Kimi ni Koi wo Suru Nante, Arienai Hazu Datta

A plain guy who attends a prefectural high school in Minamisou in the Chiba prefecture, Iijima Yasuki, lived through gray days in his Science class. Despite this, on the last night of the study training camp just before summer vacation, he helped the school’s number one beauty, Kitaoka Ema, when she was in trouble. Now for some reason Ema has become pleased with him. However, she only talks to him outside of school. In the classroom she pretends not to know him. Just what is Ema thinking? There is a hierarchy in the school, with a disparity between a plain-type glasses boy and a flashy-type girl. Two existences that were supposed to run counter to each other; a passing love story.

Original Publisher

takarajimasha

Original Language

japanese

Type

Light Novel

## My Thoughts on *Kimi ni Koi wo Suru Nante, Arienai Hazu Datta* This novel, with its charmingly long title, explores the unlikely romance between a "plain" male protagonist and a popular female lead. I dove in expecting a sweet, if perhaps tropey, high school romance, and my experience ended up being a bit of a mixed bag. ### First Impressions The premise is certainly familiar: average guy helps popular girl, and she inexplicably falls for him. At first, I was a bit skeptical. The initial chapters felt a little rushed, and I wasn't entirely sold on the chemistry between the leads. The male lead is intentionally unremarkable, lacking ambition and often getting pushed around, but it's clear this is a setup for character development. ### What Works Well I found myself appreciating the story's dedication to depicting realistic character interactions and emotions. The multiple POV format really allows you to get inside the heads of both the main characters, understanding their insecurities and motivations. The story has a good pace and keeps you interested throughout. The author knows when it wants to end and how, which is always a plus. ### Areas of Concern My biggest issue, echoed by some readers, is the execution of the romance itself. The female lead's initial infatuation felt somewhat forced. While the story aims for realism, the characters' actions sometimes felt contrived, particularly the reliance on misunderstandings to drive the plot. Some readers were also frustrated by the male lead's passivity and what they perceived as simping behavior, especially concerning the female lead badmouthing him. ### ⚠️ Spoiler Warning Some readers have pointed out plot points that could be considered spoilers. One involves the introduction of a character named Kurusu and unresolved tension with Kitaoka. Another concerns a misunderstanding at the end of volume 1 that leads to extended drama in volume 2. Additionally, several readers mentioned the female lead pretending not to consider the MC a friend in front of her friends, which is the source of the misunderstanding. ### Final Verdict *Kimi ni Koi wo Suru Nante, Arienai Hazu Datta* is a decent read, especially if you're a fan of high school romance and slice-of-life stories. While it has its flaws, particularly in the pacing of the drama and the somewhat underdeveloped male lead, the novel ultimately delivers a heartwarming and relatable story about overcoming insecurities and finding love. It's not the most outstanding novel in the genre, but it's a worthwhile way to spend a few hours. I'd rate it a solid 3.5 out of 5.