"You're always trying to sell me out—what kind of friend does that?!"
"Because we're best friends, I have to think about your happiness!"
Suika argued righteously—
"Think about it! If you get pawned off here, you can stay long-term. With the boss's kindness, you'll definitely get to drink it eventually—maybe even every day!"
"And if I sell you, I get a sip too. Isn't that a win-win?"
"Win-win my ass! Why don't you get pawned off instead?!"
Under Rin and Yukari's amused gazes, the two immediately turned on each other, rolling around in a messy brawl.
However, as they tussled, they subtly inched closer to Rin's position.
Before they could crash into him, a warning rang out—
"If that bottle gets knocked over, you're working here for free for a year."
"..." The two instantly changed direction, rolling away like misbehaving tumbleweeds.
'These two are sneakier than they look!' Rin gave them a sidelong glance before cradling the bronze box protectively and strolling out of the storage room.
Seeing him leave, the two stopped fighting and flanked him like bodyguards, their pleading stares making his scalp tingle.
Before he could say anything, Marisa happened to pass by up ahead.
The moment their eyes met, Marisa was about to glare back defiantly—but remembering Patchouli's trump card wasn't ready yet, she immediately lowered her head in surrender.
Watching her scheming expression, Rin's eyes narrowed.
Before he could speak, Suika—hanging off his back like a koala—brightened up.
"Boss! We can work here too—no salary, just give us some booze!"
"Yeah yeah! We're great at manual labor! Dirty work, hard work, anything!"
"Really?" Rin's interest was instantly piqued.
Now this is what I like to hear!
Marisa, who had been about to flee, paused and stared at the two in disbelief.
How can you say something like that so casually?!
Noticing her weird look, Suika recalled the noises she'd heard earlier and winced.
But glancing at Hoshiguma's ample figure, an inexplicable sense of security washed over her.
With a human shield like this, what's there to fear?!
"Really!"
"Fine. Go change into employee uniforms in the bathroom, then start organizing the shelves."
"What about the—"
"We'll talk on payday."
"Tch."
The two clicked their tongues in unison but didn't seem too disappointed, obediently heading to the bathroom.
Even if they couldn't get their hands on that precious little bottle yet, there were still hundreds of Scarlet Daughter's Wine barrels to tide them over. Life wouldn't be so bad.
As they left, Marisa's attention shifted to the bronze box in Rin's hands.
"Boss, what's that?"
"New alcohol. Tastes way better than Scarlet Daughter's Wine, but there's very little of it."
Rin's explanation instantly piqued Marisa's interest.
"Can I—"
"One bottle = one extra year of unpaid labor." Marisa immediately turned on her heel and walked away.
'No way! I've got an escape plan now—I'd rather die than stay longer! Forget a year—another week here, and who knows what'll happen to me!'
Rin didn't mind her reaction, simply carrying the box into the back room to hide it.
Once everyone was asleep tonight, he'd take it out and savor it slowly. He couldn't wait to experience its effects.
However, as he rummaged around for a hiding spot, Marisa's head just couldn't resist peeking in from the doorway.
Her golden eyes fixed on Rin's back, an unbearable itch gnawing at her heart.
If the Scarlet Daughter's Wine is already that good, what kind of heavenly brew is worth hiding like this?!
I need to try it!
But just then—
"Don't hesitate. Follow your desires—seize it!"
"Life's too short to cower in fear. Only by taking risks can you uncover its true meaning!"
"Go for it! Even if you get caught, how much worse can it get?"
"If you don't taste it yourself, will you even sleep tonight?"
Whispers like a demon's temptation poured into Marisa's ears, assaulting her fragile willpower from both sides.
When she turned her head with a complicated expression, she saw Reimu and Aya had somehow crept up beside her.
The earlier whispers were clearly their doing.
"Why don't you two try it?"
"To be honest… I'm scared of dying."
"I'm a shrine maiden. Shrine maidens don't do this kind of thing. Leave professional work to professionals. Marisa, we believe in you!"
"Go for it! We'll carve your name into the family tree!"
Watching the two egg her on so shamelessly, Marisa's face turned green.
You two are definitely getting divine retribution for this!
"No way!"
"I've turned over a new leaf—how could I do something like this?"
"Save that act for someone who'll buy it. Don't lie to yourself."
"Yeah, even Remilia might not believe that."
Reimu and Aya rolled their eyes in unison.
'''Reformation? That doesn't exist in Gensokyo!'''
"Cut the crap. I'm not suffering again—if you want it, you go for it. I'm a model employee now!"
Marisa snorted and strode off toward the shop, refusing to engage further.
Until I have my trump card, I'm not giving Rin another opening!
Watching her unconvincing retreat, Reimu and Aya exchanged glances, clearly not buying it.
"Told you."
"'Admit mistakes but never change'—classic Marisa."
Yet less than three minutes after the trio disbanded, Marisa just couldn't help herself and circled back, pretending to take a stroll.
Her eyes kept darting toward Rin's location, her heart pounding wildly.
Reimu and Aya, who had also doubled back, stared at her pathetic silhouette with equally complicated expressions.
"What did I say?"
"'Never learns, never yields'—truly a force of nature."