In the inn's lively front room, Kairo approached the inspector with the modified drink. Offering the drink with a forced smile, Kairo tried to conceal his anxiety. "Inspector, please try one of our special drinks. On the house. It's very refreshing."

The inspector, looked at the drink skeptically and said. "No thank you, Mr. Kairo."

Kairo was considering an alternative approach when the inspector changed the subject.

"About last night, where is Linai? I need to ask her about those unique drinks," Inspector Adamma asked, scanning the room.

"I’m not sure where she is. She seemed to be just passing through. I didn’t know her well," Kairo said, feigning indifference.

The inspector mulled over Kairo's words, his gaze unsettlingly fixed on him.

Feeling the need for a more significant distraction, Kairo quickly made up a story, feigning upset. "You know, Inspector, I'm glad you asked about Linai. I've just found out she might have stolen from me."

The inspector’s eyebrow rose. “Really?”

Kairo feigned resentment. "I trusted her, and she betrayed that trust. I'm eager to find her now, just like you."

"I'm sorry to hear that, Mr. Kairo," the inspector said.

Kairo, seizing the opportunity, said. "Here, as a small compensation for the trouble."

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The inspector, appearing more relaxed, said. "Alright, but you should have some first."

“Excuse me?”

“Taste it.”

“Everything we serve here is delicious.”

“Especially those Linai drinks!” a customer said.

The inspector stared at Kairo.

Out of the corner of his eye, Kairo saw Nyaogi and Linai slip upstairs for more boxes. Kairo forced a smile. "Certainly, Inspector. Cheers." He sipped from the glass, carefully taking just enough to appear genuine.

“Very well.” As the inspector sipped the drink, Kairo watched, his anxiety mounting in anticipation of the potion's effects. The inspector sat down to question a patron. From where he sat, he could see the route to the back door from upstairs.

Nyaogi peered around the corner. Kairo waved her back. She retreated.

The inspector seemed to have noticed. He abandoned the patron and headed toward the stairwell. As he walked, the inspector started showing discomfort, clutching his stomach.

The inspector stopped at the base of the stairs. He leaned against the wall and groaned. His evident distress resonated through the inn, drawing attention.

Simultaneously, Kairo, began to feel its impact. His vision blurred, and nausea hit him hard. Struggling to maintain balance, he was quickly overpowered by the potion's effects, incapacitating him alongside the inspector.

The inspector belched. Then threw up.

The splatter of vomit set Kairo off. His stomach emptied itself.

#

Staggered toward the front door, still vomiting. Patrons dove out of the way to avoid the spray. Inspector Adamma paused at the inn's exit. "This isn't the end, Mr. Kairo.” He threw up. “I'll be back with a health and safety team.” He threw up again. “With more inspectors!”

Kairo, supporting himself against the bar, couldn’t feel relief. His knees shook. He threw up and waved the inspector away.

After the inspector left, Kairo remained, battling the potion's effects. Despite the inspector's departure, anxiety hung in the air. The thought of a follow-up visit and its potential impact on the inn and its people weighed on Kairo.

Kairo retreated to his quarters to rest. As he lay down, trying to calm his nausea and regain clarity, his thoughts drifted to the inn's future. For now, he needed to stop vomiting.