is a Japanese manga series written and illustrated by Wataru Momose. It was serialized in Shueisha's Shōnen Jump+ website from July 2019 to June 2020, with its chapters collected into four tankōbon volumes. An original net animation adaptation by DOMERICA was released on Netflix in October 2022.
Plot
One day, a wizard claiming to be a "love cupid" named Riri appears before Anzu Hoshino, a high school girl who has no interest in romance outside of video game characters. The world where Riri comes from is founded on giving dreams and hopes to children, and collecting their pure hearts as energy in return. Due to declining birthrate assumed by the decrease in romance opportunities between men and women, Riri is sent to assist Anzu in experiencing real life romance with a pool of "ikemen" for her to choose from. Despite Anzu's rejection due to her zero interest in pursuing real-life romance, Riri confiscated her "three greatest desires", video games, chocolate, and her cat, Momohiki, and conspired a series of events to make Anzu encounter shōjo manga-esque situations, leaving her with no choice. Anzu decided to play along with Riri's "game", but hopes to make Riri give up and release their "hostages" by avoiding all the romance-possible situations with all of her might so she can go back to her normal life. Along the way, Anzu establishes genuine connections with the romantic candidates, and has to navigate their feelings - and her desire to protect them from Riri's schemes - with increased difficulty.
Characters
The protagonist who bears the "anti-heroine" attribute. A high school first year who claims her three great desires are video games, cats (especially her pet Momohiki), and chocolate. She has no interest in real life romance and has been counter-measuring all the shōjo manga-esque situations conspired by Riri. She is logical, blunt, and very caring person who can't leave her friends when they're in trouble. She cares little for how strangers perceive her, and will always stay true to her internal sense of right and wrong. She is well known for her bushy red hair and her love of cat-themed clothes. Her biggest fear is cockroaches.
A mascot-type wizard who was sent to assist Anzu in pursuing romance. They appear to be cunning and manipulative; resorting to anything possible just so Anzu can encounter shōjo manga-like situations. They can shapeshift into a human girl, keeping the name Riri, or a boy, going by Riho. They claim either to be Anzu's "cousin", and often use either of these forms to spur Anzu along or spark jealousy between candidates. It is revealed that they never ever once manipulated any of the boys' feelings, and the only memory manipulation had been making Junta believe he had already gotten back in touch with Anzu. As such, the boys' affections toward Anzu had always been real. After violating their work policy, Riri was replaced by another wizard named Kate to assist Anzu, but Anzu brought them back by adding Riri as a romance candidate after Riri revealed their wish to stay by her side.
A cold and reserved boy who is Anzu's first romance candidate. He is popular among women due to his good looks but tends to avoid them, rejecting any romantic proposals outright. He meets Anzu in a meet cute where she accidentally bumps into him and breaks his phone. Due to Riri's meddling, his house is flooded and he has to live with Anzu early in the story. It is later revealed that before transferring schools he was a warm and caring person who could "befriend anyone", indicating that his cold appearance is a facade. His personality changed drastically after being repeatedly stalked by an older woman he had helped once, to the point where he was forced to transfer from his house and school to be away from her and his strict father who blamed him for the situation. He then became lonely and distant after living alone. In an effort to distance himself from women's attention, he often wears hats in public and experiences panic attacks if left alone with them due to traumatic memories. He finally realizes his hidden feelings for Anzu after she helps him many times, considering her to be his savior.
