"I feel like I've been marinated in bubble tea."
"The new fruit tea? Gimme a sip!"
"Only papaya's ready. Hands off! Make your own!"
Reimu slapped away Marisa's groping hand, gulping the papaya tea with haste.
'No clue how long it takes to work, but it tastes great, it cuts the bubble tea's richness.'
Marisa pouted, too exhausted to argue, and chugged a random drink instead.
After catching her breath, she mumbled.
"Boss, all packed. Send it to Yukari?"
"Yep. Kaguya'll give the address after her soak."
"'Kay~" Marisa hefted the bags and scurried off.
With that handled, Rin turned to Reimu, who'd downed half the papaya tea.
"You chugged a bucket of bubble tea and still have room?"
"Testing requires sacrifice!" Reimu grinned. If not for the bubble tea bloating her, she'd down more.
'If this works, I'll surpass Mom soon!'
Rin's eyelid twitched, but he held his tongue.
'Let her dream.'
He patted her shoulder sympathetically before heading to the kitchen with Mokou's bamboo shoots and turtle.
"Two extra dishes today, turtle soup and bamboo shoot stir-fry."
"WOO!!" The kids, finally free from homework, cheered.
"I'll help! I can peel the shoots!"
"I'll handle the turtle."
Ran and Keine immediately took the ingredients, their domestic grace making Rin smile.
"See? Wifey material. Ran's perfect." Yukari sidled up, bumping his shoulder playfully.
"Spit it out."
"Since I found you such a perfect match, how about a massage membership? ~"
Rin rolled his eyes─then brightened.
"Maybe."
"Really?" Yukari perked up.
"But it's my first membership trial. Only one card for now. Since you're worried about the cost, we'll register it under Ran."
"She'll pay the price, and you can borrow the card. Four sessions monthly, 30% discount, plus one free full treatment. Unused sessions roll over."
His smooth pitch tempted Yukari.
'Ran's already interested in him. A little flirting during payment won't hurt… I dodge the cost and get benefits!'
'Win-win!'
'Even if the boss is plotting something… in for a penny…'
"Deal!" Yukari nodded eagerly.
'Five sessions a month—I'll just borrow the free one. No greed!'
"Great. I'll make the card. Need Patchouli's help."
"Sure~" Patchouli, reading, blinked blankly.
After Rin explained, she nodded.
"Simple. Engrave a contract spell on a card. Recharge monthly."
"Thanks, Patchy."
"Easy."
With her aid, Rin scoured the warehouse for materials.
Soon, he crafted a luxurious card, even etching Ran's silhouette for flair.
Pure artistry.
Patchouli took it, drawing an intricate magic circle as she mused.
"Four paid, one free. I'll mark them differently. Remaining sessions displayed in the corner. Anything else?"
"This is enough."
Patchouli nodded, her pen filling the card with arcane script.
A violet glow erupted, fading to reveal the finished product.
"Done. Ran needs to infuse it with youkai energy or blood to activate."
"Thanks, Patchy~" Yukari snatched the card and bolted for the kitchen.
"If this trial works, I might need your help again."
"No problem." Patchouli rubbed her aching shoulders, a thought nagging her.
'…Should I get one? No no no! Last night was too much!'
'Alone with him? Nope, a disaster!'
'…Wait for Ran's review. If it's legit, maybe…'
'If not…'
'NOPE!'
She squelched the incriminating images, her expression steely.
Rin tilted his head at her odd demeanor.
Then Mokou and Kaguya tumbled into view, soaking wet, still fighting.
The puddle spreading on the floor made Suika and Yuugi frown…