In Order to Remain a True friend a, I Hide My True Abilities, but It Seems That My Devilish Junior (Angel-Like?) Has Noticed

I have a good friend from junior high school, Hasegawa Aota, who is more popular than anyone else. He is more popular than anyone else. And I’m his friend A, who supports him behind his back. Friendship comes before love. That’s what I, Hayami Ren, am supposed to do. I assist the hero, Aota, and the heroines who are in love with him, and get rid of those who get in the way. Although it is behind the scenes, it is essential in a romantic comedy. All that’s left now is for Aota to just start dating someone…or so I thought. One day, a girl appears in front of me. She is like a little devil and an angel. It’s a beautiful junior student – Shiramine Hisui

Original Publisher

kakuyomu

Original Language

japanese

Type

Web Novel

## My Thoughts on *In Order to Remain a True friend a, I Hide My True Abilities, but It Seems That My Devilish Junior (Angel-Like?) Has Noticed* This title definitely grabbed my attention! The premise sounds like a fun twist on the classic "hiding your power" trope, mixed with some school life shenanigans and a potentially possessive junior. After diving in, I have mixed feelings. ### First Impressions The initial chapters set up a typical scenario: a protagonist trying to lay low while secretly being extraordinary. The "true friend" aspect adds an interesting layer – he's not just hiding his abilities for himself, but seemingly for the sake of his friend's spotlight. The introduction of the junior character is meant to be intriguing, hinting at a deeper connection the protagonist is oblivious to. ### What Works Well The potential for comedy is definitely there. The misunderstandings arising from the protagonist's denseness and the junior's actions could be a goldmine for humorous situations. Also, the "slice of life" tag is accurate. The story does a decent job of portraying everyday school life, albeit with a supernatural twist brewing beneath the surface. ### Areas of Concern Unfortunately, the execution seems to stumble in a few key areas. The biggest issue, in my opinion, is the protagonist's density. While a dense MC can be funny, it seems to reach a point where it actively hurts the plot's credibility. The junior's behavior also raises some red flags. While the "mischievous" label might be the intention, it comes across as more clingy and even a bit aggressive, especially toward other girls. Her motivations are also unclear, leading to frustration. Why is she so obsessed with the MC, and why is she so unwilling to explain herself? This opacity can make her character feel less endearing and more… well, toxic. ### ⚠️ Spoiler Warning (Regarding the Junior's Actions) The scene where the protagonist assumes the junior is interested in his friend and offers to help them get together is particularly jarring. It's a leap in logic that feels unearned and undermines the believability of the characters' interactions. The subsequent events, where the junior gets upset when the protagonist helps another girl, further compound the confusion. It feels like crucial development is missing, leaving me scratching my head. ### Final Verdict *In Order to Remain a True friend a, I Hide My True Abilities, but It Seems That My Devilish Junior (Angel-Like?) Has Noticed* has an interesting premise with the potential for both comedy and romance. However, the execution needs some work. The protagonist's extreme density and the junior's questionable behavior create plot holes and character inconsistencies that detract from the overall enjoyment. It might be worth checking out if you're a fan of the genre and willing to overlook these flaws, but proceed with caution.