My Childhood Friend Rejected Me and Said, [I Can Only Love Kagami kun (← A Super Popular Vocalist)]~But His True Identity is Actually Me~

His hair is shaggy, his clothes are like prison uniforms, and his face is lifeless. Hikage Kagamiya, a zombie high school student whose appearance is physiologically unacceptable to the average high school boy, is active as a vocalist [Kagami] who is rapidly gaining popularity. He is usually dressed sloppily because he is tired from his performing career. He thinks that his childhood friend, who speaks passionately about Kagami almost every day, is in love with him, and confesses his love to her, but his attempt to confess his love is unsuccessful. After a while, however, his childhood friend realizes that Kagami’s true identity is really Kagamiya and approaches him impatiently, but the time is already over. The protagonist is surrounded by an idol, a beautiful girl writer, and an actress who are prettier, know more about music, and have better personalities than his childhood friend. The childhood friend’s love no longer reaches the protagonist.

Original Publisher

kakuyomu

Original Language

japanese

Type

Web Novel

## My Thoughts on *My Childhood Friend Rejected Me and Said, [I Can Only Love Kagami kun (← A Super Popular Vocalist)]~But His True Identity is Actually Me~* ### First Impressions Okay, so the title is a mouthful, right? Going into this, I was cautiously optimistic. The premise – childhood friend rejects MC for a popular vocalist who is secretly him – has potential for some fun comedic and romantic situations. The whole "hiding identity" trope can be gold if executed well. Unfortunately, my initial hopes weren't entirely met. ### What Works Well Honestly, it's a struggle to pinpoint standout positives. The core concept *could* have been interesting. The idea of a guy being rejected and then inadvertently becoming the object of his crush's affection in another form is rife with possibilities. I think, at its heart, the author was aiming for a lighthearted, wish-fulfillment type of story. The potential for humor is definitely there, even if it doesn't always land. ### Areas of Concern Where do I even begin? One of my biggest issues is the pacing and the perceived lack of… well, *anything happening*. I was hoping for some compelling drama or clever situations arising from the MC's double life, but it seems to be missing. It feels like a diary entry of events, rather than a story with rising action and conflict. Another point that struck me was the MC's initial confession and the events surrounding it. The portrayal seemed a bit off. The way he handles the rejection and the subsequent fallout felt somewhat overblown and not entirely believable. It's as if he gave up too easily and didn't even try to clarify any misunderstandings, which made the whole situation feel contrived. ### ⚠️ Spoiler Warning Okay, so this is where I tread carefully because some plot points have been mentioned. It seems the initial rejection scene is a point of contention. The user mentioned how the MC did not put effort into his appearance. I agree that this would influence the girl's decision. ### Final Verdict Overall, *My Childhood Friend Rejected Me...* falls short of its potential. While the premise is intriguing, the execution leaves much to be desired. The lack of drama, the questionable character motivations, and the slow pacing make it a difficult read. I wanted to like this, I really did, but ultimately, I can't recommend it in its current state. Maybe with some significant revisions and a sharper focus on the comedic and romantic elements, it could be salvaged, but as it stands, it's a pass from me.