When I Confessed My Love to My Childhood Friend, Whom I Had a Crush on for Ten Years, She Said, [I’ve Never Seen You as a Man, It’s Impossible!] I Was Rejected, but Now I’m Being Approached by a Beautiful Girl I Used to Help From Bullying

End of the third year of junior high school, I. Sakurai Kirito confessed to my childhood friend, Minamino Rinne, whom I had had a crush on for ten years. The odds are more than good enough. I thought so, but… “I’ve never seen you as a man, it’s impossible!” I was completely rejected. With a broken heart, I went to school alone for the first time in ten years, and found a girl I had saved from bullies in elementary school. I found Kitajima Towa right in front of me. She looked at me, tears streaming down her face, and told me she had been thinking about me all this time. And, “Kitajima Towa loves Sakurai Kirito kun with all my heart. Please make me your girlfriend.” She confesses to me and hugs me. I am confused by this sudden event. As if to chase after me, she “Wha-wha-wha….. what are you doing ……?” “……………… Rinne, what are you doing here?” The one who saw the scene was my childhood friend who I left behind, who was supposed to be bad at mornings.

Original Publisher

syosetu

Original Language

japanese

Type

Web Novel

## My Thoughts on When I Confessed My Love to My Childhood Friend, Whom I Had a Crush on for Ten Years, She Said, [I’ve Never Seen You as a Man, It’s Impossible!] I Was Rejected, but Now I’m Being Approached by a Beautiful Girl I Used to Help From Bullying ### First Impressions Okay, that title is definitely a mouthful, but it perfectly sets the stage for this romantic drama. The premise is classic: unrequited love, childhood friend, and a new, adoring girl entering the picture. I went in expecting a fairly standard rom-com, but I quickly realized there's a lot more going on beneath the surface. ### What Works Well The characters are definitely a strong point. The male lead, Kirito, is likable enough, and I appreciate that he isn't overly dense. The "new girl," Towa, is sweet and devoted, providing a nice contrast to the complicated relationship with the childhood friend, Rinne. I found Rinne to be the most interesting character, even if she's the source of much of the drama. I was also really invested in the relationships, especially the family dynamic and the brother-sister bond. ### Areas of Concern The story can be a bit messy. There are a lot of events crammed into each day, which, while creating a sense of shared experiences, also makes it feel like the characters need more time to process their emotions. Also, the pacing can be slow at times. The author also seems to enjoy adding a lot of drama, which is not necessarily a bad thing, but it can be a bit overwhelming at times. ### ⚠️ Spoiler Warning Okay, let's get into some of the potentially controversial elements. Rinne's behavior is explained by a traumatic past, which involves abuse and a distorted understanding of relationships. This is where things get complicated. Some might find this adds depth to her character, while others might find it to be a bit too much. Also, Kirito's sister harbors some incestuous feelings for him, which are never acted on but are still present. ### Final Verdict Overall, "When I Confessed My Love..." is a decent, albeit messy, romantic drama. The characters are well-developed, and the story has its moments of sweetness and humor. However, the pacing can be slow, and the drama can be overwhelming at times. If you're looking for a straightforward rom-com, this might not be for you. But if you're willing to dive into a complicated love triangle with some potentially triggering themes, it might be worth a read. I'd give it a tentative 3/5 stars.