The Fate of the Protagonist Who Chose the Harem Ending - Episode 4

What are these guys? (※ Aiba Yuri’s perspective)

My name is Aiba Yuri.

I think I’m a close friend of Amamiya Shizuku.

Once, Shizuku-chan asked me to help with a guy named Ichijou’s romance. So I helped.

However, when he made a confession like a harem declaration, which I thought was unlikely, I stopped helping.

But for some reason, Higashitani-kun was still supporting Shizuku-chan’s love life.

I told him there was no good in it and he should stop, but he wouldn’t listen.

There’s a bit of a secret that we’re in a bit of a fight and I feel guilty about it.

Then Higashitani-kun asked me for advice, wanting to cheer up Shizuku-chan, who had become depressed.

I suggested, 

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

He replied, 

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

I can understand that, but I think romance is all about who gets there first.

That’s beside the point. When I casually asked Higashitani-kun what he thought about Shizuku-chan, I realized something.

This guy has family love for Shizuku-chan that surpasses his feelings for her as a romantic interest.

They’ve been childhood friends and have a long, strong relationship. But it’s backfiring. His feelings for her as a romantic partner are being overshadowed by the sense of family love.

If he could get rid of that, Higashitani-kun could win over Shizuku-chan.

If that happens, she could break free from Ichijou’s damn harem.

Shizuku-chan would be happy.

My concerns would disappear.

Hey, that sounds like a good idea.

Ichijou? I don’t care about him. He can do whatever in his own business.

With that thought, I decided to go see Shizuku-chan.

“Hey, Shizuku-chan, can I talk to you for a minute?”

“W-what is it, Yuri-chan…?”

She’s still in that wilted state, huh? I feel the same way; I want to help her too.

“It’s about Ichijou, or maybe more accurately, I have something I want to ask you.”

“What do you want to ask?”

“Well, I heard from Higashitani-kun…… That Ichijou is neglecting your bento and won’t give you an answer, is that right?”

“Y-yeah…”

“Then, I want to know why you’re still chasing after him.”

This is what I don’t understand. If it were me, I would slap him and leave.

But Shizuku-chan is too kind, so I don’t think she can do that. What’s making her feel this way?

“I don’t know…… I’ve stopped understanding too…”

“If there’s no reason, don’t you think you don’t need to chase him anymore?”

“But…..”

“But?”

“I’m dragging Haru into this selfishness of mine, so I don’t want to waste his efforts.”

I see. These two are unknowingly in love with each other.

In a way, this is probably the current feeling Shizuku-chan has for Ichijou: 

I’m guessing her feelings for him are negative now, maybe even reaching minus levels.

But Shizuku-chan doesn’t want Higashitani-kun’s efforts to be in vain. 

However, if things don’t work out, she’s willing to accept it. She’s saying she can cut ties if necessary.

But now that Shizuka’s dragged Higashitani-kun into this, she is determined to succeed no matter what.

She’s being foolish by thinking it’s okay to fail.

But I understand now. The reason they’re still clinging to Ichijou is because they haven’t verbally communicated their feelings to each other.

If they both could express this to one another, they might be able to cut ties with Ichijou.

Then, I’ll be the bridge. It’s a lot of work, really.

But I don’t mind helping.