Strategic Target Locked: Misty Lake"

L-last night, the boss was drunk, so whispering in his ear didn't work too well."

"Don't worry! I'll coax him more tonight—guarantee your promotion!" Marisa spoke with fake confidence, as if she hadn't completely forgotten her mission.

Surprisingly, Suika didn't seem too disappointed.

After all, she and Sakuya had just cleaned up a mountain of bottles from the hot spring room—of course the boss was out of it last night.

"Try harder! I'm counting on you!"

"No problem! When have I ever let you down?" Marisa puffed out her chest, swearing she'd stay focused tonight. No matter how intense things got!

Suika gave her an encouraging pat before skipping off to breakfast, leaving Marisa to sweat nervously.

'...Did Patchy notice anything last night?'

Meanwhile, Patchouli had just been redressed and tucked into bed by Sakuya.

So cooperative, she'd almost stripped the maid uniform off her in the process.

"Sakuya, if anyone in the Scarlet Devil Mansion gets married, they should consult Patchy first."

"With her vast experience, they'll avoid all the rookie mistakes." Aya nodded sagely, impressed by knowledge that even some ancient youkai might lack.

Sakuya's eyes twitched.

"Out. Now."

"And not a word about Patchy's condition, or I'll time-stop and season your food with something interesting."

"Y-yes, ma'am!" Aya fled, though not without a knowing glance at Patchouli.

'Even if I stay quiet, her secret won't last. Sooner or later, she'll end up in the boss' bed for real!'

By the time Sakuya returned to the living room, the kids were fully awake, happily munching on steamed buns and slurping wontons, their little feet kicking excitedly.

The scene was chaotic but cozy.

"Pass the vinegar!"

"Momo, gimme a bite of your noodles! Just one—HEY! THAT WAS HALF THE BOWL!"

"Yukari, three dumplings vanished. Care to explain?"

"Probably Reimu."

"Excuse me?! I've been lying here motionless! Don't slander me!" Reimu glared until her mom shoved a soup dumpling into her mouth, instantly silencing her.

Yukari, meanwhile, reached for a pan-fried dumpling only to find empty space.

She turned to see Remilia, cheeks stuffed like a chipmunk, sneaking a hand toward the rice balls.

"How are you fitting all that in there?!"

"Aren't you gonna choke?!" Yukari dangled her upside down, but Remilia just swiped a sesame ball mid-air, undeterred.

Rin chuckled at the food war before returning to his noodles. 

Ding!

『 Daily Quest Updated: Catch 10 large fish from Misty Lake 』

『 Reward: Random new store item 』

『 Warehouse restocked! New item today: Astronaut Jelly 』

Rin's eyes narrowed.

'Time to settle the score with those fish.'

He plucked Remilia from Yukari's grip, grinning.

"Free today?"

"Huh? Yeah, why?" Remilia chewed obliviously, crumbs dusting her chin.

"Remember that backpack of fireworks I gave you? Today's the day. We're going big." 

Remilia's eyes lit up.

"Oh? Details."

Boredom? Gone. Explosions? Yes.

"Besides the fireworks, I've got other toys. See that model battleship on the shelf?"

"The huge one?! I've wanted to play with that forever!"

"It launches toy torpedoes. We're swapping them for fireworks."

Remilia's grin turned feral.

Then—

THUD.

A small blue head wedged between them.

"Are we freezing frogs at Misty Lake?! I'M IN!"

"Sure. We've also got a toy catapult. you freeze 'em, we launch 'em."

Remilia's face twitched.

"Why does your store have this stuff?!"

But her excitement only grew as Rin roused the other kids, their cheers shaking the room.

Until—

"What about their lessons?" Reimu's deadpan question froze the celebration.

"…" For 0.2 seconds. The kids immediately resumed plotting, ignoring reality.

No class! Only explosions!

Rin ruffled their hair.

"Consider it a field trip. If the teacher complains, I'll handle it."

"YEEESSS!" Even the homework-freezing Cirno jumped for joy.

"Suika! Pack snacks and grab the portable fridge, we're making this a picnic!" Reimu perked up.

"Can I come?"

Lazy? Yes. But free food? Irresistible.

"If you carry the supplies."

"Deal!"