Your Opinion on Harem Genre

I hate harem genres. More specifically, most of them. The stories I often encounter always lean heavily toward one heroine, using the others merely as stepping stones for the plot. So, what's the point of the harem tag then? I could understand if the execution was decent, but it never is! It feels like the ending is set in stone, even though the story hasn't really concluded, and you're left wasting your time rooting for a heroine the author clearly doesn't favor.

Well, there are a few—or maybe not that many—that actually give equal attention to all the heroines. I remember and appreciate those writers. Some of them end with a clear, winning heroine.

But even when you accept her victory, you can't help but feel sorry for the ones who lost, knowing their efforts weren't rewarded in the end. I'm looking for the happy feeling in harem romances, not the sorry feeling, okay? Somehow, though, I can tolerate it if it's just a love triangle story.

Hey, what do you think about harems? I know some people find them beneath their taste, while others worship the genre. Why? Personally, I'm not a fan in general. Also—

"Moriyama!"

—how annoying.

I let out a sigh as I turned my gaze toward the voice calling my name.

"What?"

Amanatsu-sensei stood at the classroom podium, her tiny frame somehow managing to project her equally tiny voice across the room. Like me, my classmates wore bored expressions, lost in their own thoughts. 'I mean, it's Amanatsu-sensei we're talking about.'

It was still early in the class.

"Are you done complaining, sensei?"

I asked lazily.

Amanatsu-sensei looked visibly upset, but in a comical, not-so-serious way.

"How rude! This is the problem with adults, no one to talk to! That's why Japan's suicide rates are so high, alright?"

"I'm sorry to hear that. More importantly, why did you call me in the first place?" 

Continuing this conversation was getting us nowhere. I decided to change the topic, knowing how easily she could be distracted.

"What? Oh, right. Can you grab the class materials from my office? I forgot to bring them."

I didn't bother asking why I had to be the one to do it. She probably just happened to make eye contact with me. Besides, there was no harm in doing it. Without a word, I stood up.

Sōsuke, who sat next to me, offered with a dry smile, "Need a hand?"

He was a tan-skinned guy with a decent face and generally good manners. The girls liked him quite a bit because of that.

I chuckled. "Sure, I'll take you up on that."

"L-Let me help too!"

"Two's more than enough!"

"Ngh."

Yanami, clearly just wanting to tag along with Sōsuke, immediately gave up after being scolded. I shot her an amused look. 'She must be desperate, huh?'

Yanami was one of the more prominent students in class. She was especially known for being close to Sōsuke—they were childhood friends, after all. But—

Out of the corner of my eye, I noticed Himemiya sneaking glances our way.

She was a pink-haired girl with a curvy figure. I was pretty sure she had her eyes on Sōsuke too. The two of them had a strange relationship.

'A childhood friend and a "dorobo neko"? Even though the childhood friend usually has the advantage of spending the most time with the guy—sorry, Yanami, but I think you're going to lose.'

Yanami wasn't really making much of a move on Sōsuke.

Despite looking a bit foolish, Himemiya was putting in the effort.

"Let's go," Sōsuke called.

"Yeah." I ignored Yanami and walked out of the classroom, yawning as I went.

The school hallway was quiet since classes were still in session. I decided to make light conversation while we walked.

"Man, Himemiya sure has a nice body, huh? Especially with those melons."

"Haha, agreed. I'd love to try carrying them," he joked, gesturing with his hands and grinning.

Himemiya was a transfer student. Apparently, she'd come from abroad.

"Why don't you ask her out? You seem like you've got a shot."

Sōsuke had been the first to meet her, even if not under the best circumstances. Judging from how things were now, though, it seemed to have worked out pretty well.

"Well..."

His expression looked a bit troubled.

I cackled and changed the topic. "What about Yanami?"

"What about Anna?" He didn't seem to get what I meant.

I just shrugged.

"She's your childhood friend, isn't she? No romantic feelings there?"

"Eh, with Anna...? I just see her as a friend..."

He seemed to seriously think it over before eventually reaching that conclusion. 'My condolences, Yanami.'

As a friend, I wanted to help a little, you know?

'Are you curious about my own love interests?' Well, it's definitely not Yanami either. I get why Sōsuke only sees her as a friend. 'It's Yanami, after all. She's more like a perpetually hungry pet than a girl.'

I don't have enough pocket money to take care of her. My family isn't in the best financial condition either. Besides, it's only been a few months since I started attending this school.

'It'd be nice, though, if I could get a girlfriend with nice looks and attitude.'

As I was lost in thought, a shiver suddenly ran down my spine.

"What... are you two... doing during class period?"

"Hk?!" Sōsuke let out a weird voice.

I turned to see a familiar face.

"...You're Shikiya-senpai, right? From the student council?" I asked, stepping back a bit.

"Yes…"

The girl who had just called out to us--- Shikiya-senpa--, had a gyaru-like appearance, with bleached blonde hair and light makeup. 'Well, her personality didn't quite match the look.'

'Why does she always seem out of breath, first of all? She's like a zombie. That's probably—no, definitely—why she talks in that half-chopped way. Some kind of disease?'

When she nodded, I gave her a thin smile.

"I could ask you the same thing, Shikiya-senpai. We were sent to get some materials for Amanatsu-sensei."

"I... was heading... to the bathroom."

"Uh, take care, I guess?"

She looked like she could collapse at any moment.

I knew her from the entrance ceremony when I first enrolled, but I've always had a strange impression of her.

"Thank you…"

Once Shikiya had moved far enough away, Sōsuke muttered under his breath, "That girl is scary."

I glanced at him briefly, then back at Shikiya-senpai's retreating figure, laughing.

"I can kinda see that."