I Liked Her First, but My Brain Was Broken, Then for Some Reason, I Became Friends With Beautiful Girls, So I’m Done My With Childhood Friends

I liked her first…….! Yazawa Hiro had a cute childhood friend whom he had been in love with ever since he was little. However, one day he witnesses she was confessed to by another man, and his heart is indirectly broken. Furthermore, as if there was no need for secrets from him , his childhood friend went out of her way to announce that she had found a lover. Although he does not show it outwardly, Hiro is shocked that his childhood friend, whom he has loved for a long time, is taken away from him, and his reaction to beautiful girls has dulled. His condition was noticed by Matsuyuki Ayano, who is renowned as the prettiest girl in school. The relationship that began with concern gradually deepens. Hiro, who did not want to face his childhood friend, changed his behavior, and as a result, he became friends with a junior, Kido Tsumugi, a tall beautiful girl with silver hair. “Matsuyuki san is an evil woman who deceives men.” “Kido is a crazy woman who nearly killed her own father.’” Hiro hears a bad rumor about the two. A youthful romantic comedy that begins with a sense of defeat.

Original Publisher

kakuyomu

Original Language

japanese

Type

Web Novel

## My Thoughts on *I Liked Her First, but My Brain Was Broken, Then for Some Reason, I Became Friends With Beautiful Girls, So I’m Done My With Childhood Friends* Okay, that title is a mouthful, isn’t it? But honestly, after diving into *I Liked Her First...*, I can kind of see how they got there. This web novel is a bit of a mixed bag, but it definitely has its charms. It’s got all the hallmarks of a modern harem romance with a slightly cowardly, loner protagonist who suddenly finds himself surrounded by beautiful girls. So, did it work for me? Let's break it down. ### First Impressions My initial reaction was a bit skeptical, I’ll admit. The premise feels well-trodden, and I was prepared for the usual tropes. However, I was pleasantly surprised by some of the character dynamics and how the story unfolded. It's not groundbreaking, but it's entertaining enough to keep you reading. ### What Works Well What I found particularly enjoyable was the protagonist’s development. He doesn’t just magically become a confident Casanova overnight. His growth feels relatively organic, and he actually confronts his issues instead of shying away from them. The relationships he develops with the female leads are also pretty well-paced. There's a believability to how they slowly fall for him, which is a refreshing change from some other novels in this genre. The childhood friend subplot is also handled maturely. It avoids the typical villainization of the childhood friend, which I appreciated. It's nice to see a more nuanced approach to these kinds of relationships. ### Areas of Concern While the relationships were well-done, I did find myself wondering about the initial catalyst for one of the relationships. There was something about the initial interaction that felt a little… forced, maybe? It felt like a plot device to get the ball rolling, which is fine, but it did stand out to me. ### Final Verdict Overall, *I Liked Her First...* is a decent read if you're looking for a lighthearted harem romance with a protagonist who actually tries. It’s not perfect, and it does have some minor issues, but the well-developed relationships and the relatively proactive MC make it an enjoyable experience. I'd give it a solid 3 out of 5 stars. It's a fun, easy read that's perfect for when you want to switch your brain off and enjoy some fluffy romance.