Let Me Forget, My First Love

If you meet a fortune dolphin, your unrequited love will start to move…this is a rumor that is always talked about when people talk about love. When I, Shirahama Natsume, was laughing at it, a girl named Umika with a dolphin hair ornament appeared in front of my eyes. Just when I was thinking that …… I couldn’t believe that I was going to mix up hair ornaments and rumor, “I thought if I stayed here, I would be able to meet you, Natsume-kun.” But then, I met my first love again, Hirose Haru, who had moved to Tokyo for college!? Just like in the old days, we played together, she helped me with my studies—It was the time when my longtime unrequited love was rewarded. “Sometimes, you look like Seitarou-senpai”. But it wasn’t just my unrequited love that started to move. Haru-senpai’s unrequited love for my deceased brother also started to move.

Original Publisher

kadokawa sneaker bunko

Original Language

japanese

Type

Light Novel

## My Thoughts on Let Me Forget, My First Love "Let Me Forget, My First Love" is a novel that certainly took me on an emotional rollercoaster. With its blend of comedy, drama, and romance, it promises a unique spin on the typical high school love story, and for the most part, it delivers. The premise itself – a protagonist grappling with his unrequited love for a senior while navigating complex relationships – is immediately engaging. ### First Impressions The initial setting in a coastal town during summer creates a wonderfully nostalgic atmosphere. The senpai-kouhai dynamic is also well-explored, adding another layer of complexity to the characters' interactions. I was quickly drawn into Natsume's world and his desperate attempt to change the course of his and his beloved senior, Haru's, destinies. ### What Works Well I found the "one heroine per novel" structure to be a refreshing approach. It allowed for a deeper dive into each character's motivations and desires. The overarching plot kept me invested, and I appreciated the sense of progression as Natsume matured throughout his third year of high school. The author does a great job of portraying the internal struggles of the characters. Even amidst the laughter and lighthearted moments, there's an undercurrent of yearning and unfulfilled desires that resonates deeply. The plot twist was also a highlight for me; it genuinely caught me off guard and added a significant layer of depth to the story. The author's world-building is also very captivating, and the Eternal Summer concept is well-executed. ### Areas of Concern While I enjoyed the overall story, the pacing felt a bit off at times, especially towards the end. I felt that certain explanations were withheld for too long, which led to some frustration. The motivations behind some of the characters' actions, particularly the dolphin girl, felt a little contrived and could have been explored more thoroughly. I also questioned some of Umika's decisions near the end. ### ⚠️ Spoiler Warning I'll avoid explicit spoilers here, but be aware that the ending may not satisfy everyone. While it leans towards a happy resolution, some may find certain plot points to be unresolved or inconsistent with the established character arcs. ### Final Verdict Despite a few minor shortcomings, "Let Me Forget, My First Love" is an original and emotionally resonant novel. If you're looking for a romance that deviates from the norm and isn't afraid to explore the complexities of unrequited love, this might be exactly what you need. I recommend diving in and experiencing the emotional rollercoaster for yourself.