Ogawa Chise “Kono Ore ga Omae nanka Suki na Wake nai”

Recently I’ve gotten kind of obsessed with this manga. It’s funny, because three chapters are out and I didn’t know it existed until I read the scanlation a few days ago. Which wouldn’t be a big deal but it runs in HertZ. Which is a magazine I buy regularly. Uhhh. Oops. Somehow I missed two whole chapters—I was thinking the one in Septermber ihr HertZ (once it arrived at my door) would be chapter one but I was wrong and it was actually chapter three. orz;; Just another reminder that I should really properly read the anthologies I spend my hard-earned money on.

Anyway, enough whining from me—let’s talk about Kono Ore! I believe this is the story Ogawa started after she released her debut tankoubon. Like I said, so far it’s three chapters long and the next chapter will be coming out at the beginning of October. (At least, that’s when it’s scheduled for.) The plot revolves around the spoiled and arrogant Taisei-kun, who has grown up with a somewhat warped personality due to always getting special treatment for his attractive features. He’s used to other people caving to his request and treats others like they should bow down to his feet. That is, until Okachi Machi transfers to his middle school.

Okachi Machi is laid-back and unlike all the other students who either absolutely hate Taisei or adore him he really doesn’t give two shits about Taisei’s existence. Taisei’s face and personality don’t interest him in the slightest. Initially this is a total turn-off to Taisei, until one day he’s stuck with

Okachi Machi during detention and two girls lavish him with attention for being with Okachi Machi. Thus he figured he can use Okachi Machi for more attention, and at that point starts a game of being ‘friends’. But the problem is that Okachi Machi actually treats him in a friendly (yet not preferential) manner, so he begins to believe their ‘friend’ game himself. So his heart is shattered one day when he hears Okachi Machi actually never considered them friends at all.

Fast-forward to high school, where Okachi Machi suddenly transfers to Taisei’s school again. Initially Taisei thinks he’ll pretend to be buddy-buddy, like Okachi Machi’s cruel words in high school didn’t bother him. But it turns out… Okachi Machi doesn’t even remember him. Not the slightest bit. Yet another knife in Taisei’s heart. So again, Taisei starts up a pretend game of friendship to get back at Okachi Machi—to lavish him with attention and then do exactly what Okachi Machi did to him in middle school.

I really love Taisei—he just makes such a wonderful ‘dramatic comedic’ character. While he does have his snotty ‘ore-sama’ reactions, you can always see his initial honest response and it gives him a lot of depth of character. Even though he seems like an arrogant  self-centered little shit, you also see just how much Okachi Machi’s coldness hurts him and likewise you also see how much Okachi Machi’s attentions and affection excite him. He seems like an ass but it’s really just that he’s an immature and naive person. While he’s generally the character you love to hate, and even though it’s his own fault his (male, mostly) classmates can’t stand him, you feel bad over the fact that he’s bullied and that just makes you even more emotionally invested in the success of his actual friendship with Okachi Machi.

(It’s strange how awkward it feels to not use Okachi Machi’s full name, even though it sounds funny…)

Speaking of Okachi Machi, he’s a really interesting character as well—I’m excited to learn more about him. For instance, why in middle school he didn’t consider Taisei to be his friend. Did he know Taisei was only using him initially? Or is it something else? Because he really seemed to care about Taisei at the time. Also the fact that he supposedly doesn’t remember Taisei now that they’re in high school. There has to be some kind of reason behind all that. But I love how openly affectionate he’s becoming with Taisei through the chapters—how attached he is to him, and how when he calls Taisei cute it causes the other boy to become flustered and embarrassed instead of big-headed like it would with anyone else.

idk I really love their relationship. The two are very cute and well-suited for each other. The scenes where Taisei starts giving in to Okachi Machi’s whims and has to be reminded by his friends that he’s supposed to be trying to seek revenge are just adorable. It’s so obvious that Taisei really really likes Okachi Machi and doesn’t actually want to hurt him—he’s just putting up another tough-guy front like he’s so used to doing. I love how at the end of chapter three his friends are like “god it’s so obvious you’re in love with him jeez!”

So yeah! I find the relationship dynamics and the characters really endearing and I highly recommend this series! It will be interesting to see where it goes from here, since now Taisei seems more receptive to sincerely accepting Okachi Machi’s affection instead of trying to use it against him. I’m super excited for chapter four sd;lgjsd;gds one month of waiting to do!