This novel is a classic, feel-good high school romantic comedy that hits all the right notes. The story follows Hoshino Ryo, a student who remembers his past life and has a generally cynical and detached view of the "youth" everyone around him seems to be chasing. Despite his best efforts to remain a background character, he's roped into the student council by his eccentric guardian, who also happens to be his homeroom teacher. The student council is on the verge of collapse, with only the heartbroken, but very enthusiastic, president... more>> remaining. This setup creates a fantastic comedic dynamic, with our protagonist playing the straight man to the overly passionate president and the increasingly chaotic situations they find themselves in. The plot is very much a slice-of-life, following the student council as they plan school events like a Valentine's Day chocolate-making session and a volleyball tournament. It's a light, low-stakes story that really lets the character interactions shine.

The characters are the absolute strength of this novel. Ryo's internal monologues are consistently hilarious, providing a jaded but often accurate commentary on the absurdity of high school romance tropes. The main heroine, Kurokawa Kyoka, is a quiet and beautiful girl who is often isolated because of her looks, and her slow-burn relationship with the protagonist is genuinely sweet and develops at a natural pace. The supporting cast is just as charming, from Kurokawa's energetic best friend, Nanase, who joins the student council just to be with her, to Ryo's adorable otaku younger sister and his laid-back, teasing guardian. The writing style is simple and easy to get into, making it a perfect comfort read. It doesn't try to be anything more than a fun, character-driven story about a boy who, despite his best efforts, finds himself at the center of a love comedy, and it succeeds wonderfully. <<less