me the money now and I'll store it. When the chance comes, I'll bring you one for sure."
"The boss actually got a new bottle today—just hid it better. You could go check."
Reimu: "???"
'Didn't they say it was rare?! How's there another one already?!' Reimu blinked blankly, but she nodded anyway.
Since I'm already here, might as well take a look. But this time—I'm not drinking it! As great as it tasted and felt… losing a whole day like that was kind of terrifying. And it still feels like I missed something important…
As Reimu left muttering to herself, Yukari sighed in relief and gently patted her cheeks, annoyed by her own thoughts.
She had seriously considered Rin's proposal… even if just for a moment!
"Better send out Ran first to throw him off. That way, the heat's off me."
Muttering to herself, she calmed down, smoothed out her expression, and opened a gap to find Ran.
At the time, Ran was hammering away in the new house, putting the finishing touches on the renovation.
She was clearly in a good mood now that the job was almost done—though still bothered by Yukari's minotaur-like behavior lately.
Just how old are you… and you suddenly go wild like this?
"Ran~"
"Eep!!!" The sudden call startled Ran, who jolted. Her nine tails puffed up and her little hammer nearly flew from her hands.
"Lady Yukari!!"
"Did I scare you~?" Yukari giggled, smoothing Ran's fluffy tails.
"I wanted to talk. You free?"
"I'm almost done. What's this about?" Ran asked while packing her tools, a bad premonition forming in her gut.
"You remember those photos I sent you of the boss—do you still have them?"
"Yes, I kept them in the drawer. If you want them, I'll grab them."
"No need. Just tell me—after looking at those photos, what's your honest impression of him?"
"!!!"
'Is it finally happening?!' Ran stiffened, but before she could respond, Yukari added—
"Don't worry about my opinion. I want your genuine thoughts."
"...Huh?" Ran blinked, confused. She scratched her cheek and finally replied—
"He seems clean and handsome. Has a nice smile. Sunny vibe. Pretty likable."
"Plus, the fact that he let you mooch off him and even takes care of Chen… that's really resp—er, really kind and generous."
"But... his love life seems a little chaotic…"
"You can skip that part." Yukari's mouth twitched. Then she asked—
"So you actually have a pretty good impression of him?"
"I guess so."
"Perfect. How about meeting him tonight? If you get along, maybe give it a try…"
"Wait—me?!" Ran's eyes widened in shock, her pupils trembling.
Is she dragging me into a threesome?! Lady Yukari! Have you really resorted to forbidden methods just to compete?! You are evil!!!
Seeing Ran's expression twist in horror, with her fox ears folding flat, Yukari tilted her head in confusion.
It's just a meeting. Why so nervous?
She made a mental note: Gotta get Ran out more. If she turns into a shut-in, it'll be trouble.
"Then it's settled. Freshen up—I'll come call you."
"There's a banquet tonight, so enjoy yourself."
With a pat on the shoulder, Yukari disappeared into a gap.
Ran, meanwhile, was still mentally spiraling.
I thought she might come to her senses... but NO, she dove headfirst into madness!! What on Earth has she been through while I was busy?!
Back at the general store, Yukari collapsed onto the rocking chair, fully relaxed.
She had said everything that needed saying. Whether it worked out or not—was up to them now. Rin may be greedy and pervy, but he's also dependable. He'd never mistreat Ran.
Chen would be well cared for. And she—Yukari—could mooch with pride, living the good life.
Everyone had a bright future!
As she closed her eyes contentedly, Marisa finally escaped from the sealed room.
Staggering into the living room after washing up, she arrived just as Rin dragged Remilia and Chen out of the kitchen—both caught trying to mess with the crawfish.
The two girls immediately fell silent upon seeing Marisa's battle-worn body.
"Gulp~" Remilia swallowed hard.
Now she understood how much Patchy must've suffered last night. How the hell did Marisa survive it?!
"You're up? There's some pastries on the table. Eat a little first—lunch will be ready soon."
"Mm~" Marisa lazily nodded and sat down, wincing slightly. She then noticed the odd stares from Remilia and Chen.
Looking down at her body, still covered in marks, her face flushed crimson.
"It—It's not what you think!"
"These were… um… from falling last night!"
Do we look stupid to you? Remilia and Chen's expressions twitched as they nodded with dramatic insincerity.
We get it. You "fell," and just happened to land in bed. And the boss just happened to be there too… and somehow just happened to… blah blah blah yada yada
Marisa didn't dare say more. She just glared at Rin with shame and fury.
Look at what you've done!
One night might've been fine, but then came the "morning workouts"… now there was no hiding it.
How was she supposed to face Reimu now?!
And right on cue, Reimu walked by, staring at Marisa's bruised and battered form.
"Marisa… did a dog bite you?"