"'Uh... are you talking about me?'"

My expression right then could only be described as stunned speechless.

I even doubted what I’d just heard. I forgot all the retorts I should’ve made. The usually gentle Guild Leader had actually said such unbelievable words. My mind went completely blank.

"'Waiter, bring me a glass of Rum Noir.'"

The air froze solid. An eerie silence fell. You could hear a pin drop.

The waiter placed a lavender-purple drink on the table. I downed it in one gulp. I let go of the glass. It shattered on the floor with a crash, vanishing into fragments.

In seconds, every eye in the tavern locked onto me.

I slumped helplessly in my chair, refusing to face reality as I stared at the Guild Leader.

"This has to be a dream. I haven’t woken up yet."

I couldn’t believe it. Why would the kind, gentle, well-mannered Guild Leader suddenly slander me? Her words felt so irrefutably real.

"Pervert."

Alicia spoke first. She glared at me with cold disgust.

Others in the tavern whispered quietly.

"Having a sister’s nice, but making her naked? Way too far."

"Being a lolicon isn’t wrong—but liking little girls? Unforgivable."

"Reservation at the German orthopedics clinic—Brother Cheng finally has a successor. Congrats, congrats."

After a long moment, I snapped out of it, my lips twitching.

This wasn’t a dream? Instantly, the Guild Leader’s goddess image in my heart crumbled. So this was how she’d always seen me.

Hearing the murmurs, the Guild Leader lowered her head shyly, seemingly reflecting on her mistake.

Bang—

I slammed my palm on the table and stood up. I glared fiercely at the Guild Leader.

"What’s all this noise? Is it wrong to face your true feelings? Is it wrong to like little girls? Is it wrong to be a lolicon? So what if it’s the German orthopedics clinic? I’ve got a clear conscience."

I didn’t want to admit it, but I couldn’t believe the Guild Leader would lie for no reason. Memories of our time together flashed in my mind.

"What’s wrong with men being perverts?"

I took the blame. Roaring, I slammed my palm on the table again.

Hearing my righteous words, the whole tavern fell silent. Even Alicia stared dumbfounded, too shocked to speak.

The silence didn’t last. Soon, cups, chairs—anything throwable—flew at us.

The three of us bolted out like rats fleeing the street, covering our heads in panic.

In a deserted corner.

The Guild Leader leaned against the wall, head down, hands fidgeting nervously. I stood over her, hands braced on either side of her body.

"Time to clear things up. Look at Alicia—she’s glaring at me with pure disgust."

This lolicon and little girl nonsense was pure bullshit. I only liked seductive thighs in black stockings.

And what sister? I don’t have a damn sister. If I did, I’d have booked that German orthopedics clinic already.

"I-I’m sorry."

Her apology sounded sincere enough.

Alicia stepped over, shoved me aside, and shielded the Guild Leader behind her.

"Why threaten a girl like this? Are you even a man? Getting angry just ’cause your secrets got exposed?"

"I—"

"I-I’m sorry. It’s all my fault. Blame me."

The Guild Leader stammered, head down, eyes darting. She looked guiltier than sin.

"Whatever. I’m misunderstood anyway. But let’s clarify: I’m not a lolicon. I don’t like little girls. Most importantly—I don’t have a sister. I don’t have a sister. I don’t have a sister."

Important things need saying three times.

"That’s your focus?! Your grudge about no sister runs deep."

"Also, I only know the Guild Leader from the game. I’ve no clue about her real life. How could she know my real self?"

Alicia turned to the Guild Leader. "Is he telling the truth?"

"I-I’m sorry. I shouldn’t have repeated what you told me. I promise I won’t tell anyone. Please forgive me."

The Guild Leader looked up at me, tears welling. She wiped them away, trembling like she was threatened.

In that instant, I knew for sure: the Guild Leader was totally yandere. Her kindness was all fake. And with her words, I couldn’t clear my name even if I jumped into the Yellow River.

"What else do you have to say?"

Alicia’s eyes shone like a hero exposing a villain’s true nature.

"Sorry. I admit it. What’s wrong with men being perverts?"

Denying it further was pointless. As I said it, I felt an urge to cry.

"I’ve decided—I’m joining this guild. I can’t leave such a cute girl next to a pervert."

"Fine. You join. I’ll leave."

I hated three things most: being deceived, slandered, betrayed.

"What do you mean? You invited me! I arrive and you leave? If you’ve got issues, say them. No hiding."

Alicia grabbed my collar, refusing to let go.

"Sorry, Alicia. Wait at the crossroads? I need to talk to him alone."

"Fine. But call me if anything happens."

She released me and walked off. After she left, the Guild Leader smoothed my wrinkled collar.

"Are you okay?"

"How could I be? See for yourself."

I pulled up the forum. The hottest post was about what just happened—her words. Comments had already hit ten thousand and were still climbing.

"I-I’m sorry. I didn’t expect it’d be this serious."

"Some jokes can’t be fixed with ‘I didn’t expect it’."

"Then what’ll keep you from leaving the guild? I’ll do anything!"

She looked at me with utter sincerity. Her fingers twisted together. She bit her lip lightly. She looked like a pitiful girl caught in the rain.

Any normal guy wouldn’t refuse her. Few would leave a guild with such a delicate beauty. It’d give anyone delusions.

Was she pleading ’cause she liked me?

Not wanting other girls to join—even lying—had she fallen for me?

This desperate need to keep me... had I become vital to her life?

"Hmph. This once only. No next time."

I opened the shop, bought cigarettes, and lit one.

For some reason, she felt like my fiancée. Memories surfaced.

She’d saved my life. How to repay her? Marry her? My brother’s idea—helpless, but I had no better plan. I’d keep her close and guard her with my life.

"Hmm hmm."

The Guild Leader stepped back three paces, sensitive to the smoke. (Though in-game smoke’s odorless.)

"Let’s go. Don’t keep Alicia waiting."

"Hmm hmm. You made me cry. We’re even now."

She followed behind me, whispering softly, fists clenched happily.

"What’d you say?"

"Girls hold grudges, you know."

"Hah."

Her words made no sense—but she walked past me, grinning.