I Don't Understand How to Fall in Love, so I Help Others Do.

Chapter 1: The Matchmaker

I never really understood pursuing romance at such a young age.

Specifically, I mean romance between a couple in middle or even high school. Granted, there are rare cases where those blossoming romances drive couples to marriage and eventually have a happy life. But most teenagers don't think about that aspect.

However, this period is the roughest transition one can make. People need to be more mature in processing and dealing with it responsibly. One endures more responsibilities and changes when going to university or straight into a full-time job than simply being a high school student.

Sometimes, it ends in bitter heartbreak that causes rifts in the ex-couple and the friends around them. Sometimes, there is a natural shift as the maturity changes between two people that is natural. No bitterness or heartache, just a way of reality. I, Watanabe Yuto, had been in one relationship in my life. The result of it? Neither category fits, as there was no real love.

People are reliant on others to make connections. It is a foundational staple in everyday life. I understand that people strive to start these relationships, especially when romance is considered highly popular for people in middle or high school. The multitude of dramas and manga that appeal to this demographic shows it. I'm no different; cute, wholesome romance manga feels nice to read.

But as I said before, the reality is messy in that regard. There are instances of disagreements and conflicting perspectives that arise after the honeymoon phase. Romance is one of those special bonds that I can't help but be interested in.

But no matter how fascinated I am with romance, it's intertwined with daily life. It can happen anytime, but I do not understand the feeling of falling in love even as in my years as a university student.

"Eugh... It's finally over."

The lights in the room flashed on slowly alongside the darkening of the giant screen sitting before me. The only thing I could catch glimpses of were the credits with a laidback lady at the front discussing the scope of the film we had just watched with someone my age. People begin to pass by, closing their laptops and notebooks as they packed their bags before slowly exiting the auditorium.

For one of my lectures, we had a screening of a relatively recent film that won many prestigious awards here and overseas at the film festival in Berlin. It would be a central point for discussion questions we would have to discuss next week. For one thing, the film's cinematography and plot were masterfully done.

"Didn't like the film, Yuto?"

I turned to the person next to me to see a cheerful young girl with long bright red hair packing her backpack next to me.

Her name was Sayama Kyoka. I've known her since grade school, but we didn't become friends until we reached high school. It was a rare encounter, but we talked about film as a form of media, which is why we both majored in the same field. Given the guidelines for the course, we shared a lot of classes together, which was nice to have a familiar face to share notes with.

"No. This isn't the first time I've watched the film, either. It's just that these chairs are rather uncomfortable."

"Ah! I know what you mean. The chair is so stiff to sleep in!"

"You shouldn't be sleeping during the film in the first place, Kyoka..."

"It should be fine. It's not like this is my first time seeing the film either. It was super popular two years ago. I'm just so tired from the essay. I barely finished it an hour before the time limit last night."

I packed my bag as we headed out of the auditorium, waving to a few of our peers.

"I know that all too well... Fifteen minutes before the deadline."