[Creative Award 2025] #Romance Novel Category East-West Comedy Love Story

Synopsis

Kenta, who is from Osaka and loves comedy and banter, and Ayaka, who is from Tokyo and serious, meet by chance and begin a long-distance relationship. Kenta's humor doesn't land with Ayaka, and Ayaka's seriousness feels underwhelming to Kenta. Amidst their mismatched conversations, they try to understand each other, but sometimes they fight and hurt each other deeply. However, by respecting each other's values and making compromises, their relationship gradually changes. A story with laughter and tears about overcoming differences in culture and upbringing to discover what true "love" is.

Prologue: The East-West Mismatch, the Premonition of a Budding Romance

"Wait, what did this guy just say with a straight face?"
In a corner of a Tokyo cafe, Ayaka couldn't help but retort in her mind to the words of the man in front of her—Kenta. What came out of his mouth was the nonsensical statement, "I was so nervous today that I actually wore three pairs of underwear." And he said it with a bright, refreshing smile, too.
"...Um, Kenta-san, did something happen? Are you okay?"
In Ayaka's brain, a very simple equation was established: "three pairs of underwear = emergency situation = worry." So, she was genuinely concerned for him. However, Kenta blinked in surprise.
"No, no, Ayaka-san, you're supposed to retort with a 'Why would you do that!' That was a joke!"
Kenta said with a look of genuine disappointment, as if he had been betrayed in some terrible way. Ayaka was even more confused. Retort? Joke? What on earth was he talking about?
Kenta is from Osaka. He is a true Kansai native. He believes that conversation is entertainment where you joke, retort, and enjoy the chemical reaction that arises from it. On the other hand, Ayaka was born and raised in Tokyo. She believes that conversation is about conveying information accurately and understanding each other logically. Unnecessary embellishments, let alone nonsensical jokes, are nothing but noise.
"I-I'm sorry. Um... that was... interesting, wasn't it?"
For now, trying to smooth things over, she gave a non-committal comment, and Kenta looked even more dejected.
"That didn't sound interesting at all! If anything, you sound confused!"
That point hit the nail on the head. Honestly, Ayaka had no idea what this man in front of her was trying to do. Why was she sitting here facing someone with such different values?
The whole thing started in an online hobby community. They both liked a slightly obscure board game, and it started with exchanging messages. Through the screen, Kenta's bright energy was received favorably as "he's a high-energy, interesting person," and Ayaka's serious responses were also well-received as "she's a calm and reliable person."
But reality was different.
Kenta caught sight of Ayaka's bag on the cafe table. "Oh, Ayaka-san, that bag is really nice! That must have cost about [amount], right?"
Ayaka froze again. This time, the voice in her head echoed: **"This guy, guessing the price of my belongings and saying it out loud... what is wrong with him? Is he an idiot?"**
"...Um, Kenta-san, I think it's a bit rude to say things like that to someone you're meeting for the first time."
When she told him in a serious tone, Kenta blinked in surprise again. Then, scratching his head vigorously, he said with a look of genuine distress:
"Wow, seriously? I meant that as a compliment! In Kansai, sometimes we ask that with affection to people who have nice things..."
Meant it as a compliment? Affection? To Ayaka, that string of words didn't connect in her head at all. It was as if they were speaking completely different languages.
At that moment, Ayaka realized all too well that a tremendously deep chasm lay between them—East and West, comedy and retort, and "seriousness" and "humor." Little did Ayaka know at that time that this relationship, where even a simple game of conversational catch was impossible, would develop into a long-distance romance and, after various misunderstandings, become something irreplaceable.

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