'Clichés', it refers to a saying or expression that has been so overused that it's become boring and unoriginal.
In storytelling it's often used to describe the plot of a story that has become dull and predictable over time.
So I'm sure you've seen many examples before… Tsunderes, Yanderes, Danderes, childhood friends, idols, the famous love triangles, love squares or even love quintuplets!
Man, what is up with people sometimes.
Anyways if you've read enough stories then you probably know how the plots of their stories usually go. But if we are talking about the most popular trope, then we can't forget about harems.
To a guy it probably sounds like a dream come true. A group of girls falling head over heels for you? All fighting desperately for your love and attention? It's definitely something people are willing to die for…but It's all a lie!
Whoever spread the idea that a bunch of girls all fawning over you would be a leisurely fun time, clearly had no idea what the hell they were talking about.
Turns out that in reality, dealing with the volatile emotions of a girl in love is exhausting, draining and stressful.
Now imagine two more girls being added into the mix, coupled with a hint of jealousy and envy and you get the perfect situation to be slapped so many times that your cheek swells up like a balloon.
So what am I trying to say you ask? Well if it wasn't obvious enough then let me spell it out for you.
TROPES BELONG IN BOOKS NOT REAL LIFE!
That's right! The world we only see in light novels and Mangas are in fact too much of a pain in the ass to deal with!
Have you ever asked yourself how awkward a relationship can be after rejecting someone? How about being the subject of contempt by every boy in, not your class, nor your year but the entire freaking school!
Not to mention grades! The protagonists are always somehow doing fine academically while being involved in all sorts of troublesome situations.
I mean how do they do it? My grades basically took a nosedive into a concrete pool.
That's right! I'm a devoted believer that these cliches should stick to the light novels they came from. If I were to describe how it feels to live through those very tropes then I'd be one word. Hell. And I would not recommend it at all.
But despite saying all of this....
I find myself in that exact situation.
It's the last day of the school year, so everyone should be home by now.
Some are probably already eating dinner with their families, while others plan their summer vacation over the phone with their friends, and some are just reading light novels on their phones.
As for me?
Well instead of being home like everyone else, and enjoying my time doing absolutely nothing like a proper human being, I find myself atop the school's rooftop and in front of me-
"Please choose one of us!" three voices say in unison, as if rehearsed.
Well you get the gist.
In the middle of such a wide rooftop, three girls stand in front of me. Three very insistent girls.
One was a beautiful and confident girl with white hair and blue eyes, the one to her right was a shy adorable girl with dark purplish hair and finally to her left, looking like she was ready to punch me, a fierce looking girl with brown hair.
Tch! The brown-haired girl clicked her tongue and crossed her arms, trying to appear indifferent.
"What's taking you so long to answer?! Isn't the answer obvious?!" exclaimed Kei with her her typical nasty frown and piercing eyes.
Meanwhile, Koizumi slightly hunched over and fidgeting with her hands simply said, "Naoki-kun…?" averting her gaze ever so often only to give off those damn puppy eyes that always looked like they could cry at any moment, pleading, silently asking, 'you will pick me, right? You wouldn't abandon me, right?'
And Nishida… tall and proud as always.
Her arms neatly tucked behind her, with the usual confident smile that everyone deemed cold and unreadable, and those eyes that never knew hesitance or doubt. As if she had it all figured out, as if she already knew what my answer was going to be.
"Say something, Naoki!" Kei demanded.
"Kurogawa-kun!" Koizumi-san pleaded.
"Kurogawa-san," Nishida-san said confidently. "Will you date one of us?"
I'm sure many would kill to be in my place right now. After all, it's not often three girls confess their love to you. But if you knew the chaos and torment these girls brought into my life, then maybe, just maybe, you would think twice.
Yet here I am, atop the school's rooftop while the sun begins to set and its hazy orange glow casts a warm hue on my face, being confronted by three troublesome girls: a violent childhood friend, a stalker school-librarian girl, and the condescending student council president.
After a long silence I finally let out a heavy and resigned breath of air, "I…"
The three of them slightly flinched and small drops of sweat formed on their foreheads.
It was clear they were nervous, maybe even scared of being rejected, but despite these feelings they never once took their eyes off me and kept staring with a firm and resolute look in their eyes.
I had to give them credit, it was a valiant effort on their part. So it was only fair I gave a response to these girls who had taken the time and the courage to corner me like this.
"I… need a moment think." I said in a firm voice, "Please just give me a second to clear my head and organize my thoughts. Then I can give you three a clear answer."
The girls all looked irritated at my anticlimactic response, but after glancing at each other briefly, they each gave a subtle nod in agreement.
"You have 5 minutes." Said Nishida.
That's right… I'm a devoted believer that these cliches should stick to the novels they came from… after all reality is far harsher.
"Thanks" I answered.
I turned around and walked back to the stairs that brought me here in the first place.
I could feel their intense gazes burning a hole through my back as they watched me, but I paid it no mind.
I entered the building and finally, I let go of the door. As it slowly creaked and closed behind me, the last thing I saw before it shut completely was the silhouette of those three standing there.
I never came back, and soon after I transferred out.