I am that male friend in the harem story

Complete stillness, without moving, or rather, everything almost crumbled and disappeared, especially with the depopulation, as most of the people who lived in this area had already moved to the city as they had lost their opportunity in this small city, known as the Takayama City. 

This was the city where he lived and was also the original city of the story of Hyouka. 

As he became Fukube Satoshi, he gained all his memories and naturally understood the ins and outs of this city, including those meaningless trivials that weren't needed in his life. 

Database. 

This was his title or even nickname that he gave himself and agreed upon by the people around him. 

Still, while people might praise him for having such a title, which meant that he was knowledgeable about various things, it was a derogatory term for himself as instead of being able to know many trivial things, he wanted to become a problem solver like Holmes, who he loved the most. 

Yes, unlike the world of Kaguya, which was pure romance, the world of Hyouka was a slice-of-life story that was mixed with the mystery genre. 

As for why a slice of life instead of a romance? 

Satoshi could only answer because the protagonist of this story was the young man before him, Oreki Houtari. 

"What's with those eyes? Are you looking down on me now? Or, rather, what's wrong with you, Satoshi?" 

"I think with your motto, you should just ignore me instead of questioning me, Houtaro." 

Smiling, Satoshi looked at Oreki, who was dumbfounded. 

Energy saver. 

This was probably what Oreki described himself as. 

If he didn't have to do something, then he wouldn't do it, but if he had to do something, then he would do it efficiently and as soon as possible. 

Still, Satoshi, who had lived as Ishigami previously, knew well that no matter how Oreki tried to beautify or make himself poetic, in the end, this guy was just lazy. 

However, high school students are unique creatures, and they try to make themselves special and different from others, which makes them often imagine themselves as a special existence; thus, people also call such a creature "Chuunibyou." 

Fortunately, Oreki's case was on the light side, and Satoshi also understood that if they could complete the work with just 10% of effort, then why should they give their everything, right? 

Energy saving. 

What a wonderful sentence. 

Still, with his life as Ishigami before, Satoshi didn't think that he could do such a thing, especially when he had two strongest families before him, aiming for his life, which made him have to work harder. 

'There's also a pregnancy...' 

Watching the peaceful scenery that was still filled with greenery, Satoshi closed his eyes as he could feel his lungs taking in the fresh air of the countryside. 

'2001...' 

What a strange year, Satoshi thought. 

Many believed Nostradamus predicted the end of the world in 1999, but as he was still alive in 2001, this prediction was incorrect. 

Still, as he had arrived in this world, his mission was the same, and that was to date a girl, but frankly, it was easy for him since even though Satoshi was a short guy, he was only 160 cm tall, he had a girl that loved him, so if he wished to, he could complete the quest any moment, but somehow, he decided to enjoy his life in this new world for a while as it was a new experience to live in the countryside on 2001, he thought. 

While he could tell it would be boring as the entertainment wasn't so advanced, he should probably be able to find his own fun. 

Still, Satoshi knew that he had to handle Oreki, his close friend. "So, I guess I should be happy that I can make you, the energy saver, worry about me. How cute~?" 

"Baka!" 

Oreka blushed, feeling embarrassed after being played by his "only" friend. 'What's happening?' He didn't want to admit it, but he was worried about his friend. After all, this friend of his had always been full of energy, lively, and like a husky, but somehow, a hint of melancholy appeared on his face, which was so different from his usual side. 

So—

"...did you find out that you have a critical illness, Satoshi?" 

"Are you cursing me?" 

"You are weird!" 

"What's so weird? We're in our youth, so isn't it normal to think about our life?" 

"So, what is it you are worried about? Tell me." 

Satoshi looked at Oreki weirdly and asked, "You really going to help me?" 

"Somehow, when I thought about how I would be bothered by thinking of your problem, I thought it would be more efficient if I knew your problem." 

As for whether he could fix Satoshi's problem or not, Oreki wasn't sure, but then again, if he knew, he could be Satoshi's support, and it would be great, he thought. 

"...." 

What a good guy, Satoshi thought. 

Sighing inwardly, Satoshi decided to humor Oreki since this guy was so contradictory. Even if Oreki said that he wouldn't do anything that he didn't need to, but to help his friends or those he cared about, he would do anything despite how clumsy it was. 

So, at this moment, Satoshi thought that he should help Oreki so this story wouldn't be a slice of life but also have a romance genre tagged on it. 

Yes, Satoshi had made up his mind to help Oreki's romance! 

"....." Everyone. 

Ignoring the readers' reaction, Satoshi decided to play his role. "I guess... I am in love." 

"...." Oreki. 

"Unexpected?" 

"Ah, um, yeah, I thought that you would try to hide it well instead of confessing it directly to me." Oreki was embarrassed since he had never thought that a love problem was the one that haunted his friend. Still, while he lacked experience, he had read many romance stories, but then again, all of the romance stories that he read ended up in a tragedy, which made him quite frustrated somehow. 

Still, regardless, he decided to ask first, so taking a deep breath, he asked, "Your crush... isn't a housewife, right?" 

"...." Satoshi. 

"...no." 

"Then, she doesn't have a boyfriend or a crush on others? Or rather, this isn't a triangle love, right?" 

"...why did you get all excited now?" 

"...sorry, I can't help it." 

Still, Satoshi smiled and asked, "So, I guess the energy-saving Houtaro is also interested in a romance, too?" 

"Don't be stupid!" 

Oreki directly spat Satoshi's conclusion and said, "You should know my motto, right? If I don't have to do something, then I won't do it, and romance is something that I don't have to do in my life. 

"More importantly, haven't you seen many writers die due to love? 

"For example, Osamu Dazai, that guy even committed a double suicide! 

"So, I definitely won't fall in love!" 

Folding his hands, Oreki appeared proud after he proclaimed himself. 

"..." 

Satoshi just gave this guy a dead-eyed fish before he looked around, wondering whether he could find heroines in Oreki's class, but unfortunately, he couldn't, yet when he thought to give up, thinking about his life, especially how to increase his height to at least 170 cm, he discovered a heroine. 

"What's wrong?" 

Oreki saw that Satoshi was distracted all of a sudden and also followed Satoshi's gaze, which led him to see a slender girl who appeared to hold many books. 

The girl appeared a little gloomy, with bangs mostly covering her features and even rustic as she tied her hair into a braid. Her body also hunched slightly, but instead of her posture, it was probably because the books were too heavy, so she had to lean forward slightly to walk. 

Still, Oreki didn't have an interest in such a girl and wanted to focus on Satoshi first, but—

"Sorry, Houtaro, I will have to go first." 

"Huh? Really?" 

"Yes." Satoshi nodded, then asked, "Are you going home right away?" 

"Er... I wait for you here." 

"Are you sure?" 

"Yeah, I am pretty curious." 

"..." Satoshi. 

Still, while Satoshi was speechless since he felt that Oreki wasn't supposed to be the one who said that sentence, he stood up and approached the girl, who appeared in need of help. 

"Juumoji-san, let me help you." 

Thus, this was his first interaction with the heroine, who was used in the photo profile of this novel. 

Juumonji Kaho.