[ Yuugi, what are you doing?! Yuugi, answer me!! ]
Despite Patchouli's frantic eye signals, Yuugi acted as if she'd suddenly gone blind, completely ignoring all attempts at communication.
Instead, she happily chugged her liquor, occasionally clinking glasses with Suika and Meiling, thoroughly enjoying herself.
'This bastard took the bribe and isn't holding up her end of the deal! She's going to become a traitor!!'
Realizing the situation, Patchouli's face darkened, barely resisting the urge to smash a steamed bun into Yuugi's face.
'After all the sacrifices I made to cover up that drunken mess, you dare try to ditch me now?! Where's your honor?!'
Growing angrier by the second, Patchouli finally couldn't take it anymore and kicked Yuugi under the table.
"Suika, keep drinking! What, are you raising fish in that cup—?!" Yuugi jolted mid-sip, nearly spilling her drink.
Feeling Patchouli's death glare, her heart twisted with conflict.
'Patchy exposed herself from the start, and I had to pay a huge price just to keep the liquor safe. Helping her now feels like a total loss. Besides, I've got plans for tonight!
If I get the shopkeeper wasted today, I might dodge one disaster, but who knows what kind of revenge he'll take tomorrow? I could end up even worse off than Marisa!
But if I don't get him drunk, what if he gets bold and does something reckless anyway? I'm still in danger!'
Just as she resolved to cut ties with Patchouli, she noticed the magician's cold gaze shifting toward Suika—and her heart dropped.
'Oh crap, I forgot she could just rat me out to Suika!'
Yuugi's expression changed instantly. Before Patchouli could speak, she shoved a jar of liquor toward Rin—
"Boss! You promised we'd have a drinking contest tonight—no backing out now!"
"Of course, since you're human, I won't bully you. You can stick to the weaker stuff. Heh, no need to push yourself."
Yuugi's suggestion sounded considerate, but the liquor she handed over was deliberately low-proof.
Even if he drank a lot, he wouldn't get too drunk, no risk of him getting ideas.
Noticing her nervousness, Rin smirked dangerously.
"I never go back on my word. If we're celebrating, we might as well go all out. None of that weak stuff so let's break out the aged Scarlet Daughter's Wine!"
As Rin hauled out several jars of the strong rice wine, Yuugi's eyelid twitched.
Boss, this is NOT the time to show off!! This is just asking for trouble!!!
But with Patchouli's threat hanging over her, Yuugi had no choice but to clench her teeth and start drinking with Rin.
Every bowl she downed made her heart sink further.
I never should've gotten on this damn boat!!
Seeing Yuugi finally doing her job, Patchouli snorted and put down the bun she'd been ready to throw.
Once you're on this ship, you're not getting off that easy!
"Patchy, you want some too?" Remilia, noticing Patchouli staring at Yuugi, assumed she also wanted to drink and passed over a bottle of red wine.
"Here, this one's light. Supposedly good for the skin, too."
"..."
Patchouli's mouth twitched, but she didn't explain, silently accepting the bottle.
"Ran, care for a drink?" Yukari, watching Ran feed Chen pieces of fish, smiled mischievously.
"Just a little... Yukari-sama, you shouldn't drink too much either. It's not good for you."
"Ohoho~ I know my limits."
"But you have to try the boss's Scarlet Daughter, it's even better than some of my own collection." Yukari poured Ran a large bowl, her grin widening.
The rich aroma had already tempted Ran, and after a small sip, a delicate flush spread across her cheeks.
The wine's fragrance seeped into her senses, its smooth texture a pure delight.
Before she knew it, she'd emptied the entire bowl.
"More?"
"W-Well... if you insist."
As Ran nodded, Yukari's smile turned downright devious.
Meanwhile, a certain ordinary magician was getting ideas between bites.
While Rin and Yuugi were busy drinking, Marisa's chopsticks stealthily reached for the plate of pre-shelled lobster in front of him.
Splash—!
Patchouli's hand suddenly jerked, spilling her wine.
Her already flushed face turned even redder, and she glared furiously behind her—
But no one was there.
Which meant—Marisa!!!
Her sharp gaze locked onto the thief, and Marisa froze mid-reach, cheeks burning.
'How did she notice?! I was being so careful!!'
"Why's everyone after my plate? Reimu's got a whole pile over there." Rin rolled his eyes but still picked up a piece of lobster and fed it to Marisa.
Marisa glanced at Reimu, who immediately shielded her plate defensively.
If not for her mother sitting right there, she might've buried her face in it.
"No competing with her—she's a machine at shelling these things. By the time I finish one, she's already eaten five!"
"She's hogged almost the whole plate!!"
Marisa whined pitifully. The only one who could keep up with her was Sakuya, but she was busy feeding Remilia.
Between the two of them, there was barely any left for anyone else!
"Fine, fine, you can have these." Rin chuckled, sliding his remaining lobster toward her.
Marisa happily dug in, not even minding that someone's hand never left its position.
"Now get me a rib—the biggest one!"
"Oya~ Aya already grabbed it. You'll have to settle for a smaller one."
"Suika, gimme some of that frog leg!"
"Hands off! That last fried shrimp is mine!"
Seeing Reimu about to snatch the final tempura shrimp, Marisa lunged with her chopsticks—
But she was too late, forced to watch as Reimu popped it into her mouth.
"Heh. Too slow!" Reimu chewed smugly, savoring her victory.
Marisa's eye twitched, grumbling as she sat back down.
But the moment she did, her body stiffened slightly, and she shot Rin an annoyed glare.
"Mmm~ cough... This frog leg's really tender, huh?"
Under Sakuya's curious gaze, Patchouli who'd nearly let out an incriminating sound, quickly covered it with a casual remark...