I am that male friend in the harem story

The silence was heavy since no one expected Ibara to say those words.

While Oreki was at a loss and wanted to run away to preserve his life, as he knew that something terrible was about to happen, Chitanda was all panicky, looking at Satoshi and Ibara, thinking to stop a conflict that might erupt soon.

"Just joking." Ibara smiled and said, "I know he loves her, so I can accept this."

"O-Oh..." 2x

That's it? 2x

Oreki and Chitanda thought that a war comparable to World War II might happen, but it seemed that it was solved peacefully.

According to the world history lesson, most of the wars in the modern era were solved at the table, through diplomacy, and as a master of diplomacy, so of course, Satoshi could be well.

Frankly, Ibara wanted to make a fuss of everything, but when she saw Satoshi's eyes that kept staring at her in silence, she knew what she should do and shouldn't do. He might be gentle, but even so, a bottom line existed, and she shouldn't cross it, no matter what, especially given how their relationship had formed.

Unlike before, Satoshi had changed, and he wasn't as helpless as before, letting her say whatever she wished.

This made her feel a bit helpless and sad, especially after what she had given to him. Her hands and mouth still felt his stiff part, which she held and sucked happily, yet... even so, she couldn't hate him, which made her frustrated.

If a feeling could be controlled, then it would be great, but Ibara knew that despite being a scumbag, she loved him so much that even if he had a girlfriend, she didn't mind being at his side, a mistress, a secret lover, having his care when he wasn't with his girlfriend.

It was pathetic, yet, somehow, she couldn't stop herself, especially when she thought of how he kissed her, giving her body a joy and a heartbeat, which she knew she couldn't get from anyone except him.

Still—

"By the way, is that a manga?"

Suddenly, Ibara noticed a manga on the table, which made her curious.

"Yes." Oreki somehow wanted to help Satoshi, so he tried to distract Ibara. "Satoshi drew this."

"Huh? Really? Fuku-chan, did you draw a manga?!"

Ibara's eyes quickly shone brightly as she moved closer to Satoshi, hoping to get his answer.

Whether it was Satoshi or Oreki, the two of them knew that Ibara loved manga and, if possible, she wanted to become a mangaka. This dream might be weird in the eyes of people from other countries, but as the legendary manga Dragon Ball came to exist, everyone could see how special the treatment that Akira Toriyama received and how much money he generated.

Compared to work like the majority, which was to become a boring worker who would work eight to five, the youths, those who hadn't tasted the cruelty of the society, wished to become a mangaka.

If Satoshi had to say, it was like an American Dream; one could become anything in America.

Regardless, facing Ibara's question, Satoshi nodded. "Yes."

"Really?"

"Yes." Satoshi was speechless. "I know that you don't believe me."

"Well..." It was hard to believe Satoshi drew a manga since Ibara knew him well, and at the same time, this also slightly hit her pride, especially when she had tried to create a manga, learning so hard that she even joined a Manga Research Club, but in the end, she was just swallowed by the flow, letting the others dictate her, and in the end... became nothing.

Suddenly, Ibara became silent, and made the situation become awkward, and naturally, Oreki stared at Satoshi since he knew that this guy was the one who had caused all of this.

Still, facing this situation, Satoshi didn't have much of a thought and just asked, "Do you want to read it? If not, then I will put it in the envelope once again."

"Ah, wait! Let me read it!"

Ibara quickly said, but then she asked, "Envelope? You're going to put it in the competition?"

"Yes."

"..." Ibara.

"Why did you think I drew one, then?"

"...." Ibara.

"Anyway, read it first, so I can put it inside the envelope."

"Okay."

Ibara's mood was complicated, but even so, she read Satoshi's manga with a solemn attitude. "Tanaka-kun is always listless."

"...."

'Do you have to look at me?' Oreki asked inside his heart, but fortunately, after reading the title, Ibara just continued to read the manga as usual.

Still—

"...did she have to read it seriously like that?" Oreki couldn't help but ask in a whisper.

"Yeah, I am curious." Chitanda also joined.

"Shh... this is how an artist works. Since you two aren't one, you won't understand."

"Well, that's true." 2x

The thoughts of an artist, naturally, were beyond Chitanda and Oreki's understanding, as they were neither artists nor did they aspire to be.

Still, while Oreki wanted to go back, Chitanda became even more curious with the scent that came from Satoshi and Ibara since their scent was quite familiar and... this scent strangely made her body hot. Yet, somehow, while usually, she could ask any questions so easily, when Oreki was around, she decided to keep her mouth shut and thought to ask Satoshi or Ibara when it was private.

Chitanda wasn't sure how to describe this feeling, but this is how she believed, and she knew Satoshi would answer her question later.

"....." Satoshi.

Meanwhile, Ibara believed that this was a manga that was drawn by Satoshi.

Why did she think so?

It was because the way the protagonist lived was so similar to a certain someone that she knew.

"Why are you looking at me like that?" Oreki felt insulted, which made Satoshi and Chitanda laugh. "Why did you two laugh?!"

"I am sorry, Oreki-san." Chitanda smiled softly as she apologized. "But it can't be helped, right? You are quite similar to the protagonist of the story, but naturally, you are more energetic than Tanaka-kun."

"I am not listless! I am an energy saver! And I'm not—"

"Shhh!" Suddenly, a loud "Shh!" was heard. Ibara looked at Oreki with a frown and said, "Be quiet, Oreki! I am reading now!"

"...."

Oreki's lips twitched, but he sighed helplessly, then looked at Satoshi and understood why Satoshi had decided to make Kaho his girlfriend rather than Ibara.

"..."

While Satoshi wasn't sure, he felt that Oreki thought something rude about Ibara.

Regardless—

"By the way, your manga is great, Fukube-san." Chitanda smiled with her gentle smile as usual.

"Yes." Oreki hated to admit it, but he had to agree that Satohi's manga was great. "It isn't so heavy, and it is good to read at any moment."

A human's emotion is complicated, and sometimes exhaustion makes them too lazy to do anything, but even so, they want to do something. On such an occasion, Satoshi's manga was perfect as its story was light, fluffy, and fun. His manga wasn't something that would cause one's blood to boil excitedly, but even so, the two of them wanted to read more.

"Tell me when you have drawn the next chapter."

"Yes, I want to read it too."

"Please wait till the announcement of the competition since if I fail, then I won't continue."

"No, you should! You have a talent in this area!"

"Yes, you should continue!"

Whether it was Chitanda or Oreki, the two of them were aware of Satoshi's overflowing talent as a mangaka, so when they heard that Satoshi wanted to stop, how could they not stop him?

Nevertheless, when they thought of trying to persuade Satoshi so he wouldn't give up with just one try—

"I have decided!"

Suddenly, Ibara shouted, then moved toward Satoshi and bowed her head.

"Fuku-chan! No, Sensei! Please let me be your disciple!"

"....." 3x