I am that male friend in the harem story-Chapter 228: Gauge

As Satoshi ate his parfait, the burst of sweetness unfurled before his tongue, relieving his tense body. Thinking of the previous words of Irisu, he knew well that instead of hating him, her feelings had changed, became... something, no, it had become a love and lust, and because of that, it was troublesome, considering how weak he was and how strong she was.

No matter how one describes himself, in the end, he is just the son of a normal family, a commoner, but Irisu comes from a big family, the family that owns a big hospital in the city.

Having a hospital meant that her family was special, and naturally, he was sure that her influence definitely wouldn't be limited to the hospital and that she must have a certain influence in other aspects of this city, but then again, at least, now, he has no need to worry about her.

At the same time, his girlfriend also wasn't nobody, especially when Kaho's family had been in this city for so long, which made her family's prestige probably above many and even worshipped to a certain extent, especially when her family's shrine was famous for people to come and prayed for safe childbirth, marriage, business success, prosperity, household safety, good fortunes, and love fulfillment.

Yet, even so, he couldn't lie to himself and knew he wanted all of them.

"Ahh..."

As Irisu read Satoshi's manga, she opened her lips and slightly stuck out her tongue, which wiggled cutely without looking away from his manga.

Satoshi was speechless, but he scooped part of his parfait and fed her, which made her lick his spoon as she read. It was an indirect kiss, Satoshi thought, but as they shared a deeper kiss, it didn't change his emotion much as he continued to eat his parfait without worry.

However, it made Irisu's heart warm, thinking that being with him was wholesome and that it had made her life complete.

"Do you not want to become a doctor because you want to become a mangaka?"

While being a mangaka was an unstable job as one could only get money if their manga became a big hit, considering Satoshi's talent in this area, Irisu felt... it would be a waste if he didn't become a mangaka. He had an ability, after all, and it was definitely something that was sought and an object of jealousy, so if he didn't do it, then he would make the others, who gave their everything, whether it was their time, health, effort, feelings, and even life, to become mangaka angry.

So, if this was his wish, then—

"No, I don't plan to make this my main job. I can't imagine myself sitting at my desk drawing until I die."

Being a mangaka was good, but somehow, Satoshi felt like it was a bit hard for him, considering how this work would make him have fewer meetings with people. He wasn't someone who sought people's interaction, but even so, having a certain connection with people was far healthier than not, right?

After all, when one is lonely, one is prone to depression.

"That's good, so become a doctor."

As for her previous thoughts about the people's feelings, Irisu didn't care since she knew well that one had only one life, so why should they care about the others?

Instead of being burdened and walking on the path that was expected by others, it was better to walk on the path one wished for, right?

"No, I will become a priest."

"....."

"...do you want to marry Kaho?"

"Should I not marry her?"

"...is that so?"

Somehow, after saying those words, Irisu just lowered her head and read his manga quietly as if trying to look away from him. Yet, even so, Satoshi could see her eyes glistening, slightly wet for some reason before she closed them as if trying to hold something from coming out.

"...."

Why did you cry so suddenly?

Also, what was the shape of their relationship?

If they were a lover, then it was good, but their beginning was far from good, especially when they just held each other's secrets, and she had even threatened him before. While he could control her, and they even had fun together, it didn't change the fact that their relationship could hardly be developed into a marriage.

After all, their beginning was like this.

Still helpless, he pulled her again into his embrace.

"...let go."

Irisu was startled, but unlike before, this time, she tried to get away.

"No."

"Didn't you love your girlfriend more? Then, you should forget me, right? No, we shouldn't meet each other—"

Talking with a woman was meaningless as a man had a hard time winning an argument against a woman. Instead of talking, it was better to shut them up so they wouldn't continue to talk.

Being kissed, Irisu was startled and wanted to bite his lips, but in the end, she let herself fall on him again, especially when his kiss made her relaxed and her body ecstatic, which was far better than when she used her finger to rub that part of her.

By then, she completely forgot about their previous argument that she started due to feeling jealous as Satoshi chose to be with Kaho and become a priest instead of being a doctor and being with her, completely enraptured, and abandoned her rationality that had always been kept so she could be a perfect daughter of the Irisu family.

Then, as their lips parted away, a string of saliva still connected between their lips, gazing at each other.

Facing her beautiful eyes that slightly reddened due to her tears, Satoshi embraced her as he gently caressed her head.

"Geez, you are such a troublesome woman. Why did you fall in love with a bastard who tried to blackmail you?"

Even if they enjoyed each other, Satoshi knew that what he did was blackmail, even if Irisu was the one who started it.

"Sorry..." Irisu apologized as she buried her face in his shoulder. "I know that my feelings are troublesome for you, but... somehow... I can't stop it. I know that our meeting isn't good, and you also love your girlfriend, yet... I can't help but feel envious of her, the one you want to give your life for. Instead of me... You choose her, so... I can't help it."

"...do you want to be with me?"

"...do you want to be with me, too?"

This time, Irisu looked up at him and locked into his gaze in expectation.

Satoshi hesitated, but in the end, he said it.

"Then... what if there are four of us?"

If Irisu wanted to be with him, Satoshi knew that he had to tell her about Ibara, too, considering she had given him hands and mouth before on the school.

This content is taken from freeweɓnovel.cѳm.

Still—

"....."

Slap! 

"You bastard!"

Irisu slapped him, then took her bag, ready to leave with a huff.

"Hey, what about the bill?"

"Go to hell!"

"...."

Satoshi was speechless, but he also didn't intend to stay as he was afraid of being watched by many. This city wasn't small and was also the largest, but with the number of its population, he was afraid that his affair with Irisu would be known, so after he paid the bill, as Irisu had left, he directly left for the post office.

As for Irisu, it was better this way, he thought.

Their relationship started due to an incident, and even if many naughty exchanges happened between them, they hadn't gone all the way, so there was still room for redemption.

As for Ibara, he was afraid that she was already broken, so he didn't bother to fix her.

Yet, this was how he was, a scumbag, and he definitely couldn't stop with one woman, especially when he got close to women for the rewards from the system. While he would treat them sincerely and probably even better to those who had truly fallen for them, he couldn't say that he was good as he couldn't give his everything to the girl who had fallen for him.

If he could stop with just Kaho, it would be fine, he thought, yet unfortunately, he couldn't since if he did so, then it would be unfair, especially to those girls in the world of Kaguya, who had given their everything despite his wrongness.

So, this was fine, he thought.

His relationship with Irisu was over, and this was better, but when he sent his manga to the post office, he heard a familiar voice.

"Have you sent it?"

"...why did you come back again?"

Satoshi thought that everything was over, but unexpectedly, Irisu would return once again.

Standing before him, unlike before, his height was the same as hers, and he was no longer that shorty, which made their eyes meet each other without having the need to fix their postures so they could stand at the same height.

Irisu stared at him deeply, thinking, wondering why she couldn't just kick him away from her mind, especially after knowing that she wasn't the only one. Still, facing this question of his, inside her mind, she knew well why she couldn't leave him, yet for her, it was impossible to express them.

"Let's take a walk."

"Okay."

Without any directions, the two walked aimlessly toward the side of the city where there were hardly any people and mostly consisted of farmlands, and as the sun was about to set, the place became even more deserted, leaving only the two.

"Who is the other one?"

"Ibara Mayaka. She has had a crush on me since middle school."

"What did you go with her?" Irisu frowned, wondering whether Satoshi's old love had started to resurface.

Stopping, Satoshi looked at her and asked, "Do you want to know?"

Irisu felt a bit hesitant, but she nodded. "Okay."

"It was because she saw us going out the other day and being intimate even though I have a girlfriend."

"....." Irisu.

"...was it my fault?"

"No, it's my fault since I can't refuse her temptation."

"What did she do?"

"...."

This time, Satoshi hesitated, but he said, "...she gave me hands."

"Hands?" Irisu was confused, but she thought for a moment before blushing and being startled. "Hands? You meant... she stroked your penis?"

"...yes."

"..."

"...on the school?"

"Yes."

"Crazy!"

"She is, but I am not."

If it was him, then Satoshi definitely wouldn't allow himself to do that in the school since it was too risky unless they had a private spot such as... a clubroom like his case with Kaho.

"I see..."

Satoshi wondered what Irisu was thinking at that moment since it was hard to gauge her expression as the sunset was too bright, which hindered his view.

"By the way, don't forget about your promise?"

"...my promise?"

Confused, Satoshi saw Irisu smile at him and said, "Bring me to Kanazawa when you win the competition."

"????"

What did this girl plan to do?

Yet, this time, Satoshi knew nothing and just silently watched her back that slowly disappeared as she left him. Hopefully, nothing bad would happen, but then again—

'Just in case...'

Satoshi thought that he should continue to improve his physical ability.