Episode 4: Childhood Friends Have a Hard Time

　Meanwhile, Uta has taken his first step towards a new life.

　Nagumo Tatsuya, one of his childhood friends who had decided to stay behind in the castle, let out a heavy sigh.

"Hey... is Uta okay?"

　The question was directed at the three women in the room.

　The location was a room in the castle, a room that had been assigned to Tatsuya. The four of them were gathered there to discuss their future plans.

"It's okay... what are you talking about?"

　The one who answered with suspicion was Kitagawa Chika, a tall girl with brown hair in a ponytail.

"Well, I was wondering if he could survive on his own if he left the castle. He's a bit naive, so I'm worried."

“…Well, I suppose he is a little naive. But I’m sure Uta will be fine.”

　Chika's words may sound cold-hearted, but they are filled with deep trust.

　Uta must be confident that no matter what happens, he will be able to overcome it.

"…………"

　In response to Chika's reply, Tatsuya had a complicated look on his face.

　If it had been Tatsuya who left the castle instead of Uta, would Chika have reacted in the same way?

(No... that's impossible.)

　Tatsuya shrugged his shoulders.

　He is aware that he is not trusted as much as Uta is.

　Tatsuya himself knew that this was only natural, but as a man he didn't want to accept it.

　Tatsuya had once confessed his feelings to Chika but was rejected.

　The reason was that there was someone she liked, but Tatsuya was certain that the person Chika liked was Uta.

"That's true. I'm sure Uta will be fine."

　The one who responded in a light-hearted tone was Higashiyama Miko, also a childhood friend.

　With her short blonde hair and piercings, Miho talks as if it's nothing as she plays with her smartphone.

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“You’re special, Uta. If you stayed here you’d be worried about us and wouldn’t be able to move around freely. Wouldn’t it be easier to move around alone?”

“…That’s true. We would only be a burden to Uta-san.”

　Nishimiya Kazuha agreed quietly.

　She has long black hair and a face as beautiful as a Japanese doll, clouded over with sadness.

"Uta said he would find a way to return them to their original world. He said that they could return if they defeated the Demon King, but that's not guaranteed. Uta is doing his best, so we should do what we can... Of course, no matter what we do, Uta might solve the problem on his own."

“That’s true… but surely there’s something that even ordinary people like us can do. At the very least, we have to make sure we don’t become a burden to Uta.”

"Hahaha, that's a high hurdle! Uta really runs off on his own. It's not easy to keep up with him."

"…………"

　Three girls who are childhood friends are talking about Uta and getting excited.

　Tatsuya's face became more and more complicated, and his brow furrowed.

　In fact, Tatsuya had asked out not only Chika, but also Miko and Kazuha, but both were rejected.

　It's not like I was trying to three-timing them or anything.

　I had tried to get with Chika when I was in fifth grade, with Miko when I was in first year of middle school, with Kazuha when I was in third year of middle school, and just recently I had tried to get with Chika again but was rejected.

　Each of them confessed their feelings, got rejected, felt depressed, and worked on improving themselves, so they took a gap of over a year before trying again.

　For now, I think I'm just about safe.

　The three of them dumped Tatsuya for the same reason: Uta.

　Uta is special.

　For the three girls, and for Tatsuya.

　So I have no jealousy towards Uta.

　I wasn't jealous, but still, as a man, there was something I couldn't let go of.

"...Hey, I've been wanting to ask this for a while, but are you guys not going to confess your feelings to Uta?"

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　The three of them all turned to look at Tatsuya at the same time.

　All of them had looks of surprise on their faces.

"Well, it's obvious that you guys like Uta, right? So I was wondering why you haven't confessed."

「「「…………」」」

　The three of them were silent and exchanged glances.

　Eventually, Chika spoke up.

"...Well, there's no problem with talking about it."

"Isn't that okay?"

"I don't mind."

　With their consent, Chika explains on their behalf.

"The three of us have talked it over and decided not to confess to Uta until we graduate from high school."

"Huh? Why?"

"Of course, it's so that Uta will confess his feelings to me."

　Chika asserts.

　Her breasts, which are larger than those of girls her age, stick out.

"Uta is a kind person, so if we confessed to him, he would never reject us. He would accept us. But... that would be kindness, not love."

"We have our pride too. We don't want you to just date us out of pity, do you?"

"...I want Uta to fall in love with me, and then we can start dating."

　Miho and Kazuha also seem to have made up their minds and follow Chika.

“So, each of us will approach Uta and wait for him to confess his feelings. Until then, we absolutely will not take the initiative… It’s not a gentleman’s agreement, it’s a ladies’ agreement.”

"...By the way, what if Uta doesn't confess his feelings to anyone by the time of graduation?"

　When Tatsuya asked... the three of them again exchanged meaningful glances.

"Then... we'll share."

"We three have no choice but to date Uta together."

"We've decided that the three of us will work together to take Uta to a hotel on graduation day."

"teeth……?"

　Hearing the three's answers, Tatsuya's eyes widened.

"We each like Uta and want to date him. But... Uta is special. We both know that we're not good enough for him."

"I'll try my best to be liked by you, Uta, but if that doesn't work, then we'll have to compromise."

"If the three of us are together, I think we can balance each other out with Uta-san. If it was anyone else, it might be a different story, but if it's Chika-san and Miko-san, I'm fine."

"I love you two too. Next to Uta."

"Hahaha, I feel the same way too. We really get along well."

"…………"

　Seeing the three girls laughing together, Tatsuya once again realized that he had no weaknesses.

　I feel frustrated and jealous.

　But at the same time, I was convinced.

(It is Uta after all. I guess it would be okay for him to create a harem…)

　Tatsuya also thinks that Uta is special.

　That's why he may have had feelings for the three people who loved the special Uta.

"...Let's get a girlfriend."

　Tatsuya had suffered his umpteenth broken heart and muttered to himself so no one could hear.

　Give up on these three and find another woman who suits your needs.

　I was able to think this with a strangely clear-sighted feeling, even for myself.