[ this is not the development he expected, and it shows because he sort of just stares blankly for a few moments. he hates that it's exactly what he would've done because it makes it hard to be irritated that the sake's gone. ]

An' the reason I didn't is the same as it always was. I can probably talk him into anythin' if I wanted to, but that's why I don't wanna ask. Of course, he'd do it 'cause I asked him to. If he does somethin' it's gotta be his choice. He made the choice with the rest of ya, didn't he? Just be honest. If I don't think I deserve it, why would I ask?

[ and maybe the reason it bothers him now more than ever is that he knows izō is going around having these conversations with people. izō was honest about how he felt about the others, at least. ryouma still isn't sure about anything else, but that's obvious, or they wouldn't be having this conversation. knowing that izō has made that sort of progress but has shared very little of it with him has convinced him that izō simply doesn't want to.]

Y' say "not drinkin'", but that's what y' spend time doin' where we're from. It's fun. [ a pause. ] 'Sides, the last time I got too excited t' spend time together, he laughed at me 'cause he thinks I'm pathetic an' desperate, so like I said at the top of this whole thing, I don't really bother him until he needs me. Why's it gotta be me all the time anyway? Maybe it'd be nice if someone wanted me for somethin' that ain't a crisis once in a while.

[ the prolonged silence to follow that statement is too long, but he can't figure out how to unsay it, so he just stares at the bar in frustration instead. ]