"Marisa, I know you've got that precious adventurous spirit. With an opportunity like this right in front of you, why even hesitate? Wait too long, and Reimu and those other troublemakers might snatch the treasure first!" Suika's honeyed words sent Marisa's heart racing.
'A hidden underground space. A prison-like guard post. A web of deadly traps. A legendary treasure…'
Layer upon layer of temptation gnawed at her restless heart, feeding the sinful thoughts sprouting in her mind.
'Maybe... just maybe... I should give it a shot? Even if I get caught, worst case is getting roughed up a bit—just consider it prepayment. Besides, that bastard already got me all worked up earlier. I was planning to go anyway.'
'But I can't agree too easily! Right now, I'm the one paying all the costs while Suika reaps the benefits!'
"Unless you sweeten the deal, I might as well go solo." Marisa crossed her arms, eyeing Suika skeptically.
Suika perked up instantly, rubbing her hands together with a grin—
"Those traps are no joke. You'll need backup. Once I'm the guard, I'll cover for you. Come and go whenever—no questions asked. Any future disputes in the shop? I'll always side with you. Might even drag Yuugi into it."
"Leave evidence behind? My skills can make it disappear. Heck, with enough numbers, we could even sideline the boss and run the shop ourselves!"
Suika clenched her fist, feeding Marisa a feast of empty promises.
'Before shit hits the fan, I'll back you 100%! But when it does? Well... every devil for herself. Who'd suspect the shop's adorable, innocent star employee?'
Marisa mulled it over, then finally gave a sharp nod.
No pain, no gain!
"Fine. I'll test the waters later. Wait for my signal."
"Go get 'em!" Suika waved cheerfully as Marisa left—then immediately dropped the act, her smile twisting into something far more sinister.
'Sorry, Yuugi. Desperate times call for desperate measures. I'll make it up to you later... so don't hold a grudge, okay?'
Meanwhile, in the Hot Springs Room...
Rin lounged blissfully in the steamy waters, a pair of delicate hands kneading his shoulders with expert precision.
"Boss, how's the pressure?"
"Mmm~ Perfect." He sipped his wine lazily, halfway tempted to doze off right there.
Hearing a conspicuous gulp behind him, he wordlessly passed over a bottle.
"No need to overwork yourself. Take a drink."
"Just try not to spit it on me this time."
"Ahem. R-right. Won't happen." Yuugi's gaze darted away, her fingers trembling as she accepted the bottle.
That incident still haunted her—the phantom sensation lingering on her fingertips, her pulse refusing to slow.
Luckily, a few generous swigs later, the alcohol drowned out the restless itch.
"Aaah—" She slumped back with a satisfied sigh, then nudged Rin 's shoulder.
"Boss, scoot in. I'm barely submerged out here."
"Easy with the drinks. Don't tip them over."
"Yeah, yeah—whoa! Almost!"
She lunged to steady the floating tray of cups, then promptly drained them all.
'Nothing beats hot springs and booze.' Resuming her massage, she eyed Rin 's own fearless guzzling with surprise.
"Damn, Boss. Most humans would be face-down by now. You're keeping up?"
"Never met a human who could outlast us."
"Credit to you. Your 'services' help sober me up." Rin chuckled.
'If not for her and Patchy scheming to steal 'Wasted Dreams', triggering the 'Continous Intoxication' perk, I'd be toast.'
'Didn't think much of it at first, but after downing barrels? Game-changer. Before, fighting Marisa would've worn me out by midnight. Now? I could go all night—and then some. This skill's practically tailor-made for taming youkai.'
Yuugi blinked.
'My family's massage technique... sobers people up?'
Shrugging, she poured him another round. Eh, more drinking buddies the merrier.
'Still, he's just human. He'll crash eventually. And when he's too drunk to think straight... that's my chance to secure that guard post!'
"C'mon, Boss. Bottoms up."
"Mmm~ Keep the massage going. Multitask."
"You got it~"
"Hey, how 'bout something stronger? Like that spicy one earlier. Barely got to taste it before I spilled it." Yuugi worked his back eagerly, eyes gleaming.
Sure, it caused... incidents. But damn, it packed a punch!
"You'll drown yourself in this pool..."
"Pfft! As if. C'mon, Boss, just one more?"
"Fine. But no slacking on the massage."
"Deal!"
At her expectant stare, Rin snapped his fingers—
Instantly, bottles materialized around the pool's rim, crowding every inch.
Yuugi's breath hitched.
I'm gonna die happy today.
Clink.
They toasted, then resumed their marathon.
Yuugi polished off an entire bottle in one go, a thunderous belch echoing off the tiles.
"HELL YEAH!! Quit sipping, Boss! Chug it like a real man!" She leaned in, 'helping' him tilt the bottle faster.
Rin rolled his eyes but didn't protest—not with her warm, slippery frame pressed flush against him under the water.
Soon, dozens of bottles lay empty. Yuugi's dazed laughter fogged the air thicker than the steam.
"Attaboy! Now try two at once!" Arm slung over his shoulders, she shoved her half-finished bottle against his lips.
Their robes, already loose, slid dangerously lower with every rowdy movement...