"The frog legs may be tender, but why does it look like there's something... extra in yours?"
Sakuya gave Patchouli a strange look. She was certain she hadn't added any unusual seasonings while cooking.
But seeing Patchouli's flushed face and restless squirming, realization slowly dawned on her.
'Ah. The shared senses with Marisa again… Wait. Marisa? Right now?!'
Sakuya's eyes widened in shock as she stared at Marisa, who was sitting across from her, acting completely normal while being fed by Rin.
Her blush could be passed off as drunkenness, but if not for Patchouli's obvious reaction, no one would suspect a thing!
'With so many people around, these two are still sneaking around?! Marisa really is beyond saving at this point.'
Meanwhile, Patchouli grew increasingly desperate, kicking Yuugi under the table to urge her to hurry up.
'If they don't get the shopkeeper drunk soon, she might not be able to hold back her voice!' Yuugi twitched, shooting Patchouli a resentful glare.
'Just you wait. Once this probation period is over, I'll make sure the boss turns you into a complete embarrassment!'
After indulging in a brief fantasy of Patchouli being thoroughly disciplined, Yuugi reluctantly turned her attention back to drinking with Rin.
As Rin's focus shifted, Marisa subtly tried to shift away from his grasp.
But the moment she moved, his hand struck—
"Nngh—!"
Her lips parted slightly, but before any sound could escape, Rin swiftly stuffed a piece of beef into her mouth.
Thud!
A soft noise came from the other side of the table.
Patchouli, as if overcome by drunkenness, slumped forward onto the table, her face buried in her arms.
In reality, her cheeks were burning scarlet, her teeth clenched to suppress any compromising noises.
We're at the dinner table, damn it! How dare these two?!
"Mmm—nngh~... Hah... Uu~..."
Hearing Patchouli's barely restrained whimpers, even Sakuya's hand trembled slightly.
The tips of her ears reddened as she averted her gaze, unable to bear witnessing Patchouli's plight.
Marisa wasn't faring much better. If not for Rin's feeding as cover, she might've already cried out.
But even so, the wet, muffled sounds of her chewing drew puzzled looks from Reimu and the others.
Under their scrutiny, Marisa's heart nearly leapt out of her throat.
Though Rin hadn't activated his sensitivity boost this time, the sheer taboo of their secret play in front of everyone still sent her into a nervous sweat.
Overwhelmed, she slumped weakly against Rin.
"D-Don't... ngh~... move... too much..."
"E-Everyone's... hah... watching... Uu~... They'll... notice..."
Her whispered pleas, accompanied by sweet, shaky breaths against his face, only sharpened Rin's appetite.
Just as Marisa teetered on the edge of collapse, he stopped.
Casually wiping his hands, he cheerfully returned to drinking with Yuugi as if nothing had happened.
Marisa, left hanging, clawed at the tablecloth in frustration, itching to bite him.
'WHY?! How dare he stop NOW?!'
But with everyone watching, she couldn't take matters into her own hands, left to suffer in silence.
Across the table, Patchouli was equally tormented, her fingers white-knuckled around her sleeves.
'So close...! Just one more push and I-i—!'
The abrupt denial left her breath ragged.
For a brief, insane moment, she considered pinning Rin down on the table and finishing the job herself.
This silver-tongued devil has no sense of shame!
As she sat up, panting heavily, Sakuya let out a quiet sigh of relief.
Patchouli's distressed noises had made even her feel flustered, and she quickly focused on serving Remilia.
"Marisa, the Buddha Jumps Over the Wall is still simmering in the kitchen. Could you bring it out?"
"Okaaay~"
Marisa's reply was weak, assuming Rin was giving her a chance to clean up.
But as she stood, his voice drifted over again—
"Oh, right, there are a few more dishes. Never mind, I'll help." Marisa froze, instantly recognizing his ulterior motive.
'You're not going for the dishes—you just want to sneak a bite, you fiend!!!'
Before she could protest, Sakuya abruptly stood.
"I'll go. I need to move around a bit anyway."
Without giving them a chance to refuse, she strode toward the kitchen.
'If these two are left alone in there, Patchouli might just perish at the table! For the sake of the Scarlet Devil Mansion's dignity, I'll step in.'
Defeated, Rin pulled Marisa back down. Patchouli shot Sakuya a grateful look.
'Sakuya's the only reliable one here! As for these two... their reckoning will come!'
As things settled, Ran Yakumo finally exhaled, having nearly broken into a cold sweat earlier.
When Sakuya stood, she'd feared the head maid had finally snapped at the shopkeeper and Marisa's antics!
'Thank goodness she was just getting food...Right? She wouldn't poison it, would she?' Ran glanced nervously at Yukari, relieved to see her still composed.
'At least the homewrecker hasn't joined in yet. The situation's still under control. Though... why does Yukari-sama's face look so red?'
"Yukari-sama, are you feeling unwell?" Yukari flinched, avoiding Ran's gaze.
"N-No, it's just... the wine's stronger than I thought. I'm feeling a bit warm."
"Oh, then drink less! You shouldn't overdo it."
"Here, try some of these appetizers. They'll help."
"Ahem. Y-Yes..."
Yukari scratched her cheek, shooting Rin a glare.
'This scoundrel... How dare he pull such stunts during a banquet!'
If she hadn't accidentally glimpsed through a gap while reaching for chopsticks, she'd have never noticed.
'If he's this brazen now, what horrors await when it's just family dinners?!'