Image source:
http://danbooru.donmai.us/post/show/733645 --------------
“Eiki, you sure you don’t need any help?”
“I’m doing just fine right now,” Eiki answers from behind the door.
“Alright. I’ll be at the kitchen if you need anything,” you tell her.
“Just give me a few minutes, and I’ll be done,” she replies.
You leave her with her unfinished matter and head straight to the kitchen. You’re going to have lunch with Shikieiki and you can’t wait to show your privileged guest your gourmet skill. With that in mind you begin preparing the ingredients; you hope that you not only catch the high judge’s attention to the wine but also to the culinary unique to your hometown.
Your attention to the cooking is, however, distracted by the presence of Aya who has walked into the kitchen without you knowing. You pay her no attention as she’s watching at the recipe you’re preparing over your shoulder. “Blueberry pie? Come on, I was expecting something classier than that,” she comments.
“I would, if only you will stop rubbing and pressing against on me,” you retort.
“Can’t I show you my level of interest?” she asks as she continues to press her chest against your back. “I can offer to bake cheesecake for you, if you like. I happen to be an expect in cheese, especially the thick and creamy variety~”
“Just let go off me before someone gets roasted by the oven,” you say.
“Hey, is that a threat to my dignity?” Aya protests.
“Not if I strip and season you first,” you reply. Aya laughs and presses herself against you even closer. “Look. If you really want to get an exclusive interview with me,” you say and turn around so that you’re facing her. “Why don’t you just arrange for an appointment instead?”
“Why? Don’t you like the way I’m getting information?” she asks with a foxy grin; it doesn’t even help that the upper part of her shirt is unbuttoned, exposing her cleavage to you. Good God, is there a time when a woman doesn’t make a move on you? “Come on~ I know you like it when it’s
hot and spicy~” she purrs.
“Step aside, Aya,” Komachi utters and pulls Aya away from you. “Can’t you see he’s preparing special food for Boss?”
“But I almost got him to do an interview with me,” Aya whines.
“While using your expertise in blackmailing against him?” Komachi wags a fighter at the journalist. “Aya, oh Aya. I know you habit all too well, and seriously, when will you actually start respecting other’s privacy?”
“But when will I get an interview from him?” Aya asks. “How long am I supposed to wait until I get my turn?”
“Ladies, let’s talk about this matter after lunch, okay?” you tell both of them. “Now that you two are here, do me a favour and help me with the meals. I was going to have lunch with Miss Eiki only, but since you’re already here-”
“Great! I can start making cheesecake right away! I’ll be right back!” As fast as lightning Aya dashes out of your cottage to get the ingredients at her place, and that leaves you alone with Komachi.
“Cooking for Boss, eh? Well, allow me,” she says and takes over the kitchen. “Years of living and working with her have taught about how to satisfy her taste bud,” she tells you. “Watch.”
With the help of Aya and Komachi you’re able to turn the dining table into a gourmet exhibition stand. With your blueberry pie, Aya’s cheesecake (“I got this recipe from my special friend, and I’m not telling you. Booyah!”) and Komachi’s special presentation of Chinese seafood, all you have to do is to invite Eiki over to the table. You’re in luck as she shows up in time for you to prepare the decanting tools, and her appearance catches you completely off-guard: contrary to what you’d expect Eiki has chosen to wear simple, all-white gown with a matching laced sunhat. A yellow ribbon is tied on her left wrist, and a small flower-shaped hairpin decorates her hair. You’re at loss of words, and it takes Komachi to break the silence that’s enveloping the three of you.
“No wonder why she took so long to dress up,” Komachi comments with an amused grin.
Aya quickly takes pictures of Eiki in the dress. “I hope you don’t mind!” she says.
Eiki pays both of them no attention and turns to you. You can only offer her a smile and invite her to sit. “Beauty is in the eye of the beholder, I suppose,” you speak.
“Thank you for the compliment, Mister Winemaker,” Eiki replies.
“Alright, ladies! Please sit down while I prepare the wine to complement today’s lunch,” you tell your guests. Aya and Komachi clap their hands while Eiki just gives you an amused smile. “So, would you like the wine prepared simple and clean or over the top?”
“Come on, kid! You know all of us here won’t be satisfied with just a simple presentation,” Komachi jeers. “Right, Boss?”
“Of course,” Eiki answers. “I expect nothing but the best from our host.”
“Well, if that is what you want to see. Aya, help me with the blindfold.”
The journalist grins widely. “Don’t tell me you want to do the same thing like you did in front of Hina and Momiji.” Giddily she ties the blindfold around your eyes, and you can feel her whole body pressed against you as if she’s trying to seduce you; you have to be careful not to let the gesture arouse you.
She steps back from you. “Alright, everyone. You may hold your breath.”
You start decanting. You spin, you flex, you bend over, and you keel, and you’re performing these seemingly impossible manoeuvres blindfolded with one goal in mind: entertaining your guests. You know you’ve gained their attention from the way they’re cheering for you. You have an idea, so after the decanting is done, you fill two glasses for Aya and Komachi, still being blindfolded. Then you take another glass and ask Eiki to hold it for you, causing the two ladies to wolf-whistle teasingly.
“Well, too bad we don’t get a bigger audience here,” Komachi says.
“Then I’ll just take pictures and sell them,” Aya suggests.
“Save some for me, will you?” Komachi tells her ‘partner-in-crime’. “And I want them free.”
“What? No! That will kill my business,” Aya protests.
“Silence, both of you,” Eiki scolds them, her voice trembling in embarrassment.
You focus on getting your position right so that you can fill the glass without spilling the wine. With intricate hand gestures you bring the decanting jar to the glass, amusing them even more. You can’t afford to screw this up and embarrass yourself in front of Eiki and everyone else. “Here. We. Go.” You pour the decanted wine into the glass, and you swear to yourself it goes on and on, almost as if you’re filling a jar with a very deep bottom.
Your ear catches the faint sound of your heartbeat. You stop, and slowly lift the decanting jar from the glass. You undo your blindfold, and you sigh in relief as you realize you’re almost half an inch from spilling the wine. “That was almost close,” you utter.
“Uh-huh, so close Eiki was almost on the verge of fainting,” Aya tells you.
“And she didn’t even want to warn you that you almost spilled the wine,” Komachi adds.
“I… I… will you cut that out for once, Komachi?” Eiki demands.
You invite your guests to enjoy the meals. Eiki expresses her delight for the entertainment skit you showed, adding that she was very thrilled every time you almost misjudged the decanting. Aya and Komachi are sharing the same sentiment as Eiki; Aya, especially, has never seen decanting done “so deliberately off-key” in her whole life and asks that she interviews you on the spot. You find yourself barraged with questions that focus more on your affair with the girls than your winemaking career; you decide to play along with her as you continue your conversation with your Higan guests.
“So what’s your plan this winter?” Eiki asks. “I understand a winemaker like you will have very little to do in this season.”
“Not really. I could process some of the leftover grapes into marmalades or vinegar,” you answer. “As for schedules… I have been invited to Makai by Yukari’s friend; Shinki, I think it’s her name.”
“Or you could invite the Akis to stay over,” Aya suggests. “That would be nice.”
“Why would I do that?” you ask.
“Well, duh! They like you very much, that’s why,” Aya replies. “And don’t forget that you still have me as your next customer. Put our appointment in your calendar, okay?”
“He surely has an active lifestyle, isn’t he?” Eiki asks.
“You bet he is, Boss,” Komachi answers. “That is if he doesn’t get worn out first.”
You shake your head. You begin to dislike where this conversation is headed to, and you have to do something about it. “It’s not the problem of whether or not I have enough strength to deliver wines to my customers around this place,” you speak. “In fact, I view it as beneficial to my business, and it’s good for my physical workout, too. At least I don’t have to lock myself inside this house all day long.”
“You should know that some girls will drain you out, figuratively and literally,” Eiki speaks. “I’m telling you this because I’m concerned about the consequences of you… living your life actively.”
“Thanks for the concern, Miss Eiki, but I don’t regret it,” you tell her. “I’ve never felt this free ever since I moved in to here months ago. Gensokyo has given me the opportunity to express myself as a winemaker in the way I could never have done back at my original place.” You chuckle. “Well, if I have to regret something, it’s that some, if not all, of the girls I meet always want to make their moves on me.” You can hear Komachi and Aya coughing lightly. “Yeah,
some of them.” “Why, if I may ask?” Eiki asks.
“I don’t know. Maybe I’m being too nice to them.”
Eiki scratches her chin. “I find this matter concerning. Komachi, I would like to seek an audience with this gentleman, so please leave us for a while.”
“With all your respect, Eiki, shouldn’t I stay with you?” Aya asks, yet Komachi’s loyalty gets the better of her as she gets dragged out of the kitchen. “Aw, come on Eiki! Can’t you give me a chance?” she asks.
“I really need to thank you for that,” you say after Aya and Komachi have left. “So, what is it that you want to seek from me?”
“It’s your relationship with your customers,” Eiki speaks. “I know you enjoy their company very much, but don’t get attached to them. You will find that some of them are not hesitant to not let you go.”
“I know, but it’s my responsibility to fulfil my customers’ satisfaction,” you reply.
“That doesn’t mean you can take advantage over them,” Eiki states.
“Taking advantage, milady?” You laugh. “Please, why should I do that when it’s them who are playing the game against me?”
“Are you saying that they should be blamed as well?” Eiki, then, does the unexpected by rubbing her feet against your ankle lightly.
“Why, I can refuse them if they fail to recognize their right as a customer,” you answer and take off your shoe secretly. “Of course, turning them down will only hurt my business in long-time term.” You nudge your feet on hers, causing her to gasp. “There’s no way I’d do anything to hurt my customers’ heart.”
“Exactly,” Eiki says and returns the nudging equally playfully. “But you have to be very careful in running your business. I’ve seen too many businesses doomed to fail in the past because they took the risk for granted. Like,” she utters and rubs the sole of her feet on your shin. “Cheating on their customers with low-quality products in the name of profit.”
“You certainly have the observation skills of a commerce analyzer; I can give you credits for that,” you reply and nudge your toe on Eiki’s feet. She gasps again but then she giggles as she keeps playing with you.
“I’m a judge, and that means I have the right to evaluate which business is good and which is not,” she speaks.
“Touché,” you reply. “So what do you think of my business’ future prospect?” Eiki smiles as she rests her feet on your knee. You take it as cue and put your hand under the table to touch her feet. She makes a low-sounding sigh as you give her feet a quick massage, and slightly yelps when you pinch her toe. “Well, I guess that will qualify as a yes,” you say.
“Maybe,” Eiki utters.
“Right, I don’t think this matter can be discussed here,” you speak and put her feet back on the floor, “so how about a quick visit to my greenhouse?”
“You have a greenhouse? That’s a surprising fact,” Eiki remarks.
“Yes, I have a greenhouse; just in case I need to start another business in case the one I’m working on goes south.”
You take Eiki to the greenhouse not far from the vineyard. There, you introduce her to the varieties of flowers you cultivate in the building. “You certainly have a lot of time looking after these flowers,” Eiki says and plucks one of the roses from its tree. “She will be very envious of you if she sees this.”
“Excuse me?”
“Oh, you haven’t known already? Yuuka, the flower that never withers away,” she answers. You frown when she mentions the name. “What’s the matter?” Eiki asks as she notices the worried look on her face.
“I just remembered my appointment with her,” you answer and shake your head. “I can’t believe I almost forgot about her. She’s been looking forward to see me.” You sigh. “I’ll feel very guilty of myself if I keep her waiting.”
“May I offer you a piece of advice?” Eiki asks.
“If that’s going to help, why not?”
Eiki makes a few coughs before she proceeds. “Yuuka is one of the older living beings in Gensokyo. She has gone through many events and she has met many people with different opinions about her,” she speaks. “She’s feared by many - humans and youkai - for her unpredictability. Those who dare crossing her often have to pay with their own life.”
“…that’s not very helpful at all,” you tell her.
“I’m not finished yet. The fact she wants to see you means that you must have done something to gain her trust,” Eiki speaks. “May I know what have you done?”
“Eh, it’s not that important,” you say. “I just helped Yuuka’s friend with her domestic affair, and she was very grateful for that.” You feel guilty for lying to Eiki about your affair with Reina, but some things are better not discussed. “But Eiki, I think you’ve got it wrong when you said she’s feared by everyone.”
“Well, what do you think about her?” Eiki asks.
“It’s hard to tell from first impression,” you answer and seat on bench. “But as far as I can tell, she’s a nice person.”
“You’re taking your chance, Mister Winemaker,” she points out. “Don’t judge a book by its cover.”
“Every business has its risks,” you say matter-of-factly. “If I can get Yuuka to be my customers, then it will be a risk worth taking.”
Eiki sits next to you. “Then let me judge your readiness to take the chance,” she says.
You can’t help laughing. “Now you’re making your move on me,” you tell her jokingly. “That’s not fair.”
“Shut up, I’m not,” she answers defiantly, cheeks blushing. “Now stay still, or shall I restrain you?” She sits atop of your lap and puts her arms on your shoulders. “What do you think of me?” she questions.
“As a judge, a guest, a customer or a regular person?” you ask, feeling the weight of her lithe body pressing on you.
“None of them,” she answers.
“I can’t give you an answer for that question,” you tell her.
“Maybe this will help you.” Eiki bends down and presses her lips against yours. She’s kissing you, and she’s doing it rather roughly. You can feel her exerting some force into the kiss to rouse you into returning the kiss. She breaks off the kiss before you can kiss her back, and is staring at you in contempt. “You aren’t cooperating,” she retorts.
“I like it when you don’t put too much force into that kiss,” you point out. If the bright blush that’s decorating her face isn’t telling you anything about her feeling, nothing else will. “Besides, I think you’re forgetting one important lesson in wine tasting:” you speak and take the sunhat off her head. “You should not rush yourself.”
“You… you’re right,” Eiki utters. “My apology for forcing to cooperate with me against your will.”
“It’s alright. I understand your need.” You wrap your arms around her and embrace her close to you. You bring her face to meet yours and take her lips in a soft kiss. You run your hand through the silky strands of her hair while you rest your other hand underneath her ass. Eiki moans softly into your mouth and presses herself against you closer still. When both of you pull away from each other you offer her a smile. “I forgot to say this, but you look absolutely gorgeous in this dress.”
She smiles in return. “Thank you so much.”
-
-