The Ultimate Pharmacist is trying to work.

Meanwhile, in the red light district, the Ultimate Pharmacy was having a relatively slow night. Inside, a woman with medium-length silver hair, soft purple eyes, a white lab coat, black gloves, a black mini skirt, and a dark grey face mask was handing a woman with short turquoise hair, tight green clothes, and a star handbag a circular package of pills.

“Thank you for stopping by, miss,” the pharmacist behind the counter said as she handed off the medicine. Her voice was soft and smooth, but there was an unmistakable tension underneath it as if she were ready to jump out of her skin at any moment. “I formulated these just for you, so there shouldn’t be any side effects, but please let me know if you’re having any trouble.”

“Thanks a lot, doc.” The blue-haired sex worker smiled and put the pack into her purse. “See you again next month!”

She then waved goodbye and left the pharmacy, the bell above the door ringing on the way out. Now alone, the pharmacist let out a long sigh and seemed to finally start to relax. Then, out of nowhere, a hand was placed on her shoulder.

“Hey there, Kuchibashi!” a female voice said right behind her.

“Guwaaa!” The pharmacist immediately panicked, her arms spasming on reflex. Her right hand punched a nearby wall so hard her knuckles cracked while her left accidentally knocked over a full bottle of medicine, which sent little green pills pouring out onto her countertop and the ground.

“Wow, that sure was clumsy of you,” said the woman standing behind Kuchibashi. She had short strawberry-blonde hair, blue eyes, tall pink boots, and a tight pink jacket with little bows on the front instead of buttons. The jacket had a low cut to show off her breasts, and if anyone looked at her at the right angle they’d see the wasn’t wearing anything underneath its fuzzy bottom trim. “Isn’t it dangerous to leave a bottle open on the counter like that?”

“Y-yes, it is, but I wasn’t expecting you to sneak up on me.” Kuchibashi got on her knees and began scooping up the pills. “How did you get back here anyways, Ruruka?”

“You gave me that spare key to the back door, remember? You know, since we’re best friends and all.” Ruruka got down on her knees and pulled Kuchibashi into a tight hug even as she kept trying to pick up pills.

“Oh yeah, that’s right.” The pharmacist sighed, annoyed but unable to muster any anger. She had forgiven Ruruka a million times before, and she knew that she’d forgive the woman this time too. “Was there something you needed?”

“I’m so glad you asked~” Ruruka hugged Kuchibashi again and stood back up. “I have a client tonight who willing to pay big bucks, but only if I bring the good stuff. Do you think you can help me out?”

“Y-yes, of course,” Kuchibashi replied, finishing refilling the pill bottle. “That’ll be one hundred thousand yen per pill.”

“Aww, don’t be like that!” Ruruka whined and leaned on the pharmacist’s shoulders. “That’s way too expensive! Can’t you just give them to me for free?”

“But… I gave them to you for free all those other times too.” Kuchibashi looked back nervously at Ruruka. “And these things are expensive to make.”

“I know that, but we’re friends, aren’t we?” Ruruka smiled and hugged Kuchibashi from behind again, rubbing her face against the pharmacist’s neck. “And friends help each other because they care about and love each other. Because friends aren’t worth anything if they aren’t loyal in your time of need.”

Kuchibashi hesitated for a few moments before letting out another sigh. “Alright, here you go.” The pharmacist reached into a drawer and pulled out a small bottle of pills. “Just make sure you don’t take too many at once, alright?”

“Eheh, you’re the best, Kuchibashi!” Ruruka kissed Kuchibashi on the cheek and took the pills. “Oh, and by the way, I got you a little present! Enjoy!” She took out three small pink macaroons and put them onto the counter next to Kuchibashi before heading to the back exit of the store. “Until next time!”

“Augh…” Kuchibashi could already feel her stomach curdling and ulcers forming as she looked at the pastries. Ruruka knew she couldn’t have anything sweet because of her medications, but she kept making them for the pharmacist anyways. “Why, God, did my best friend have to be the Ultimate Confectioner?” she wondered out loud as she swept the sweets into a trash can.

Just as she finished sweeping the macaroons away, she heard the bell above the front door ring again. Looking up, she saw Maki and Geneva walking into the pharmacy with a man she didn’t recognize.

“Good evening,” Kuchibashi greeted, her voice shifting back into her professional tone. “Is there something I can help you with?”

“Yes; my friend here just suffered from a Kibofil poisoning,” Maki explained at the counter.

“Oh dear!” Kuchibashi looked Shuichi up and down. “He’s not suffering from any symptoms right now, is he?”

“No – we were able to administer the antidote before his condition became too serious,” Geneva replied. “However, we would like you to examine him to make sure the attack hasn’t caused any permanent damage.”

“Oh… well, I’m afraid the pharmacy is still open, and I don’t have anyone here to watch the front counter for me,” Kuchibashi replied. “If you could please come back in an hour, I’ll be able to-“

“I’m afraid we would rather not wait.” Geneva took a rather large roll of bills from one of her pockets and placed it onto the counter. “Would this help you see him sooner?”

“Woah!” Kuchibashi’s eyes widened as she picked up the roll of bills and counted it; two million yen in total. She then carefully looked around the pharmacy to make sure there weren’t any other customers before walking to the front door and changing the ‘open’ sign to ‘closed’. “Alright, I’ll take him to the examination room to be looked at. Please, wait here until we’re finished, and… try not to break anything while we’re gone.”

“Understood, Kuchibashi.” Maki bowed graciously before taking a seat next to Geneva in the waiting area.

“Right this way, sir.” Kuchibashi led Shuichi into a large examination room in the back of the pharmacy, which had an exam chair, several medical charts posted on the walls, and several strange machines that Shuichi assumed were medical equipment. “Uh, may I ask your name before we get started?”

“It’s Shuichi; Shuichi Saihara,” he replied. “And you’re… Kuchibashi, right?”

The pharmacist sighed. “Yes, that is what most people call me. Now please, have a seat at the examination chair.” Shuichi did as he was told and Kuchibashi sat down across from him. “So, how did you overdose on my ****? Did you try to take two or more at once to get extra aroused? Did you take five or more over the course of the day? Or have you been taking some every day for the past week or month?”

“Uh… no, actually, I haven’t,” Shuichi replied. “I think the most I’ve ever taken in one day is three, but that was on Saturday. In total, I think I’ve had about… five or six over the past week and a half.”

“Hmm? That’s odd… you shouldn’t have had an overdose from just that.” Kuchibashi looked at Shuichi curiously. “Do you have any known liver or kidney problems? How about allergies? Are you taking any other ****?”

“No, I don’t think so…” Shuichi rubbed his chin in thought for a few moments before a realization suddenly hit him. “But, now that I think about it, my last dose was last night, and I may have taken it… differently than normal.”

“Differently… how?” Kuchibashi asked.

“I, uh… may have snorted it off a rock star’s breast.” Shuichi blushed bright red as he spoke.

“You what!?” Kuchibashi jumped up from her seat and gripped her hair in shock. “Why on earth did you do that!?”

“I-I don’t know!” Shuichi put up his hands defensively. “I-it seemed like the confident thing to do at the time!”

“That’s not confident! That’s just reckless and stupid!” Kuchibashi pulled her hair even harder. “The **** is eight times more powerful when you don’t take it by mouth! It’s a miracle you survived long enough to get the antidote!”

“I… I… augh. Yeah, I guess that wasn’t the best idea.” Shuichi let out a deflated sigh. “So, what’s this examination going to entail anyway?”