I am that male friend in the harem story

After explaining to his parents the origin of Hayasaka and many other things, Ishigami was released by his mother and father, and naturally, Hayasaka got permission to live in their house, but before that, it was natural that she had to report to her parents first. 

The call was simple, or rather, even if Hayasaka didn't call her parents, her mother started to call her first, and by then, her mother started to talk for the first time with Ishigami's parents, including how she would stay tonight at his home. 

What about Ishigami? 

Well, he decided to rest since even if he was trained to face many dangers, this problem was bigger than he had imagined, and he was just exhausted. 

As for the Shinomiya family? 

Well, even if this family was strong, it didn't mean that it was invincible, and in his mind, Ishigami had planned many strategies to take down this group, including getting the help of Maki, who was the natural enemy of the Shinomiya family. 

At the same time, if the situation really forced him, then he would move to Southeast Asia. After all, while the Shinomiya family was strong in this country, its influence on the outside wasn't so strong that it could control everything. 

Yet, while he was thinking about how to solve his problem, his parents, who had talked with Hayasaka's mother, started to surround him. 

"....." Ishigami. 

Meanwhile, Hayasaka continued to talk with her mother again. 

"Are you okay, Ai?" 

"Ah, yes, mom." 

"It's great that you are okay, but I am surprised to learn what is happening..." 

While Ishigami only took Hayasaka away from Kaguya, this problem was far from simple, especially since the one who planted Hayasaka by Kaguya's side, turning her into a spy that would report everything, was someone with a massive influence within the Shinomiya group. 

Fortunately, Hayasaka's family also wasn't anybody, and for their daughter's happiness, it was impossible for them to remain silent. 

While it was unexpected and might appear impossible, Kaguya also decided to close the deal behind the scenes, which was unexpected, especially with how merciless she always appeared to be. 

"Mom..." 

Hayasaka cried once again, but fortunately, she had Ishigami by her side. 

"You don't have to worry. Mom and Dad will take care of the rest, and we're sorry for involving you in this problem." 

"No... I understand." 

Money. 

Everyone knew how valuable it was, and for it, everyone could do anything, including sell their souls. 

Hayasaka family was a good family in the past, but as it lost against the Shinomiya family in the business, it was absorbed and, in the end, became the loyal dog of the Shinomiya family, and it would listen to whatever their master said, and as a member of this family, of course, she had to listen—even if she had to lie and betray the one who she had always thought of as her mistress and... best friend. 

"But you never tell Mom that you have a boyfriend..." 

"You are never by my side, after all." 

"Sorry." 

Facing her daughter's blame, Hayasaka's mother could only succumb. 

"But it's fine; I know that you are busy." 

"I will visit you tomorrow." 

"Um..." 

"But I never expected that your boyfriend was so bold, but I think you didn't choose the wrong man." 

Knowing the sadness of his girlfriend, instead of cowering and pretending not to notice, Ishigami directly came to Kaguya and then took Hayasaka away. 

For having such courage, she thought that he was worthy of her daughter.

"...." 

Still, Hayasaka felt conflicted when she heard those words, especially since she knew well what kind of a scumbag Ishigami was, but—

"Yes... he is amazing." 

"...do you have his photo?" 

"Yes." 

"Send it to me, and... you haven't done that, right?" 

"Ah, the signal is bad. I am sorry, Mom! Let's talk tomorrow!" 

"Wait, Ai! Ai!" 

Ending the call, Hayasaka sighed helplessly, then looked at Ishigami, who stayed by her side. 

"Done?" 

"Um." 

"I don't need to talk with your mother or father?" 

"They will probably come to visit tomorrow, so...' 

"I understand." Ishigami nodded and said, "I will leave the house." 

Slap! 

"You can't run away, bastard!" 

Ishigami's mother slapped her son's head with a slipper for saying something irresponsible. 

"It's fine, Aunty." However, Hayasaka was such an understanding woman. "I know that he is a scumbag, but he is responsible." 

"Ai-chan..." 

Somehow, Ishigami's Mama felt that Ishigami wasn't worthy of Hayasaka or even Onodera, especially when all of them were good girls! 

"...." Ishigami. 

If only his mother knew what they did to him...

"I will bring you to your room. Come on, Ai-chan." 

"Um, Aunty." 

Hayasaka winked at Ishigami, then followed his mother obediently. 

Meanwhile, Ishigami sat on the sofa, feeling a bit exhausted. 

"What are you going to do?" Ishigami's Papa asked curiously. 

"It's normal for a man to have a mistress or two, right?" 

"....." 

'...is this really my son?' 

Ishigami's Papa was so shocked when he heard his son's bold answer. 

Still, if only Ishigami's Papa was so bold, but he knew he couldn't, especially when he noticed his wife was staring at him from a distance with a hawk-like gaze. 

"You bastard! Who taught you to be like this!" 

Ishigami didn't say anything and just rested since his father only verbally scolded him. More importantly, instead of being truly angry, he felt that his father was only jealous. 

"Wait, a mistress or two, so you have more women...?" Ishigami's Papa asked quietly. 

"...I will sleep first." 

Escaping from his parents' nagging, Ishigami returned to his room and enjoyed the quietness as he wondered what he should do. 

'What should I do?' 

Ishigami had done his best to support Shirogane in being with Kaguya, and even now, his feelings haven't changed as he wishes for the two to be together. 

Yet—

'Why didn't you say that you haven't given up?' 

When Ishigami thought about his last conversation with Shirogane, he wondered why Shirogane didn't say that he wouldn't give up. After all, even if one was rejected, it didn't mean that it was truly over, right? 

Yes, after a confession, their relationship might have changed, unlike before, but even so, Shirogane had shown his courage to express his feelings, and Kaguya wasn't a woman who would deny or use those feelings for her own benefit. 

So, if Shirogane was sincere and continued with his feelings, then wouldn't there be a chance for his feelings to cross and be accepted? 

Like how a drop of water could break a rock, if Shirogane continued to chase after Kaguya, then his feelings would be accepted. 

This was what Ishigami wanted to believe, yet once again, he knew well that it wasn't easy, and desperation was the one that made a guy unattractive. 

Being rejected, then begging again and again, so the girl would accept his feelings. 

Ishigami knew well that if Shirogane did that, Kaguya would look down on Shirogane since even if Kaguya accepted his feelings, it would be due to pity instead of love, and if she discovered someone that could move her heart, then—

'Being a man is hard.' 

As Ishigami wondered what he should do to fix the relationship between Shirogane and Kaguya, the door of his room was—

Knock! Knock! Knock!

"Yuu, you haven't fallen asleep, right?" 

When his parents rested and the time was right, as expected, Hayasaka slipped into his room quietly and disturbed his peace. 

"Come on." 

"Um~!"