I am that male friend in the harem story

It was said the best way to hide a tree was inside the forest. 

For Ishigami and Karen to stay together was definitely a risky situation, especially when he had an official girlfriend, and if the people from the Mass Media Club caught them, it was without a doubt that they would enter the headlines the next day, so she knew well that the best way to keep the secrecy of their activity was in the Mass Media Club room, which was why she chose this place. 

More importantly, as a 2nd year, Karen had a certain influence within the club, and as the daughter of a publishing house owner, it was impossible for one to sniff her out since, within the media industry, everyone had these hidden rules that all of the practitioners in this sector wouldn't announce all the wrongdoings of those who worked in this area. 

Yes, this was the privilege of those who worked in this sector since they didn't have to be afraid that their competitors would reveal all their ugly secrets, which was completely in contrast to those who worked in the entertainment industry, who always would always be under the radar of those of a publishing house, waiting for them to reveal their secrets and become the hot headlines then be judged by society. 

After all, the best news had always been those who fell from their high altar and became a failure, right? 

Watching someone who had their lives worse than them is probably the best comfort for everyone. 

Yet, let's not talk about that since, at this moment, Karen couldn't help but despise herself slightly. Unlike the others, who were acting cluelessly as if they didn't know how despicable their act was, she knew herself what kind of an ugly action that she did. 

She loved her manga, Kaguya, and the fantasy that she had about the relationship between Kaguya and Shirogane, yet what she loved the most was her discussion with Ishigami. 

Using this manga excuse, she often talked to him and called him often, whether by phone or a secret short meeting they had at school. 

Despite knowing that he had a girlfriend and might even be risking breaking up with his girlfriend as Onodera might doubt him to cheat on her, Karen couldn't help but keep coming toward him, approaching him with her manga as an excuse. 

Despite her upbringing, Karen had become a naughty girl who tried to get close to a young man who was taken and was in love with another girl. 

Yet, despite all of that, she just couldn't stop and wished this time to continue forever.

Yes, it was wrong, but her feelings couldn't be stopped; understanding his kindness, she couldn't help but take advantage of that kindness, hoping to be together with him as much as possible, and this was also the reason she knew what would happen after this. 

Even if Karen knew that this was wrong, the words from her luscious, plump lips, which she tinted lightly with a lip balm, were slightly opened and said, "So, how do you think they will confess? Will Kaguya take the first step? Or is it Shirogane?" 

"I think it will be Kaichou. There might be some inferiority complex within his heart, but even so, he will man up to show that he is an appropriate man for Shinomiya-senpai by confessing his feelings."

"That's great..." Karen's face flushed, and her cheeks were as red as an apple. Despite that, she asked, "So... how do you think Kaichou will confess to Kaguya-sama, Ishigami-kun?" 

"...." 

"...I think that your fantasy will be better than my imagination." 

"But... but... this confession must be special, right? This is a once-in-a-lifetime situation before the two make their vows together forever! This scene must be the best of the best that will swoon Kaguya-sama's heart in one shot!" 

"....." 

Ishigami tried to think of an appropriate answer after Karen's fervent passion toward his confession scene. He didn't think that she was wrong since a confession must be the most special scene, yet couldn't she just think of this by herself? 

"....just in case, do you have an idea what kind of a confession they want to have?" 

"Er..." 

Somehow, the situation was reversed. 

Karen thought that by using this chance, she could ask Ishigami to confess to her. Yes, this might be a fake, something that was done to help her with her manga. Once again, she used his kindness to satisfy her selfish, lustful desire, yet unexpectedly, he would suddenly ask her this question, which somehow made her feel the need to confess to him. 

Shy, it was natural, but somehow, when she recalled the face of her sad friend, who could only sink herself in the sadness as she saw her loved one being taken by her own best friend, the hesitation in Karen's eyes disappeared. 

Then, with a gaze of affection, Karen gently looked at him and said, "I love you, Ishigami-kun." 

Her voice was soothing, filled with an apparent affection, which leaked out, and she was unable to hide that confession. 

Facing Karen, who was bathed in the evening glow as she expressed her feelings, Ishigami felt tremendous pressure and hesitation, but in the end—

"...that was a great confession." 

"...yes." Karen lowered her head slightly for a moment, trying to recover herself before she looked up at him and showed a bright smile. "I thought a lot, but in the end, a simple confession was the best." 

There was no need for grand fireworks, a lot of people in the surroundings, or anything special. 

It was just you and me. 

The two of us are in the right moment, time, and feeling. 

Then, at that moment, you confess sincerely with all of your feelings. 

Simple and clear. 

That was enough. 

"I agree. Simple is the best since if the other also loves you, then that's enough, but this is fiction, and a guy, naturally, wishes for a special occasion and moment to confess his feelings to his loved one." 

"Oh?" This made Karen interested, which was a good distraction from her previous example. "Such as?" 

"Let's see... probably, at the cultural festival, at night, when all the students are dancing on the bonfire, Kaichou will call Kaguya to a quiet rooftop, confessing his feelings as they kiss, and release many love-shaped balloons." 

"That's strangely vivid." 

"....." Ishigami. 

"But that's amazing!" Karen was excited, imagining such a confession scene; then, she happened to take a peek before she passed out with happiness. 

Still—

"So, how will Kaichou confess, Ishigami-kun?" 

Watching her unreadable expression, Ishigami knew that in the end, something like this would happen. 

"...can you imagine it? I have given you a vivid description, right?" 

"But... it's hard if there is no example." 

Karen held her head, seemingly in distress. 

Ishigami wondered whether he was too kind sometimes since he knew that this girl was acting to ask him to confess to her indirectly. 

'No, I'm not being kind.' 

Yes, he was just being kind to a beautiful girl and wasn't someone else. 

So—

"Okay, only this time, okay?" 

"Thank you!" Karen smiled happily and said, "I will make you up with something!" 

"It's fine." Ishigami shook his head, but at the same time, he realized that it might be his first time to confess to someone like this. Among all of his women, the only one that he had confessed to was Chika, who had decided to accept everything about him, yet Karen was different, so even if he appeared sincere and earnest, he didn't take this confession to heart. 

"Senpai..." 

All of sudden, Karen felt that her heart was beating so fast, and in her eyes, everything was blurred except for Ishigami, who was in front of him. She could tell that he was nervous yet also determined, ready to express her feelings. 

Yes, she knew that this was just an act, something to help her, and probably was also his experience when he expressed his feelings to his girlfriend, which made her happy, yet also hurt at the same time. 

It was just an illusion, yet even so, they shouldn't do this, but somehow, the harder it was for one to get something, the harder it was for them to give up until a regret came and made them realize what a mess they had become. 

'Ah, what I am like this.' 

Feeling the sudden softness on his lips, Ishigami gently held her waist as Karen clung to him. 

Probably, like anyone else, they might regret this action of theirs in the future, yet for now, they were just preoccupied with the joy that came from being together.