Just a simple 'no' answer and these two would leave. People always did when he said that, even if it also resulted in him being teased. No one bothered to put effort into recruiting a tank who wasn't overly-enthusiastic about grouping up, most people saw it as a moot effort. The otter saw it fit to question his refusal, making Kosuke worry he might have to tell them no again. Once was bad enough, he was going to sound like a real jerk if he had to keep refusing. Then Aiko decided to step up again, and this time she didn't look nearly as sweet or friendly as she had before. In fact she looked kind of pissed, making the samurai sweat as he recoiled a bit from her. "I-it's not that you d-don't look strong, honest!" he stammered, shaking his head and closing his eyes. She went on and on, this was the worst. Passing insults were easy to brush off, but when someone stood there and berated you that's when it got really tough. Kosuke couldn't do much besides freeze up under the scrutiny, just taking the verbal attack as Aiko shared what was on her mind. She wasn't wrong, he was an embarrassment of a samurai, he should be out there protecting people and fighting. He just couldn't, he wasn't up for the whole group prospect, not anymore. How else could he outright say he didn't work well in groups, what part of that didn't these two understand?

Again Aiko saw it fit to pick apart his entire argument for not joining them. Looking up at the assassin timidly he recoiled again as she continued, closing one eye and lifting up his shoulders. Everything she was saying was spot on and he hated it, he really did have no good reasons for avoiding joining other players. He never had luck with groups outside of the game and he had that sort of mentality even while inside Elder Tales. Maybe he should be seeing it more as the game he played for hours on end rather than like being in a class, or out in a sporting event. He didn't enjoy being lonely or a solo player all the time, he'd join people if it were easy for him, but it wasn't. Jeez... Why did she have to bring up his title? It was a unique one at that, and one not really befitting a person of his demeanor. Looking down at the ground he sighed softly, balling his hands into fists in his lap. "I... Beat a dungeon for it... And I g-got a rare weapon... That's how I got my t-title..." he explained, lifting his eyes again, "I d-don't let people walk all over me! I just..." How was he going to put this? Sighing yet again Kosuke turned his head and looked away, really hating having to explain himself like this. "I don't do groups... Like I said..."

Why was Aiko so dead set on him being a part of their team? No one had ever gone to such lengths to recruit him before, he didn't think anyone would want to. All he was for other players was a target, someone to berate and get a laugh at. Plenty of people had tried asking him but that always devolved into torment in some shape or form, so why were these two being different? He figured they were decently strong, Aiko was even a higher level than he was, so they would know what they were doing. And it was true, they needed a tank. Largoes' unusual build wouldn't let him tank properly, not unless he was fine with being killed in a matter of seconds. So they really did [i]need[/i] him... What should he say? If he refused again then they would likely leave, never bother coming for him again. While it would be nice to return to his comfortable silence there was a nagging voice in his head to take the chance. He'd spent the entirety of the game thus far either within Akihabara or as close to the walls as you could, that wasn't living. And even someone as meek as he was grew tired of living like a rat after so long, he needed a change sooner or later. He wanted to accept, that was the decision Kosuke had arrived at. Getting it out however was proving to be a bit of a struggle.

After mouthing the words soundlessly a few times, Kosuke swallowed back hard and abruptly got to his feet, being only just taller than Aiko at full height. "F-Fine! I-'ll accept!" he said hastily, bowing as he spoke. Again his eyes where squeezed shut and his arms at his side, much too rigid for any relaxed conversation. "I-I'll be your tank, for a little while. But d-don't expect me to stay forever!" Maybe after this he could find some way to make a living that didn't involve working with others as much. Some subclasses ought to afford him the solitary he wanted, maybe something like a scribe, or an alchemist. Even to him they didn't sound exceptionally fun but they might be his only shot at not being bothered by people constantly. After a moment of being bowed Kosuke finally stood back up, his face flushed from embarrassment. Folding his arms tightly across his chest he sniffed a bit, scuffing one foot in the dirt. "So... W-What are you even asking me t-to do...?"