A cackling Violet hands me a bag of ice, from a magical cold-water device, which I promptly put on my cheek. It stings. Ouch...

"Hehehe... well that was entertaining, boy. Serves you right. I told you it was a wuss solution." She laughs.

I try to glare at her, though it probably doesn't work, as my eye is puffy at the moment.

"I guess I'll never understand women." I sigh.

Violet raises an eyebrow and sneers.

"Lad, one does not kill by tapping a monster with the tip of the blade until it dies. You must run it through. And only ponce boys try to put order and rules into fighting. It is fighting. The only rule is death."

"What do you mean?" I ask.

She grins. It seems she is being strangely talkative after it seems I provided the inn patrons with morning entertainment. They sure are a fickle bunch, but I guess watching a grown man being beaten up by half a dozen pre-pubescent girls is slapstick of the finest quality.

The girls are now discussing something together in hushed whispers on a corner table, away from my earshot.

"What I mean, boy, is what they were trying to tell you as well. Stop hesitating. Stop quantifying. Stop justifying. Take what you want, but if they want your attention, they will let you know. Just listen. Gods, if more men actually listened... wouldn't that make the world a better place?"

I gape at her.

"So... I shouldn't hold off in just doing what I want? That seems like it..."

I trail off as Violet stares at me, deadpan. 'Might be unfair' is what I wanted to finish the sentence with, but I get the impression that is the wrong answer.

Yeah... so, I'm the master of a harem of lolis, right? Being a snivelling apologist should be reserved for British politicians. What should I be?

Firm, clear about my desires, not just a passive flirter, but willing to snatch what is mine and protect it.

I've been shaped so hard by modern earth that it really shows. Let’s face it, we're all stuck in a society where a man is completely restrained. A whiff of anything more than flirting, and sometimes even just that, is enough to get the sexual harassment police and social justice warriors on our case. Especially for nerds and otaku like me.

But this is a place where I can still be true to my desires.

It's such an obvious thing, but it's still tripping me up and I'm still skirting round like I could be arrested at any moment.

Appreciate my girls. Listen and act. Stop taking half measures. Take what I want.

I take a deep breath and stand up. Violet grins at me.

I stroll over to the girls. My legs quiver and my thunder spirit is not helping with the jitters. But I'll do this.

They all stop and look up at me. I hesitate briefly as the words churn in my head.

"Girls... I am sorry that I didn't think of you, or even what I was doing. From now on, I will try to be clear about things and stop apologising needlessly."

They all look at each other.

"For starters. I won't tolerate you sabotaging each other. Secondly, I promise to give you all attention when you want it. I'll demolish the arbitrary schedule. And thirdly..."

They all gulp in hesitation, and so do I. Well... I gotta start somewhere so...

"Aria. Today we're going out on a date. Get ready to go." I try my best commanding voice.

Aria goes wide eyed and opens her mouth.

"Errr... you... want to..."

"I want to go out with Aria. You're my summoner... and you like me... and yet... do I really know that much about you?"

She gapes.

"We're in the city for a few days this time waiting for that guildmaster. So, why don't we do this? I want a good relationship with you all, so this is what I want to do. We'll start again like this. I'll go with each of you in turn."

"Um... hehe... it’s weird having Nii so assertive... but I don't dislike it... eh wot? Wot am I saying..." Kiku starts chittering.

Both Kaede and Rishya smile.

"Mmm... bravo, boy. That's a better start than before." Seria adds, nodding.

"Nn... I'll go..." Aria goes meek and blushes, tapping her index fingers together. Adorable.

"You look adorable today, by the way. Now come on, let’s go!" I say, grabbing her hand.

She blushes more. "Y-yes, g-got it! But..."

"But what...?"

"P-please let Rish heal your face first!"

The girls burst out in laughter.

Oh...