弱キャラ友崎くん Ｌｖ．９

Bottom-Tier Character Tomozaki Light Novel #9

by Yuki Yaku

付き合って初めて、わかること。

冬。彼女である菊池さんとすれ違ってしまった俺は、言葉を重ねてもう一度心の距離を近づけようとする。

そのなかで、俺は自分の業とも呼ぶべきものに向き合うことになる。
それは、今まで気付かなかった菊池さんの一面をも明らかにして――。

弱キャラのままでは絶対に気付かなかったこと。気付けなかったこと。
そして、俺にとっても菊池さんにとっても特別な、日南葵という存在。

俺は初めての彼女と、この難問をクリアすることができるのだろうか。

人生のバイブル的青春小説、待望の第９巻！

Genres: Light Novel

394 pages, Kindle Edition

First published January 19, 2021

Reviews

[Iroha Miyumi · Rating 3 out of 5]

前回で、菊池は図書館から逃げました。その理由は彼女が文也の携帯を見てレナのメールを見ました。『こないだは急にえっちな話しちゃってごめんね〜』当然に、このメールは菊池は勘違いして逃げました。彼女に文也は追いかけかるの間に、彼は初めてに菊池の不安を見ました。しかし、この不安の原因はなんですか？文也のことか？それても、外因ですか？この答えが分からずに、文也は色々な友達の意見を要求しました。その答えの末路は何でしょうか？結果として、ハッピーエンドかバッドエンドですか？勿論、菊池は関係が有りますが、葵も関係者です。

大体に、楽しかったです！軽い雰囲気じゃなくてとても深刻です。いつも通りに、意外展開があって色々なセリフは素晴らしいです。けど、個人的に文也の行動や思いは普通な高校生らしくないです。彼は高校二年生ですけど、もう大人みたいです。彼とって、恋愛の関係は婚約みたいです。勿論、恋愛の関係はとても大切絆です。うまくいければ、結婚は高い可能性です。けど、高校生は普段にそのことを悩まないっと思います。その点の以外で、このストーリーは楽しかったです。例えば、葵の性格はとても深くて面白いかったです。この先はちょっと不安がありますが文也の未来はまだ興味がありますので、次の展開は楽しみです！

深刻の雰囲気の点を気にしないの方、ぜひに、読んでください！

Last time, Kikuchi ran away from the library. The reason for this is because she saw Rena's text message on Fumiya's cellphone. "Sorry for suddenly saying naughty things~" Naturally, Kikuchi misunderstood this message and ran away. While Fumiya was chasing after her, he realized that it was the first time he saw her anxiety and unease. However, what is the cause of it? Is it about Fumiya? Or is it about something else? Without knowing what it exactly was, he asked his friends for their opinions. So, where does his answer end up at? Will it result in a good ending or a bad one? Of course, it involves Kikuchi, but Aoi as well.

In general, it was very fun! It was not light, but it had a very serious mood. As usual, there are many unexpected developments and good lines. However, to me personally, Fumiya's actions and thoughts aren't like a normal high school student. He is a second-year high school student, but he's like an adult. To him, a love relationship is like an engagement. That being said, it is, of course, a very important bond. If it goes well, it has a high possibility of marriage. But, I think normal high school students don't worry about this type of thing, really. Other than that point, though, it was very fun. For example, Aoi's personality is very profound and interesting. I am a little uneasy about what's coming next, but since I am interested in Fumiya's future, I look forward to it still!

For those that don't mind serious moods, by all means, read it!

[H · Rating 3 out of 5]

I overall enjoyed it, reading it in a few days, but it wasn't perfect. I still hate when Kikuchi's substories are read, like about Poppol or the firelings, etc. I don't like those internal stories, they drag, and they're not fun. I also don't like excessive Atafami descriptions in depth, such as neutral games, and such, but this volume at least had less compared to the previous one.

I don't love the way Tomozaki went about his relationships. Ex at the start, rather than calling Kikuchi or searching, he's conveniently messaged by Izumi/Nakamura who help him patch up the misunderstanding. I dislike that and would prefer Tomo to proactively fix the problem himself. It wasn't even that difficult, just explain the situation in full about the text and the mistaken communication issues.

Then, the story goes in a really roundabout way with him asking Mizusawa, Rena, Ashigaru, Mimimi, etc about relationships and his issues, but it's not really THAT complex in my opinion.

It boils down to: he is group(s) but Kikuchi is solo, and the two have trouble finding time and similarities at times, which makes them doubt their relationship, plus Tomo actually values Atafami+Hinami over Kikuchi. Then Tomo tries to make time by cutting his friends for Kikuchi, but she wouldn't like it either, so he admits it to her, and she decides to accept him with his relationship with Hinami.

It just is NOT that complex in my opinion once you boil it down more simply. The book tries to tie in all these references of the people into Atafami/Kikuchi's novel, and it slows it without enriching the experience. The core decision Tomozaki needs to make is picking Hinami vs Kikuchi, and that's the true primary issue.

Now then, that all said, the resolution was fine. It's not fully resolved since there's lingering jealousy, so it's possible Kikuchi and Tomozaki do eventually break up, but I don't dislike the two staying together and getting closer after these disagreements. I do really like Tomozaki wanting to brighten Aoi's world, just as she brightened his.

I also previously thought Aoi was grooming Tomozaki to be her ideal male, but it seems it was just to test that her methods for self improvement work, and I get that Tomo dislikes it, but it's honestly not that bad. She still helped him, even if she sees/uses him as a tool. She was still his friend, and she still helped so much more even if some of her thought processes were twisted.

Anyway, despite some of these mixed feelings, I do like it. I like that there's a core relationship and that it's getting deeper, I like Tomo working toward being a pro gamer (don't know how I feel with him changing mains but guess we'll see, just wasn't sure how hard or easy that truly is), I like scenes like Mimimi bringing Tomo to his senses when he's distancing himself from everyone (which Kikuchi doesn't like), and I like Kikuchi and Tomo finally kissing and getting closer like a couple or how Tomo was willing to cut off so many of his friends just for Kikuchi.

In future novels, I hope it focuses more concretely on the relationships and what Tomo will actually *do* to help Hinami, instead of these abstract comparisons to books/games. I also miss when Tomozaki got assignments like getting followers/certain pictures/etc. They were fun, and we got none of that in this. But if he focuses on his goals like winning an S-rank tournament, getting to know Aoi Hinami, beating Ashigaru in a 3v3, then that would be enjoyable.

I'm also curious how Tomo and Hinami's relationship will go from here. I am not sure which ship I prefer - I think ultimately, Tomo and Hinami actually match each other more and seems like an avenue left open by the writer, so I suspect that will be the true finale, but I guess we'll see (I still like Mimimi the best, and I liked when she brought up how she and Tomo worked together to beat Aoi).

Overall, still enjoyable. My favorite aspect of the series is Tomozaki leaving his comfort zone and pushing himself with tangible goals and steps toward those goals. This volume was a lot less tangible and more on the emotional/abstract aspects, so it wasn't quite as good, but it was still mostly fun, and compared to other LNs, it's still probably above average. (I prefer the similarly plotted Haibara New Game Plus novel, but this at least has more volumes.)

I'll likely check out future volumes and possibly the future anime too, as I'm still curious how this series will end especially with so many of the feelings revealed. It feels like we are at the halfway point or beyond from my guess. Anyway, overall still enjoyable but not perfect.

[Pravaris · Rating 5 out of 5]

An interesting mixture of opinions come together, in the end.
The main characters, not just Tomozaki, each have a role to play in shaping the end of this volume. I'm very satisfied and impressed with the main couple, both going beyond their comfort zones and compromising between they're competing desires.

All this sounds rather abstract because I'm trying to avoid direct spoilers, but to summarise my thoughts, I really like the themes of this volumes — it feels like a culmination of what the series has been building towards. People are complex. People can be simple. Relationships are hard. In spite of all that, we will want friends we can count on, and friends who can count on us.

[Nick · Rating 3 out of 5]

I’m not liking where the story is going, with Kikuchi. Seems totally set in by now. It’s still well written and has smart commentary but Fumiya can do so much better.

[Imaa · Rating 5 out of 5]

Beautiful.

[Florin Muresan · Rating 5 out of 5]

I think that this is my favorite of the entire series. I love how it explores relationships and the karma of a gamer vs karma of a writer.

[CJ · Rating 4 out of 5]

I am floored, easily the best volume of the Tomozaki LN series so far.

The usual light mood with a bit of drama mixed in that this series is known for, takes a back seat to focus on Tomozaki and Fuka’s budding relationship, leading to a more serious tone throughout.

The way Yuki Yaku explores the facets of dating and love makes this volume extra special, exploring the responsibilities and hardships experienced by a couple, and essentially hammering the point of dating as just the beginning of a couple’s relationship together.

Seeing both Tomozaki and Fuka face problems and resolve misunderstandings in a heartfelt way that rings true to their characters was just a delight to read. Love them both so much.