Drip— drip.
Sweat trickled steadily from the thoroughly drenched sheets.
Kaguya lay limp on the bed, her breath so faint she might as well have been dead.
Her flawless, pale skin was flushed a tempting shade of pink, like a delicacy ripened to perfection, one that begged to be tasted.
The chew stick had rolled onto the floor, deep teeth marks nearly biting clean through it.
Yuuka, who had witnessed the entire ordeal, found her breathing slightly uneven. She averted her gaze, unnerved.
Even though she wasn't the one being tormented, she could almost feel phantom hands tracing her body. Tingling, teasing, and somehow... thrilling.
"Kaguya, wake up. Turn your head, time for the mask." Rin patted her stomach lightly.
But that simple touch shattered whatever fragile composure she had left. Her body trembled violently, the last of her sweat seeping out.
Watching her utterly broken state, Rin's eyebrow twitched.
'I thought someone who brawls with Mokou constantly would have higher endurance.'
Before he could manually adjust her head, a shaky finger rose—
"C-Can I... bathe first...? And... soak in the hot spring...?"
"Sure. You're drenched—could catch a cold. I'll have Yuugi carry you."
"Th...Thanks... Nngh~"
Rin then turned to Yuuka.
"Sorry, you'll have to wait a bit longer."
"It's fine." Yuuka waved him off, sipping her tea with forced calm.
Even just watching that bone-setting massage had been overwhelming. She needed time to recover.
Relieved, Rin hurried out to fetch Yuugi.
But the moment he left, Yuuka's gaze snapped back to Kaguya.
'What did she just say?'
'Hot spring? This place really is a retirement resort?!'
Before she could ask, Rin returned with Yuugi in tow.
As Yuugi hauled Kaguya toward the bath, Rin extended an invitation.
"Miss Yuuka, would you like to try the hot spring too? It's good for the body."
"Isn't that a members-only service?"
"Not this one. The hot spring's open to friends and regulars. You qualify."
Yuuka stared at him silently.
After a long pause, she finally stood and headed for the door.
As she passed Rin, her lazy murmur drifted back.
"If you're in trouble, come to the Sunflower Field."
"Will do~" Rin grinned. Having a powerful backer never hurts.
Meanwhile, in the living room, Mokou perked up at the sight of Kaguya being carried off like a corpse.
'What glorious justice befell this woman?!'
Ran, who had been brewing tea, blinked in shock at Kaguya's sweat-soaked state.
The thick, unmistakable scent of primal instincts hung in the air, making her breath hitch. Her eyes darted to Yukari, still slumped in the rocking chair.
'Did Lady Yukari end up like this too?! Is this really just a massage?!'
Once Yuuka also headed to the bath, Rin emerged with the second shredded bedsheet.
The sheer violence woven into the fabric made everyone freeze.
"Boss, this...?"
"Just a side effect of bone-setting. Still salvageable after washing."
"Marisa, toss it in the washer."
He handed the sheet to Marisa, then retrieved the prepared mask.
Marisa stared at the fabric, her mind conjuring graphic scenarios.
'If this is what happens during a normal massage, what if I...?'
She shuddered, scurrying off to the laundry.
'I'm sleeping alone tonight. No exceptions.'
Meanwhile, Patchouli's gaze locked onto the bowl in Rin's hands.
"Boss, what's that?"
"A new members-only service. Interested?"
Patchouli's eyes gleamed, but she pressed for details.
"The fragrance is potent. Must have rare ingredients. Any extras? I'd like to research its magical properties."
"Sorry, no spares. Restocks are weekly. Next batch's in seven days."
Patchouli visibly deflated. Another magical breakthrough delayed.
"I'll notify you when it's back. Or you could get a membership and reserve it directly."
"Deal. How?"
"Ask Reimu. But it's pricey."
"...I'll consult Remilia."
Patchouli patted her pockets, then winced. I came here under contract, no luggage, just spellbooks.
Glancing at Yukari (still asleep), she opted not to disturb her. Instead, she approached Aya, who was scribbling notes.
"Aya, do me a favor. Head to the Scarlet Devil Mansion and tell Remilia to bring money. Lots of it."
"Huh? Oh, sure. How much?"
Patchouli looked to Rin for guidance.
"Membership's expensive. The mask? Even pricier. Bring everything."
"Got it." Aya nodded, then zipped out the door.
At the word "mask," everyone's ears perked up. They crowded around Rin, eyeing the fragrant paste hungrily.
Even Yukari, dead asleep, jolted awake at the keyword.
"Boss, is this a skincare mask?"
"Yep."
"How effective?"
"Should be good. Kaguya's testing it soon—judge for yourselves."
"And someone keep their hands to themselves. Members-only. Weekly limit. No touching."
Rin swatted Yukari's wandering fingers away.
Yukari pouted, pulling out her membership card, only for another hand to clamp down on it.
"Lady Yukari, I urgently need that card back."
"Ran, you're perfectly healthy. No need for masks. Plus, it's untested, could be dangerous."
"The risks are too great? Then, let me shoulder them. As your shikigami, I should face danger first!"