I’m Incompetent and a Failure, and My Childhood Friend, Who Is a Beautiful Kyoto Dialect Vice President Idol on the Outside but in Reality Is a Menhera Yandere, Is Dependent on Me, but Please, Leave Me Alone!

My name is Tadano Akiru. I’m just your average high school student. I’m not very smart, I’m not very good at my thing, and I have a bad memory, but that’s all there is to it. However, I regret to say that I have a childhood friend of the opposite gender. Of course, she is not just a childhood friend, but a beautiful girl who everyone will look back on. A beautiful girl who would certainly be a heroine if this world were a story of some kind. Her name is Kosaka Akemi. I have known Kosaka Akemi since kindergarten, and unlike me, she is extremely talented. She is so talented that she was scouted for vice president by the charismatic student council president at this school. She is a beautiful girl with her outstanding appearance, academic ability and leadership skills that allow her to join the student council already in her first year. She is a different creature from me, living in a world too different from mine. She is a special existence that I would normally never have anything to do with. There was no way I could get along with such a distant existence just because we were childhood friends, and we hadn’t exchanged a word for more than a year now. And yet… “Well..! The cleaning is over, let’s go home!” “Eh? go home….Where?” “Eh? Of course! To your room, right Aki-kun?” Why are you getting involved with me after all this time?

Original Publisher

syosetu

Original Language

japanese

Type

Web Novel

## My Thoughts on I’m Incompetent and a Failure, and My Childhood Friend, Who Is a Beautiful Kyoto Dialect Vice President Idol on the Outside but in Reality Is a Menhera Yandere, Is Dependent on Me, but Please, Leave Me Alone! Okay, that title is quite a mouthful, isn't it? Diving into this novel, I wasn't entirely sure what to expect. The premise, a seemingly simple tale of a loner protagonist and his overly attached childhood friend, promised a blend of psychological drama, romance, and slice-of-life elements. While it delivers on some of these fronts, the experience proved to be a bit more complicated than I initially anticipated. ### First Impressions The initial chapters hooked me with the intriguing dynamic between the MC and Kosaka Akemi. The contrast between her public persona and her true, more… intense, nature is definitely a compelling hook. I found myself invested in seeing how their relationship would develop, or perhaps more accurately, unravel. ### What Works Well The writing itself is quite good. The author does a solid job of portraying the MC's inferiority complex and the suffocating nature of Akemi's dependence. The psychological aspect is handled with a certain degree of finesse, creating a palpable sense of unease. I was consistently engaged, wondering just how the MC would navigate the increasingly complex web of his own life and Akemi's… eccentricities. ### Areas of Concern My main issue lies with the pacing and the ending. While the premise is fascinating, the story felt somewhat rushed towards the conclusion. Several plot threads are introduced but not fully explored, leaving me with a sense of incompleteness. It feels like the author had a clear vision but struggled to fully realize it within the confines of the narrative. I was left wanting more resolution and a more satisfying sense of closure. ### ⚠️ Spoiler Warning Some readers might find Akemi's characterization problematic. Depending on your tolerance for dark themes, her actions could be viewed as disturbing or even villainous. It's definitely something to consider before diving in. ### Final Verdict "I’m Incompetent and a Failure…" is a novel with a fascinating premise and strong writing, but it ultimately falls short of its potential due to pacing issues and an inconclusive ending. While the psychological elements are well-executed and the characters are intriguing, the rushed conclusion leaves a lingering sense of dissatisfaction. I'd recommend it with reservations, primarily for those interested in exploring darker themes and unconventional relationships, but be prepared for a somewhat frustrating and incomplete experience.