Being the Best Friend in a Romantic Comedy Isn't Easy! - Chapter 1: Aoba Subaru is not the protagonist... (Part 1)

Episode 1: Aoba  Subaru is not the protagonist… (Part 1)

In every story that exists in this world, there is a central figure that drives the narrative — the so-called protagonist.

And naturally, there are also charming characters surrounding that protagonist…

Now, let me ask you a question.

In this story of mine, who is the protagonist?

Without a doubt, it’s me. Because it’s my story.

There’s no mistaking that point.

But… who is the protagonist of my school life?

Yes, that’s right. It’s already decided.

“Hey, hey… do you have someone you like?”

“…Huh, me? I… I mean, it’s not like I…”

“Oh, no, no. Not you. I mean…”

Not you. Not you, Aoba.

Those words, said repeatedly.

However, I don’t feel hurt or uncomfortable… I just think, “Here we go again.”

That’s all I think.

“Kazuki’s crush!”

The protagonist of this high school romantic comedy that I’m about to introduce is not me.

It’s a harem story woven by Kazuki and the beautiful heroines.

…

So, what am I, then?

Well, that’s already obvious.

I’m an indispensable presence in romantic comedies, you know?

What am I, you ask?

I’m the protagonist’s best friend, of course!

—

In romantic comedies, there’s usually a male character in the best friend position.

They usually don’t deeply intervene in the story; they’re just the protagonist’s friend.

But sometimes, they become the protagonist’s confidant and secretly support the heroines’ love lives.

Well, in a way, it’s a pretty sweet role.

That’s me, Aoba Subaru .

Eh? You think it’s too painful to equate myself with a character in a romantic comedy?

No, no, no… It’s not really like that.

Well, maybe it is a little bit… yeah, seriously.

“Hey! Good morning, everyone. It’s a beautiful day again!”

At the beginning of the week, on Monday morning.

In Class 2-2 at Shiori High School, located on the outskirts of Tokyo, everything is peaceful today too.

Basking in the warm May sunshine streaming in through the window, I take my seat.

Not at the very back by the window, but in the seat diagonally to the right of it.

You see, due to the number of students, the seat commonly known as the protagonist’s seat is vacant in my class.

Ideally, it would be the protagonist’s exclusive seat… but unfortunately, our protagonist is seated right next to it.

However, it seems that the protagonist hasn’t arrived yet. That’s unusual.

Usually, by this time, he would have already arrived at school, chatting with the heroines and all…

“Always so noisy…”

As I look around the classroom, I hear a muttering voice from my right.

Turning my gaze, I see someone sighing while tinkering with their smartphone in landscape mode, looking bored.

“What’s with the noise? Just seeing this handsome face in the morning should lift your spirits, right?”

I casually sweep my bangs aside and flash a refreshing smile.

Huh… It seems it didn’t have much effect on this person.

They’re looking around the classroom with a question mark floating above their head.

“Hey, over here! Stop looking around!”

“Huh? Oh… That handsome face? I couldn’t find it anywhere… Wait, you were here?”

“I was! You even reacted to me! Man, Nagisa… you…”

Chuckling as if mocking me, they turn their gaze towards a female student.

…Nagisa Minazuki.

That’s the girl sitting next to me on the right.

She’s a petite girl with slightly unruly light green long hair tied into a ponytail at the back of her head.

Behind her black-rimmed glasses, you can see her beautiful lazy-looking purple eyes.

Nagisa lets out a small yawn, then immediately shifts her gaze back to her smartphone.

Hey, you’re the one who started the conversation, and now you’re acting disinterested!

Oh well, here we go again.

“Oh, by the way…”

Nagisa’s voice comes from the seat behind me.

Sighing, I turn to look at her.

There, I see a cute girl smiling awkwardly.

Oh boy… Let’s get this over with.

“Hey, Haruka… Nagisa’s being cold to me again. Can I file a complaint?”

“Um… R-really, Nagisa has always been like this…”

“Really, it’s troublesome dealing with Nagisa…”

“Rude!!”

“Huh, um…”

Nagisa yawns again, then quickly returns her gaze to her smartphone.

Ugh… Why does she have to be like this even though she initiated the conversation?

“Ah, right. Nagisa, did you pull a new character?”

“…Are you asking me that?”

Just from her expression, I can tell the answer is obvious.

“Oh! I know! It’s a disaster, right?”

“Guh…”

Nagisa’s reaction was enough to reveal the outcome.

In “Knights & Dragons,” new characters are introduced every month.

To use these characters in battles, you need to obtain them through the gacha mechanic…

Of course, when luck isn’t on your side, they just won’t show up.

And we’re high school students.

It’s not realistic for us to spend money until we get the character we want!

Nagisa is upset because she didn’t get the character she wanted.

…

Oh, I see. Speaking of “Knights & Dragons.”

“Nagisa, did you get the new character?”

“…Are you really asking me that?”

Oh, right. You’re the one who started the conversation, Nagisa!

“Hey, I got it.”

“Huh?!”

I quickly turn to face Nagisa.

Where did that deep voice come from?

“Look, I got a new character. I just tried a single pull, and I got it.”

“Huh?! You didn’t do a ten-pull?”

“Nope, just a single pull. I guess my good deeds paid off!”

“Huh?! Ehh, huh?! Whaaat?!”

…Phew. That’s enough.

I was planning to brag about pulling a character randomly yesterday, and I finally got the chance.

Oh, I’m satisfied.

Huh? Why do I feel an intense aura coming from the seat next to me?

…Oh, right. I almost forgot.

Nagisa, I’m not letting you off the hook for knowing about my mishap…

…

Hey, wait a minute. Why does this seem like an intense battle of pride?

…

“Ugh…! That was close…! Just made it…!”

As the classroom door opens, a frantic voice echoes through the room.

Ah… I recognize that voice.

…

“Ah, finally here. It’s rare to see you coming to school at this time, Tsukasa.”

Now, the protagonist has arrived.