Haha! Look, I did it! This chapter is up and there wasn't a bunch of waiting this time! Suffice to say I was able to get this done over the course of a few weeks is a vast improvement yeah? There's not too much for me to say here this time, except that I'm real thankful for the comments I got of people welcoming me back. I really didn't expect that at all. There's only one comment I'll address this time and it was from a guest who made a point of how the cellphone Kaguya has hasn't been brought up again or why the girls don't have laptops of their own. So here goes...

The reason the cellphone hasn't been included for a while, is because it was meant to play a part in Kaguya becoming a bit more closer to her NEET interpretation you see often in fanworks. Originally, I intended to have the girls gain Jobs from FFXIV no matter what, but as things went on, I became unsure and that led to me asking for the opinion on the readers. That said, Kaguya HAS been using it, though this often requires Eirin's help because the thing is in English(A language I can't imagine Kaguya would be too good at reading, but Eirin is a super genius so...). I do have a few ideas that involve her discovering the horrors of gacha games, but that's for a later time. As for the laptop thing? The girls really don't have a desire for one. Sure they've got some inklings as to what it is as they're sure it has some relation to John's powers. But otherwise? They don't care about it all too much, just viewing it as strange outsider technology and not much else.

Anyway, I hope that answered the reason as to why there aren't several laptops in John's house and with that being the case. Enough talking and let's jump straight into the chapter.

John sat in Satori's office. The three days had passed and the supposed training he was supposed to have undergone didn't seem like it was enough. Mostly because, he had never trained at all. After making the bet with Yuugi, John had returned to the Earth Palace and...did nothing, even though Sanae had told Rin to find him some drinks, she then said to not worry about it...so she didn't. As a result John simply continued going about his usual duties that Satori had left for him. This included feeding her pets (of which there were way more than he anticipated) making sure that Okuu had done her work and...nothing much else really. It was a pretty sweet gig just as Rin had said it would be, the only problem was the oni really as they had continued to party even if the duel was going to occur pretty soon.

Though all was quiet in the underground for now, John couldn't help but feel a sense of trepidation build within him. So much so that he'd called Rin into the office and asked if he could pet her for a while. Something she agreed to, since, being a cat and all she's not against a bit of pampering here and there. Truthfully, she did it because she could feel the dread building within him and it was no surprise why, for all intents and purposes John was going to be walking to his death in just a few hours.

In a blink of an eye, at least for John, there was only an hour left until the appointed time that the drinking contest would take place. Letting out a heavy sigh, John got to his feet and began walking towards the door.

"So...you're really going?" Rin asked transforming back to her human state

"Yeah, I agreed to the duel after all." he said looking back at her

"Yeah but...John, come on, you know how this is going to end." She said as her ears drooped

"You're right, I do know, I'm still going to meet Yuugi halfway though. I can't just run away from this."

"Yes you could! You could leave right now and no one would care! Well...no one important. The oni would see you as a laughingstock and coward."

"Well, I can't have that. I'm a Warrior of Light, I don't run from any challenge!" John said smiling

"So instead you go into battles knowing you can't win?"

"Pretty much, it usually works out way or another."

"I severely doubt that for some reason."

"Let's just go. We gotta see this through." John said with finality in his voice

"Fine...but when you die, I'll make sure to treat your corpse right okay? I'll make sure your body goes in the fires last!"

"Thanks…?" John said not entirely sure how to respond, Rin's face was completely serious though, so he figured it was her earnestly trying to find some sort of positive thing to say about the entire situation. The two began make their way towards the center of the ancient city, the spot where things would be going down, when as soon as they left the gates of the palace, they were met with Sanae.

"I-I'm here! I'm not late am I?" Sanae asked panting

"We were just leaving...are you okay?" John asked looking Sanae over, the shrine maiden looked absolutely haggard. Her eyes were bloodshot, her hair completely unkempt and she was barely standing upright as she spoke.

"I'm...I'm fine." She said taking a moment to catch her breath. "I just...I had something to take care of and I finished just in time."

She fished out a necklace, in the shape of a frog with a serpent wrapped around it and placed it on John's neck.

"What's this?" John asked bewildered

"A good luck charm. I...I made it myself." Sanae said with a blush "Do you like it?"

"Yeah, it's great Sanae. Who knows, maybe it'll work some magic for me."

"It should..." Sanae mumbled

"What was that?"

"Nothing! I'm...I'm really tired, so I'll go retire in the palace if that's okay? I'll see you after okay?"

"Really? You're just going to sleep while John throws his life away?" Rin snarled

"Hey, ease up on her Rin, she's clearly really exhausted." John said "Could you get her to bed? I'll go on ahead."

"Fine. Come on you sleepyhead." Rin said taking Sanae by the hand and leading her inside, John watched as the two went inside before making his way towards the meeting place, taking in the sight of everything going into this. There actually wasn't much. In the middle of the street there was a table meant for two and off to the side were about 10 or so barrels of what was quite obviously alcohol of some kind. Off to the right of that was another table with some more light refreshments, probably for the spectators.

And that's when John noticed it.

As he landed close to the table, he could see that there were a ton of people here. Various oni were watching, some laughing and jeering at him as they figured he'd come to lose spectacularly, however that wasn't what caught his eye. No, instead there were other people here that caught his attention. Floating above some of the oni were tengu, he'd never forget those hats of theirs. Along with that, he could see some of the Kappa running around too, he was unsure if Nitori was here, since she'd probably more than likely be tinkering away at something instead. Still, he didn't expect them to be here. Looking around some more he saw some more interesting people. People who really stood out from the rest of the crowd. Looking to his right, he saw a woman with pink hair happily eating away at some of the food, while a shorter girl in green was attempting to pull her away before she ate everything. To the right and above one of the buildings sat a woman in purple. She was sitting on some sort of weird portal with eyes and her stare was fixated on him specifically, for a moment their eyes met and John couldn't help but turn away. For some reason, she was causing warning signs to go off in his head. A little ways away from her was Marisa, who was drinking a bit herself, and at that John couldn't help but roll his eyes at the sight of her. She seemed to be enjoying herself at least.

Before he could take in any of the other interesting people, John was caught off guard when Reimu of all people ran up to him.

"Hey ya made it!"Reimu said giddily "I thought you weren't going to show!"

"Reimu?! Why are you here? In fact, why are a lot of these people here?"

"Word got around that you were going to take on Yuugi in a drinking contest. No doubt she sent some youkai do a bit of information gathering, or talked to the tengu and kappa, the oni are their boss after all. Anyway, I'm real glad you're doing this!"

"Why's that?"

"I've got a big bet riding on this thing, when you lose, I'm gonna make a ton of money!"

"Wait, you bet against me?!" John shouted indignantly

"Why are you surprised? That's the smart bet and some easy money for me. Everyone wins!"

"I don't win."

"Everyone who matters wins!" Reimu said again

"Gee thanks Reimu, your support means the world to me." John Deadpanned, before he could say anything else to Reimu, the two were interrupted by Aya flying up to John with a pen and paper in her hand

"John! What are your thoughts on your inevitable defeat?" Aya asked

"Oh come on you, didn't bet against me too did you?"

"Well I certainly didn't bet on you. But I don't gamble, not really my thing, way to easy to end up in debt doing that. Anyway, about my question..."

"Aaaand, I'm gone." John said walking towards the table to take a seat, leaving the tengu and shrine maiden to their own devices.

As he made himself comfortable and took a seat, Yuugi appeared on the opposite side of the table, a smug grin on her face.

"Well look who it is! You decided to show up after all! How ya doin'?"

"Well enough I guess, learned some people are placing bets on this and are all going against me, so that did wonders for my confidence."

"Hehe, well can't really blame em for that. Anyway, so here's how it's gonna go: Given that you aren't like that moon princess I drank with one time, we're only gonna drink for 8 hours straight. Whoever passes out first by then is the loser."

"Alright, seems fair."

"Also no little sips either. You either down it in one shot, or take large sips. The cups we've got only take about three proper sips before they empty. So if you take any more than that, I'll call foul, ya got that?"

"Loud and clear."

"Cool, let's get started! Oi Suika, bring out the barrels!"

A small girl with two large horns protruding decorated in ribbons from her head made her way over to John and Yuugi. She was wearing a tattered pale pink blouse, a long purple and pink skirt, and the most notable thing of all had to be the chains tied to her belt. They not only were tied to it, but were tied to her wrists as well, making John think of how Yuugi had something similar going on. The most notable thing about Suika though was that despite her childlike appearance, she was carrying two of those large barrels of alcohol all on her own as if it were no problem at all. No doubt about that she was another oni.

"Here you two go. Now, this is gonna be a good time, so I'm gonna pour the first drink for you guys!"

"Go right ahead." Yuugi said handing her the cup, Suika quickly filled it up and set it down in front of her friend and was about to reach for John's when he grabbed her arm, with a bit more force than intended.

"I'll pour it myself." He said calmly

"Hey now, I'm not gonna poison it or anything. I'll pour it and be gone. Quick as that!"

She easily moved his hand away from her despite John trying his best to hold it in place, before moving towards his cup to pick it up...only for John to grab it himself.

"Hey you're gettin' on my nerves right now. I'm tryin' to be nice here!" Suika hissed

"I said I'll do it myself!" John shouted at her

"Why you-" Suika growled, for a moment there was a tense stare off between the two, Suika and John waiting for the other to make a move. One wrong move from either of them and a fight would most definitely break out.

"Suika. Let him do it." Yuugi said in a calm tone

"Are you sure? I'm startin' to think he's up to somethin'."

"Nah...he's good. Just let him do it."

Suika stalked out, a bit irritated by John's actions and as he watched her go, he noticed that all eyes were on him, looks like he was a bit louder than he thought he was. Deciding not to dwell on it and push it from his mind, he quickly filled his cup up.

"Now then, to a good fight! Let's hope you live through it John!" Yuugi said raising her cup to him

"Yeah, sure thing I guess." John replied as their cups let out a small clink from being tapped against one another.

Without batting an eye, John gulped down the first helping with no issue at all.

"Huh...not bad, what is this stuff exactly?"

"We call it Oni Killer. This is the real hard-hitting stuff. You'll feel amazing once it kicks in!" Yuugi replied

"And how long will that take?"

"Give it about the fifth or so cup. That's when it'll really get you going!"

"I'll take your word for it..."

And so, the two began drinking in earnest. John made it to his fifth cup, and to his surprise, he was still lucid. He didn't feel any worse for wear and he didn't feel the urge to go to the bathroom either, which he was sure should have been the case all things considered. The same could be said for Yuugi as she showed no signs of slowing down either.

"So tell me John...what was that earlier?" Yuugi asked downing another cup of alcohol before refilling it

"What was what earlier?" John replied, doing the same thing as her

"That...thing with Suika. You seemed a bit off, I could see it in your eyes."

"I...I don't want to talk about it." John said, heck even he wasn't sure why he reacted the way he did, he just felt a need to handle his own drinks, even if the other person was 100% trustworthy, he just didn't want to talk that chance again.

...Wait, again?

He'd never really had a 'before' where something happened to a drink of his.

"I think I get it...you got poisoned once didn't you? Must have left a pretty bad mark on you." Yuugi said casually

"I...I didn't get poisoned."

"You don't have to hide it John, it's okay. Ain't nothing wrong with being a bit on edge after suffering something like that."

"But I...thanks Yuugi. I appreciate it." He said relenting, as his mind frantically tried to think of a time that he'd been poisoned. None came to mind for him...but it then hit John like a lightning bolt. He had never been drugged or poisoned. But his character from FFXIV? Oh they in fact had been drugged, it was a sleeping drug and did no lasting damage, but John recalled his character afterwards sharing a dinner with Ser Aymeric and how they doggedly watched the servant pour their drink for them, hesitant to drink it after he'd finished. Yeah...now it made sense to John, still, he found himself rather unwilling to talk about it all the same.

"So John, since we're here and everyone is off partying and doing their own thing, tell me what do you topside?"

"What do I do?"

"Yeah, I won't lie, I had some friends do some digging and well uh...you fight undead dragons?" Yuugi said downing her drink

"Not for sport, but when the time calls for it." He replied downing his own drink "How'd you find out about that anyway?"

"Oh that was easy. You know that mountain that the tengu live on? Well, Suika and I as well as the other devas used to own it! Not too hard to pull a few strings if I want some info." She replies downing another drink "That said, I'm surprised you managed to get those tengu on your side. They're notorious for keeping outsiders well...out, even Reimu would have trouble getting through their territory on a regular day."

"Well, maybe she ought to go kill a dragon or two, that should help don't you think?" John said with a chuckle

"Now you're talking! I remember back in the day when I'd get into all sorts of fights, they really help build character. Put some hair on your chest you know?"

"You have hair on your chest?" John joked

"W-wha?! N-no I don't! I'm totally bare!" Yuugi said with a small blush on her face

"Thanks for sharing." John replied in a cool tone

Recovering her cool, Yuugi let out a chuckle "Alright, ya got me that time. But that's all you're gonna get!"

John didn't say anything as he downed more of the alcohol. It was strange, he was sure he'd taken more than enough to cause him to pass out already, especially if this stuff was meant to make oni get buzzed after just a few drinks. An hour passed and before John knew it, a new barrel of the stuff had been rolled out for them.

"Wow, you're still up and about. I thought you'd be done by now. I'm startin' to get that buzz myself, so let's keep goin'!"

And so they did. John and Yuugi making small talk as they drank, while the others were either watching them, drinking, eating, or just getting up to shenanigans on their own. Meanwhile, as they were going at it still, a woman clad in purple had continued watching, joined by a woman with bright pink hair.

"You've been awfully quiet Yukari~." The pink haired woman said in a playful tone "What's wrong? Is the party not to your liking?"

"No, it's not that..." Yukari said watching as John and Yuugi continued drinking "Don't you find it odd Yuyuko?"

"Odd? What do you mean?"

"Look at that man. The one drinking with the oni right in the center of it all, don't you find it strange that he's well...still conscious? He doesn't even seem that tipsy, in fact, he doesn't seem all that bothered by the drink at all."

"Is that really so bad? Eventually he'll pass out or die from alcohol poisoning. He's kinda cute though, maybe he'd make a good suitor for Youmu. I have been meaning to get her some help around home."

"I want to say you're right. But this person was handpicked by Ryujin for...something. Just what that dragon is planning I don't know."

"Why worry, just have some fun! Eat, drink! Be merry! Come on, do it for me~?" Yuyuko said with a pout

Yukari looked at her and couldn't help but smile at her request. "Alright, but just one, I'm keeping my eyes on that boy."

"Oh come now, I doubt he's that dangerous." Yuyuko said handing her friend a cup

"Perhaps so. But still, some of the allies he's gained could seriously shake up the power balance in Gensokyo. Imagine if he managed to rally them all against someone."

"That'd be quite the fireworks show. The danmaku would be beautiful I'm sure."

"From what I've gathered, he doesn't use danmaku. I've heard some of the tengu down here talking and uses strange magic and fighting styles not seen before."

"Is that so? Well, perhaps I should hire him after all."

"Please don't joke like that." Yukari sighed taking a sip of her drink

"A joke? Now you know I'm not one for jokes Yukari! Besides, think of it like this, if he manages to live through this...and even if he doesn't I can get him to work for me, find out just what the deal is with him, will that calm you down?"

"I suppose. I had planned to chat with him myself, but I don't think he'll be walking away from this."

"Consider it done~!" Yuyuko said with a clap of her hands, the two drinking a bit more as they awaited for the inevitable death of a foolish human that attempted to outdo an oni at something they were renowned the world over for.

Except...it never came. The party had gone on for hours, in fact, they were down to the last five minutes of the competition and John was still steady, in fact, he was completely sober the entire time. Yuugi meanwhile…

"wait those bug peoqple make their..l.h-hives out of what?!

"I don't know for sure, but that's just my guess...are you uh...okay?" John asked downing more of his drink. He really was confused as to why he wasn't even feeling a slight tingle. It was like the alcohol just...went into his body? He'd been allowed a few bathroom breaks, but other than that, the drink that Yuugi boasted about being able to make even oni black out drunk had failed to impress.

"Dont' gworry, i'm fine, i'm fine! we've got tons more dginkirn tzo do! another round on em!" She slurred as she poured herself another drink.

"Man, i love this stfuf. oni killer qis the best out there! come on John, lets drinvk tpill jwe di!e!"

"I'd uh...rather not die." John said "Look, Yuugi, I think you've had enough."

"You can't tell ime wheun i've had en!ugoh wi'll get as want as i drunk to be dacmmit-!"

THUD

A loud sound resounded throughout the area as Yuugi's head slammed face-first into the table, destroying it.

"Uuuuuuuuuuh…" John said looking around at the various other party-goers who had all gone silent as they stared at the passed out Oni "I win…?" John said with a nervous chuckle

What happened next could only be described in one word: Madness. Numerous Oni began shouting that John had cheated somehow. That he'd switched the oni killer with regular water or something far less powerful. Some were even ready to make a fight out of it, but before he could do anything it was Suika who jumped to his defense.

"All of you shut your mouths right now!" Suika shouted, and instantly the shouting from the other oni died down. Suika walked towards Yuugi, and grabbed her hand, raising it up before it plopped back down. Rolling her over, the taller oni could now be seen blissfully snoring a wide smile on her face.

"She's out." Suika said in genuine surprise "JOHN WINS!" Suika hollered loud enough for everyone to hear. "And if any of you have a problem...I'm right here. So if you wanna die, step the fuck up right now!"

It was quiet. So quiet one could hear Yuugi's snoring echoing for what felt like miles. The other Oni that had been so rowdy and eager to fight before were now silent and some were even beginning to walk off with sullen expressions.

"And you all remember the deal!" Suika shouted again "No more partying for 300 years!"

Groans were all that she got in response before turning back to John with a sigh "There. That'll keep them from making any dumb decisions. You should be fine to go about your business...but if you don't mind my asking, how the hell did you pull that win off? You didn't cheat did ya?" she asked while squinting her eyes

"I just drank. I didn't do anything else. Honest!" John said putting his hands up in a defense

Suika looked him dead in the eye as if she were staring into his very soul. For a tense moment, John felt he was gonna sent flying by a surprise attack, but after a bit Suika let out a sigh "Well, I can tell you aren't lying at least. You've just got one hell of a stomach it seems. Well nothing about it, congrats on the win John." Suika said holding her hand out, John took it and the two exchanged a firm handshake, with John noting that her grip was surprisingly tight for someone so small. Before he could say anything else though, he was assaulted by a ear-shattering scream.

"WHAT THE HELL JOHN?!" Reimu said running up to him "Just what the hell did you do you cheat!"

"What's your problem?" John asked

"My problem? My problem is that someone decided to outdrink an oni and now I'm down the crapper on a bet I made! Suika, he totally cheated didn't he?!"

"Nope." Suika said casually with a shrug "I just asked him myself just a moment ago. Trust me Reimu, I'm real good at spotting liars."

"Well, I won my match and now Satori gets some peace in quiet for the next 300 years. I'd say everyone wins out in the end.

"But what about me?!" Reimu squealed

With a dark smile on his face John looked at her "Everyone who matters wins."

"W-wait! Come on help me out before-!"

"Hey, there she is! Get back here shrine maiden and pay what you owe!"

Before Reimu could say anything else, she dashed off, taking flight and trying to get out of old hell as fast as she could, with a group of oni following closely behind her.

"You think she'll be okay?" John asked Suika

"She'll be fine. Reimu is a lot tougher than she looks."

"I'll take your word for it. I guess I should get going then, uh, is Yuugi gonna be okay?"

"Yeah, I'll take care of her. A good day's sleep and she'll be back up in no time." With that, Suika hefted Yuugi up over her shoulder and began walking away. As for John, he turned to leave when he bumped into someone...that woman who had been sitting on the weird eye portal thing.

"Hello." she said calmly, opening a fan to obscure her mouth

"Uh...hello there? Can I help you?"

"Oh no, I've no need for help. I just simply wished to congratulate you on your win. I never thought a human would be able to defeat an oni. Tell me, how did you do it?"

"Not much to say. We drank and talked, that's all." John said

"That's all?"

"That's right. Nothing else about it."

"I see, may I ask another question?"

"Shoot."

"Do you happen to know someone named Ryujin?"

"Ryujin? Sorry, I don't know anyone by that name, a friend of yours?"

"I suppose you could call him...that." She said with a bit of irritation in her voice "Anyway, that's all I wanted to know, thank you for answering me."

"Sure no problem Miss…?"

The woman said nothing as she was engulfed by one of the weird eye portal and disappeared. Leaving John alone in the rapidly emptying area

"Well, that was strange..." John mumbled as he began to walk back towards the palace, only to be stopped once again by Aya

"John, John! I need to interview you!" Aya said grinning widely "This is a big scoop, a human coming into the underground and beating one of the top oni in a drinking contest! This'll really boost my reputation!"

"Not now Aya." John sighed "Look, we can do this another time, I wanna go back to the palace and tell the others the news."

"Alright, I'll be by tomorrow. You better be ready for a long interview, I know I am!" She said flying off

"Could you please make it last only an hour this time?" John called out to her rapidly diminishing form

"No promises!" she shouted back at him

With that distraction out of the way, John finally made it back to the palace. Despite the fact that he hadn't fought or anything, he felt exhausted all the same. The entire thing was a lot more mentally taxing than he expected and when he opened the door he was greeted by Rin who looked completely surprised that John was back.

"I'm home!" John called out

"Wait...John? You're alive?"

"Somehow." John replied

Rin hurriedly ran over to the young man and began poking him all over, almost as if he were some sort of alien entity she'd never seen before.

"Well I'll be damned, you really are alive. So wait, does this mean you actually won?!"

"Damn right I did! Satori's now got 300 years of no partying oni and can get some sleep when she returns."

"Really? John you're the best! Lady Satori will be so happy! But, how'd you win?"

"I just kept drinking. It's weird, but I didn't feel the tiniest bit of a buzz while drinking. I guess the oni's drinks aren't that great?"

"I think that just means you're a monster..." Rin said with a nervous chuckle

"Where's Sanae, we should tell her the good news." John said

"Ah, I set her up in one of the guest rooms. She's been asleep all day, I don't think I've ever seen someone so tired before."

"Well let's go see her anyway, I'm sure she can stand staying awake for just a little bit to celebrate with us."

Nodding, Rin lead John towards the room that Sanae was sleeping in. It wasn't anything too amazing, just a singular bed with some end tables and a mirror on the dresser. Laying on the bed was Sanae who was snoring lightly, her body heaving up and down with each breath. Walking over to her, John lightly shook the girl until she came to.

"Huh...wha-what is it? Five more minutes Lady Kanako..." Sanae muttered

"Sanae, it's me, John." John said in a low voice "I won Sanae, I beat Yuugi!"

"John...oh! John!" Sanae exclaimed shooting up "Thank goodness, you're okay!"

"Yeah, I'm okay. Back, safe and sound."

"Good...I'm glad the charm worked."

"The charm?" John said pulling the necklace up from where it had been hidden by his outfit, "What's the charm got to do with it?"

"It's...well, to be blunt, it's a miracle." Sanae said with a smile

"A...miracle?"

"Yes. John, we both know that there's no way you could hope to beat an oni in a drinking contest. It's just not possible. So I...cheated." Sanae mutters

"You cheated? What are you talking about Sanae?" John asked in disbelief

"I have the power to create miracles. Theoretically, I could cause the most impossible thing to happen. If the world were about to be destroyed? I could save it. If reality were to completely dissolve? I could restore it. There's just one small problem..."

"And that is…?"

"Prep time. Forcing miracles to happen takes some serious preparation, the rituals needed can takes days or even weeks. In this case, I managed to power through and get that charm made so that you could outdrink Yuugi without getting drunk at all. To help things further, I made it so that the more you drank, the drunker she'd get. Basically, she was consuming alcohol twice as fast."

"That's...devious." John said, soaking up her explanation

"Not to mention dangerous!" Rin exclaimed "Look, we can not let Yuugi find out about this. If she does, she may end up wrecking the entire palace, if she doesn't kill John first."

"Would she really overreact that bad?" John asked

"Oni don't like being lied to John. They're pretty straight forward as I'm sure you've noticed, and they've got a tendency to be rather rowdy. You don't want to see one angry, especially not one of the Devas. So I think for everyone's safety, we should just pretend this conversation never happened and enjoy the next few hundred years of quiet."

The three looked at one another deciding to agree to that notion. Though John did feel a bit bad about the cheating. Sure he had no idea, but perhaps this is one of those times that it'd be wiser to just take the win. The three talked for a while longer, but it wasn't long before John had decided to turn in. Sanae decided to hang around as well, still feeling too tired to return to the shrine on the mountain.

Night came (or at least, according to Rin it had anyway) and the minute John's head hit the pillows he passed out, far more tired than he'd initially realized. However, he wasn't prepared for what came the next morning.

"Yuugi, why are you here?" John asked as he came to meet the oni in the foyer, she was standing there with a noticeable frown and a small tint of red on her face. John looked to Sanae and Rin (Who had let her in) for some explanation, but they were just as confused as he was. Yuugi didn't say anything and instead walked towards John and looked him over, inspecting him as if he were some sort of car on display.

"Well, you're not bad looking, so that's a plus." she grumbled

"Er...thanks?" John replied, still confused

Before he could say anything else, Yuugi proceeded to lift up his shirt and feel his stomach and chest as well.

"Huh, you've actually got some muscle on you. That's good too."

"Yuugi, what the hell is going on?!" John said pushing her away from him

"Huh? Oh uh...yeah well...um...so I'll just come out and say it: You're my man now!"

The entire room went silent at the declaration. It was almost like with what happened last night when John won, except on a much smaller scale.

"I'm sorry what." Sanae said in deadpan voice

"Look, I made this proclamation years back that whoever beat me in a drinking contest would get to be my husband...so uh...yeah John, you're the first to do it."

"Hey...whoa, I feel like there needs to be some discussion going on here before we jump to that!" John said waving his arms wildly

"What the hell? You think I'm not pretty?"

"What? No! Yuugi, you are definitely pretty, I just think that all parties need to agree to this!"

"Why wouldn't you agree to it?" Yuugi asked

"Well uh...I'm sorta engaged already?" John said with a chuckle "I've got a few women waiting for me back home...whenever they stop being mad at me and-"

"Now hold on there, you said women."

"Yes?"

"As in plural. More than one?"

"Uh...yeah?"

"Then, there's no problem here. Ya know how many youkai I've run into that have had a 2 or 3 men or women to themselves? It's not that big a deal really?"

"But I've got 4! That's er...way too much for you right?"

"Well who are they?" Yuugi asked with a raised eyebrow

"Uh...Kaguya, you know, the moon princess? Then there's Yuuka Kazami, followed by Flandre Scarlet from the Scarlet Devil Mansion, and Kogasa, she's my umbrella and the first friend I made when I arrived in Gensokyo."

Listing off the names, Yuugi can only grin in return "Wow, I really underestimated you John, those are some big names. I lucked out in losing to you it looks like. Getting to know them should be fun."

Well, that didn't work out how he expected. "Look, Yuugi, I seriously think you're jumping the gun here."

"Really? Good, we oni are more doers than thinkers."

Letting out a sigh, John took a deep breathe, she seemed dead set on this thing and John figured that this was his only out. He didn't want Yuugi just deciding she'd marry him over a drinking challenge of all things.

"Look, Yuugi. I've got something to tell you."

"Yeah? Is it which of the girls have the biggest boobs? Cuz I'm sure I've got them beat!"

"What? No! I think Yuuka is bigger anyway...t-that's not the point! Look, I know we've not really known each other long, but I think it's wrong for you to just jump to marriage so soon, so...I'm gonna be honest."

He took a quick glance at Sanae and Rin and sighed, the two catching on to what John was about to do.

"Wait John do-"

"I cheated Yuugi."

This time Yuugi was silent.

"What?" Is all she could muster

"During the competition, I cheated. Sanae made me a charm that allowed me to beat you." John said calmly

Before anyone could do anything, Yuugi looked John dead in the eye, it was the same way Suika had looked at him. It was a tense moment, if he made one wrong move, then Yuugi would end him in an instant. She continued staring before speaking again. "Tell me...did you know beforehand?"

"Beforehand?" John asked

"Did you know that she made the charm before the competition?"

"I didn't or rather, I didn't know it had any kind of special effect." John replied "Sanae knew I would most likely lose the competition and so to help me, she spent the last few days making that charm. She gave it to me without telling me what it was. I just thought it was a regular old necklace."

Another few tense moments pass before Yuugi's frown turns into a wide grin. "You're pretty honest, yeah I think this will work out."

"Work out, wait, you still want to…?"

"Sure! See, Suika told me she gave you the once over after I passed out. Made sure you weren't lying or cheating. She said you weren't and Suika's not the type to lie...much. At least not when it's regarding things like this."

"Oh...well uh, are you still gonna keep it quiet for the next 300 years?"

"Oh sure, after all, if you think about it, you didn't come in cheating. You were honestly gonna give it your all and that's deserving of something. Besides, I'll just make that shrine maiden pay some other day. Now give me some lovin'!"

Before he could do anything, gripping him by the collar, Yuugi pulled John into a sudden kiss, which caught him off. Sanae and Rin could only stare in shock at the whole thing before Sanae rushed in and broke them up.

"T-t-t-that's enough! D-doing something like that is improper!"

"Improper…?" Yuugi said with a snort "What are yo-oh...oh I see now." Yuugi said with a grin "You've got a thing for him don't you?"

"I-what-no-no I don't!" Sanae said blushing pretty hard "I've never thought about making out with John behind the shrine while Lady Suwako and Kanako are in the next room!"

"That is oddly specific..." Rin said with a cough

"I'll say. I guess this will be your punishment shrine maiden, you get to watch me live a happy life with John. I'll be sure to send the babies your way in the future!"

"Y-you...no you won't!"

"Really? What are you gonna do to stop me?" Yuugi teased

"I'll...I'll...I'M GONNA MARRY JOHN TOO!" Sanae yelled

"What?!" John exclaimed, "Wait Sanae, I don't think-"

"Shut up and make out with me right now!" Sanae said shutting him up with a kiss, where Yuugi's was rough and dominating, Sanae's was far more gentle, despite her death grip on him. She held him like that for at least an entire minute before letting him go.

"What do you think of that Yuugi?" Sanae said with a smug grin

"Welcome to the family." Yuugi said casually "Seriously, you should be honest with your feelings more, if you weren't you'd have grown old and lonely."

"Wait...what are you saying?"

"Nothing much. I totally didn't read you like an open book or anything."

"W-well, I'm not backing down! I'm still gonna do it!"

"Great, I'll be right there beside you. It'll be one hell of a party!"

The two women continued bickering with Sanae pouting more and more while Yuugi continued laughing. John all the while was just wondering how in the hell he was going to explain this when he got back home…

"...And that's what happened." John said as he and the others sat in the room together "We had to wait for Satori to return of course, but after that Yuugi convinced me to finally come back and try to smooth things over."

"And if you all didn't, I was gonna kick your asses!" Yuugi chuckled "Well, I'd probably have Sanae to back me up at least."

"Well, that's quite the tale, but I suppose it matters little so long as our beloved is back." Kaguya said as she sat on John's lap. Somehow she'd worked her way into that position during John's recounting of the story. "And I can tell he's quite happy to be back as well~." she gave her butt a small wiggle, which caused John to blush a bit

"Anywaaaaaay, that's what happened. It's good to be back, I'm looking forward to getting back to doing my usual work and to make things better both Sanae and Yuugi have agreed to work with us too."

"I don't know what this 'Favor Trade, really is, but I'm sure it'll be entertaining at the very least." Yuugi chuckled

"To think that you were able to win over not only one of the four devas, but the Moriya shrine maiden as well. You continue to impress me John~." Yuuka said in a playful tone

"Move, it's my turn." Kogasa said pushing Kaguya aside as she sat on John's lap "So...what should we do now? Work is done for the day and we killed those robot things."

"Time to party!" Yuugi exclaimed whipping out a bottle of sake from...somewhere "To John coming back home and bagging not one, but two super cute girls!"

To his surprise, the other women all drank to that, and pretty soon, John's home was filled with several extremely drunk women.

John could only smile to himself "Well, there are worse ways this could have gone." He muttered as he took a swig of the sake for himself. The party would continue well into the night, and the next day, the group would receive several noise complaints, resulting in everyone being limited to only a handful of drinks per day.

And there goes that chapter! All nice and done! I hope you guys enjoyed it and look forward to the next one. Why? Because finally, FINALLY we're moving to the Stormblood expansion, it'll need a bit of a timeskip, but at this point I've covered all I want with just the Heavensward stuff and some the ideas I want to implement need us to move on. This is even better because John will finally get the ability to become a Samurai. Only feels fitting given the circumstances yeah? As well as Red Mage and the pure style it brings to the table. Once again, I hope you look forward to the next chapter!