I am that male friend in the harem story

"Is it here?"

"Yes."

The graveyard was located quite far away, with few people except for a nearby temple. Still, even so, the temple was just a small one, and probably, it would disappear soon, without anyone to inherit it, which made this place feel deserted.

However, this also showed that unlike in the town where the land price was high, in the countryside, where the land was cheap and available, it was still possible for one to be buried during a funeral instead of being cremated and its ashes put into a jar, which kept inside a small altar inside the house as the price of the land for a grave was too steep.

Still, while Satoshi looked around curiously, Chitanda moved closer to his side. Despite knowing this place was the place where her uncle was buried, she didn't really like it, especially when she thought of her family's atmosphere at that time. Nevertheless, it was different when she came with Satoshi.

"Which is?"

"That one."

"Should we pour water on it?"

"There is a basket that we can borrow over there."

"Okay."

The two made a small preparation together before they went to Chitanda's uncle's graveyard, where they lit up the incense from the fire from the lighter that Satoshi had bought.

As for how he got it, he just bought it at the supermarket, and with a suit, somehow, no one stopped him from buying a lighter.

Still, he wondered what the people of this country usually said when they were in front of the graveyard. Were they praying? He didn't think so, but he felt that they should be communicated, talking with the deceased despite how weird it sounded. Then, again, he knew nothing except that Sekitani was Chitanda's uncle and that it was just his tragedy that had happened 45 years ago.

If he could do something, then he could, but he knew that even if the system was amazing, it couldn't help him return to the past.

Or was it possible?

Yet, as time passes, should Chitanda's uncle let go of everything?

Probably not, but then dying meant that Chitanda's uncle was already released from all of the problems in this world, which was great on its own.

So, what should Satoshi say?

'Don't worry. Those guys will definitely regret what they have done till their death!'

Satoshi didn't think that all of those who were involved in the Sekitani incident had forgotten about what they did to Sekinati and while they didn't show it, their memories had become faint; when their death neared, he was sure that they would remember what they did and by then, their death would be filled with guilt and regret, which was a form of punishment on its own.

Religion, teaching, morals, and many said that forgiving others was the best way, but in his mind, if it was possible to avenge others, then it was better to avenge them since how could one be happy when they saw the faces of those who trampled all of them to be in a relief as if had been liberated?

To hurt others, they had to be prepared to be hurt, and this would be their price, Satoshi thought.

'Thank you.'

As he thought so, while closing his eyes, he seemed to hear a voice.

"....."

'That's my imagination, right?'

As he thought so, he felt a little cold as his goosebumps stood on end.

"What did you say, Fukube-san?"

Fortunately, Satoshi wasn't alone, or else he would have been afraid that he would run away, but as Chitanda was by his side, how could he run away?

Still, watching her curious expression, Satoshi smiled and said, "Don't worry, I will protect your precious niece. That's what I said."

Chitanda felt that her face was burning red as she blushed. Yes, she was shy and lowered her head, but she said softly, "Thank you, Fukube-san."

"Yes."

As he stood up, Chitanda also followed him, standing side by side, walking outside of the graveyard as he stretched his hands.

"It's just a short time, yet it feels long somehow."

"Is it? But I think this time it feels better, though."

"Was it?"

"Yes, compared to when I was with my family, this was better."

"Then, probably, because you are with me?"

Chitanda looked at Satoshi for a moment and then nodded. "That might be true."

"....." Satoshi.

"Ah, I don't have a bad relationship with my family!"

"That's good, then."

"Right?"

As the two smiled, they went walking on the previous road, which would lead them to her place. Still, as they walked on the concentrated road surrounded by rice paddies, Chitanda asked, "Are you going to Tokyo, Fukube-san?"

Satoshi, who enjoyed the peaceful scenery, looked at Chitanda and asked, "Why did you ask?"

"No, I just wonder, since you have your manga, your career should be better in Tokyo, right?"

If Satoshi's manga was just so-so, then Chitanda wouldn't say this, but as she knew about his manga, she knew what kind of hype and everything that happened in his manga. It could be said that he was on his way to becoming one of those legendary mangaka who would be remembered forever.

This town, Takayama... was just a small place, and this was also a place that limited his development.

Kaho and Irisu aside, Chitanda felt like Ibara was suitable to be Satoshi's woman since, unlike all of them, Ibara wasn't tied down to this city.

"How about you? Have you thought of leaving this city?"

"No."

"No?"

"It's not that I don't want to, but I can't leave."

As Chitanda said, she spread her arms and said, "Everything here is owned by my family, and many families are relying on our family to live. If I leave, then no one will inherit them, and many families will lose their jobs or this responsibility that I will eventually take in the future, so I won't leave."

Satoshi didn't look away, watching her eyes, which showed determination and some sort of sadness. He could tell that she was ready to take over her family's business, yet at the same time, something also saddened her.

"You have prepared for this?"

"Yes."

"You are strong, Chitanda-san."

Chitanda only smiled when she heard his words, but at that moment, her hand was taken.

"But that's great since I don't plan to move."

"Huh?"

"Manga is just a hobby for me, and there are many things that I want to do, especially in this city."

"But... but... Tokyo is a big place! You can be anything you want to be in Tokyo."

"That might be, but I plan to stay here."

"Why?"

At this moment, the faces of several women appeared in his mind, but Satoshi wasn't so stupid as to mention their names. Instead, he held Chitanda's hand and said, "You are here, after all. Isn't that good enough reason for me to be here?"

"Fukube-san..."

"Satoshi. Call me that, Eru."

"Um..." Grasping his hands tightly, Chitanda called his name softly, "Satoshi-san."