The apartment was a chaotic mix of personalities and scattered belongings. Each Tank occupied his own corner, yet the air was thick with an unusual tension — anticipation. They had all just been told that Tank 3 was bringing someone special to the diner tonight.

Tank 5, pacing near the kitchen, grumbled under his breath as he folded his arms tightly. “Why do we all have to be here? I don’t like waiting around for things to happen.” His silver hair was messier than usual, and his usual grumpy scowl softened when he glanced toward the window, imagining her walking through that diner door.

Tank 1, standing by the living room window, stared outside but seemed distracted, twisting a bracelet around his wrist nervously. “We need to act normal. Like... super normal. No weird stuff,” he said with a calm that barely masked his fluttering heart. “She’s important to Tank 3, and I don’t want to screw this up.”

Tank 2 lounged on the couch, fingers drumming an erratic beat on the armrest. “Normal? Come on, man. That’s boring. She’s gonna want someone interesting. Someone who stands out,” he said, flashing his usual lopsided grin but his eyes were bright with nerves. “I’m definitely going to bring my A-game. Maybe play a song or two.”

Tank 4 was meticulously sharpening a small pocket knife at the kitchen table, looking serious but clearly distracted. “Focus on being reliable,” he said bluntly. “No loud nonsense. If she likes me, it’ll be because she knows I’m serious. Not because I’m some clown.” His voice was steady, but he threw a quick glance at Tank 2, who just laughed quietly.

Tank 3, the most calm of the group, adjusted his glasses and cleared his throat. “Let’s just be ourselves. She agreed to come because she’s curious about us, not because she wants some perfect act. Just... try to be kind, respectful, and maybe don’t argue too much,” he said with a soft smile, glancing at his roommates.

Tank 5 scoffed but there was a faint smile playing on his lips. “I can’t promise the no-arguing part, but I’ll try.”

The five Tanks shared a brief look, each feeling the nerves and excitement knotting in their stomachs. Tonight wasn’t just about meeting her. It was about opening up, showing sides of themselves that didn’t usually get seen—even by each other.

The five Tanks spilled out of their apartment and into the cool evening air, the city’s sounds wrapping around them like a living soundtrack. The streetlights flickered on one by one, casting long shadows as they made their way toward the diner where she would be waiting.

Tank 1 walked with his hands tucked into the pockets of his jacket, shoulders squared but tension still evident in the slight stiffness of his movements. He kept glancing ahead, replaying what he might say, how he might keep things smooth and steady. “Just don’t mess this up,” he muttered quietly to himself.

Tank 2 bounced a little on the balls of his feet, fingers twitching like he wanted to pull out a guitar and start playing. “I wonder if she likes rock music,” he said, voice low but hopeful. “Maybe I can sing something for her. Something loud. Something real.” His grin was wide, but his cheeks were flushed.

Tank 3 adjusted his glasses, walking a bit slower than the others, hands folded neatly in front of him. His mind was calm but his heart beat faster with each step. “She’s gonna like you guys,” he said quietly, half to himself. “Just be... yourselves.”

Tank 4 kept his usual serious expression but every now and then a small smile tugged at the corner of his lips. His eyes scanned their surroundings with sharp focus, but when he looked at his friends, the tension softened. “We got this,” he said, voice steady. “Just be real.”

Tank 5 lagged slightly behind, hands in his pockets and brow furrowed. His usual gruff exterior was softer tonight. “Hmph. If she doesn’t like me, she’s missing out,” he muttered, but the half-smile he gave the others said he wasn’t as tough as he sounded.

As they approached the diner, a soft bell jingled through the open door, and the moment they’d all been waiting for was just steps away.

Tank 1’s fingers fumbled nervously with his phone, eyes darting toward every corner every few seconds. “Maybe this isnt a good idea..” he muttered under his breath, trying to sound casual. “Focus, man. You’re supposed to be the composed one here.” But his voice cracked slightly, betraying how out of sorts he really was.

Tank 2 snorted, tossing his head back with a grin. “Composed? You’re stiff as a board! You should loosen up a bit. You’re gonna scare her off with all that serious CEO assistant energy.” He strummed an imaginary guitar, eyes sparkling as he added, “I’m telling you, a little wildness goes a long way.”

Tank 3 cleared his throat quietly. “Wildness? We don’t want her thinking we’re a circus act.” His voice was soft but firm, trying to keep things from getting too loud. “Maybe just... be genuine. That always works better.”

Tank 4 crossed his arms, eyeing the others with a smirk. “Genuine? Please. You two wouldn’t know genuine if it slapped you in the face. I say we just show her we’re serious and dependable. None of this flashy nonsense.”

Tank 5, flipping a pancake with a little too much force, grunted. “Dependable? Yeah, because nothing says romance like a grumpy chef who can’t shut up.” He shot a quick glance toward the door, then back to the pancakes. “Besides, she’s not going to be impressed by any of your posturing. She probably already thinks you’re all a mess.”

Tank 1 shot a pointed look at Tank 5. “Hey, at least I’m not trying to cook my way into her heart.”

Tank 2 laughed loudly. “And you think screaming at pots is romantic? Please.”

Tank 3 gave a small smile but stayed quiet, letting the others banter.

Tank 4 shook his head, voice low but amused. “You’re all idiots. Maybe she likes that.”