When Marisa returned to the general store, it was already an hour later. She had changed into a fresh set of clothes, and her delicate skin still showed the rosy flush from just coming out of the bath.
As her legs went weak and she sat down at the counter, she let out a contented, long sigh.
Sure enough, when the evil fire flares up, it's best to vent it quickly—that's good for both body and mind.Hmm~ this time I'll just make a small exception.
There will definitely be no next time! I am sworn enemies with that perverted boss!
Sakuya, who was already deveining the shrimps nearby, paused and gave her a subtle sideways glance.
'So this is what it is—a mouth that stubbornly refuses, but a body that cooperates wildly, huh? Patchouli's experience points are about to max out. Let's hope when they bring Patchouli home later, she's not completely transformed into the boss's shape without a scratch…'
After a moment of silence, she cautiously reminded Marisa—
"Marisa, some things you should still keep in check. Doing it once in a while promotes family harmony, but doing it so many times a day is a bit of a problem."
"???" Marisa was momentarily stunned, then scratched her face awkwardly as she realized what Sakuya meant.
"Cough, this time was purely an accident. Don't worry, there won't be a next time—I promise, I really mean it!" Marisa swore firmly, her determined expression as if she wanted to completely sever ties with Rin.
After the fun and changing clothes, her tone was strong! Sakuya's eye twitched—clearly she didn't believe a single punctuation mark of that promise.
And this was even when there were quite a few customers in the store these days—her frequency was already borderline.
After the banquet ends tomorrow, once everyone disperses, she didn't even dare imagine how chaotic the general store would be!
"I've done my best, Patchouli, the rest is up to you to deal with..." Sakuya sighed and continued deveining shrimp.
At this time, Patchouli was lying weakly on the big bed in her room. Her hair was disheveled and spread out, her expression dazed and exhausted as if she had completely drained all her life energy.
Although mentally prepared, seeing the increasingly obvious signs that her body was becoming more compatible with Rin was still a bit much for her to handle.
'Damn it, Marisa!!! If pushed too far, and she ends up doing something crazy, don't blame me!' Patchouli muttered fiercely in her heart, struggling to sit up and tidy the violently defeated bedsheets.
But her whole body was limp, and she was too lazy to even lift a finger. After a few futile attempts to sit, she gave up and sank into a state of complete surrender. Whatever, there's no one else here in the house to see anyway.
Meanwhile, after washing up and feeling refreshed, Rin casually wandered over to the warehouse area.
Seeing the three leisurely drinking some wine, he sat down accordingly. At that moment, Suika keenly noticed that Yuugi's expression had a brief unnatural flicker.
This guy definitely has a problem! Is she secretly meeting with the boss behind my back, planning to trade some special price for a chance to guard the wine cellar?!
"Boss, want some?" Not noticing Suika's suspicious little eyes, Yuugi happily poured a glass of wine for Rin.
Rin accepted without hesitation and drank it down in one gulp.
"Whoa~ refreshing!"
"But boss, don't drink too much now. Wait for the banquet tonight, then we'll drink with you."
"Are you trying to get me drunk to death..."
"Don't worry, we know what we're doing. We have to enjoy the banquet thoroughly."
Yuugi laughed loudly and patted Rin's shoulder, then poured a last glass before putting the wine gourd aside.
Watching Yuugi's expression like she's ready to drink to death at the banquet, Rin raised an eyebrow and reminded her—"Just so you know, even if you get me drunk, don't think I'll so easily agree to let you guard the wine cellar."
"I'm not that kind of opportunist!"
"We wouldn't discuss business while drunk—that's just asking for trouble. Drinking should be carefree!" Yuugi said righteously.
Of course, if this opportunity really got the boss to agree to let her guard the cellar, she could make a slight exception. People have to be flexible, after all~
But Suika, watching Yuugi's righteous face, twitched her small face in disbelief. Do you even believe your own nonsense?
Seeing Suika about to interrupt, Yuugi quickly grabbed a chicken claw and stuffed it into her mouth. She had an important mission today and couldn't let Suika mess things up!
Meanwhile, Rin leisurely sipped his wine and plucked some peanuts from Suika's side, spinning a big promise to Yuugi—
"Although right now I can't let you guard the wine cellar, if you two can keep behaving well for a long time, stay steady, and not cause trouble like Marisa, there's a chance to become official."
"If you can hold out for a week without messing up, I'll prioritize putting you on the candidate list."
"If all the other positions are full by then and there's no suitable candidate, the gatekeeper will be chosen between you two."
Hearing Rin's big promise, Suika and Yuugi perked up instantly.
Just behave for a week and you get official status! Is there anyone in the store more obedient than them? It's a piece of cake! But only one can be selected…
The two looked at each other, conflicted.
This means they'll become competitors. Winner gets everything, loser can only watch jealously and be the loser. Neither wanted to accept that desperate outcome.
Before Suika could act, Yuugi silently poured a third glass of wine for Rin, walked behind him, and cheerfully began massaging his shoulders.
"Boss, is this pressure okay?"
"Hmm~ not bad, just right!"
Rin nodded with satisfaction, unable to hide his content smile. You sure are quick to get the hang of it!
Suika's face darkened as she scooted a little stool over and started tapping his leg.
Watching Rin enjoy himself so corruptly, Yakumo Yukari's eye twitched but she said nothing.
Her intuition told her these two were probably walking into a trap. Rin seemed to be hiding an even more sinister plan!
Just as expected, after sipping the wine, Rin suddenly asked—"By the way, Yuugi, the closer you get, the more I feel a very familiar scent on you."
Yuugi's pupils suddenly shrank, her heart jumping into her throat. I sealed the wine so tightly and even aired out the room—how could it still be detectable?!
"Seems like... that thing..."
"You mean Patchouli's scent, right! She's not feeling well, so I cleaned her room this afternoon. Her room doesn't get ventilated much, so the smell is normal!"