I am that male friend in the harem story

Chiba prefecture was famous because it was located near Tokyo and was known as a commuter town, yet even so, this prefecture had many attractive and worth visiting cities, including Katsuura City, a beautiful coastal fishing town in the corner of the prefecture, where Hiratsuka would bring Tobe to.

Yet, Tobe had to say that Hiratsuka's car was unexpected, as she owned a Red 2005 Aston Martin V8 Vantage.

"...this is your car?"

"Yup." Hiratsuka appeared proud and smug. "What do you think?"

"How much is it?"

"Er... four or so million yen."

Tobe looked at Hiratsuka weirdly and asked, "Cash? Or an installment?"

"Of course, it is an installment, but don't worry, I have finished the payment."

"That's good, then."

"But sometimes, I hope that teachers' salaries can increase."

Hiratsuka sighed, thinking about her salary. It wasn't bad, and her job was frankly good since it gave her stability, especially when many were much, much worse than hers.

With this economy?

Tobe rolled his eyes since it was good enough for one to be able to keep their job, considering how the economy of this country had gone downhill and had never recovered from the economic crisis in the 1990s.

The price of everything had risen so many times, yet the income of many never increased.

He knew well that it was definitely unrealistic to expect a job like a teacher to increase unless they did a side hustle, but he had to say that it was also unrealistic since a human's energy was limited and unless one had a talent in the creative such as drawing or writing, then the only way for them to get an extra income was by a dirty method such as secret deal behind the scene.

Regardless, as they entered the highway, Tobe continued to talk with Hiratsuka, so she wouldn't be sleepy during the drive. The time of their trip was so early that they decided to meet during the dawn, and while they had eaten and also drank a coffee, and even bought some energy drink to increase in case of an emergency, the best way for one not to sleep was by having to talk with someone.

"Still, the job of a teacher is hard."

"Right? The unrealistic expectations of the superior, bastard students, and then, on the side, the parents will also complain! It's like we're being surrounded from all sides, completely powerless!"

When the dam was tapped, it was broken completely, and Hiratsuka told him everything about the hardship of her job. As an adult woman, unlike in the past, the friends that she had in the past had grown distant, especially when they had their own families, yet here she was still single, and it was painful for her to see them complain about their husbands, children, family, etc.

In other words, if Hiratsuka met her friends, she would end up as a trash or punching bag for them to vent their pent-up stress!

Yes, she might be single, but it didn't mean that she had no problems of her own, and because of that, she often drank alcohol to erase her sorrow.

Sitting on her sofa, staring at the television absentmindedly as she drank beers before sleeping till the evening, then slept again, and realized that Monday had come.

Such a day continued to be repeated, and sometimes, she wondered whether such a day would continue, which made her frightened as she thought that she would die alone in her lonely apartment, then be discovered a few weeks later when her corpse started to smell.

Marrying someone might be good, but somehow, she just couldn't help but think that it was also tough since she was afraid her life would change for the worse, especially when most of the men in this country thought that going to a prostitute wasn't cheating.

As for Tobe?

Hiratsuka knew that it was unrealistic since Tobe was her student, and he also had decided to move on, respecting her choice, yet part of her heart shook violently like it was gnawed by horrible emotions, making her hopeless, yet also despising herself, thinking that as an adult, she had to be realistic rather than having to work hard for her ideal.

Many men wanted to court her, and if it was before, she thought to reject them since they just didn't fit what she wished for, but as she was about to become 30, she grew desperate, and thought that it might be better to marry, or else... she was afraid that this forbidden desire that lurked deep inside her heart couldn't be contained anymore.

"But I am glad that you work as a teacher, Sensei."

"Oh? Why?"

"When the others are perfunctory and just do their job in a limited way, you give your all to teach all of us, and that part of you is one of the reasons why I can become who I am now."

"Tobe..."

Hiratsuka felt her eyes well up with tears when she heard his words, overwhelmed by happiness as her hard work was finally appreciated.

Appreciation.

It might be something simple, but it was the reason why people could work hard for tomorrow.

Yet, Tobe just told the truth since teachers were just a job for an adult, who just wanted to live in a stable and comfortable way, so why should they make themselves difficult with the problem of students, and others, when they had many problems that they couldn't solve.

If Tobe were in Hiratsuka's place, he would just ignore those troublesome students and do the bare minimum work, but she tried to help everyone, telling them in a way that made them grow up, and because of that, she was a good teacher.

"That said, I have always wanted to ask you a question before."

"Oh? What is it?"

"Why is Yukino the only one who has special treatment?"

Why did Yukinoshita become a member of the Service Club?

Tobe knew that it was wrong to ask this question since Yukinoshita was his girlfriend, but he felt that it was quite weird if she was the only one who could receive the special treatment to have a private clubroom, despite having to take advantage of that, too.

Still, while his question was dangerous, he knew more or less about Hiratsuka's answer.

"Well... I can understand why you ask that question since I know that she isn't the only troubled student in our school." Pleasereadthischapteronitsoriginalplatform—M|V|L1EMPYR.

"Are there many troubled students in our school?"

"Here." Hiratsuka looked at him with a smile and said, "Here. There is one beside me."

"...."

"That's true." While speechless, Tobe nodded since he was sure that he was a troubled student, but wasn't it normal for a genius like him to have a quirk or two?

"Haha..." Hiratsuka laughed and said, "Well, as you should have guessed, it is because I know her older sister and family."

"As expected."

"Well, what did you expect then? The world is realistic, including the school."

Having the children of famous and influential families study at their school wasn't how private schools increased their prestige and reputation to survive in the harsh competition among private schools?

So, if a reason existed why Yukinoshita was the one who was paid attention to, it was because she was the daughter of a wealthy and influential person, and instead of having her bullied by her classmates, which would make the reputation of their school go downhill, it was better to give her special treatment.

Tobe was silent, then let out a helpless sigh inwardly.

Still, no one was a god that could be by the side of the worshippers, watching them, observing them, when they were frightened and needed someone by their side, or when they were about to do a bad thing.

A human isn't an almighty being, and there is a limit to what we can do.

So, while it sounded unfair, especially to those who hadn't been saved, it could be helped since they weren't lucky enough to be chosen to become characters in the story known as "My Youth Romantic Comedy is Wrong as I Expected."

Yet, as they had this conversation, Hiratsuka knew that she had to be realistic, and chose to give up, but as they continued to talk, many other things, and even laughed together, enjoying the song, they then watched the sunrise that rose from the horizon.

"Oh, the sun is about to rise."

"Yes, it seems so beautiful."

The car didn't stop, but they could feel the gentle, warm light that slowly warmed up her body.

This feeling was nice, Hiratsuka thought, and because of that, it was hard to give it up.