"Ahaha... Boss, what kind of joke is this... Why would I do such a thing?"
Yuugi laughed awkwardly, her heart filled with guilt, but her hands trembled violently as she chopped the ribs.
She and Patchouli had confirmed no one was around at the time, and they had hidden it so well!
Besides, the boss was busy preparing for the banquet—there was no way he'd have time to drink "Wasted Dreams" now. If he did, he'd sleep straight through till the next day.
So how had he found out so quickly?
Wait… Could Patchouli have been working with the boss to set her up?!
No, no, Patchouli was currently being tormented to the point of ecstasy—no way she'd side with the boss now!
"Oh? Then why don't we go take a look together?"
"Don't worry—if it turns out to be a misunderstanding, I'll give you a whole bottle of 'Wasted Dreams' as an apology."
"Oh, right—for fairness' sake, I can even invite Suika to be the witness, just to make sure no one tries anything underhanded. How's that sound?"
Rin grinned as he made the suggestion, sending chills down Yuugi's spine.
She had sealed the box so tightly precisely to keep Suika out. If Suika found out she'd been hoarding it for herself...
Suika would probably claw at her on the spot, and then take every opportunity to steal her treasured liquor stash.
Worse yet—Suika might use this chance to completely destroy Yuugi's chances of becoming the cellar keeper!
Then, Yuugi would have to watch in bitter envy as Suika indulged in a drunken paradise inside the cellar, while she couldn't even get a single drop!
"I sincerely apologize!"
"I'll return the 'Wasted Dreams'—just please, please don't tell Suika!"
"I've truly realized my mistake, Boss! Please don't disqualify me from the selection process!!"
Yuugi immediately dropped into a flawless dogeza bow, her sinful heart seemingly crushed by remorse into the shape of a repentant saint.
She wasn't afraid of Suika suffering—she was afraid of Suika enjoying life before her, while she was left toiling pitifully outside.
A terrible, insurmountable barrier would form between them...
From then on, whenever the shop held a banquet and needed liquor, Yuugi would have to cautiously observe Suika's mood and humbly address her as "Lady Suika."
NOOOOO!!!
'This was a future she absolutely could not accept!!!'
Seeing Yuugi on the verge of bursting into tears, Rin's heart softened, and he quickly helped her up.
"Hey now, what's all this? I already said I wouldn't make a big deal out of such a small issue."
"R-Really?" Yuugi stared at him in disbelief.
Marisa, Reimu, and Remilia—none of them had gotten off easy after causing trouble. Yet she was being spared?!
Had the boss suddenly grown a conscience?!
"Of course. I know just how irresistible my liquor is to alcoholics. A momentary lapse in judgment is understandable."
"But..." The sudden shift in tone was like a demon's claw, instantly seizing Yuugi's heart.
Rin's face twisted into a conflicted expression as he sighed—
"Personally, I'd be fine letting this slide. To err is human, after all."
"But right now is the selection period for the cellar keeper. If I show you too much favoritism, it'd be unfair to Suika."
"As the judge, I can't play favorites."
He sighed regretfully, though the corners of his lips twitched violently as if struggling to suppress a wicked grin.
Catching the hidden meaning in his words, Yuugi's spirits instantly lifted. She promptly pushed him into a nearby chair.
While carefully massaging his stiff shoulders, she spoke in a concerned tone—
"Boss, you're always so busy running around—you must be exhausted. Look how tense your shoulders are!"
"If this keeps up, you'll develop chronic problems sooner or later."
"Ah~ Lucky for you, I know some ancestral massage techniques. Different from yours—these have warming, restorative effects, especially good for humans. Let me work on you for a couple days, and I guarantee you'll feel refreshed, your energy and spirit reaching new heights!"
"Even when... ahem, even when dealing with Marisa, you'll have more stamina."
"For the next two days, if your shoulders feel even slightly sore, just call me—I'll be there in a flash. How's that sound?"
Hearing her proposal, Rin grew intrigued.
Oni-specific massage techniques? Now this was worth experiencing!
"Two days?" He mused, as if unsatisfied with the duration.
"Then three? No—a week!"
"A whole month! A whole month of on-call service—I'll make sure you're completely relaxed!"
Yuugi gritted her teeth and went all-in. As long as she wasn't disqualified, anything was negotiable.
Finally satisfied, Rin nodded—"Alright, one month it is. I'll pretend this never happened."
"Really—"
"But return the liquor. That's a separate matter." Yuugi's eye twitched. So the booze still wasn't safe?
'But "separate matter"... Meaning there was still room to bargain!' Her eyes gleamed as she pondered what else might tempt the boss.
What else could pique his interest?
As she deliberated, her fingers grew nimble, kneading and tapping his shoulders in strange, intricate rhythms.
Rin felt like a piece of beef being tenderized—weirdly satisfying.
Occasionally, warm currents seeped from Yuugi's fingertips into his muscles, tormenting yet pleasuring every fiber of his flesh.
It made him crave even rougher treatment...
Hearing his contented groans, Yuugi's gaze inadvertently drifted downward.
Some dangerous mental images flashed through her mind, her face flushing red. She shook her head frantically, trying to regain composure.
No no no! This is like feeding meat to a wolf!
She had to draw the line—no room for compromise!
The last one who thought she could tease the boss without consequences was now drowning in cream—Yuugi couldn't end up like that!
It was just one bottle of liquor—better to cut her losses!
With that resolve, her expression steeled.
She had to trust her willpower—she had to learn to resist temptation!
Taking a deep breath, she purged all distracting thoughts, entering a state of unprecedented clarity.
Now, she was unshakable. No storm could break her iron will!