"You could say that," Ginta agreed. He took the barstool next to Kuromaru that had been recently vacated by Kuromaru's crestfallen suitor. Someone to his left helpfully took his crutches from him and leaned them against the bar. "But don't worry, I think you successfully fended off the guy who was hoping for yours."

The men sitting nearby were still listening, still laughing, though looking rather puzzled. Ginta downed another quarter of his drink and leaned a little closer to Kuromaru, until their shoulders were comfortably touching. "Besides, everyone here thinks you and I are an item now. You realize you completely blew my chances of getting laid tonight, right?"