"Patchy, from now on, you're my best friend."
"If anyone ever bullies you, just tell me—I'll fight them with everything I've got!"
Yuugi swore with shining eyes, gently toying with the small and exquisite bottle of liquor in her hands.
Even though it only held enough for a single shot, its allure coiled around her like a venomous serpent—biting her throat with an unbearable craving, making it nearly impossible to resist.
Before this heavenly scent, all her past memories of alcohol evaporated, leaving only this bottle as the sole truth of the universe.
Just as Yuugi was falling deeper and nearly cracked open the bottle, Patchouli whacked her with a karate chop to the back of the head, snapping her out of it.
"Wake up! If you get drunk and black out now, don't blame me for turning on you later."
"Cough, it's the liquor, I swear. Don't worry, I won't."
Yuugi reluctantly stuffed the bottle back into the bronze case like it was tearing her own flesh.
As she sealed it shut again, it was like all her energy and spirit got sealed in with it, leaving her visibly deflated.
Trying to distract herself, she casually asked Patchouli:
"So Patchy, why the sudden urge to get the boss drunk?"
"You're not trying to steal Marisa's man while he's tipsy, are you?"
"Don't spout nonsense. I just want a peaceful night's sleep, that's all. Those two get way too rowdy at night—it's disturbing the whole house!"
Patchouli glared at her, annoyed. Did she look like some homewrecking cat trying to steal someone's guy?
She was the victim here!
Yuugi's cheeks reddened slightly, remembering last night. She'd almost forgotten that when Marisa was getting thoroughly… well, handled… Patchouli had been linked through the shared-sensory spell.
That sweet, whimpering moan… it nearly made her think she was the one connected!
"But you'll only be able to pull this off once, right? During the banquet tonight. How long does your shared sense last, anyway? You're not planning to get the boss drunk every night, are you?"
"No idea. I can only take it one day at a time."
Patchouli sighed. If Marisa would just settle down a little, the link wouldn't be such a nightmare.
But who would've thought that dog of a girl would still demand morning training after getting railed all night?
Seeing how troubled she looked, Yuugi patted her on the shoulder.
"I'll do my best to help tonight. At least you'll get a good night's sleep."
"Thanks, I owe you."
As the two quietly finalized their agreement, elsewhere in the shop, Marisa and Reimu had cornered Suika in a dead end.
Faced with their fierce expressions, Suika looked utterly confused.
What was happening? Had she broken some heavenly law?
"You gonna confess now, or should we 'encourage' you and let you confess later?"
'What kind of choice was that?!' Suika's face twisted. After a pause, she confessed in a small voice:
"Fine, I admit it. I was the one who stole the liquor-filled chocolates you hid behind the shelf."
"And it was me who fished out the mushrooms and beef from the congee this morning."
"And yesterday, when Marisa was getting railed and screaming, I secretly kept watch the whole ti—"
SMACK!!
Before she could continue, Marisa grabbed her by the head.
"That's not what we're asking about!!"
"Actually, just those three confessions are enough for us to kill you!!"
"Gyaaaaahh!!! My head!! It's gonna pop!! Help!!"
"I didn't mean to! It was just a moment of weakness!!"
Dangling midair and flailing, Suika howled for mercy. If they had told her they weren't asking about those things, she wouldn't have confessed in such detail!
But seriously, she hadn't done anything else! She was innocent!
Marisa ignored her completely. That third confession alone was enough to warrant a death sentence.
As she shook Suika violently in midair, Reimu looked visibly uncomfortable.
She was pretty sure she'd just overheard something deeply inappropriate.
But since Marisa was in full berserk mode, she wisely chose not to ask further.
First things first: find the liquor. The gossip could wait.
"That's enough, Marisa. If you kill her, we'll never find it."
Reimu's words calmed Marisa down a bit.
Still glaring daggers, Marisa warned Suika not to say another stupid word before putting her down.
"Now hand over the Wasted Dreams."
"???"
"I don't have it! If I'd actually gotten it, do you think you'd even find me still here?!"
Suika shouted, looking absolutely baffled. If she'd gotten her hands on it, she would've been holed up in her room enjoying it already.
Otherwise, Yuugi would've sniffed it out the moment she opened the lid—and probably swallowed the whole bottle.
Seeing her reaction, the two girls blinked in disbelief.
'Wait… could she be telling the truth? But in the entire shop, only she and Yukari had the skills and guts to pull something like this. And Yukari was waiting to receive the booze—they doubted she'd risk exposing herself.'
The two glanced at each other, and their pupils shrank in sudden realization.
Crap—Patchy!!
Their faces darkened instantly as they stormed back to the living room.
Patchouli, with her innocent eyes and thick eyebrows—she was playing mind games too now?!
So much for trust!
But just as they reached the living room and saw Rin mopping the floor, their murderous expressions immediately turned sweet and obedient.
"You two running around like that—what's the rush?"
"Ehehe, just walking off the meal, digesting!"
"Don't sprint around too much—you'll get a stomachache. If you're that energetic, go sweep the courtyard for me."
"Right away!"
Obediently accepting the broom, the two stepped outside, grumbling internally.
Damn you, Patchy! If we catch you, you're done for!
Meanwhile, Patchouli quietly returned to the living room.
Seeing the two outside doing chores, she tensed up for a moment—but relaxed once she saw Rin was still nearby.
To further throw them off, she faked a couple of weak coughs and put on a pale face.
"Boss, could I trade something for your Wasted Dreams?"
"I'm really curious about its flavor, and from the way Reimu acted, it seems to have some health benefits too."
"You know my health hasn't been the best—I need something to nourish me a bit."
The red-and-white and black-and-white girls outside instantly perked up their ears.
What? From the sound of it, Patchy didn't get it either?
Wait a minute—there's someone else in play?!