"Kuh? You want me to eat with you...?"
"I'm hungry too, so we might as well eat at the same place together."
"O-okay... I have my money now, so I can eat with you... Unlike that time... " the wolf boy said with hesitation in his eyes.
Was he reffering to what happened the first time we met?
He's surprisingly thoughtful, but I can't just let him spend his hard-earned money on expensive food because of my whims.
"It's my treat, you don't need to spend anything."
"B-but! I'm an adult, so I need to pay for my own food. That's right... I heard that males are supposed to pay for their female's food, so I want to pay for your food as well!"
Oh, what's this now? Isn't he acting kind of cute?
"I'm your female, is that right? Fufu... You're acting pretty bold for your appearance."
He did not seem to realize what he said, so when I mentioned it back to him, he instantly blushed.
"I'm an adult... my growth is just different from you humans."
"I'm an elf though?"
"An elf? How are you different from humans?"
"Is this your first time seeing one?"
"Ye-yes... Are all elves as pretty as you?"
"Fufu... Not quite. Although most of us are indeed pretty, I particularly still stand out, you know?"
"Keh... I see..."
"By the way, if I remember it correctly, your name is Log, right?"
"U-umu..."
The wolfkin boy, Log, nodded with a satisfied look on his face. He seems to be pleased that I'm able to remember his name.
"Fufu... So, are you fine on going now? I'll lead the way."
"K-keh? Okay..."
"You don't need to be so tensed."
He was quite spunky the first time I met him, but he's acting so reserved and shy now. I don't know what happened, but his attitude towards me have changed entirely.
He seemed skeptical about me when we first met, so is the change in him because of his trust in me now?
"Make sure you don't lose me in the crowd okay? I know, I'll just hold your hand like this," I smiled as I nonchalantly took his hand.
"K-kuh!? I don't want you to!" he harshly objected.
"Come on! You don't need to be so embarrassed!"
"K-keh... But..." he tried to speak up, but perhaps realizing I won't let him go, he meekly nodded instead. "Okay..." he affirms.
The grip on Log's hand loosened and he let himself be guided. We left the alley just like that, but before we can continue to blend in with the crowd, we were suddenly blocked by a suspicious group of men.
"There you are you little brat!"
The burly man in the middle of their group shouted at us - at Log to be exact. He appears to be the leader of the group. Judging by his appearance, he must be around 40 or 50 years old. His face can only be described as unfortunate, and although his muscles were bulky, his skin was rough and wrinkled.
Those around him looked younger, however, like him, they look like the typical thugs you would see lying wasted on the road.
"Keh!" Log shrieks in panic.
He tried to run, but he was grabbed by the shoulder by one of the thugs and he wasn't able to. Although, even if he was able to escape his hold, he wouldn't be able to free himself from my hand which was holding his.
"Excuse me, but can I ask who you people are?"
"Hm? That's our line, woman. Who are you? What are you doing with this brat?"
"I'm an acquaintance of his, and we have business to attend to. So if you don't mind, you're standing in our way."
Since his tone was rude, I decided to be straightforward with my words and be rude to him as well.
"With such a pretty elf like you...?"
Every single one of them looked baffled at my words.
It's not like I made our relationship appear close, so what were they surprised about?
"Young lady, we don't have any business with you, only with that brat there. You see, that piece of dirt stole from one of my men."
Log shivered when he heard the man's claims. He hung his head down, and his hand that was grabbing mine tightened.
Hm... Is that why he was in such a hurry? But he seem to let his guard down after meeting me. Perhaps he thought that they have finally stopped pursuing him.
"Is that true, Log?"
"It's true! That brat stole all the coins I have!"
Log was hesitating to answer, so one of the thugs got ahead of him and answered in his stead.
"Is that so? Then, how much was it?"
"10 gold coins."
Before the thug can reply, the leader spoke first and dubiously affirmed the amount.
"But that's! There's only silvers in it! You're lying! " Log shouted in retaliation.
"What are you saying? You stole all my gold coins you fucking brat!"
The thug who Log stole from looked perplexed at first from his leader's words, but a cunning grin soon appeared on his face and he went along with the obvious lie.
"Give those gold coins back, or else... You do know the punishment for thieves, right? You'll either get your hands cut, or you be sold as a criminal slave," the leader said.
Although he was staring at Log, I know his words were really meant for me.
Great... just what did I get myself into? I just wanted to eat and treat this kid who was starving.
"Oh, I know... It's rare for such a gorgeous elf like you to visit our town... How about this, we'll do this kid a favor and we'll only ask him for five silver coins instead of the whole 10 gold coins he stole. That is, if you come along with us and... You understand, right? To entertain us good..."
I knew that things would lead to this development...
"Just how cheap are you people?" I sighed and said, "I would have agreed to your proposition if you didn't bother him with the coins he stole anymore."
"Kuh?" Log stared at me with a bewildered look on his face.
"Even if it's just five silver coins..." I ignored Log and I continue to address the thugs with a knowing look.
I'm certain that the five silver coins they are so insistent of was the true amount Log stole from them. Is me coming along with them not enough compensation for that? Just how cheap are these people, for them to ask for both?
"Is that true...?"
The leader was surprised at how quick I made my decision at first, but as soon as he regained his thoughts, his tone changed and his lips curled into a lewd smile. He seemed to understood what I was insinuating.
"We're not cheap, we just wanted a little bit of compensation for the trouble he caused us. But... if that's enough for you to come with us, then we won't mind it, even if he gets to keep what he stole," he shamelessly retorts, and then he smugly asked, "Is that a deal?"
"It's a deal..."
Ah... There's no way I can back down from this now, can I? I don't want to cause a ruckus in this town, so I'll compromise with this for now.
"I'll accompany you... However, don't get ahead of yourself, I won't be entertaining you for too long..."
"Kuku... That's fine..." he replied, and eyeing my body, another lewd smile formed on his cracked lips.