"More... more..." Dazed murmurs spilled from Reimu's lips, thick with the scent of alcohol.
Her limp body slumped as Rin dragged her all the way to the innermost room.
Inside, two other "corpses" were already waiting.
Patchouli and Aya lay sprawled inelegantly across the large bed, deeply asleep, their pretty faces flushed with intoxication.
The aroma of alcohol and their faint, hazy body fragrance intertwined like a deadly temptation, relentlessly teasing fragile nerves and stirring the urge to take a bite.
Too bad, the head maid was watching...
Suppressing an inaudible sigh, Rin unceremoniously dumped Reimu onto the bed.
"What about the young mistress and Marisa?"
"Wandering around the shop to sober up. They're both still dazed—won't interfere here."
"Shall we start now, then?"
"Which one do you want to begin with?"
Faced with Rin's question, Sakuya's wicked gaze landed on Patchouli's magnificent "human kindness."
But considering the latter's frail constitution, she hesitated before ultimately saving her for last—better to practice a bit more before tackling her!
"Let's start with this paparazzi. She really won't wake up?"
"She and Reimu drank the most out of everyone—practically marinated in alcohol by now. No way she's waking up easily."
As he spoke, Rin pinched Aya's cheek. The tengu remained corpse-like, utterly unresponsive, though drool threatened to spill from her mouth.
After moving Aya to another bed, Rin pulled out a marker under Sakuya's curious gaze.
"What's that for?"
"Marking some acupressure points for you. It'll be easier to remember when I explain."
"Oh~" Under Sakuya's watchful eyes, Aya was soon marked up like a hog ready for slaughter, her body and clothes clearly divided into numerous zones ripe for manipulation.
Only after flipping her over did Rin begin his solemn lecture—
"I usually only do bone-setting massages after a bath, so customers can relax their bodies first."
"If you don't mind the extra effort, you can also add steps like scrubbing, essential oil back treatments, or cupping. We'll skip those for now."
"Look at this premium tenderloin—no, I mean, these acupoints. Start with light pressure, knead a few times, maintain the same pressure as you glide to the other side..."
As Rin officially began his instructional session, Remilia and Marisa over at the shop were busy wrestling with their own dilemma.
"This thing isn't really suitable as evidence, is it? Who the hell breaks into a general store just to steal seasoning packets?"
"What about this one?"
"Too big. Way too noticeable—would get spotted immediately."
"This?"
"Doesn't it look like something you want to play with?"
"Don't spout nonsense. I've long outgrown playing with toys."
"Then why aren't you letting go?"
"I'm considering whether to bring one back for my sister."
Remilia defended herself with a straight face, even as her tiny hands clung stubbornly to the oversized toy packaging.
Marisa rolled her eyes, but when her gaze landed on the toy's name printed on the box, her lips twitched.
「 Strategic Rocket High-Speed Launch Base 」
Oh no... I kind of want to play with it too...
Ahem. "Well, uh... your sister's still young. This toy might be a bit dangerous for her."
"How about this—we test it out for her first. If it's safe, then we'll take it back."
"Brilliant idea!"
Having reached a consensus, the two eagerly tore into the packaging and began assembling the toy components with glee.
While both the front and back rooms were busy with their respective endeavors, the duo at the village entrance grew increasingly uneasy.
"She's really not coming back, is she? A shrine maiden absconding with our money?!"
"N-no way, right? She's a shrine maiden!"
"Maybe something else came up?"
"Oh! Maybe that black demon owner saw his escaped prey return and couldn't resist attacking again!"
"Should we... go take a peek?"
"Agreed!"
Unable to suppress their anxiety any longer, the two cautiously made their way toward the general store.
The intoxicating aroma of alcohol still lingered in the air, making their mouths water uncontrollably.
For them, this scent was pure temptation!
But as they approached, two familiar figures gradually came into view.
Yuugi paused, then pulled out the newspaper in disbelief to compare.
The tormented petite one, and the girl who had supposedly died on the scene...
They're not dead?!
Damn it, the intel was FAKE?!
Yuugi and Suika's eyes sharpened instantly.
Had the shop owner, the shrine maiden, and the reporter teamed up to spread terrifying rumors just to scam people out of "escape fees"?
Their minds raced with theories, and their earlier tension eased slightly.
If only they'd realized sooner—they could've been drinking their fill all this time!
"Let's go! Buy some booze!"
"And drag that wicked shrine maiden back while we're at it!"
The two charged toward the shop's entrance with renewed vigor.
Marisa, still assembling the toy, noticed their approach but didn't even have time to greet them—
"KYAAAAAA—!!!"
"GYAOOOOH—!! HISS— AAAAAAH!!!"
"SOMEONE…. ANY… ONE… HELP MEEEE—!!!"
A bloodcurdling scream, laced with sheer terror, instantly pierced the skies above the Human Village.
Yuugi and Suika froze in place, their newfound courage wavering.
"What the hell was that?!"
"Sounded like it came from inside?"
"Was the owner... in the middle of committing a crime?!"
"That shrine maiden from earlier?!"
Their pupils trembled violently before they subtly changed direction, pretending they were just passing by.
Maybe waiting a little longer isn't so bad...
Maybe the shrine maiden really was just delayed by something else...
They had arrived swiftly—and left even faster.
Meanwhile, back in the room, Sakuya nervously glanced at Rin.
'Did I do something wrong? Why is this tengu screaming like she's being murdered?'
"Don't worry. Pain during bone-setting is normal. Once she adjusts, she'll feel unprecedentedly relaxed."
"Don't let it get to you. Keep going—this is all part of the training... ahem... the refinement process."
Reassured by Rin's words, Sakuya exhaled softly before promptly chopping Aya in the neck to knock her out again. Then, she resumed her "massage."
On the other bed, Patchouli—startled awake by Aya's screams—cracked open an eye, staring in horror at the two assailants.
These two have such a brutal side to them?! Once that paparazzi is done for... am I next?!