"Cheers! Drink up, drink up!"

At dusk in a medieval-style tavern, a lively crowd raised their glasses, gulping down fine wine.

Among them sat the handsome, brown-haired Aelis, clinking mugs with his burly, muscle-bound buddy Turof. Aelis wore a mischievous grin as he watched a scantily-clad bunny girl sway her hips on stage, dancing and drawing their playful critiques. They savored the carefree joys of male camaraderie.

Turof tore into a hunk of meat. "Hah! Pity Larry couldn’t join us."

Aelis shrugged. "Can’t help it. That’s the price of running a ‘harem.’ His ladies dragged him shopping. Might be fun for him, though."

"Fun? Nah. Shopping with women is my worst nightmare. And you set Larry up, didn’t you?" Turof rubbed his gleaming bald head, shuddering. "I’d rather fight the Demon King’s army for hundreds of rounds than stroll through one mall with a woman. Seriously! They won’t buy a single thing without circling the whole town two or three times. Terrifying."

Aelis nudged Turof. "You’ve got a story. Who’d you hook up with when we weren’t looking?"

Turof scowled. "I wouldn’t dare! It’s my childhood friend. Somehow she turned into a total tiger. She drags me everywhere—and if I refuse? A beating. I fled to fight demons just to escape. Once I’m famous, I’ll finally shut her up."

"Poor guy. You’re never getting back up," Aelis said sympathetically.

"You’ve got the mouth of a Kela duck," Turof shot back, referring to a foul-mouthed bird from another world.

He sneered. "Aren’t you and Larry brothers from the same cradle? Why don’t you ever stick your neck out for him?"

"I stick knives in him all the time," Aelis grinned wickedly. "We visit brothels—I rush back to describe paradise to Larry. We hit bars—I report every joy. We gamble—I detail every thrill. Each time, it’s like a knife to his heart."

"You do nothing a decent human would," Turof muttered. "Larry’s so lucky to have you."

"Overpraising me! Maybe just two lifetimes’ worth," Aelis laughed. "Say, Turof—if we defeat the Demon King tomorrow, you’ll marry your tiger right away? Quit adventuring with us?"

Turof nodded. "Yeah. I’ve tasted enough thrills and chaos. Feels wrong making her wait. I’ll use my fame to run the family forge. Visit sometime—I’ll treat you to our local specialties!"

Aelis grimaced. "Your bug dishes? Hard pass."

"Tsk. That’s discrimination. Bugs are nutritious! Cooked right, they’re crispy outside, tender inside. But explaining to a philistine like you? Useless."

"Useless, sure. But I’ll still come for your drinks. And to see the tiger who tamed you. Hah! Cheers! This green peach wine and roast rabbit—no wonder they’re the tavern’s stars. Eat up!"

"Let’s eat!"

Aelis felt a pang at parting with Turof but hid it.

True brotherhood lived in casual words and shared meals—no sappy goodbyes needed.

Men understood.

...

After eating and drinking, Aelis and Turof returned to the inn. In the common room, Larry—the golden-haired, snow-skinned youth—lay slumped over a table, looking utterly broken.

Aelis slung an arm around him. "How’s that ‘harem’ life? Thrilling, huh? Watching them fight over you, jostling for attention. Living the dream?"

Larry silently flipped him off. "Screw your dream! You heartless bastard. All you do is enjoy my misery. Never once saved me from the fire."

"I was worried I’d steal your girls."

"Just steal a couple! I’d rather battle the Demon King for three hundred rounds than ‘flirt’ with them."

"Hah. Rough day."

Turof swayed drunkenly. "I’m hitting bed. Dead tired. Gotta raid the Demon King’s castle tomorrow."

"Later. I’ll chat with Larry."

Once Turof left, Aelis asked, "Where’s everyone? Sleeping?"

"Changing into clothes they bought. They told me to wait while they model them."

"Sounds fun. Dress-up play."

Larry’s face twisted in despair. "Not when you’ve watched for hours and they force you to rank them. It’s a battlefield! You can’t imagine."

Aelis patted his back. "Huh. I can’t—but seeing you suffer shows me how awful it is. Also, I’ve learned a vital truth from you: joy built on others’ pain is wildly practical."

Larry lacked the energy to retort. "Go on. Bury me in good feng shui land—no females nearby."

"You just crumble when strong women show interest," Aelis sighed. "I brought you something. Green peach wine and long-haired rabbit meat from Stanco Tavern. My treat. Let’s eat on the roof."

He pulled Larry toward the door.

"Wait—I promised Daisy—"

"Larry! Where are you going?"

A red-haired girl in a lavish gown emerged, eager to show off for her lover—only to find Larry being dragged away.

"We’re—"

"I’m borrowing him for drinks, Daisy. Tell the others Larry’s with me tonight." Aelis cut in before Larry could speak.

Daisy frowned. "I wanted him to see my dress."

"Your dresses never end. Good food and wine spoil faster." Aelis planted his hands on his hips. "You’ve hogged him all night—he missed drinks with Turof and me. Time for brotherly bonding. I never bother you girls. Humor us this once, okay?" His tone left no room for argument.

Daisy, wary of Aelis, nodded reluctantly. "I’ll tell them you took him. But I won’t stop what happens after. They’re not as understanding as me."

Larry’s smile stayed calm. "Add this: if they disturb me and Aelis, I’ll get angry. And an angry man? Who knows what he’ll do."

"Annoying man. Fine." Daisy swept back inside, gown rustling.

"Heh. Sorted. Let’s drink."

On the inn roof, Aelis laid out the wine and meat. "Dig in. I’ll keep you company."

Larry’s eyes welled up. "Aelis... you’re a lifesaver. I’m terrible with those girls. If I were half as firm as you, I wouldn’t be in this mess."

Aelis crossed his legs, sipping elegantly. "Easy. I’m not trying to date them. You won’t pick any as partners, right?"

Larry shuddered. "I never wanted to! They’re terrifying—like they’ll devour me whole. Glad I stayed pure. This life’s not worth losing. I’ll ditch them after."

"So why coddle them? I speak my mind. They’re not evil—just scheming." Their bond let them dissect the female comrades freely.

"I just want someone genuine."

Aelis snorted. "Brothel girls aren’t genuine either—they eye your coin. Yet you dream of visiting."

Larry squirmed. "It’s about physical pleasure. I pay for a service—pure business. No hard feelings. But my teammates? They’re after my whole life. Missions, duties... maybe some grew fond, but I feel nothing."

"You’re complicated. Same as before we crossed worlds. No wonder you’re nearly thirty and single."

"Look who’s talking."

"Different. You want love but nitpick. I never wanted any. Back home, toys satisfied me. Women? Hah. They’d only slow my typing speed."

"Hah." Larry stared coldly. "But not your sword-drawing speed, right? How many times have you visited brothels since we got rich here?"

"Ahem. A man tries new things."