54. Drinks at the Pub (II)

Chapter 54: Drinks at the Pub (II)

As Ruko and I sat there, the sake warming our spirits, I noticed a familiar figure entering the guild hall. Freya Mikaelson, dressed in her crisp uniform, walked in with her usual air of authority and grace. Her eyes scanned the room before landing on us. She made her way over, her boots clicking softly against the wooden floor.

"Kaizen," she said, her voice calm but with an edge of urgency. "We need to talk. Alone."

I glanced at her, then back at Ruko, who was nervously fidgeting with his sake cup. "Now's not the best time, Freya. Ruko and I were just in the middle of something important."

Freya's eyes narrowed slightly, but she didn't press further. Instead, she pulled up a chair and sat down at our table, her presence immediately shifting the dynamic. Ruko looked even more uncomfortable, his ears twitching as he avoided eye contact with her.

I turned to Ruko, giving him a sly grin. "You know, Ruko, now's your chance. That female adventurer over there is still sitting alone. Why don't you go and try talking to her? Remember what I said—just be yourself."

Ruko's eyes widened, and he shot me a panicked look. "Now? With Freya here? I—I don't think—"

"Perfect timing," I interrupted, clapping him on the back. "Go on. You've got this."

Ruko hesitated, glancing between me and Freya, who was now watching him with a raised eyebrow. Finally, he took a deep breath, stood up, and slowly made his way over to the female adventurer, his tail flicking nervously behind him.

Once Ruko was out of earshot, I turned to Freya, leaning back in my chair with a smirk. "So, what's so important that it couldn't wait?"

Freya crossed her arms, her expression serious. "The Duchess is satisfied with your work on the quest. She wanted me to personally thank you for your efforts."

I raised an eyebrow, feigning surprise. "The Duchess herself sent you to thank me? I must've made quite the impression."

Freya's lips twitched, almost as if she were fighting back a smile. "Don't let it go to your head. But yes, she's… grateful. And so am I."

I leaned forward, resting my elbows on the table. "You're welcome, Freya. Though I have to admit, I'm curious—why does the Duchess mean so much to you? You're not just her subordinate, are you?"

Freya's gaze softened for a moment, and she looked down at her hands. "She's been like a sister to me. She gave me a purpose when I had nowhere else to go. I owe her for who I am today."

I nodded, understanding the weight of her words. "That explains a lot. You're loyal to her, and that's admirable. But what about you, Freya? What do you want?"

She looked up at me, her blue eyes piercing. "What I want isn't important right now. What's important is that you helped her, and for that, I'm grateful."

I smirked, leaning back again. "Well, if you're so grateful, maybe you can finally tell me what really happened that night. You know, the one you don't remember."

Freya's cheeks flushed slightly, and she looked away. "I've told you before, Kaizen. I don't remember. It's… frustrating."

I tilted my head, studying her. "You don't remember, but you know it happened. You know you wanted it. So, what's the missing piece? Magic? A spell? Something else?"

Freya sighed, running a hand through her hair. "I don't know. Maybe. It's possible that something interfered with my memory. But I can't explain it, and it's been driving me mad."

I chuckled softly. "Well, if it's any consolation, I remember every detail. And it was… unforgettable."

Freya's eyes flicked back to me, a mix of frustration and something else—curiosity, maybe?—shining in them. "You're impossible, Kaizen."

"Persistent," I corrected with a grin. "And you're avoiding the real question. Do you regret it?"

She hesitated, her lips pressing into a thin line. "I don't know. But I do know that it's complicated. And I'm not ready to talk about it."

I nodded, respecting her boundaries—for now. "Fair enough. But just so you know, I'm here if you ever want to figure it out. Together."

Freya didn't respond, but the way she looked at me told me she was considering it. Instead of pushing further, I turned my attention to Ruko, who was now sitting across from the female adventurer, engaged in what appeared to be a casual conversation. He was gesturing with his hands, his ears perked up, and the woman was smiling—a good sign.

"Looks like Ruko's doing alright," I said, nodding in their direction.

Freya followed my gaze, a small smile tugging at her lips. "He's a good man. He deserves to find someone who sees him for who he really is."

I glanced at her, surprised by the sincerity in her voice. "You care for him?"

"Of course I do," she said simply. "He's been through a lot. More than most people realize."

We sat in silence for a moment, watching Ruko and the adventurer laugh together. It was a rare moment of peace, and for the first time in a while, I felt like things might actually be okay.

Freya broke the silence, her voice soft. "Kaizen, thank you. For everything."

I turned to her, my smirk returning. "Anytime, Freya. But don't think this means I'm going to stop trying to figure out what happened that night."

She rolled her eyes, but there was a hint of a smile on her lips. "You never give up, do you?"

"Not when it comes to you," I said, my tone playful but with an undercurrent of seriousness.

Freya didn't respond, but the way she looked at me told me she understood. And for now, that was enough.

As the conversation between Ruko and the female adventurer continued, I couldn't help but feel a sense of pride. Ruko was stepping out of his comfort zone, and it was clear that the woman was genuinely interested in what he had to say. Her laughter echoed through the pub, and Ruko's tail swayed more freely, a sign that he was starting to relax. It was a small victory, but one that meant a lot.

Freya, too, seemed to be enjoying the moment. She leaned back in her chair, her arms still crossed but her posture less rigid. "He's doing better than I expected," she admitted, her voice low. "I've never seen him so… open."

I nodded, taking a sip of my sake. "He just needed a little push. Sometimes, all it takes is someone believing in you to make a difference." Something I wish someone had done for me back on earth. I can admit it was partly my fault but things surely shouldn't have turned out that bad for me. Anyway I digress.

Freya glanced at me, her expression thoughtful. "You seem to be good at that, you know. Pushing people to be better. Even if your methods are… unconventional."

I smirked, setting my cup down. "Unconventional, maybe. But effective. Besides, life's too short to play it safe all the time. Sometimes, you've got to take a risk."

Freya's lips curved into a faint smile, and for a moment, the tension between us seemed to ease. "Maybe you're right," she said softly. "But not everyone is as fearless as you, Kaizen."

"Fearless?" I chuckled, shaking my head. "I'm not fearless, Freya. I just don't let fear stop me. There's a difference."

She studied me for a moment, her blue eyes searching mine. "You're full of surprises, Kaizen. Just when I think I've got you figured out, you say something like that."

I leaned forward, resting my chin on my hand. "And that's what keeps you coming back, isn't it?"

Freya rolled her eyes, but the smile lingered. "Don't flatter yourself. I'm here because the Duchess asked me to be. Nothing more."

"Sure," I said, my tone teasing. "Keep telling yourself that." I can see the tsundere things she's got going on here. Truth be told I like it hence my playing along with it.

The pub's atmosphere grew even livelier as the night deepened. A group of adventurers in the corner started singing a raucous drinking song, their voices rising above the general hum of conversation. The bartender, now busy with a steady stream of orders, occasionally glanced our way, his gruff smile a silent acknowledgment of the camaraderie unfolding around him.

Freya and I sat in comfortable silence for a while, watching the scene unfold. It was rare for us to share a moment like this—no tension, no hidden agendas, just two people enjoying each other's company. For all the chaos and uncertainty in our lives, this felt like a small reprieve, a reminder that not everything had to be complicated.

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