Because of You

I can no longer trust anyone Haruto Furukawa lost faith in people when he was in his third year of high school. He fled to an unknown place when he went to college. There, he found a warm and loving girlfriend waiting for him.

Original Publisher

kakuyomu

Original Language

japanese

Type

Web Novel

## My Thoughts on Because of You "Because of You" is a completed original web novel that I recently decided to dive into, knowing it was a story with some rather mixed reception. The tags promised a tale of betrayal, romance, and recovery, a combination that often piques my interest. However, the path to enjoying this story proved to be a bit more complicated than I initially anticipated. ### First Impressions My first impression was definitely impacted by the unique narrative style. The author employs a technique where the main story is interspersed with commentary, almost like the main characters are watching their past unfold and providing real-time reactions. This is presented through parenthetical statements and quick interjections. To be honest, it was initially jarring. It took me some time to understand who was saying what and when. ### What Works Well Once I got accustomed to the narrative style, I found the story had some compelling elements. The core of the story is a classic one: a protagonist betrayed and hurt, finding solace and eventually love. I appreciated that the protagonist doesn't dwell in bitterness forever and moves on to find happiness. The development between the main leads is genuinely sweet and heartwarming. There is a certain charm in watching them rebuild their lives and find joy together amidst the initial pain. The romance is done well, and if I was able to ignore the ending, I would have been happy to see it through. ### Areas of Concern The unusual narration style is definitely a double-edged sword. While it adds a unique flavor, it can also be confusing and distracting. The author's choice might set it apart, but not necessarily in a positive way for all readers. For some, it may be a hurdle too difficult to overcome. ### ⚠️ Spoiler Warning I must address the ending, which has been a point of contention for several readers. The original ending involves the death of the main character, which understandably frustrated many. While the author attempted to rectify this with an extra chapter where the MC returns, albeit crippled, it feels like a rushed and unsatisfactory solution. It almost undermines the entire premise of the story being a reminiscence between the MC and his girlfriend. ### Final Verdict "Because of You" is a mixed bag. It presents an interesting premise and a sweet romance, but the unconventional narration and the somewhat controversial ending hold it back. If you're willing to invest the time to understand the narrative style and can potentially overlook the ending, you might find an enjoyable story of recovery and love. However, be prepared for a potentially bumpy ride. For me, it lands somewhere in the middle – a story with potential that falls short of its full promise.