53. Drinks at the Pub

Chapter 53: Drinks at the Pub

Ruko and I made our way to the pub side of the guild hall, the lively hum of adventurers and the clinking of mugs filling the air. The atmosphere was warm and inviting, a stark contrast to the tension that had lingered between Freya and me earlier. I slid onto a stool at the bar, Ruko taking a seat beside me, his ears twitching slightly as he glanced around the room.

"Two ales," I called out to the bartender, who nodded and quickly filled two mugs, sliding them across the counter. I took a long swig, savoring the bitter taste, while Ruko sipped his more cautiously, his tail flicking behind him.

"You know," I began, setting my mug down with a grin, "you could learn a thing or two from me about talking to women. Gwen, for instance—she's always a challenge, but that's what makes it fun."

Ruko's ears flattened slightly, and he looked down at his drink. "I don't think I could ever be like you, Kaizen. You're... confident. I've always been quiet. Too quiet, maybe."

I raised an eyebrow, noticing the hesitation in Ruko's voice. I waved the bartender over again. "You know what? Forget the ale. Bring us some sake. The good stuff."

The bartender nodded and returned with a small bottle and two cups. I poured a cup for Ruko and slid it toward him. "Here. This'll loosen you up. Now, what's really on your mind?"

Ruko hesitated, his fingers tracing the rim of the cup. He took a deep breath before speaking. "It's not just about being quiet. It's... complicated. For me, talking to women isn't as simple as it is for you. People see the fur, the tail, the ears... they see a demi-human. And not just any demi-human—a slave. It's not easy to approach someone when you know they're judging you before you even speak."

My smirk faded, replaced by a more serious expression. I leaned back, studying Ruko for a moment. "You've been with the city lord's family your whole life, haven't you?"

Ruko nodded, his gaze fixed on the sake cup. "Since I was born. I've never known anything else. And mating with slaves... it's not something people look kindly upon. Even if I were to find someone who didn't care about my status, there's always the judgment. The whispers. The stares."

I took a sip of my sake, letting the warmth settle in my chest before responding. "That's rough, Ruko. But you can't let that stop you from living your life. You're more than your status, more than what people see on the surface. You've got a sharp mind, a good heart, and you're one hell of a cook. That's what matters."

Ruko's ears twitched, and he glanced at me, a flicker of gratitude in his eyes. "It's easy for you to say. You don't have to deal with the same things I do."

"True," I admitted, "but that doesn't mean you're alone in this. You've got me, for what it's worth. And if anyone gives you trouble, well... let's just say I've got a knack for handling difficult situations."

Ruko managed a small smile, though it didn't quite reach his eyes. He took a sip of the sake, the strong flavor making him grimace slightly. "I don't even know where to start. How do you... approach someone? What do you say?"

I chuckled, leaning forward on the bar. "Well, for starters, you don't overthink it. Just be yourself. If you're nervous, that's fine. Most people are, even if they don't show it. And if you're not sure what to say, just ask them about themselves. People love talking about themselves."

Ruko's tail flicked again, and he glanced around the room, his eyes landing on a female adventurer sitting a few stools away. She was laughing with her companions, her armor slightly scuffed from what looked like a recent battle. "What about her?" Ruko asked, his voice barely above a whisper. "What would you say to her?"

I followed Ruko's gaze, a sly grin spreading across my face. "Her? Easy. I'd walk over, compliment her armor—say something like, 'That's some impressive gear. You must've had quite the adventure today.' Then I'd let her take it from there. If she's interested, she'll keep the conversation going. If not, no harm done."

Ruko's ears flattened again, and he shook his head. "I could never do that. What if she... what if she looks at me like I'm some kind of monster?"

My expression softened, and I placed a hand on Ruko's shoulder. "Then she's not worth your time. But you'll never know unless you try. And hey, if it doesn't go well, we've got plenty of sake to drown your sorrows."

Ruko let out a small laugh, though it was tinged with nervousness. "I don't know, Kaizen. It's not just about her. It's about... everything. The way people see me. The way they treat me. Sometimes it feels like I'll never be more than what they think I am."

My grip on Ruko's shoulder tightened slightly. "Listen, Ruko. You're not just a slave. You're not just a demi-human. You're you. And anyone who can't see that doesn't deserve to be in your life. You've got to stop letting their opinions define you."

Ruko was silent for a moment, his tail curling around his leg as he processed my words. Finally, he nodded, though his expression was still uncertain. "Maybe you're right. But it's hard to change how you see yourself when everyone else sees you a certain way."

I leaned back, a thoughtful look on my face. "Then start small. Talk to someone. Anyone. It doesn't have to be her." I gestured to the female adventurer. "Just... take a step. You don't have to run the whole race at once."

Ruko took a deep breath, his fingers tightening around the sake cup. "Alright. Maybe I'll try. But if it goes badly, I'm blaming you."

I laughed, raising my cup in a toast. "Deal. Now, drink up. We've got a long night ahead of us."

As we clinked our cups together, the noise of the guild hall seemed to fade into the background. For the first time in a long while, I saw a glimmer of hope in Ruko's eyes—a small spark that maybe, just maybe, he could find a way to break free from the chains that had bound him for so long. And with me by his side, I knew he wouldn't have to face it alone.

The bartender returned, wiping down the counter with a rag that had seen better days. He glanced at Ruko and me, a knowing smile playing on his lips. "You two look like you're solving the world's problems," he remarked, his voice gruff but friendly. "Or at least trying to."

I chuckled, raising my cup in acknowledgment. "Something like that. Just helping a friend navigate the complexities of life."

Ruko's ears twitched again, and he glanced at the bartender, then back at his drink. "It's not easy," he muttered, more to himself than to anyone else. "But I guess nothing worth doing ever is."

The bartender nodded, his expression softening. "Ain't that the truth. Life's a series of challenges, but it's how you face them that defines you. You seem like a good kid, Ruko. Don't let anyone tell you otherwise."

Ruko's tail flicked, and he managed a small smile. "Thanks. I'll try to remember that."

As the bartender moved on to serve another patron, I turned back to Ruko. "See? Even the bartender thinks you're worth more than you give yourself credit for. You've got people in your corner, whether you realize it or not."

Ruko sighed, his fingers still tracing the rim of his cup. "I know. It's just hard to believe sometimes. But I'll try to keep that in mind."

The pub's atmosphere grew livelier as the night wore on, with adventurers sharing tales of their latest exploits and the occasional burst of laughter echoing through the hall. The warmth of the sake and the camaraderie of the guild members seemed to ease Ruko's tension, if only slightly. He began to relax, his shoulders less rigid, his tail swaying gently behind him.

I leaned back, watching the scene unfold. "You know, Ruko, life's too short to spend it worrying about what others think. Take it from someone who's been around the block a few times. The people who matter will see you for who you truly are. The rest? Well, they're just background noise."

Ruko nodded, his gaze drifting to the female adventurer again. This time, there was a hint of determination in his eyes. "Maybe you're right. Maybe it's time I stopped hiding and started living."

I grinned, clapping him on the back. "That's the spirit! Now, let's finish this sake and see where the night takes us. Who knows? Maybe you'll even work up the courage to say hello to her."

Ruko laughed, a genuine sound that warmed my heart. "One step at a time, Kaizen. One step at a time."

As we continued to drink and talk, the weight of the world seemed to lift from Ruko's shoulders, if only for a little while. And in that moment, I knew that no matter what challenges lay ahead, we would face them together, as friends.

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