Sniff sniff~
"Hiss—this wine smells amazing." Remilia's little nose twitched as she inhaled the intoxicating aroma wafting through the air, her cheeks flushing with involuntary delight.
This seemed way more potent than anything stored in the Scarlet Devil Mansion!
Sakuya, too, stared fixedly in the direction Rin had gone, already calculating how much to purchase later.
Meanwhile, Marisa at the counter was practically squirming with temptation.
She ached to sneak over and try some, but the thought of getting drunk and falling prey to that perverted boss sent shivers down her spine.
This torment of smelling it but not drinking it is unbearable! With a grimace, Marisa finally stuffed cotton balls up her nose.
Must resist! She was already teetering on the edge of disaster—one wrong move, and she'd plunge into the abyss.
The horrifying mental image of herself broken by his schemes made her shudder violently.
….
….
Meanwhile, in the storage room, Yukari Yakumo felt as though she'd been dunked head first into a vat of liquor, her mind swimming.
The rich, permeating aroma was like countless hands tugging her toward a drunken dream.
Regaining her senses, even she couldn't help swallowing hard.
"Mr. Rin, what is this wine? How is it so fragrant?"
"The Scarlet Daughter's Wine. The rest is a trade secret. Care for a taste?"
"Absolutely!"
As Rin cracked open a jar, the already potent scent exploded, nearly suffocating Yukari.
They eagerly scooped small cups and took tentative sips.
The moment it touched their tongues, the smooth, velvety texture sent a shiver down their spines.
Then, the alluring richness seeped into their limbs like a gentle stream, intoxicatingly comforting.
A pleasant warmth bloomed under the influence of the aroma, painting Yukari's cheeks a captivating shade of pink.
"Haah~ This beats anything I've had before." Yukari exhaled blissfully.
If I had some before bed, the dreams would be heavenly.
"Well then, the jar's all yours. Just guard the place for the day."
"Don't drink the whole thing and pass out, though—or you're cut off."
Rin's warning was firm. He was very interested in that cellar reward.
Wonder how secure it'll be...
"Rest assured, I'll defend this warehouse with my life! No intruders shall pass!" Yukari pledged solemnly, tucking the jar into a gap.
This one's for Ran. A little liquid courage to loosen her up.
Ran had been acting strange lately, babbling about "homewreckers," "unstable polygons," and "divine retribution."
Hopefully, this would fix whatever was wrong with her.
Satisfied, Rin nodded and left.
….
The moment he was gone, a shadowy figure peeked in through the doorway.
Aya. She gulped down the intoxicating scent, drool practically dripping from her lips.
But before she could even think of sneaking in—
WHOOSH!
A hand yanked her into a gap.
"I DIDN'T EVEN DO ANYTHING YET?!"
"No trespassers."
"SCREW YOU!!!"
The gap snapped shut.
With the pest disposed of, Yukari dragged a rocking chair to the doorway and lounged, mentally cataloging all potential threats.
Her expression hardened with resolve.
….
Back in the shop, Rin raised an eyebrow at Marisa, still miraculously seated.
"Not tempted to peek?"
"Heh. Such petty temptations can't shake my resolve." Marisa scoffed.
Never again!
Impressed by her willpower, Rin casually set his unfinished cup on the counter.
The aroma assaulted Marisa's senses—cotton balls be damned—and her pupils shook.
This bastard will PAY one day!
Before she could muster a retort, a tiny hand snatched the cup.
Rin side-eyed the thieving Remilia but didn't stop her.
The Scarlet Devil Mansion's loaded. If she bites, sales might skyrocket.
Deeming it safe, Remilia took a cautious sip—
THUD!
"???"
Rin stared at the instantly comatose vampire.
That bad of a lightweight?!
Sakuya, however, looked positively radiant.
This shop owner's a godsend!
First, that perfect contract to leash the young mistress. Now, a wine that knocks her out in one sip...
What other treasures does he have?
"Boss, is this for sale?"
"Yep. Bulk discounts available."
"Hmm... Ten jars for now. If it works, I'll order more."
Marisa: ...
Is she planning a crime?! Marisa gaped at Sakuya's blatantly predatory grin, shooting Remilia a pitying glance.
She's in the same boat as me...
Wait—if we're both victims, why not team up*?!*
Marisa's eyes blazed with inspiration.
She scooped up Remilia, plopped her onto a rocking chair, and started slapping her cheeks.
"Wake up! Hey!~ Do you want to escape Sakuya or not?!" At that, Remilia stirred, her drunken haze fading slightly.
Blinking groggily, she fixed Marisa with a bleary but intense stare.
"...What're you getting at?"
"You're tormented at home. I'm tormented here. We're both victims."
"'Tormented'? That sounds... extreme."
"Details don't matter! If we don't fight back, we're doomed!"
Marisa brushed off the minor discrepancies, gripping Remilia's shoulders solemnly.
After a pause, Remilia caved. "...What's the plan?"