Koibito, Hajimemashita

In Kamitou Akito’s class, there is a female student named Aoyama Hiori. Hiori is a woman gifted with both intelligence and beauty and receives many confessions, mainly from boys, but she refuses them all. Because she is cool and never smiles and that she has silver hair. Some people call her [Absolute Zero Lady] from her name, [Hiori]. About six months ago, Akito fell in love at first sight with Hiori, ever since then, he keeps holding those feelings of love inside his chest. However, afraid that he might be dumped, he was unable to confess his feelings. One spring day after school. Akito finds Hiori accidentally scattering tr*sh and helps her. At that time, Akito musters up his courage and confesses to Hiori. “Unlike previous confessions, I felt a slight warmth in my heart. I don’t know if this is affection, but I can’t bring myself to refuse.” “…Then, how about we start dating on a trial basis?” Hiori accepted such a suggestion from Akito, and a trial lovers’ relationship between the two began. They eat lunch together, go on dates after school, Hiori comes to Akito’s part-time job, and they go to each other’s houses. As these days go by, the distance between them becomes shorter, and Hiori’s expression gradually becomes richer. A sweet and refreshing school youth love comedy that begins with a confession and a trial lovers relationship!

Original Publisher

Unknown

Original Language

japanese

Type

Web Novel

## My Thoughts on Koibito, Hajimemashita "Koibito, Hajimemashita" promised a sweet slice-of-life romance, and while it delivered on some of that promise, my reading experience was mixed. The premise of a 'trial lover' is intriguing, but the execution left me wanting more. ### First Impressions Initially, I was drawn in by the concept. A modern-day romance with a beautiful female lead and an honest male protagonist – what's not to like? The tags promised a protagonist who falls in love first, which is a trope I often enjoy. I went in expecting a heartwarming story filled with cute interactions and perhaps a touch of school life drama. ### What Works Well The core concept of exploring a relationship through a "trial" period is interesting. It allows for introspection on both characters' parts and creates a unique dynamic as they navigate their feelings. The story does a decent job of establishing the initial setup and the reasons behind their agreement. Also, I do appreciate that the protagonist is portrayed as honest and genuine, which is refreshing. ### Areas of Concern My main issue lies in the pacing and dialogue. At times, the conversations felt a bit stilted and repetitive. The emphasis on the "trial lover" aspect, while central to the plot, became somewhat tiresome. Every interaction seemed to revolve around this concept, leaving little room for organic character development and natural conversation. It felt as though the characters were constantly reminding each other (and the reader) of the premise, which detracted from the overall immersion. I found myself wanting more substance and less of the same repeated themes. The story felt like it needed a bit more depth to truly hook me in. ### Final Verdict "Koibito, Hajimemashita" has potential, but it didn't quite live up to my expectations. While the premise is unique and the protagonist is likable, the repetitive dialogue and somewhat dry execution held it back. It's not a bad story by any means, but it could benefit from a more nuanced approach to its characters and their interactions. If you're looking for a light and fluffy romance with a unique concept, this might be worth a try. However, if you prefer stories with more depth and organic character development, you might find yourself wanting more.