Chapter 21: [Ch. 21] Cheers to a Drunken Rabbit

Ryu tilted his head in confusion. He spoke naively, "No… I work as a bodyguard. How could I sell myself? I'm pretty sure I need all my limbs to survive."

This man truly was a simple-minded fool. Ryu was so naïve he didn't even know what Panzram had meant when he said to sell himself.

Panzram shook his head as he thought. Honestly. Was Ryu even a man? How could a man his age have zero knowledge about sex? He even worked at a brothel!

Panzram ultimately decided to let this go. "So, if you are the Fourth Young Master, but the rumors are wrong; does that mean you can't drink?"

Ryu's face blazed red, "I can drink! I'm still a man after all!"

Panzram lifted an eyebrow and thought to himself: Are you?

Ryu stood up defiantly, noticing Panzram's disbelief. "I will prove it. I will go and bring some drinks right now!"

Ryu flung open the door, "Madame! Bring some of your finest sake!"

The Madame frowned, "Little Ryu… You know you can't handle alcohol."

Ryu blushed even more, "Nonsense! Pan wants to drink with me, and I need to show him how well I can tolerate alcohol!"

Some of the girls that weren't working overheard this and broke out into laughter. "Little Ryu... Are you lying right now? I thought you didn't ever lie."

Another nodded, "That's right. You can't tolerate alcohol at all."

Ryu shouted back, "I'm not lying! I swear I've gotten better!"

The Madame brought over her best quality alcoholic sake and placed it on the table. She shrugged, "Just try not to cause trouble like you did last time."

When she left, Ryu grinned at Panzram and served him a cup. Panzram was curious about the reactions from the rest of the people in the brothel and suddenly felt himself looking forward to seeing the other drunk.

Ryu held a cup out and Panzram did the same. Ryu smiled, "To a long and worthwhile life!"

Panzram lifted an eyebrow, "A worthwhile life?"

Ryu grinned at him, "It is something you say when you drink together. Now let's drink!"

Panzram tilted his head back and swallowed the cup whole. His expression never changed as if he had only drunk water.

Ryu tried to mirror Panzram, but his eyes snapped shut as he forced the liquid down. Ryu stuck his tongue out after swallowing, "Pah!"

Panzram watched this and tried to refrain from laughing.

Ryu shook his head without realizing Panzram was struggling not to laugh, "That actually burnt more than I thought it would."

Ryu and Panzram continued drinking into the night. However, just like the working girls predicted, Ryu didn't last long. After his third cup, he already had rosy cheeks from the alcohol. Panzram looked at him with a scowl as Ryu smiled sweetly at him.

Panzram realized that although one could be strong, one may not be tolerant of alcohol.

Panzram, on the other hand, was quite tolerant despite having been in a prison for a few years. He didn't even feel buzzed until he had closer to ten cups. He only could get drunk if he drank several bottles. Now he sat watching the drunken Ryu stare at him with an odd expression.

Ryu finally spoke, "So handsome…"

Panzram's eyebrows twitched. His voice came out coldly, "What?

Ryu sighed dreamily, "You are truly handsome…"

Panzram was at a loss for words. He had been called many things and was even used to being called terrifying or a brute, but never had he been called handsome before. He looked back into the mirror to see himself scowling back with ferocious eyes. He thought to himself: There is absolutely nothing handsome about this face.

However, Ryu was entranced by Panzram's face. It was as if Panzram was the only star in the sky and was the very description of perfection. Ryu even thought that the ground Panzram walked on was blessed and sacred. To him, Panzram was a true deity.

They continued to drink.

Panzram didn't try stopping Ryu because he was curious as to how far he would go.

Ryu giggled and went to pour Panzram and himself another cup. It sloshed everywhere, which only made Ryu giggle more. He held the bottle upside down and shook it. The contents poured out making a mess of the table.

Ryu gave a wide grin causing his eyes to curve up, "Hehe. Looks like we are all out."

Panzram had a sudden urge to hit the drunk man. Yet, at the same time, he found himself entertained by his stupidity. Ryu stood up, swaying wildly. He flung open the door and stumbled out.

Panzram quickly followed with a scowl.

The Madame noticed Ryu come out and she scowled. "You're drunk, aren't you?"

Ryu's arms flailed as he attempted to steady himself. He fell backward, crashing through a door. The girl in the room shouted and covered herself quickly. The companion did the same thing, "Hey! What is this?!"

The girl frowned at Ryu, "Ryu! What are you doing?!"

He held out his arms to the sky, "Hehe! I'm testing doors!"

Seeing his flushed and goofy expression, she could only sigh. The man grabbed his clothes, "I'm not paying for this!"

The girl looked irritated, "Ryu! You cost me a customer!"

Ryu smiled at that man and spoke in a tantalizingly alluring voice, "Sit. Stay."

The man grew very stiff with a blank expression. He repeated in an empty tone, "I will sit. I will stay."

The man then sat down in a robotic-like movement.

The girl threw a pillow at Ryu, "Just leave!"

Panzram didn't know whether to laugh or hit Ryu after watching him get kicked out of the room.

Ryu giggled and started walking down the hall. Panzram followed dutifully behind him, interested to see what would happen next.

The Madame shouted after Ryu, "And just where do you think you're going?!"

Ryu threw his hands up with a childish smile, "I'm going to the kitchen for more drinks!!"

She panicked, "What are you doing getting more drunk?! Don't you realize that you're supposed to be working as a bodyguard?!"

Ryu stopped and looked at her, "I can *hiccup* still fight! Who do I need to tie to the roof?"

He pulled out his fists and made a motion as if he was about to get in a fight with someone. Panzram tried not to laugh at the sight of such a small man pretending to be much bigger than he was.

Ryu lost his balance and fell forward. He lay on the ground with his face on the wood floor. The Madame rushed over, "Are you alright?"

Ryu propped himself up and gave a large grin, "Madame, is it just me, or is the room spinning?"

Suddenly the building began to shake and spin around. All the working girls and customers shouted and screamed as the nauseating feeling crashed over them. They felt as if their own bodies were vibrating and swirling along with the room. It made them fall over each other.

A girl shouted, "Ryu! Knock it off!"

Another held her mouth and gagged, "I'm going to puke!"

The Madame held on to the nearest wall and shouted, "Stop it before you break something again!"