THERES NO WAY SIDE CHARACTER COULD BE POPULAR LN (2025)

My name is Tomoki Yuuki, a second-year high school student. I'd say I'm a fairly normal student, save for the fact that everyone avoids me like the plague because I apparently look like I'm out for blood. Ike Haruma is the only one who doesn't steer clear of me. He's your typical "perfect guy" in every sense; the protagonist with no real flaws that you see in any given story. Life at school was continuing on as usual... until one day, Haruma's super popular little sister confesses to me out of the blue?! Though she later clarifies that her feelings toward me are anything but romantic and that she has an ulterior motive, I end up accepting my new role as "fake boyfriend" as a favor to Haruma. Believe it or not, the moment I start going out with her, Haruma's idol-tier childhood friend and my super hot teacher get involved with me too! This can't be a dream rom-com scenario setting itself up for me, can it?! There's no way a side character like me could be popular, right?

I'm Tomoki Yuuji, just your standard, run-of-the-mill high school student. I also happen to be faking a relationship with Ike Touka, the school's newest queen bee. While everyone's afraid of me and avoid me like the plague, Touka's always trying to grab their attention whenever possible. It's so the whole school knows we're the "real deal," I guess. There are people who understand my situation and aren't scared of me. One of the people who remains very suspicious about my relationship with her is Haruma's childhood friend, Kana. One day, she suddenly tells me to meet her alone. When I do, she blurts out something totally unexpected: "I'm so sorry, but could we start as friends and see how things go from there?!" ...Wait a sec, did she just confess her feelings and reject me at the same time?

It's been some months ever since Touka and I started our fake relationship. Now the second term is over for me, and summer's at the front door. I just have to finish the final exams and school will pretty much be over for a while. Ike has invited me and Touka to the student council's summer trip. Between that and Kana constantly trying her hardest to get me to "defect to her side" and leave Touka, even after I rejected her confession, things definitely aren't quieting down this summer, that's for sure!