"You know it doesn't matter how many times you say no." Tengen remarked, leaning his elbow gracefully upon the tabletop.

Was this his idea of a simple friendly dinner? For months on end, he had persistently pursued your hand in marriage, refusing to relent.

Each time you declined his proposal, he accepted your response with surprising ease, only to resume his pursuit shortly after. Perhaps it was time to yield, to spare yourself the trouble.

What good did the word "no" do anyways?