I'm Fine With Being the Second Girlfriend Light Novel Series Concludes with Volume 9
The I'm Fine With Being the Second Girlfriend (Watashi, Nibanme no Kanojo de Ii kara) light novel series, one of the most notable and discussed examples of modern romantic dramas, officially concluded with its ninth volume released on May 9, 2026. Written by Jōyō Nishi and brought to life with ReTake's impressive illustrations, the series had been taking readers on an emotional rollercoaster since September 2021. The final volume, published under the Dengeki Bunko label, serves as a poignant and fitting farewell for the series' fans.
Unlike conventional romantic comedies, the series explored a quite bold, occasionally dark, and psychologically deep theme. Our main character Shirō Kirishima and his classmate Akane Hayasaka are actually in love with other people; however, since they cannot reach the people they love, they agree to become each other's "second choice" and begin a secret relationship. This "consolation prize" style relationship gradually turns into a deepening toxicity, guilt, and a complex love triangle. Author Jōyō Nishi handled the emotional voids of youth and the pragmatic search for love so successfully that the series quickly gained cult status among fans of the genre.
Proving its success with numbers as well, the series achieved great success by rising to 7th place in the bunkobon category of the prestigious Kono Light Novel ga Sugoi! list in 2023. Surpassing 350,000 copies in physical and digital sales as of the eighth volume, the work managed to become one of the best-selling titles of its genre. In the special promotional video (PV) released in honor of the finale, the character Akane Hayasaka is voiced by the famous voice actress Rie Takahashi.
