Desperation causes unstable thinking even if it is just a bit, at least that is what I think the author tried to do here.
But maybe, just maybe, it is a plot for getting a few more female party characters by making them owe the protagonist.
I mean take a look how the author carry this chapter, I doubt they're just mob characters, the mentioned shopkeeper too.
But well... Who knows, whats in for us/them next.