VIP Customers

There are quite a few nighttime establishments in this town of Tsudon.

However, hardly any of them can handle Spirit-Possessed customers. The ones that could would be top-tier establishments. Or newcomers who don't know how dangerous the Spirit-Possessed can be. Or black-market shops that don't care if their staff die.

(There's also the exception of 'shops run by Spirit-Possessed,' but there weren't any in this red-light district.)

So which category did this establishment fall into? Newcomers.

All they knew was that adventurers with glowing halos above their heads had been making a killing lately.

They didn't know that a certain merchant had been drowning his sorrows at another establishment, warning, "Better not to get involved with those people. But whatever you do, don't make them angry."

Into such an establishment walked three people with glowing halos above their heads. All three were women, and one was clearly a child.

Setting that aside, all three were top-quality beauties they'd love to scout… Ah, but recruiting a child would obviously be problematic.

Also, this establishment didn't have any male hosts, so what were three women doing here?

… Huh, they want to play with girls? The kind they can touch? Ah, well, then yes, this is the right place.

And so they were let inside.

Naturally, many of the staff were reluctant to entertain female customers.

For any men who don't understand, think of it this way: "Go entertain that guy (a complete stranger). Don't complain if he touches you."

However, because the three visitors were such beauties, they easily found three staff members willing to serve them.

"Way better than dealing with some guy who hasn't bathed in a hundred years."

"That little one's so cute, I want to adopt her as my sister."

"What's with those breasts? I can't help but be curious."

And so the three began their respective services.

And then…

"Ooh, getting my butt spanked by a lady isn't bad either yo. A new awakening?"

"My, how perverted. Like this? Or this?"

"Ngh! Ah, I'm pretty sturdy, so you can hit harder yo."

"I-I'm already going almost full strength though… Hyah!"

"Om nom nom, gulp. Haah, being fed is actually kinda fun."

"Want to try this one next? Ahhh."

"Ahhh… Sitting on your lap seems to be fine too. Haah."

"Ufufu, so cute…"

"This pressure point is good for poor circulation… Hmm, medical treatment seems to be fine."

"Penpen-oneesama…! I love you…!"

"Also, drinking warm water regularly helps. Warming up from the inside is most effective. Unlike coffee, it's caffeine-free and doesn't strain your body. Making your drinks with hot water is good too; it dilutes the alcohol a bit and lessens the burden on your organs."

"A goddess… Penpen-oneesama is literally a goddess…"

Well, it seemed like everyone was enjoying themselves.

They were ordering extra drinks and snacks too, spending generously. Truly VIP customers.

If only nothing had gone wrong from there… but that wasn't to be.

"Hah? Why are girls drinking with girls? C'mere!"

"Hah?"

Another customer who'd had too much to drink started bothering their table.

Well, admittedly, the sound of spanking in particular had been echoing through the establishment and drawing attention. Especially since the one being spanked was making such cute sounds while clearly enjoying herself.

"Hey girlie, lemme spank that ass and give you some lovin'."

"Huh? You wanna die yo, bastard?"

"Now, now, wait, wait, Alto. Don't pull out the gun. I'm trying to enjoy my drinks here… Even if it's just juice."

The girl whose butt had been getting spanked pointed a black blunt object at the man who'd started bothering them, but the youngest girl stopped her.

She climbed down from her staff member's lap and stood between them.

"Listen here, old man. Put yourself in this position. Getting your butt spanked by a cute girl versus getting your butt spanked by a drunk old guy. You think those are the same?"

"Hah? … Why would I wanna get my ass spanked by some drunk?"

"Exactly."

"I see… Then let me spank your ass!"

"This guy's hopeless. Can't reason with him."

Oh right, he's drunk. The girl shrugged.

"Alright, let's kill him after all yo."

"You'll cause trouble for the establishment, knock it off."

"Hm? Tria, Alto, leave this to me!"

At this timing, the most mature of the three cut in with a smile.

"A drinking contest! Mister, if you beat me, I'll take care of you outside the shop. But if you lose, you pay our tab! Are you in? Or are you backing down?"

"Heh… gulp. Fine, let's do this!"

"It's a deal then. Boy, we're doing this! Bring us the strongest liquor you've got, by the bottle!"

"Y-yes ma'am!"

A sudden drinking contest began. Simple rules: both drink the same liquor, and the first one to pass out loses. They poured shots into shot glasses.

"Here's the first one, cheers!"

"Yeah, cheer—"

"Second one, cheers!"

"Wha, so fast—"

"Third one, cheers! We're just getting started! Huh? Huhh? Still on your second?"

The girl downed the liquor like pouring water through a sieve. Dwarven fire whiskey. Not the kind of drink you're supposed to chug like that.

"Here's number ten, cheers! Heyy? What's wrong? You're still on your fourth?"

"Urghh… W-wait… hold on…"

"Drinking on someone else's dime tastes great! Eleven, cheers!"

She made a show of tilting the shot glass, letting the fire whiskey pour straight into her mouth.

It was overwhelming.

"Hm? Looking a little pale there?"

"… …"

"Hm? Hmm? Gonna puke? You gonna puke?"

"Bluergh—"

And so, the girl achieved a crushing victory. The gallery erupted in applause. With a "Thank you, thank you," she bowed while draining her twelfth glass, then casually returned to her seat.

"Penpen-oneesama, you're wonderful! So cool! Take me!"

"Ahaha, I can't do that. Hugs will have to do. Squeeeze."

"Kyaaa!"

She returned to her seat perfectly composed and hugged her staff member. Also, she'd quietly slipped the server a silver coin for the cleaning fee.

"So anyway, that old guy's paying the tab! Yay! All-you-can-eat, all-you-can-drink!"

"As expected of Penpen yo! Extra-large fruit platter yo! Bring the most expensive booze yo!"

"Whoa, Penpen, just how strong a drinker are you? I'm shocked."

"Oh my. Tria, you know where food goes when you can't finish it, right?"

"Ahh, I see."

… There seemed to be some trick to it. But that commotion was resolved peacefully.

"I wanna try that fire whiskey too yo! Gimme a shot straight yo!"

"Sure, but be careful, it's strong."

"Mm. Gulp, sip… Ooh, ah, woahhh… Th-this, hits hard yo… Urp!?"

"Ah."

"What a treat!? … No wait. Are you okay, miss!?"

"S-sorry yo… That last one pushed me over the edge yo… yo. Urp, it hit all at once yo."

"Here's water and medicine. Towel too. For you as well, miss."

"You're well prepared yo… Thanks yo…"

She truly was the guardian of the group. That much was clear from her composure.

And so, the three girls were satisfied… safely (?) … and proceeded to pay.

The bill was supposed to be on the man who'd bothered them, but they paid anyway, "just in case."

After all, they'd smashed the establishment's single-day sales record. There was a good chance that man couldn't cover it all. At minimum, he'd have to pay in installments, which would affect their operating funds.

The owner even came out personally to greet them.

"If that old guy manages to pay up, we'll use this money for drinks next time! Consider it advance payment!"

"That's… very much appreciated."

"See you next time!"

"Yes! We look forward to your next visit!"

What incredible VIP customers. Someday I want to become someone great enough to drink like that, the server thought to himself as he watched the owner bow in gratitude.

"Blerghhhh…"

"A-are you okay? Alto-chan… Want some medicine?"

"Uu, I-I don't need it. M-my Spirit-sama's suffering is… my reward… Blergh."

"I see… Then I won't worry about it. Enjoy it. W-want me to spank your butt too?"

"… Maybe next time."

"True. I wanted to drink too."

"… Y-you can't. Spirit-sama said no, right, Tria-chan?"

"That's true. So I didn't drink. The juice was tasty though."