After Linkin cleared up the misunderstanding with Lal'Kita, she agreed to help teach him how to read and write. In the end, she felt bad about what happened a few moments ago. However, it wasn't that she felt bad about hitting Linkin around a few times, but that she found that she actually enjoyed it quite a bit. It was "refreshing" as she put it.
"Your body is the perfect way to release stress, dear customer. Ah I got it, you should start a business where-" Lal'Kita said before she was quickly cut off my Linkin.
"I don't want that kind of business!" Linkin snapped back.
Linkin was quick to reject Lal'Kita's suggestion. Was he some sort of masochist who enjoyed pain? Of course not!
'Scary. This person is scary. How can she say such dangerous things with such an innocent expression on her face.'
...
Over the next couple of days, Lal'Kita would help Linkin practice his reading and writing during her free time. Of course, Linkin offered to pay her for her services. However, he made sure to remind her about his "difficult situation" and that he wouldn't be able to pay her much.
In the end, Lal'Kita rejected any form of payment and simply told Linkin that just telling any friends about the inn would be more than enough payment. So, why did a con art- a businessman like Linkin offer to pay Lal'Kita? It was all about image!
He knew judging from Lal'Kita's nature thus far, there was a good chance that she would deny payment if she knew he was struggling to get back on his feet. While this was partly true, Linkin had won more than enough from those guards to live comfortably for a few weeks.
But, he knew it would be bad if he formed a reputation of taking advantage of others kindness. After all, even if he changed his appearance he was most likely still a wanted man in this strange world. He had to be careful of standing out too much. But, at the same time, he could not afford to be too reserved.
Of course, even if he was shameless by nature when it came to money, Linkin did not forget about Lal'Kita going out of her way to provide him with food when he was starved and had first arrived in this world. For that, he would make sure that she never falls prey to those with bad intentions as long as he remained in town.
Though he had a feeling that she was more than capable of protecting herself.
After three days passed, Linkin could already write fully coherent and fluent sentences, as well as, read without issue.
"Amazing... Are you sure this is your first time learning how to read and write? I've never seen anyone learn so fast. Not to mention, such masterful penmanship. Linkin, are you fooling me again?" Lal'Kita pouted.
Over the last few days, Lal'Kita had gotten on closer terms with Linkin and even started calling by his name instead of just "dear customer".
Lal'Kita found it hard to believe that just a few days ago, Linkin could barely write the basic characters correctly. Now, his writing skills were even more advanced than her own!
"That's just because you're such a good teacher, my beautiful Lal'Kita~" Linkin said in a playful manner.
"Who's your Lal'Kita?!" Lal'Kita huffed.
"I wonder how many kids we'll have once we get married. Ten... No, maybe twenty. Yeah, twenty sounds pretty good." Linkin said with a grin.
Lal'Kita's face turned bright red as Linkin spoke.
"K-kids?! M-m-marriage?! But we j-just met a few days ago, I-I don't know if my heart is ready to..." Lal'Kita's ears lowered as her tail began to swish back and forth. She began to twiddle her fingers in a nervous and embarrassed manner.
"Hey hey, shouldn't your first concern be the twenty kids?" Linkin commented with a helpless smile.
"Hahaha! Those two are at it again. Ah, youth sure is a good time in life." One of the inn dwellers said.
"Hey! Legendary Lover Linkin! Why don't you two just go and get a room already?! We're at an inn for crying out loud!" A second inn dweller shouted.
"Shut up old man! Again with that ridiculous nickname! Shouldn't you be at home with your wife? Should I go get her? Should I? I wonder if I should?" Linkin taunted.
Linkin spoke with an evil grin on his face that was accompanied by a smug look.
"H-hey! That's playing dirty, Linkin you bastard!" The second inn dweller said in a panicked voice.
The whole inn lobby burst out into a fit of laughter. Ever since Linkin arrived, the inn had become even rowdier than usual. He got along really well with the adventurers and travelers that passed by thanks to having great social skills.
'Honestly, where did that nickname even come from?'
After things finally calmed down, Lal'Kita found herself releasing a long sigh.
"I have nothing left to teach you. Your sentence structures and penmanship have already surpassed mine. You can even read faster than me." Lal'Kita pointed out.
'Sorry Lal'Kita, I technically had a shortcut provided to me.'
The language in this world was similar to Japanese with a few other languages mixed in from Earth. Since Linkin was a polyglot, it was naturally easier for him to learn how to read and write this language.
Linkin thanked Lal'Kita as he went back to his room to freshen up. Not too long after doing so, he stepped outside of the inn. He took a deep breath and then slowly exhaled as a smile appeared on his face.
'Now... First thing's first, I need to find a stable source of income. After all, I can't survive forever off the money I won from those guards. According to Lal'Kita, I'll have to earn a bit more money if I want to apply to that Merchant's Guild thing.'