I don't know why, but it seems like it is quite common that people just hate the male friend in AVN for some trivial reasons. Although I won't mind to get Raven as well, it is completely fine if MC cannot get her. We have so many cute girls already.
Having a school life with a good friend and romancing with girls is like a dream to me. Maybe because I don't have many close friends irl, I always enjoy to have a male friend in game. Doing stupid things and helping them to get a girl is fun.
I'm all for male friends. It's completely illogical to have just female friends.
They also allow the MC to talk about stuff guys usually don't talk to girls about.
AVNs aren't just meet-n-fuck games and a male friend perspective could add a lot to the story.