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"How many seeds do you have? 20 Gold a bag. I'll take 10."
Leo's eyes lit up. Ten bags meant ten acres. Carrots matured quickly and had high yield. With this, he could achieve "Carrot Freedom."
"Only 200 Gold?" Tewi rubbed her rabbit ears, looking bored. "That's not even enough for me to go out and have fun."
She was a prankster. A hedonist. Mundane transactions bored her. She wanted chaos.
"How about this," Tewi leaned in close, glancing at Eirin (who was busy combing Kaguya's hair). "You do me a favor, and I'll give you the carrot seeds for free. Deal?"
Nearby, Eirin's hands didn't stop, but her ears twitched. As an ancient immortal, eavesdropping on gossip was her primary form of entertainment.
"What favor?" Leo covered Chen's ears. "As long as it doesn't violate my moral code."
(Covering the cat's ears was useless. Everyone in Gensokyo heard everything eventually.)
"Simple," Tewi snickered. "Get me some Parsnips. The worst, most bitter quality you have. I want to brew a soup for Reisen. Jie-jie-jie."
Tewi's pranks were personal. Unlike Aya, who annoyed everyone, Tewi focused her malice on Reisen. Watching the poor moon rabbit cry "Ying ying ying" while pounding her chest was Tewi's favorite pastime.
"No," Leo shook his head firmly. "My moral code doesn't allow me to help you poison others."
He was a product of compulsory education. He had standards.
"Tsk," Tewi clicked her tongue. "Fine. Let me rephrase."
"I would like to place a Purchase Order for Parsnips. The payment will be Carrot Seeds. As for what I do with the Parsnips after the transaction... that's none of your business. How's that?"
"No problem," Leo agreed instantly. "Put the request on the phone."
For the same action, once the phrasing changed, his moral code was satisfied. Apple seeds contain cyanide. Selling apples isn't illegal. What the buyer does with them is their problem.
Commission: Find the Foulest Parsnips Requester: Tewi Inaba Content: Provide 20 units of Low-Quality Parsnips. Reward: 10 Bags of Carrot Seeds.
"Pleasure doing business," Tewi tapped her phone, grinning wickedly. She rolled onto the grass and snuggled into Reisen's arms, pretending to be an innocent bunny.
The afternoon passed quickly.
When the sun began to set, Leo led everyone back to the farm.
Tonight was BBQ Night.
When they arrived, they found the Farmhouse... missing.
Nitori had dismantled the cabin. The furniture was covered in tarps on the lawn. The new house frame was already up—thick logs forming the skeleton of a larger structure. Kappas were sawing wood everywhere.
"Big Bro! You're back!"
Nitori popped out from a pile of cardboard boxes. "I've set up a temporary shack for you tonight. The main house will be done by tomorrow!"
A Little Kappa tore open a box, revealing a shiny Electric Rice Cooker. Other boxes contained a fridge, a stove, and modern cookware.
"These are electric," Nitori explained. "You don't have a power plant. But Marisa said items change properties here. So we tested it."
She pointed to the appliances. The power cords had vanished. They now ran on Infinite Energy.
"If it didn't work, I was ready to build you a nuclear reactor," Nitori shrugged casually.
"..." Leo decided not to question Kappa logic.
"Stop working for a bit," Leo called out. "Come eat! We have a Rice Cooker now! Today, we feast on white rice!"
"Thanks, Boss! May you have eight kids in one birth!"
The Little Kappas cheered and formed a disciplined line. Rule #1 of Kappa Heavy Industries: Always accept free food from the client.
Leo lit the bonfire.
High-quality coal from the Mines burned steadily in the grill.
"Kitty, get the jam!"
Leo washed the rice and dumped it into the cooker. He didn't measure. Half the pot was rice. With these youkai appetites, they would finish it.
He placed four fish on the grill.
Sizzle.
Leo loved grilling. Stir-frying was a chore. But BBQ? BBQ was a spiritual experience. Maybe it was the carbon monoxide, but he felt alive. Watching the fat drip onto the coals, smelling the cumin and chili... it was pure joy.
He refused Nitori's help. He personally distributed the food.
Grilled Fish for Yukari (via Gap).
Mushroom Skewers for Marisa (who appeared out of nowhere).
A Full Plate for Aya (hiding in the tree).
No one was left out.
"Well... this kid isn't so bad after all."
High in the tree, Aya stared at the plate in her lap: Grilled Fish, Mushroom Skewer, and a dish of Salmonberry Jam.
She took a bite. The fish was tender, the spices perfect.
"I forgive you," she muttered, chewing happily. "I won't write slander about you when I get back."
She sighed. Why is he like this? How am I supposed to get revenge now?
Below, Kaguya dipped a mushroom into the jam.
"This jam is good! Eirin, I want some!"
"60 Gold a jar," Leo quoted. "One pound each. No expiration date."
"We want some too!"
The Little Kappas pulled out their own cucumbers. (Kappas always carry emergency cucumbers). They dipped the green vegetables into the sweet red jam.
"Cucumber goes with everything!" they chanted.