"Boss, do you have spare keys for the other rooms?"
As Rin passed through the hallway, Suika suddenly stopped him, looking up with big, pleading eyes.
"Yeah, why?"
"Can I borrow Yuugi's room key? She hasn't come out all day. Didn't show up for drinks, didn't answer knocking. I'm worried something's wrong." Suika's small face was full of concern, but suspicion was also growing in her heart.
'Yuugi's definitely hiding something big from me!'
"Ahem. Well, last night, she actually snuck into the living room alone to drink, but the floor was too slippery, and she took a nasty fall while half-asleep. Probably still recovering."
"But don't worry, I already treated her with a special medicinal liquor. Thing is, this stuff has some… weird side effects for a while, so she's probably too embarrassed to see you."
"She should be fine by tonight. Best not to disturb her before then." Rin explained while subtly steering Suika toward the living room.
'If Yuugi hasn't moved at all yet, she must've drank that (Wasted Dreams) liquor. Absolutely can't let Suika find out!'
Suika sensed something was off but didn't call him out immediately. After a thoughtful glance at Yuugi's door, her heart suddenly lurched.
"Slipped while drinking in the living room at night…?"
'Did she find the stash I hid in the ceiling?! Some of those bottles were even stolen from her own secret collection! Was Yuuka ignoring me out of anger?'
Realizing the gravity of the situation, Suika's face stiffened, her heart pounding in her throat.
Fidgeting as she was pushed onto the sofa, her eyes kept darting toward the ceiling.
Meanwhile, Keine, who had been snacking on a small cake, lit up at the sight of Suika.
"Boss, how old is this child? Does she go to school? Would she be interested in attending my Terakoya?"
"Cirno and the others are already students. They could help her adjust faster—"
"Uh, I'm actually an adult." Suika raised her hand with a dark expression.
'All I want is to laze around, tend the shop, and drink. Who has time for school? If I get stuck at a desk, banned from alcohol, and forced to memorize texts, I'd rather die!'
Keine blinked in disbelief, then turned to Rin for confirmation.
"She really is an adult. Also a hopeless alcoholic who'd corrupt the kids. Best not to recruit her."
"My apologies." Keine bowed sheepishly, though disappointment was plain on her face.
'I thought I could add another child to the class… A good student could've set an example for Cirno and the others.'
"This one's a no-go, but I know another little one who'd fit your school. I'll introduce you when I get the chance."
"It's a deal!" Keine immediately perked up, her gentle smile returning.
Meanwhile, Mokou, who had been observing Suika, tilted her head.
"Your eyes…. Are they okay? You keep rolling them upward, they're practically bloodshot."
"Ahem. Yeah, kinda." Suika lowered her head, rubbing her eyes guiltily, her unease growing.
Just then, Rin pressed a pastry into her small hands and excused himself—
"Suika, keep Keine and the others company. I've got some salted fish to sun-dry. I'll be back later."
"'Kay~" Suika responded absently, her focus still glued to the ceiling.
Once in the hallway, Rin stealthily approached Yuugi's room.
Making sure no one was around, he pulled out the spare key and unlocked the door.
Slipping inside and locking it behind him, the first thing he saw was Yuugi's corpse.
Yuugi lay sprawled on the floor like she'd dropped dead mid-step, clothes disheveled, her skin flushed an unnatural red.
An empty liquor bottle had rolled into the corner—not a drop left.
The wardrobe, meanwhile, was chained shut with multiple locks, as if sealing away something extremely dangerous.
Rin's eyelid twitches. He rushed over, hauling Yuugi up and shaking her violently—
"Yuugi, wake up! It's almost dark! Suika's getting suspicious. If you don't get up, she'll barge in for real!"
The only response was a slurred mumble.
The intoxicating scent of alcohol mixed with Yuugi's natural fragrance coiled around Rin like venom, sending an odd, prickling warmth through his chest.
Before he could speak again, Yuugi's fingers hooked into his collar.
Tilting her head slightly, her drunken whisper ghosted against his ear—
"Bo… Boss… 'S it… 'S it over already? C'mon… be rougher… I can… I can take it~"
"Tired? Mmm… my turn?"
Rin's gaze sharpened dangerously at the provocation.
But just as he moved to retaliate, Yuugi abruptly sat up, slinging an arm around his neck.
After a long, boozy belch, she waved vaguely toward the door—
"Heh… Suika… I won in the end! Ahaha~ Yeah! This! I always wanted to see that jealous look on your face—BWAHAHA—HIC!"
"All the booze is mine now! He's mine too!! You—you! Sit down! Losers watch while the winner enjoys herself!"
"See this… hic… drink? Wanna guess how I… how I had it last night~? Hey, Boss… C'mere. Show her. Ahh—"
Yuugi parted her lips, her red tongue peeking out suggestively. Rin's expression turned very complicated.
'Damn, your dreams are wild!'
Humoring her for a while, he waited until her drunken rambling finally quieted.
Just as he thought she might be coming to her senses, she suddenly slid off the bed and flopped onto the floor.
After a few weak flails, Yuugi whined—
"Sui… Suika! My back's sore… no strength left… Push for me."
"Faster… harder… I'll reward you…"
THWACK!
Rin promptly chopped her neck. Yuugi spasmed once before going completely limp.
'Goddammit. One bottle, and you're worse than Reimu!'