The story takes place at Miyahara High, where Akane Hayasaka is the picture of a diligent student, and Riku Inoue is her energetic childhood friend who finally confesses his love. But watching from the shadows is Adam Tsuda, a transfer student with dead eyes and a sharp intuition. Adam sees through Riku's nice guy facade and decides to intervene in the most villainous way possible: by blackmailing Akane into a fake relationship to "break" her before Riku can. What starts as a twisted power play evolves into a genuine bond, or what the narrative calls a "soft revolution," as two broken people learn to trust each other.
The Characters
The protagonist, Adam, fits the "dark hero" archetype perfectly. He claims to hate love and trust only patterns, but his actions are surprisingly selfless. He cooks, cleans, fights bullies, and even breaks school records in sports without breaking a sweat. While he can be a bit too perfect at times (he seems to be good at literally everything), his backstory involving an abusive father and a lost sister adds necessary depth that makes you root for him.
Akane starts off passive but has one of the best arcs in the volume. She goes from being terrified of Adam to teasing him, eventually becoming a model and standing up for herself. Her chemistry with Adam feels earned because we see every step of them lowering their guards.
The supporting cast, particularly the "Buddies Forever" group (Minato, Ryusei, and Hikari), provides excellent comic relief. They ground the story, preventing it from becoming too edgy by forcing Adam into normal high school activities like beach trips and festivals.
The Good
The pacing is fantastic. The transition from the dark, psychological opening chapters to the wholesome "slice of life" middle section is handled well. The author does a great job of showing intimacy through small actions, like Adam cooking for Akane during a storm or the two of them just walking home together. The climax involving an orphanage fire is high-octane and cements Adam's status as a hero to the public, setting up an interesting conflict for the future.
The Not-So-Good
The beginning might be hard for some readers to get through. Adam’s initial approach to Akane involves slamming her against a wall and biting her neck to mark her, which is framed as a strategic move but comes off as assault. You have to suspend your disbelief to accept that this leads to a healthy romance. Additionally, some of the dialogue can be a bit melodramatic, with lines about love being a "leash" or "poison" appearing frequently.
Final Verdict
Despite a rough and edgy start, this novel transforms into a genuinely touching story about healing and trust. It balances high school tropes with heavier themes of trauma effectively. If you can look past the aggressive opening chapters, you will find a rewarding romance with a power couple you will want to cheer for. The ending introduces a menacing new antagonist, Adam's uncle, which promises a more intense second volume.
Recommended for: Fans of Oregairu or Classroom of the Elite who want a slightly more romantic and action-oriented twist.