But being by Saito’s side feels the most comfortable.
Saito’s childhood friend, Machigane Riri, is a universally acknowledged beauty. They start their romantic comedy story with a fateful encounter at the high school they both attend… or so it should be.
“Ayato, let’s go home together!”
Why is she always by my side, who supposed to be just a background character?
However, let's consider a different angle. In many harem narratives, the protagonist is often indecisive and not just oblivious. For instance, White Album 2 offers an example. Now, imagine if all the girls genuinely loved you deeply, each sharing special moments with you where mutual feelings were involved. Wouldn't it be plausible that you might develop feelings for multiple people? After all, love can be complex, and in this case, it's a battlefield.
This story doesn't center on the harem protagonist but on the Main Heroine, who, despite being the best girl and winning, experiences betrayal. She finds herself transported back in time, determined to rectify events without relying on the harem hero. She fails, contemplates giving up, but then encounters a boy who teaches her about the joys of life. This is the tale of their childhood friendship, where the protagonist, Volume 1, views the girl fondly but sees her only as a friend.
While there were aspects I initially disliked, the author addressed them, so no major complaints. To clarify, in the web novel version:
- One of the MC's friends turned out to be a stalker who nearly abducted the girl in her past life. She fell for the harem guy who saved her. However, in the revised novel, she confronts the stalker, makes him confess, and records the encounter. She decides not to involve the police to spare the MC's feelings and maintain their friendship. The stalker realizes her feelings for the MC when she shines the brightest around him, providing a funny twist. Both the stalker and the MC are shown as救人英雄.
- In a scene involving an assault, a rejected suitor becomes violent. Instead of the harem guy rushing to rescue, the girl, now skilled in judo due to the MC's training, handles the situation herself, impressing the MC with her strength and independence.
Overall, while there were moments that seemed to undermine the female lead, the author adjusted them, ensuring her character remained strong and capable throughout the story. The MC emerges as a significant figure in her journey, solidifying his role as a "Goat" in the narrative.