Luke walked inside while slightly bowing his head, before sitting at one of the tables in the corner of the room.
He didn't choose which table he should sit at, perhaps he just picked an empty one that was far enough from the crowd in the middle.
Seeing him act like this, it was clearly the first time Luke had done so.
Previously, he was always cheerful and serious when in discussions or situations that suited him.
But this time, I can only do this so that he feels better, hopefully it works.
After Luke sat on one of the chairs around the table, a girl approached him while carrying a small notebook and a pen in both of her hands.
—
Sret.
I immediately moved away from near the entrance and sat in front of Luke while showing two fingers with my right hand to the girl.
"Please, two glasses of sake, and water as well. Oh, no need for food, just that." , I said to inform our order.
She quickly moved her pen across the small notebook and left us after getting what Luke and I wanted.
...
"Hah..."
Luke let out a very heavy sigh with his head still lowered, his aura of despair was truly visible now.
I folded my arms and placed them on the table to support my body while sitting.
"Luke, how long are you going to be like this? This isn't like you, is our situation really this bad?"
Luke didn't answer my question with words, he only nodded once, then fell silent again.
"Excuse me, what would you like to order?"
"Ah, two glasses of sake and a glass of water, please."
"Alright, please wait a moment!"
....
"Here is your order, enjoy."
——
"Oi Luke, your favorite drink is already in front of you~ If you don't want it, I'll drink them all—"
After hearing my threat, Luke immediately grabbed one of the glasses and drank it very quickly.
He raised his head as he finished the entire glass of sake in one go.
... I hope he doesn't do that again, my money will disappear if I'm careless and let him do as he pleases.
"Ah!" , Luke coughed loudly before placing the glass on the table and wiping the edge of his mouth covered with foam.
He looked at me with a slightly flushed face, the sake must already be taking effect now.
"Yukito... That glass... You're not going to drink it, right?" , Luke asked while staring at me blankly.
"Of course, no need to hesitate, just take it. Here, let me help." , I replied before pushing the other glass closer to Luke.
Slurp, I also drank the water I had ordered, my thirst was gone after feeling how refreshing it was.
Many people say that water is healthy, and it's also very cheap, I can get free refills just by paying five copper coins.
Luke hurriedly grabbed the glass and drank again, but not like before.
He drank a little, then put it down, then drank again slowly.
Oh, does this mean he's getting better? If so, now is the right time to ask him.
"Luke, the two of them have already asked us to make the plan. When are we going to do it?"
"... Hah? Later. We're busy right now. Don't talk about troublesome things now!"
Just two glasses? He's already this messed up, maybe because he drank too fast earlier, the effect spread faster too, huh?
"We can't stay in this city for too long, there are still many places we have to go to stop the Abyss invasion, right?"
"If we waste too much time here, think about the people whose homes are being attacked by the Abyss, they'll suffer, right?"
I don't know the situation of Kuro's hero party, maybe they're still working around Necvalion, but maybe they've already moved.
Hopefully they're encouraged after seeing our party being talked about a lot now and start traveling to many places.
"Who cares about them? We're the ones going, their job is just to wait for us to come and defeat those monsters, they don't have the right to force us!"
"Look at yourself now, foolishly not drinking this sake, you've already missed one of the three greatest things in this world, you idiot!"
... Since when does Luke's personality change almost completely when he's drunk?
If our conversation spreads, the four of us could be in danger. Luckily he chose this table, his choice saved himself.
"Hime and Yuu-chan are busy with their own matters cleaning up this city, are you really that heartless to leave them to do all the work?"
"Just leave them! After they come back, then we'll make a plan together, that way we can share opinions properly, right?"
"Oi, two more glasses of sake!"
T-this guy! Before I could respond, he already ordered more, my money is only enough for one more glass!
I have to quickly finish this trivial and useless matter so we can move forward faster.
I let out a long sigh before asking Luke again.
"Luke, who are you right now?"
"... A member of the Party... What's the problem with asking that? Are you already too old that you forgot? Haha—"
I slammed the table quite hard with my clenched hand while staring at him sharply with an intimidating gaze.
Hopefully no one was provoked by that slam, I don't want them to look at the two of us.
"Then, why are you here?"
"That... You treated me to drinks here, what's wrong with you since earlier? You look annoyed at me for something, did I do something bad?"
"In that case—"
Luke suddenly made a hand gesture telling me to stop talking.
"Here, your two glasses of sake—"
"Wait a moment, miss, please add one more glass for the man in front of me, okay?"
... Goodbye my money, I will always remember you every night before going to sleep.
I will never forget the day we parted, my money, I promise I'll meet your friends, just wait for me, alright?
—
"Here is the additional order, enjoy."
.....
"Luke, are you sure you don't want to change and go back to normal?" , I asked for the last time, I can't drag this out.
"Of course! Even if you force me, I won't do it until our money comes back—"
"In that case, I won't treat you anymore. That way, all the bills from the drinks you ordered will be yours to pay, understood?"
Luke was immediately startled, his eyes widened before he stopped drinking and stood up from his chair, begging me.
"W-what did you say?!"
"I'm serious, you really want to pay for it yourself, right? You said you wouldn't be affected even if I forced you?"
—
As I expected, after my threat, Luke gave up and drank the two glasses he had ordered.
But... he immediately collapsed onto the table, leaving one glass still full.
With that, I have no choice but to finish that one glass.
After it was empty, I finally realized why Luke became this messed up after just one glass.
This alcohol is really stronger than usual, my face is slightly flushed, I can't collapse before bringing him back to the inn.
U-ughh... Is it because I'm a bit drunk, his body feels heavier when I hold him?
I'll make him pay for everything today after he wakes up, just you wait—
Don't move like that, you'll fall, please—