"This cannot be happening right now." Ryuji was in full-on denial.
"How is this even possible?" Queen was in much the same state.
"She works fast, huh." Dot, on the other hand, was grinning about the unforeseen event taking place.
"Hello, everynyan! This is my first performance in the Blue Lounge. I hope it will be the start of many more to come. I'm actually pretty nervous about the whole thing... but if you all lend me your strength with your cheers, then I just know I can make it through this!" The determination she was showing felt fake to Ryuji after the whole escapade he had with this girl. But even knowing that, there was still a certain degree of cuteness to it that made his flutter.
He had asked Rhea to bring everyone here once he heard about how it's the best show bar in the city. He was not expecting to see the girl who had earlier this day ditched them. He couldn't even begin to imagine how in just one day she managed to secure a job performing at this place.
Rhea seemed to be the only one confused, and rightfully so. "Um, what's going on?"
Ryuji went to answer, but Jessy cut him off. She began leaning into Rhea and putting an arm around her. "The girl performing right now is a little acquaintance of ours. We were just talking about how amazing it is that she got an honest job working here! Ain't that right, pardner?"
"Yeah. Anyway, what are you ordering for yourself? I'm thinking of getting something... exotic." With more emphasis than he ever needed, Ryuji attempted to make the most piddly of jokes.
"Oh, oh! I'm getting a whiskey!" Jessy slammed down her hand for dramatic effect. "You can't be a good gunslinger if you don't down whiskey at any available moment!" She turned to Rhea and began spouting the usual amount of nonsense.
Her amicable listener and now student looked as if she was learning some kind of trade secret. "R-really?"
"I get the feeling that's kind of right but also kind of wrong. Anyway, don't pay too much attention to what that one says. What about you, Queen?"
"I shall not be drinking today. I do not wish to reveal a... absurd side of myself to this woman I barely know."
"Oh..." Rhea's downcast gaze was physically painful to both Ryuji and Jessy.
"It's okay she's like that with everyone at first. Hell, she's still like that with Dot!" Jessy's attempt at cheering her up seemed to have worked as Rhea put on a shy smile.
An elbow sat on Ryujis shoulder for its new resting space. "Well, since you asked, I and my fantabulous self, am getting a very royal drink." Ryuji was pretty impressed by the rolling of her tongue on the r in royal. He also found himself cracking a smile at her fake and over the top snobby tone.
Rhea leaned in with wonder in her eyes. "What would that be?"
Dot flashed her sharp teeth in a smile before shifting her face into a more refined and serious one. "I am glad you asked. I will be partaking in the articulate drink known as... the Swampwater Jizum."
Ryuji burst out laughing at the absurd name while the others stared on with confused looks. "Ryu, my dear boy, what is so funny about Jizum?"
Ryuji worked hard to contain his laughs. He had forgotten such slang had not been invented in this world yet. "N-nothing... I'm pfft fine. But there is no way you're not making that up." With his laughing fit under control, a fresh smile made its appearance. He didn't particularly miss the old world, but in his own way, he appreciated how Dot subtly brought it up in conversations. It reaffirmed the fact that he wasn't crazy and that the world he used to live in, did in fact, exist.
"How absurd! It is right here written onto this menu, good sir!"
He looked with skepticism at the nice menu and was stunned to see she wasn't lying. "How in the hell is that real?"
"You're really close to her, aren't you?" A smile spread across Rhea's face. Ryuji got the feeling she was, in a way, admiring his friendship with Dot. This of course flustered him greatly.
"What? W-well, I think we get along... fine."
"Awww, you're going all tsundere on me that's so cute~."
"Don't boop my nose, you vile woman!"
Ryuji could still feel the eyes of admiration from across the table. "So this is the friend you met in Cacim? I'm so glad that it worked out for you!" Her hands clasped together before realizing the awkward air that she just created. "What's the matter?"
"..." Ryuji dare not speak on the matter. For a moment, the only sound audible from their table was the song Nyanjo had been performing in the background this whole time.
"I was the friend that you speak of." With a mountain of contempt and spite, Queen slammed her hand down on the table. "I suppose you are right though the friendship between him and that weirdo is far greater than the bond I share with him. After all, I am merely me." Marie stood up and began walking away towards the restrooms in the back.
"I'm so sorry! I said something that greatly upset her. I need to be more careful it's just this is the first time I've been out with friends... I'm so nervous."
Ryuji urged her to calm down. There was no use or purpose in everyone being upset. "Don't worry. I'm sure that by the time she gets back, she'll be completely over it."
Jessy leaned across the table and socked Ryuji in the arm with a punch that could shatter arcade records. "Are you an idiot? You can't just act like that didn't happen. After we leave here, you need to have a talk with her for once."
"I'm not good at those though." The pit in his stomach was growing by the second.
"Not good at those? If anyone here is good at those, it's you, pardner. You have quite literally given the highest amount of heartfelt speeches out of anyone I have ever known."
Rhea's face turned to surprise once more. "Really? When we talked, it seemed like he was kind of forcing himself to say nice stuff."
"Wait, you thought I was forcing myself, and you still accepted? What is wrong with you?"
"W-well, I was hoping you were telling the truth, and I've always been a big optimist." Her fingers touched together in a cute way he had only seen in anime.
"Look, Ryu, just listen to what big iron says. Between the four of us girls, you had to have had at least five heart to heart. What's one more?"
"I guess you're right." Ryuji silently prayed that his drink would arrive before Queen came back so he could take the edge off. Before he could finish off his prayer, it had already been answered.
"What would nyu like to order?!"
"Thank you... why the hell are you catering us?" The pink-haired catgirl who should be singing on stage was now holding a pad and a pen. The performance appeared to be over as the show floor was now barren. Still, he couldn't comprehend why the star of the ensemble would now be a waitress. Unless of course, it was just to mess with him. "Do you enjoy fucking with people that much?"
She pushed the pen inquisitively to her lips. "Whatever do nyu mean? Nyow, what would you like to drink meowster?"
"That's creepy as hell. Also, is it necessary? We already know what you really sound like" Ryuji was having a tough time not cringing at the cat accent.
"What are nyu talking about? This is how Nyanjo speaks. Also, Nyanjo nyoticed that the mean girl is gone. Did nyu replace her with the sexy redhead?"
"Ugh, nevermind that! I want whiskey. Whiskey!" With unnecessary emphasis, Jessy enunciated her order to the nosy cat.
"I want a Mallen tonic."
"I want the Swampwater Jizum!"
"I would like Greenwave wine... please."
"Hmu, Hmu! I see. I will be right back with your drinks nya~!"
"That last one was not needed or cleverly put in!" The cat waitress quickly left with a smug smirk. Ryuji watched, confused, before noticing an equally confused waiter. He stared at their table before slowly approaching.
"Did someone already take your order, sir?"
"Uh yeah. It was Nyanjo."
"Nyanjo isn't a waitress though."
With a sigh, Ryuji leaned back. He wondered what she had wanted from their exchange. Then decided to give up on thinking about it before reordering their drinks.
/////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////
Along the back streets, they walked. Silence hung on them like a thick fog. It had been like this since they left the bar. They were headed towards the outskirts of the city where the wealthy lived. Ryuji had learned that Rhea apparently had access to one of these houses, and that's where they were going to stay for the time being.
"Okaaaay. Can we stop? I gotta peeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee." Dot complained about her bladder situation and nearly fell down. Before she could, Ryuji swooped in and caught her. "Looks like you couldn't handle the Jizum."
"Very few can Ryu, very few caan."
"Still sober enough for jokes, I see. Anyways there's a bathroom over there, so just go pee."
"Aye, aye, captain."
"I'll go with you, Dot!" Jessy, who had been piggybacking on Ryuji this whole time, decided to jump off and accompany Dot.
"I've never gone to the bathroom with a friend before," Rhea said something he thought was pretty disconcerting before following the other two girls into the bathroom.
"Sheesh, those girls are something..." He suddenly realized the situation he was in. Out in the middle of an empty street, Ryuji stood next to the solemn Queen. The awkwardness wafting between them made him consider going to the bathroom as well. 'No! I can't just run! I will face this like a man.' He turned to Marie, who was staring at a weird little girl sleeping on a bench peacefully. "So, Queen, why are you so upset?" His eyes widened at the terrible conversation starter that came out of his mouth. 'Or you know I can face this like a complete idiot. That works too.'
"What gave you the impression that I was discontent?"
"The extra rude and spiteful comments, slamming the table, running away to the bathroom." Queen scoffed and turned away from him. The girl sleeping on the bench yawned and turned over. "I'm your friend, right? Just tell me what's wrong, seriously it's not like I'll laugh at you or anything."
She bit her lip in frustration while continuing to look away. He couldn't see it, but her eyes looked uncertain before she decided to face him. "I merely got a little rattled by the Saints comment on our relationship. It occurred to me that we are destined to be lifelong friends. But among your current group of colleagues, I am very obviously your least favorite. Even Rhea, who you have only known for a few days, has already surpassed our level of familiarity."
"Ever since we met Jessy, I thought you were a little self-conscious, but I didn't know you felt this negatively about our relationship." He palmed his forehead as he thought about all the times she must have felt left out. "Man, am I an idiot. I am so sorry, Marie."
Maybe it was the apology, or maybe it was the rare name call, but Queen found it hard to look him in the eye. "Do not be so conceited, Hero. Is there..." Her uncertain eyes dropped a weight onto his stomach. "a way for us to be better friends?"
Ryuji answered the question nonchalantly. "How about we play a game when we get to the house."
"A game?"
"I think the problem is you don't know how to get into the conversation, right? If we play a game, you'll have an easier time talking to everyone. Plus, a game is a perfect time to talk about anything but the game."
"I'm not sure I really understand what your saying. Though, I suppose it wouldn't be too bad playing a game with you all."
Just as he thought he was making headway, he was interrupted by the bathroom gang. "We're back!"
"Heyyyy, Dot, how do you feel about playing a game?"
"GAME NIGHT WOOOOOOOOOOO!"
//////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////
His eyes opened to a ceiling he was unfamiliar with. "Oh right, we got blasted playing games." His back lay against a solid yet soft bed. "This has got to be the best bed I've slept in since coming here. It'd be a shame to waste it. Maybe I should sleep in some more." With the declaration of his laziness, Ryuji closed his eyes once more and entered a pleasant dream.
"OIIIIIIIIIIII!" A loud and unpleasant noise stirred him from his slumber. With his mind now awake, he suddenly felt the urge to visit the bathroom. Thus making it impossible to go back to sleep once more.
After doing his business in a high-class toilet, a drowsy Ryuji made his way down the stairs to a living room where everyone seemed to be patiently waiting. Jessy held her cowboy hat in one hand, looking at him disapprovingly. "About damn time you wake your ass up. I've only been yelling for you the last hour or so!"
"It's not even that late!"
"Pardner... it's four in the afternoon!"
Ryuji looked out the window to see where the sun was positioned in the sky. He had indeed slept in almost all day. It would soon be night. Feeling like a lazy piece of garbage, Ryuji sat down on a couch in the living room with the others. "Sorry."
An unusual laugh sounded. Ryuji looked around sharply to see if the person they were waiting for had arrived in his absence. He found, however, that the one who chuckled was Marie. With a slight smile he had only seen a few times, she looked over at him and Jessy. "Come on, Jessy, why don't you cut the Hero some slack? After getting his ass kicked so handily last night, you can hardly blame him for not wanting to face us and sleeping in instead."
"R-Right..." She seemed just as shocked as he was. The only one who didn't seem to understand the miracle happening in front of her was Rhea.
A hand gripped his shoulder as Dot walked past to sit on the couch with him. "It's a Christmas miracle, Ryu. By the way, Sword lady, where in god's name is this person we're meeting?"
The sword lady seemed unsure of herself. "I have no idea. He said we would meet here today. I doubt he would take much longer."
"What's the probability he forgot about the gathering?" Ryuji got the vibe that this person they were seeing was someone irresponsible.
"I'd say at best it's a coinflip whether not he forgot about this gathering. But either way, he has to come home eventually. If we stay here, he will definitely come!"
Ryuji sighed before taking another look at the happy Queen. He wanted to keep this streak going. "Hey guys, while we wait, how about we play a few more rounds. This time though, I won't be inebriated so try to beat me now!"
Hours passed as they played a game very similar to charades. Their meeting with the stranger seemed like it was never going to happen. He stared at the ceiling, bored out of his mind. The others were in a much similar state. Rhea fiddled with a pen writing something at a table. Dot flipped through her manga for the millionth time. Marie silently looked at the wall. Jessy sighted her guns for no real reason.
An almost inaudible noise vibrated through his ears. 'What the hell was that?' With the motivation of boredom, he investigated the window to see if anything was happening outside. "What!?" A monolith of flames accompanied by dancing lightning made their debut in what seemed to be the center square. "Get down!"
With zero hesitation, everyone leaped onto the floor covering their faces. A blast wave shattered windows in the home, spraying glass over its temporary residents.
A strong hand lifted him up before he had a chance to get up himself. He was going to question it before he saw the stone face of Rhea. Her hand gripped the skull pommel of her legendary blade. She looked towards the plaza and spoke without facing them. "We're going now."