Although All the People I Care About Have Been Taken from Me

A memory from a distant past, a promise made with childhood friends. — “If you win an award, will you marry me?” Several years later, I, Hajime Aizawa, a second-year high school student, called out to my childhood friend, Miyabi, in the quiet classroom after school, intending to fulfill that promise. However, when I tried to confess my feelings, the words she returned to me were shockingly cruel. “—Senpai. I’ve decided to date him.” “Do you… like him?” I asked, clinging to my last hope. Miyabi paused for a moment before quietly answering. “…More than you, I guess.” This is my story, one where I decided not to look back at the past but to move forward, alone.

Original Publisher

syosetu

Original Language

japanese

Type

Web Novel

## My Thoughts on Although All the People I Care About Have Been Taken from Me Okay, let's dive into "Although All the People I Care About Have Been Taken from Me." With a title like that, I knew I was in for an emotional rollercoaster, and, well, it certainly delivered… something. My overall impression is mixed, to say the least. ### First Impressions Initially, I was intrigued by the premise. The idea of a protagonist grappling with loss and potentially finding love amidst the wreckage had potential. However, the execution left me wanting. The early chapters introduce us to the MC and his complicated relationship with his childhood friends. The setup involves a somewhat perplexing scenario where promises are made, then seemingly abandoned, leading to a cascade of misunderstandings and hurt feelings. ### What Works Well Honestly, finding positives was a bit of a challenge. I can see the author is attempting to create a dramatic and emotionally charged narrative, and the translation seems to be well done, which is always a plus. The pacing, while perhaps too rapid in the initial chapters, does keep you moving forward, even if you're not entirely sure *where* you're going. ### Areas of Concern My biggest issue lies with the protagonist and the believability of the romantic relationships. He comes across as passive and somewhat cowardly, which makes it difficult to root for him. The sudden influx of affection from multiple beautiful women, including a famous actress, feels contrived and lacks a solid foundation. The story leans heavily into drama and angst, and while I appreciate a good dose of emotional turmoil, it felt relentless and, at times, unnecessary. It felt like every time things were about to get better, something else horrible happened. I found myself questioning the logic behind many of the character's actions, and the harem aspect felt forced rather than organic. ### ⚠️ Spoiler Warning Okay, here's where I delve into some potentially spoilery territory. Several readers pointed out the seemingly random nature of the protagonist winning a prize and, subsequently, attracting the attention of his childhood friends again. This plot point, in particular, felt jarring and contributed to the overall sense of disbelief. ### Final Verdict "Although All the People I Care About Have Been Taken from Me" has potential, but it's weighed down by a weak protagonist, questionable plot developments, and an overabundance of drama. If you're looking for a lighthearted and logical romance, this isn't it. However, if you enjoy angst-ridden narratives and don't mind suspending your disbelief, you might find something to appreciate here. For me, it was a bit of a slog, and I can't wholeheartedly recommend it.