It was late evening and some of the members of the Crimson Dawn were gathered at the tavern to share a drink and revel in their week's glories. It was mostly just the men for now, with the women joining them later. This particular set-up could be quite dangerous, especially when they lost themselves to the alcohol.

  Ren brought the mug to his lips and took a sip of the frothy beer. “What is it?”

  “You know, I was thinking, right...?" said Fushiguro who was sitting next to him. "Nanako is interesting, isn't she?”

  “Hm? Don't tell me you like her. She's definitely gonna turn you down, you know?”

  “No, no, it's nothing like that. Wait. What do you mean definitely?!”

  Ren chuckled lightly. “So, what is it about Nanako? I think she's quite skilled as a cleric, if that's what you're getting at.”

  Daichi shook his head. Apparently, he was involved in this as well. “Nah, it's not that, either.”

  Fushiguro leaned in close. “She’s totally, like, you know…”

  “What?”

  “You know, like, that... isn't she?”

  “Look, guys. Either just tell me what you're talking about or drop it.”

  Daichi sighed and shook his head disappointedly. “I told you, Fushi, this guy doesn't speak our language. We have to be direct with him.”

  The other clansmen nodded in unison. Okay, they were all involved in this.

  “Fine. You know, Nanako is quite… tsun…”

  Ren blinked. “Tsun?”

  “You know, tsund…dere…”

  This content has been misappropriated from Royal Road; report any instances of this story if found elsewhere.

  “Huh… What does that…” Before Ren could question it further, he had a sudden epiphany befall him. “Um… Actually, I get the feeling you might be onto something.”

  “Right?!” Daichi and Fushiguro were overly excited for some reason. “She's totally tsundere! The way she acts and reacts….it's all classic!”

  “She even has the fang!” added one of the other clearly wasted clansmen heatedly. “That single fang! How does it even work, damn it?!”

  Ren wasn't entirely sure what a tsundere was, but somehow he just knew they had hit the nail on the head. He could feel it in his gut.

  “Listen, we can prove it once and for all…” Fushiguro interlocked his fingers and brought them to his chin.

  “...What is it?”

  “You have to call her cute.”

  “Huh…?! Why do I have to do that? Why don't you do it?”

  “No, that's no good!” Daichi banged his fist on the table. “She'll totally kill us!”

  “You might get away with just a slap, at least.”

  Ren frowned. “But I don't want to get slapped…”

  “Listen, Ren,” Daichi said seriously, “we are your clansmen. We would follow you anywhere and you know it. But this one thing, you have to do for us. You have to.”

  All of the other clansmen nodded.

  Ah, it was that time of the night. They were all three sheets to the wind. When they got like this, Ren could do little to tame them. He didn’t understand why they were so adamant about this.

  He sighed deeply, conceding. “Fine. I’ll do it.”

  Nanako entered the tavern later that night in her casual clothing. “Hey, guys,” she greeted everyone, but none of the boys reacted.

  Fushiguro and Daichi glanced at Ren, giving him a look going, “Do it. For the boys!”

  Ren took a deep breath. “Hey, Nana-chan…” he began, “you, uh, look rather cute today…”

  There was silence. Everyone around the table and the next was watching with eager anticipation, awaiting Nanako's reply. Ren, on the other hand, was preparing for a fierce backhand.

  Nanako stared at him for a moment. “Huh? What are you even talking about? I’m gonna go get a drink.”

  That was it. Nothing else happened.

  “Really…?” Daichi muttered.

  The disappointment around the table was practically palpable. Even Ren felt like he wanted more to happen.

  “I was expecting something more…explosive…” Fushiguro's shoulders slumped.

  Honestly, Ren was just grateful his head was still on his shoulders.

  Elsewhere, in a corner of the tavern, Nanako had her back pressed against the wall. Her face was beet red. “Wh-what was that all of a sudden...? Ren, you idiot...”