The Fate of the Protagonist Who Chose the Harem Ending - Episode 3

Collaborator

I wasn’t the only one helping Shizuku with her love life.  

Aiba Yuri  

She’s Amamiya Shizuku’s friend. Like me, she had been helping Shizuku with her romance.  

However, after the confession that ended with Ichijou’s “harem declaration”, she stopped helping.  

“Getting together with a guy like him will only bring misery,” 

She said, even trying to convince Shizuku to stop chasing him.  

When I told her I was helping because Shizuku wanted to pursue him, she got angry. She said,

“You’re being too soft on Shizuku-chan!”  

I figured that I wouldn’t solve anything by thinking alone. So I decided to head to 2-C classroom where Aiba Yuri was, wondering what she would say.  

Feeling a little guilty, I called out, 

“Aiba-san.”  

“What do you want?”  

“You’re being harsh all of a sudden…”  

As soon as I approached Aiba Yuri, she responded sharply.  

But I didn’t take offense because I knew there was a reason behind it.  

“Well, of course! Shizuku-chan’s been down and looking weak!”  

“I wanted to talk about that.”  

“I’ll listen.”  

She said, offering me a chair.  

Aiba Yuri is usually a kind person, but sometimes her concern for her friends makes her come off as sharp.  

She must’ve thought it was about Shizuku when I came to her, which is why her tone became harsh. But there’s no doubt she’s kind.  

She offered me the chair and agreed to listen when I said I wanted advice.  

So, I began consulting her about how to help Shizuku return to her energetic self.  

Yuri replied, “That’s easy”. But what she suggested was impossible.  

“You just need to catch Shizuku-chan’s attention.” 

“That’s not going to work. I don’t want to betray Shizuku.”  

“Betray? I don’t think you’re the type to do that. Now, tell me why.”  

“Well… it’s a little embarrassing…”  

“Just spill it!”  

“Okay, okay!”  

So, I told her my reasons for not wanting to betray Shizuku. They were simple.  

“Basically, if I were to confess now, it’d seem like I was just waiting for her to get vulnerable.”  

“Hmm? Yeah, I guess so. But that reason isn’t strong enough. If you have any other reasons, say them.”  

So, I explained everything in detail.  

I told her about the guys who kept confessing to Shizuku during our first year, how Shizuku had been frustrated and didn’t understand why they kept approaching her. I had just been there to listen.  

Then, before summer vacation in our second year, Shizuku confessed to me that she had started liking Ichijou.  

It was embarrassing to ask directly, but I figured that I could talk about it with Yuri because she was a girl. And I knew she could give me honest advice.  

And then, after Ichijou’s harem declaration, Shizuku asked me to continue helping her.  

I explained all of that.  

“And, you know. Before Shizuku confessed, Ichijou was always quick to make decisions, and he was successful at everything. He was good at both studies and sports, right?”  

“Yes, that’s why I thought I’d help. I thought Ichijou was a good guy.”  

She continued, explaining that after the harem declaration, she realized Ichijou was no good.  

From my point of view, Ichijou saying “I love all of you” after being surrounded by so many girls was questionable. But I could understand if it was just a way for him to escape.  

Now, after some time, I could understand his reasoning. But still, Ichijou should’ve asked for more time.  

“Personally, if I were approached by that many girls, I’d be confused. But I thought that if Shizuku could outsmart them, Ichijou would pick her right away.”  

“But in reality, it ended up making Shizuku-chan withdraw.”  

“Yeah, that’s why I came here to ask how I can get Shizuku back to her bright, smiling self.”  

Yuri looked surprised.  

“Do you like Shizuku-chan?”  

“What are you saying? Of course I do. If I didn’t like her, I wouldn’t be helping.”  

“Eh?”  

Yuri’s response was one of shock.  

After thinking for a moment, she placed her hand on her forehead and closed her eyes. She was thinking deeply.  

“Let me confirm something. You like Shizuku-chan, right?”  

“Of course.”  

“Can you see her as more than a friend?”  

“Uh, yeah, I can.”  

“……….Then why are you acting like you want her to end up with Ichijou?”  

“Because Shizuku said she wanted to be Ichijou’s girlfriend.”  

That’s why I’m helping her, I explained.  

Yuri then rubbed her temples. She was probably dealing with a headache. I didn’t have any medicine with me, though.  

But she kept questioning me.  

“Romantic relationships eventually lead to… well, you know, intimate things. Have you thought about what it would be like if Shizuku did that with someone other than you?”  

“I have thought about it, but I trust her. If she did it, I’d be okay with it.”  

“………What if, by some chance, she got hurt and came to you afterward?”  

“I’d comfort her. And if she needed to vent, I’d take it, no matter what.”  

“Then, what would you do after she’s done venting?”  

“I’d encourage her to have an even better relationship next time.”  

“……Wait a minute.”  

During the conversation, Yuri seemed to realize something.  

Aiba buried her head in her hands, pressing it onto the desk.

I wonder if something serious is going on.

“Hey, um, if… just if…” 

Aiba spoke hesitantly. It was as if she was debating whether or not to say something while still keeping her head down.

“If Shizuku-chan confessed to you, would you accept her, like switching sides?”

If the one she switched to was me? Well, I’d be happy, but… why?

I need to confirm this.

“? With Shizuku?”

“If… I said, of course.”

“Would you think she’s a light-hearted girl and look down on her?”

“Not at all? I’d probably think Ichijou’s the one who got dumped by Shizuku.”

I knew that Shizuku had been trying her best all along. But Ichijou never responded to her feelings.

He ignored the lunch she made for him.

He never gave her an answer.

By now, he should’ve been long enough to lose her trust. 

If Shizuku wanted to break things off with Ichijou, she could.

When I said that, Aiba suddenly raised her head, her expression intense as she leaned closer to me.

“Final check! Could you do…… those kinds of things with Shizuku-chan?!”

“Huh?!”

What is she asking?!

Shizuku with me?! 

The thought made me have a somewhat indecent idea.

Haru, my….. here…

Lost in that, Aiba spoke in a satisfied tone.

“So, if you’re stretching your nose like that, it means you could do it!”

“!? Uh, y-yeah. I can…”

Ugh, she saw me in such an embarrassing state…

I just want to vanish and hide.

Contrary to how I felt, Aiba stood up energetically. It was much different from her earlier mood.

“Depending on how Shizuku-chan reacts, I might have a good plan for you! Later on, no matter what kind of Shizuku-chan you get, accept it! Absolutely!” 

She pointed at me, emphasizing her words.

I think I know both the good and bad sides of Shizuku.

There’s no way I wouldn’t accept her.