"Isn't this a bit inappropriate?"
"I know this request might seem sudden, but please consider it."
"After all, if this gets out, it could seriously damage the Scarlet Devil Mansion's reputation."
Sakuya spoke with utmost seriousness, even preparing a more lavish afternoon tea to show her sincerity.
Even when Remilia, sitting nearby, tried to sneak a bite or two, Sakuya firmly stopped her.
Seeing that Sakuya was her only lifeline, Remilia obediently stopped moving, her big eyes filled with hope.
Go, Sakuya! Stop this naturally evil bastard!
Meanwhile, Rin looked at Sakuya with an awkward expression, noticing the excitement flickering in her eyes.
She definitely wasn't here to protect the Scarlet Devil Mansion's reputation!
Noticing Rin's subtle expression, Sakuya raised an eyebrow, and in that moment of eye contact, everything was understood without words.
As the two reached a dangerous consensus, Remilia, sitting nearby, began to feel uneasy.
'Why does the atmosphere feel a bit off? Sakuya, say something! You two are just staring at each other like that—people might think you're about to kiss!'
Just as Remilia's mental defenses were on the verge of collapsing, Sakuya finally broke the silence—
"First, let me ask, what were your original plans for the bet, Boss?"
"My shop already has a black-and-white mouse, two lazy fish, and a fortune cat. What I'm missing is a mascot."
"What kind of weird amusement park is that..."
"Who uses a vampire as a mascot?!"
Remilia couldn't help but mutter, while Sakuya nodded thoughtfully, taking it as a reference.
"In that case, as an exchange, how about the young lady's obedience is transferred to me, and I'll give you a new mascot?"
"A new mascot?"
"Exactly. Professional, beautiful, won't easily leave her post, knowledgeable, and quiet. She'd be the perfect mascot and a perfect poster girl."
Though Rin had already guessed who she was referring to, wasn't she skipping over a lot of details?
But thinking about how bringing Remilia back might result in being bitten in the middle of the night, or having snacks and toys destroyed again...
"Deal!"
"Agreed. To ensure fairness, I'll go get a contract from Patchy. Once it's signed, no one can back out."
As soon as she finished speaking, Sakuya eagerly disappeared.
Seeing that she seemed to be off the hook, the previously anxious Remilia suddenly felt like she was back in control.
After struggling for a while to get her little feet onto the table, she finally spoke up—
"Actually, it didn't have to be so complicated. I just got up too quickly today and wasn't in my best condition."
"Next time, we'll do it again, and I'll show you my true strength."
"We can even continue after afternoon tea."
"Absolutely not!" Remilia's face tightened immediately.
Today was definitely her unlucky day—spraining her ankle, getting hit, and who knows what else might happen if they went again!
Before she could say anything more, Sakuya returned to the table, excitedly slapping a piece of parchment down.
"Here, young lady, just sign your name. Leave the rest to me. Don't worry, I won't let anyone bully you."
"Wow~ Sakuya, you're truly the most reliable person in the Scarlet Devil Mansion!"
Seeing Sakuya's loyal and serious expression, Remilia nodded with satisfaction.
Sakuya was the most reassuring, unlike Patchy, who was half to blame for today's mess!
With a wave of her hand, Remilia signed her name without a second thought.
Once everything was confirmed, Sakuya smiled with satisfaction.
"And the other party..."
"Don't worry, they signed willingly too."
As for whether they read the hidden details in the contract, that was another matter.
As Sakuya handed the parchment to Rin, he carefully checked the information before signing his name.
"Pleasure doing business."
"If there are similar opportunities in the future, please keep me in mind."
"Absolutely."
The two shook hands warmly, their smiles radiant.
As an eerie purple magical aura drifted like mist from the parchment, strange chain patterns appeared on the backs of all the signatories' hands.
"Guess I'm done here?"
"Correct, young lady. Please wait for me in my room."
"Okay... Huh?!"
Remilia was stunned, but before she could say anything, the chain pattern on her hand flashed, and she instantly disappeared.
Sakuya carefully put away the parchment, then gracefully bowed to Rin—
"Sorry, Mr. Rin, I'm in a hurry to enjoy... I mean, take care of the young lady, so I'll take my leave now."
"Feel free to make yourself at home. If you want to head back, I've prepared a gift for you in the hall. Please remember to take it."
"Thank you."
After bidding farewell to Rin, Sakuya rushed to her room at the fastest speed she'd ever moved.
Meanwhile, at the shop...
"Where is this?"
Patchouli looked around in confusion, her brain struggling to process the sudden change of scenery.
She had just been in the library—how did she end up here?
Looking down at the chain pattern still glowing faintly on her hand, she seemed to realize something, her eyelids twitching violently.
'Sakuya! You damn traitor!!!'
"Marisa, is the boss back yet? I finished the last pack of spicy chicken feet on the shelf. We need to restock... Who are you?"
Reimu, who had been chewing on a chicken bone, froze, staring in shock at Patchouli sitting in her spot.
She hadn't even had enough time to enjoy her job, and the boss had already found a replacement?
She'd been doing pretty well today—how did she get fired so suddenly?!
But as her gaze drifted downward and she noticed the overwhelmingly impressive "assets," she fell silent, slumping into a corner with a lifeless expression.
She'd found the reason for her sudden unemployment...
"..."
Patchouli looked puzzled at the suddenly deflated Reimu, but an instinctive sense of unease drove her to head straight for the shop's door.
This was definitely not a place to stay—she needed to leave now!
But the moment she stepped outside, the slightly blinding sunlight made her vision darken, and all her strength seemed to drain away in an instant.
After estimating the distance between the Scarlet Devil Mansion and here, Patchouli's face turned pale—
She... might not be able to escape after all...