Conversations Between Two Childhood Friends That Seem Like They’re Dating but Aren’t Actually Dating but They Totally Look Like They’re Dating

Toriyabe Ouka: Second year in high school, male. Average looks. Somewhat popular. Hananoki Asuka: Second year in high school, female. Stunning looks. Super popular. Makes dirty jokes if it’s to Ouka The two are next-door neighbours who have been friends since kindergarten. “Hey, Ouka.” “Yeah, Asuka?” “Someone confessed to me today.” “For real? Who?” “Noda from the soccer club. The captain.” “What kind of confession? Was he like, ‘sorry, I was actually the one who hid your shoes’?” “How did you come up with that? It was a confession of love. He said he liked me.” “Well if he likes you, wasn’t he just confessing the goodwill he feels towards you, not his love?” “Stop nitpicking. I want to know what you think. Should I go out with him?” “Do you like him?” “Not really, and plus I’ve never even dated a guy before.” “Then you shouldn’t. I heard he has a bad reputation too.” “What did you hear about him?” “… That he’s good looking.” “And that’s a bad thing? “Also I heard he’s good at soccer.” “Now you’re just praising him.” “…” “So you don’t want me to date him?” “… I don’t mind.” “Okay, then I won’t date him.” “… No, I just—” “Boohoo, I wonder when you’ll be able to live without your dear childhood friend.” “… And I wonder when you’ll stop coming to my room after school.” “But we both know you’d be lonely without me.” “Says you.” … This is a novel made up of flirty conversations between two childhood friends who insist they’re not dating when they’re clearly dating.

Original Publisher

syosetu

Original Language

japanese

Type

Web Novel

## My Thoughts on Conversations Between Two Childhood Friends That Seem Like They’re Dating but Aren’t Actually Dating but They Totally Look Like They’re Dating Okay, that title is a mouthful, but honestly, it perfectly captures the essence of this web novel. "Conversations Between Two Childhood Friends That Seem Like They’re Dating but Aren’t Actually Dating but They Totally Look Like They’re Dating" is a slice-of-life comedy that focuses almost entirely on the banter between its two main characters, Ouka and Asuka. And let me tell you, their interactions are hilarious. ### First Impressions At first, I was a little thrown off by the format. The entire story is told through dialogue, which is a pretty unique approach. It takes a chapter or two to get used to, but once I did, I found myself completely drawn in. It's like eavesdropping on the most entertaining conversation ever. ### What Works Well The strength of this story lies in its characters and their dynamic. Ouka and Asuka have a fantastic chemistry, and their back-and-forth is genuinely funny. They're constantly teasing each other, making ridiculous bets, and getting into all sorts of silly situations. The comedic timing is spot-on, and I found myself laughing out loud multiple times. I also appreciate that the translation is well done, even going the extra mile to explain puns that wouldn't translate directly. It really shows a dedication to bringing the original humor to an English-speaking audience. The story is also incredibly cute and heartwarming. It's the kind of lighthearted read that can easily brighten your day. ### Areas of Concern One thing that I noticed is that some readers expressed concern about the lack of plot development. Because the story is so focused on dialogue, the overall narrative can feel a bit thin at times. Also, there are mentions of the series potentially being dropped by the original author, which is always a worry when investing in an ongoing story. ### Final Verdict Despite some minor concerns, I thoroughly enjoyed "Conversations Between Two Childhood Friends That Seem Like They’re Dating but Aren’t Actually Dating but They Totally Look Like They’re Dating". The witty dialogue, charming characters, and overall lightheartedness make it a worthwhile read. If you're looking for a fun and engaging comedy with a unique format, I highly recommend giving this one a try. Just be prepared for the possibility of limited plot progression.