(T/N: my bad Aguywithdioface thx for noticing , upload a dupe chap (sry a bit late, doing some notes on my subjects). Here it is! I swear it was the right one after i left it. (◯Δ ◯ ∥) Also I realized the sequence between 6 and 7 are mixed up. already put them in the right order
ദ്ദി ˉ͈̀꒳ˉ͈́ )✧ peace out! .... I guess)
========
"Gulp gulp... Phew~"
"That hit the spot."
After a sip of hot tea, the refreshing aroma gradually filled their lungs, and the two figures at the counter comfortably slumped into their chairs.
All their worries seemed to vanish in that moment, leaving only carefree relaxation.
Occasionally, they reached for the snacks on the small table beside them, enjoying the novel flavors. Both of them couldn't help but think that staying here forever wouldn't be so bad.
Rin, who had returned unnoticed, silently watched the lazy bunch in the store, his eye twitching slightly.
Is this some kind of retirement home or leisure club?
Before he could scold them, a small figure suddenly darted past the shelves, holding a new flying fish toy.
When their eyes met, both Rin and the child froze for a moment. But Chen, following Yukari's instructions, politely greeted him—
"Hello, big brother. I'm Chen. I'll be bothering you for the next few days."
"Such a polite child. Go ahead and play, just make sure the toy doesn't end up in someone else's house. Charge it to Yukari's account."
Rin happily patted Chen's little head.
Seeing her fluffy cat ears twitch nervously at first but then relax and wiggle comfortably, his heart felt instantly soothed.
With permission granted, Chen flashed a soft, adorable smile and happily ran out of the store.
At that moment, Yukari's resentful gaze turned toward Rin.
"Boss Rin~ I promised to find you a wife, so we're practically family now. Are you really going to charge me for a child's toy?"
"Ha, you're not the one marrying me, so you'll be charged like any other customer. I've got a record of everything you've taken so far."
"Ara~ Boss Rin, are you really keeping tabs on me? That's a bit too much, don't you think?"
"But then again, I am a young lady, so it's only natural for Boss Rin to be interested. Unfortunately, I'm still young and not thinking about marriage yet~"
Yukari lightly covered her face with her folding fan, putting on a shy act.
However, Rin acted as if he didn't see it, continuing to stock the shelves with goods from the crate, only occasionally nodding with no enthusiasm.
Yeah, whatever you say!
A vein on Yukari's forehead twitched, but she resisted the urge to toss him into a gap for a free fall.
For now, he's the one providing the meals, so he gets the upper hand!
Just then, Reimu, holding her cup of hot tea, approached and asked eagerly—
"Boss, do you still have the 500-yen tea from yesterday?"
"Let me check... There's only one can left from this restock. It's yours."
"Wow~ Will you be restocking it later?"
"That depends on the supply. The store's inventory gets restocked every so often."
Reimu's spirits lifted as she took the tea. As long as it wasn't completely discontinued, she was fine!
She decided she'd have to ration this can. If she finished it before the next restock, she'd have to risk sneaking into her mom's room to grab some.
As she wandered off to the counter to pay, Rin began sorting through the remaining stock.
Aside from the barbecue-flavored chips from yesterday, there was also a new batch of ice cream.
"Vanilla, strawberry, milk... quite a variety."
"Perfect for after dinner if we have hotpot tonight."
Rin muttered to himself as he carried the crate toward the freezer.
Hearing the commotion, Yukari's eyes lit up. She could try a new flavor today!
After restocking the goods, Rin turned his attention to Marisa, who was now sitting obediently at the counter.
Before he could say anything, she handed him a small notebook.
"Here's today's account. Everything's recorded!"
"Hmm..."
Rin flipped through the notebook. Although he had prepared himself, his eye still twitched slightly.
"Got it."
"So, this morning, you only ate one cheap bread roll."
"While Yukari and Chen had pickled cabbage, fish-flavored and shrimp-flavored instant noodles, three packs of beef jerky, two packs of weird bean candy, five packs of fish tofu, two marinated eggs, and one sausage."
"Plus two strawberry lollipops, two packs of spicy strips, one pack of chips, three packs of duck tongue, one pack of jelly, a large pack of pickled chicken feet, and three chocolate cake rolls."
"And Reimu took the most expensive can of tea, one pack of peanuts, one pack of spicy strips, five slices of pork jerky, and two packs of roasted gluten?"
"Exactly!"
Smack!!
Rin immediately grabbed Marisa's head with a deadpan expression, lifting her entire body off the ground with terrifying strength.
"B-Boss, it's true... I swear on Yukari's name— Eek! Eek!! It's cracking, I feel like my head's cracking!" Marisa writhed in pain, desperately struggling in a last-ditch effort to resist.
Rin took a deep breath, sat back in his chair, pinned her on his lap, and raised his hand for punishment.
"Sage, classify this thing as a recaptured criminal and activate the punishment effect."
『 Classification complete. 』
Smack—
"Eek!!! Ugh~ Mmm... Mmmph..."
Marisa was down for the count.
As Rin turned his gaze toward Yukari, the ancient hag, who had been happily watching the spectacle, suddenly tensed up and pretended to know nothing, turning her head away.
Reimu's hand holding the teacup trembled. Looking at her half-finished tea, she gritted her teeth and bravely admitted—
"Sorry, Boss!"
"It was her who forced me to drink the tea. Since she caused such a loss to the store, punish her a few more times."
"Reimu, you b*tch!!! Ugh— Ow ow... I was wrong, I know I was wrong... Gah!"
Marisa's cursing and struggling were immediately silenced by another smack.
Her dazed eyes, in her "final moments," still stared at Reimu, as if silently accusing her.
We ate together, so why am I the only one taking the blame?!
After pointing out the crime, Reimu let out a relieved sigh and calmly finished the rest of her tea.
Marisa, I'll remember your sacrifice.
After giving her a sympathetic glance, Reimu decided to pour herself another cup.
Since the tea was already brewed and the criminal caught, it'd be a shame to let it go cold.
Seeing Reimu daring to commit another offense right under his nose, Marisa's pupils shrank, and she weakly pointed in her direction.
Rin, however, looked at Marisa with some surprise.
Yesterday, just a few rubs on her clothes had left her completely out of commision. Today, she was already adapting?
After a moment of thought, Rin leaned in and whispered in her ear, his breath causing her ear to flush unnaturally, as he spoke like a demon—
"Here's the deal. If you can catch her, I'll let the accounting slide for now."
"Really? Then what about this weird sensitivity I'm feeling..."
Rin: (¬_¬)
"Why aren't you saying anything?!"