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Morning.
Daiyousei (Great Fairy) was steaming rice in the kitchen. A cup of warm water sat on the table.
This was the breakfast of champions: Steamed Rice + Warm Water.
(Leo missed soy milk and fried dough sticks.)
"Big Brother, I'm heading out," Daiyousei packed the rice into bento boxes. "Cirno has prepared the seeds. I need to feed the Adventurers."
The Little Fairies had turned the Secret Forest cabin into the "Hero's Guild." It was their canteen and base of operations. Their current quest: Map the entire valley.
Leo finished his meal (Rice with Strawberry Jam) and walked outside.
"WHERE ARE MY STRAWBERRIES?!"
His scream echoed across the farm.
Today was the second harvest day. But the patch was a mess. Berries were missing. Leaves were trampled.
Residents usually paid via the Shipping Bin. They didn't steal.
There is only one truth!
Leo marched to the big oak tree outside the farm. He poked the sleeping figure in the branches with his fishing rod.
"Ouch!"
Aya Shameimaru fell out of the tree. She executed a perfect superhero landing, glared at Leo, then immediately looked away guiltily.
"Wipe the strawberry juice off your mouth, Miss Crow."
"Impossible! I ate them whole! There's no juice! You tricked me!"
Aya licked her lips, realized she had been bluffed, and deflated.
"I'm sorry!" she wailed. "I don't have money! I thought I'd be back in Gensokyo by dinner, so I didn't bring cash! Just let me eat two! I'll pay you back! I'm rich!"
It was true. Aya was wealthy. Her newspaper sold well, and she had an official salary as a Great Tengu. But her cash was back home.
"A few strawberries aren't worth much," Leo crossed his arms. "But Miss Bunbun... this is Theft."
He leaned in close.
"You wouldn't want people in Gensokyo to equate you with Marisa, would you?"
Aya turned pale.
In Gensokyo, there was a hierarchy of thieves.
Yukari: "Borrowing." (Classy).
Yuyuko: "Tasting." (Elegant).
Marisa: "It's mine now!" (Common Criminal).
If Aya was put in the same bracket as the Black-White Thief, her reputation as a "Fair and Unbiased Journalist" would be ruined.
"No! Please!" Aya grabbed Leo's shirt. "Don't tell anyone! I'll do anything! Just don't seat me at Marisa's table!"
Why did the plot fast-forward to the "Supermarket Manager catches Shoplyfter" scenario?
"Fine," Leo sighed. "Your punishment: Water the Plants."
"Today is a heavy planting day. I till the soil. You water. Soak every tile. Understand?"
It was grueling manual labor with zero XP gain. A fitting punishment.
"Mission Accepted!" Aya hugged the Watering Can like it was her camera. She would rather die of exhaustion than be compared to Marisa.
"Lord Leo? Are you home?"
Leo turned. Wakasagihime and a wolf-eared woman walked out of the woods. Waka carried a basket of fish.
"Hello, Lord Leo. I am Kagerou Imaizumi."
The werewolf bowed politely. She wore a red dress with white patterns. Her fluffy tail twitched nervously.
"Thank you for inviting us. To repay you, please assign us work."
Yesterday, they had moved into the Beach Cabin. Waka caught fish. Kagerou cleaned the house. They were ready to earn their keep.
Wakasagihime Unlock Condition: Produce one Smoked Fish.
Kagerou Imaizumi Race: Werewolf Ability: Transform on Full Moon Occupation: Unemployed Wanderer Residence: Bamboo Forest (Formerly) Unlock Condition: Provide Kagerou with a Job.
Leo smiled. "You're just in time. The Fish Smokers are ready."
He pointed to a row of five machines he had crafted last night. (Recipe: Hardwood x10, Sea/River/Cave Jelly x1).
He took a large Bass from Waka's basket, added coal, and placed the fish inside.
Whirrrr.
"This machine turns fresh fish into Smoked Fish," Leo explained. "It takes 50 minutes. The value doubles. It preserves the quality."
"Waka, your job is to manage the fish stocks and supply the Smokers. You keep 20% of the profit."
Waka's eyes sparkled. "Deal!"
He turned to Kagerou.
"Miss Kagerou... as for your job..."