I Reunited with a Childhood Friend I Had Lost Contact with at a University Group Date

When Haruki Asano was in middle school, he once got into a fight with some upperclassmen. On top of that, because of his sharp gaze and naturally brown hair, he was treated like a delinquent and became isolated at school. Among all this, only his childhood friend Shiho Fukase always cared about him. Haruki put effort into his entrance exam studies, motivated solely by the desire to respond to Shiho’s words inviting him to attend the same high school. For Haruki, being isolated at school wasn’t a problem. That’s because Shiho had always been by his side since long ago… However, once they reached their third year, Shiho’s attitude started to become distant. They began going to and from school separately, and she stopped talking to him at school altogether. Haruki, feeling that Shiho’s heart was drifting away from him, grew anxious. He wanted to talk to her. He wanted to see her smiling face. So he headed to the gymnasium where she was doing club activities, hoping to walk home together with her… But there, what Haruki heard was Shiho’s voice happily chatting with her club friends — speaking ill of him. At that moment, Haruki’s feelings and trust toward Shiho… completely vanished.

Original Publisher

syosetu

Original Language

japanese

Type

Web Novel

## My Thoughts on I Reunited with a Childhood Friend I Had Lost Contact with at a University Group Date This title is a mouthful, but the story within, "I Reunited with a Childhood Friend I Had Lost Contact with at a University Group Date," definitely has something special going for it. It's a blend of genres that I find particularly appealing: drama, romance, and a touch of the psychological, all set against the backdrop of university life. ### First Impressions Right off the bat, I was drawn in by the premise. Reconnecting with a childhood friend after years apart, especially within the awkward setting of a university group date, screams potential for both heartwarming moments and intense drama. I was especially interested in seeing how the author would handle the complexities of rekindling a bond that had been severed by time and circumstance. ### What Works Well The strength of this novel lies in its core story and its protagonist. I found the main character’s journey of self-discovery and growth particularly compelling. He's not perfect, and he goes through a realistic period of depression, but he manages to pull himself together and make tough decisions about who he wants in his life. That kind of decisiveness is refreshing to see. The novel does a great job exploring themes of first love, grief, and trauma. ### Areas of Concern While the core narrative is strong, I did notice some potential pacing issues. While the world-building is interesting, there are times when it veers into filler territory, which can detract from the main storyline. However, this filler is of high quality. ### ⚠️ Spoiler Warning Okay, let's talk spoilers. Apparently, there's a love triangle between Haruki, Endou, and Shiho. Shiho's feelings for Haruki remain constant, while Haruki initially reciprocates but later develops feelings for Endou. It seems like the ending is bittersweet but ultimately happy, with Haruki and Endou finding love. ### Final Verdict Despite some pacing issues, "I Reunited with a Childhood Friend I Had Lost Contact with at a University Group Date" is a novel with a lot of heart. The compelling characters, realistic struggles, and exploration of complex themes make it a worthwhile read. If you're looking for a story that will make you feel something, this might be the one for you.