I am that male friend in the harem story-Chapter 217: Bloom and suppress

The fragrant breeze hit him as Satoshi saw Chitanda become so close that their noses touched each other, and the whiteness of her hidden big breasts was soon from the gap in her school uniform. His eyes drew toward that gap, staring at them for a while before he focused his gaze once again on her, but—

"....." 2x

As their gazes met, Chitanda's cheeks quickly turned crimson as she noticed his naughty gaze. It was wrong, she thought, especially when she knew he had a girlfriend and he shouldn't have shown such a gaze or be attracted to another girl than his girlfriend, yet despite all of that, a joy somehow emerged within her heart as she couldn't look at him shyly.

Satoshi felt a bit awkward, but he tried not to mind it and changed the topic. "Sorry, what?"

"...."

Meeting his gaze, Chitanda pouted slightly at his calm gaze as he tried to forcefully change the topic away without apologizing, yet this was okay, she thought, but then again, as she saw his reaction, somehow, she moved even closer as she deliberately showed her parts which shouldn't be shown to others and be kept toward her future husband.

"Fukube-san, I found it! This is the anthology that I found and asked my uncle for before I cried so loudly and he didn't comfort me..."

As Chitanda moved even closer, Satoshi was helpless, especially when he just wanted to go back to be comforted by Kaho. Still, he quickly threw his thought away, especially if he continued this thought, a natural reaction that he had always suppressed would appear and be seen by Chitanda.

They might have been holding hands, going out secretly, and even staying so close like this, but then again, Satoshi didn't think that it was enough of her to let him do it.

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Yes, he knew that it was wrong, but somehow... he just couldn't help but have these dirty thoughts where he would hold this curious and obedient girl as she begged him and sweetly cried under him.

Taking a deep breath, Satoshi asked, "Can you let me see it?" While he hid it well, he noticed how his voice became heavier and hoarse, but fortunately, Chitanda didn't seem to notice it.

"Yes."

Giving him the anthology, Satoshi looked at the 2nd volume that was taken by Chitanda, which was pretty old, he thought, and was also amazing since, despite it being published 44 years ago, it still existed in good condition.

"My uncle was written there and... something must have happened 45 years ago when my uncle was still in high school..."

Hearing that, Satoshi started to open the anthology and read it quietly.

---

Preface.

It's once again that time of the year, and the Cultural Festival has arrived.

It will soon have been a year since Sekitani-senpai left. In that year, Senpai has turned from a hero into a legend.

The Cultural Festival will be held for a grand total of five days again this year. But, I, in my little corner of the school, think of a legend. I wonder: in ten years, will someone remember the quiet warrior, the gentle hero? On the final day, will this "Hyouka" that Senpai named still remain?

The struggle, the sacrifice, and even that smile of Senpai are all being washed away to some remote place across time. No, it's better that way. It shouldn't be remembered. Because it absolutely was not a heroic tale.

All of this will lose its subjectivity and transcend historical perspectives to become a classic.

Someday, even those of us living here and now will become some future reader's "Classics."

October 13th, 1968.

Koriyama Yoko.

---

"..."

"Sekitani-senpai... is that the name of your uncle, Chitanda-san?"

"Yes."

As he finished his reading, Satoshi looked at Chitanda, who lowered her head and appeared weak, fragile, and even afraid. It wasn't the first time he'd seen her this way, as he recalled that she was like this during their outing on Sunday.

Still, he had to say Koriyama Yoko was a good writer, he thought, but then again, it was as if this writer wanted to hide what had truly happened, hiding away the ugly truth of history like how an adult video was being blurred, so it could be sold.

Yet, this was normal, right?

Not all history was in a rainbow; many were hidden and erased so the next generation wouldn't see the cruelty of their predecessors.

"Are you okay?"

Feeling the gentle pat on her head, Chitanda was in a daze as she looked up, looking at Satoshi, who was looking at her gently with concern in his eyes.

Still, Satoshi thought to pull his hand away as, once again, a habit was really hard to erase, so subconsciously, he softly patted a beautiful girl when they were weak, but his hand was grasped tightly by Chitanda as she lowered her head once again, hiding away her current expression.

"...thank you, Fukube-san."

"...it's fine."

Shaking his head, Satoshi decided to throw away all of his dirty thoughts toward Chitanda. Irisu aside, as their relationship began due to a certain incident, and she was such a bitch, Chitanda was a gentle and naive girl, which was why it was better that nothing happened between them. While he knew it might sound like a hypocrite, unlike Irisu, he didn't believe Chitanda could hide and pretend nothing had happened between them if something had really happened between the two.

"So, do you remember what your uncle told you?"

Instead of those meaningless feelings that would hurt those who had entrusted their heart to him, Satoshi knew he had to solve Chitanda's problem as soon as possible.

"...no."

"No?"

"Yes, I don't remember anything..." Chitanda's hands grasped his hand even tighter, tremblingly, as she showed her vulnerable side. "It was so close... Sekitani-senpai written on this anthology should be my uncle, but I don't remember anything yet... if I remember it, is it even okay, Fukube-san?" Her eyes were full of desperation as she was in a dilemma and struggled with whether she should forget everything, let her uncle pass away as it was, or try to find the truth, although the truth shouldn't be remembered.

"It shouldn't be remembered... those were written there. If we investigate, then it might not turn out well, and aren't there truths that should be forgotten?"

Taking a deep breath, Satoshi asked, "Do you not want to know and just leave everything like this?"

"...." Chitanda.

"I think you should find it."

"Why?"

As her bright eyes stared at him deeply, Satoshi didn't waver and said firmly, "It can erase your regret."

"..." Chitanda.

"If you think your uncle isn't important to you in your life, then it is fine, but as you love him, then I think you should try to find out the truth, but everything is your decision, and my role here is just to support you."

"Support?"

"Yes." Satoshi nodded. "You have asked for my help, so of course, I will help you."

"...why?"

"Why?"

"Why do you care about me so much, Fukube-san?"

Her gaze had changed, and Satoshi noticed that, but he had to say this was troublesome since... he felt that their current relationship was okay, and more importantly, he had a girlfriend. If he didn't, it would be a smooth moment to confess, he thought.

Why did he help her?

Wasn't it obvious?

Because he—

"It's because..."

"It's because?"

"We're friends."

"..."

At that moment, Chitanda felt like she had lost all of her power when she heard his words, but—

"Or... do you want to hear that I care about you because I have a special feeling about you?"

"Fukube-san!" Chitanda blushed and panicked, staring at him with a pout, never expecting him to say those words. "You have Kaho-san!"

"Yes, I have Kaho, and you are Kaho's friend, too, so isn't it normal for me to help you?"

Rubbing her head softly, Satoshi said, "So, let me help you."

"...um."

The precious and warm feeling bloomed beautifully inside her heart, but she knew well she had to suppress it.

---

By the way, are you familiar with the Fate Series? If so, then how strong do you think Nero is?