Asahina Wakaba to Marumaru na Kareshi

The shy and oftentimes awkward high school girl Asahina Wakaba is forced into a ‘Punishment Game’ by her classmates. She has to pretend to confess to the practically undateable boy Iruma Haruto and go out with him. Their relationship starts out plagued by guilt and depression. However, as Wakaba starts to discover what the boy is really like and how he treats those around him, her own melancholic student life starts to blossom into something greater than she thought imaginable.

Original Publisher

kadokawa

Original Language

japanese

Type

Light Novel

## My Thoughts on Asahina Wakaba to Marumaru na Kareshi "Asahina Wakaba to Marumaru na Kareshi" presents an interesting premise: a bullied, beautiful girl and a kind, overweight otaku entering an unlikely relationship. After diving in, I found it to be a story with moments of genuine warmth, though not without its flaws. ### First Impressions The initial setup grabbed my attention. The male lead isn't the typical handsome, popular guy often seen in romance stories. He's described as ordinary-looking, a bit plump, and even disliked by some. This subversion of tropes immediately made me curious. The female lead, on the other hand, is presented as beautiful but timid, a target for bullies. Their forced relationship, born from less-than-ideal circumstances, promised an intriguing dynamic. ### What Works Well The heart of this story lies in its wholesome moments. The slow-burn romance, as Wakaba begins to see the genuine kindness in her boyfriend, is definitely a high point. I appreciated the novel's willingness to tackle the issue of bullying and the impact it has on Wakaba's life. The male lead's considerate nature and warm heart are definitely endearing, making him a character that's easy to root for. The ending, thankfully, delivers a happy resolution, leaving a sweet aftertaste. ### Areas of Concern While the novel has its strengths, I can see why some readers might struggle with the female lead's character. Her indecisiveness and apparent inability to stand up for herself could be frustrating for some. Her actions sometimes felt like she was making the worst possible choices, and then relying on others to fix her mistakes. It's a character trait that could be seen as a realistic portrayal of someone dealing with intense bullying, but also as a source of constant annoyance. ### ⚠️ Spoiler Warning Some readers feel that the "drama-part" of the novel felt like total escalation and that Wakaba lashed out at everyone important to her. However, others thought that this scene made sense considering the fact that she had been keeping secret the fact that she was being bullied and how she then even ended up collapsing due to the accumulated stress. ### Final Verdict Overall, "Asahina Wakaba to Marumaru na Kareshi" is a mixed bag. If you're looking for a sweet, heartwarming story with a unique male lead and are willing to overlook the female lead's frustrating moments, it might be worth your time. However, if you prefer strong, proactive female characters, this might not be the novel for you. I'd recommend going in with tempered expectations and focusing on the positive aspects of the story.