What happened to just being friends?
There's No Freaking Way I'll Be Your Lover! Unless...
Renako Amaori is leaving her awkward and lonely junior high school life behind, determined to become a normal girl with normal friends in high school. Glamorous, confident Mai Ouzuka is Renako’s total opposite: wealthy, outgoing, and a literal fashion model. Against the odds, the two girls form an immediate connection. Renako thinks she may have found the best friend of her dreams…until Mai’s romantic confession sends her into a tailspin. Renako wants to prove to Mai that being BFFs is better than being girlfriends, but Mai is dead set on convincing Renako that they’re destined to be lovers.
Episodes
Renako starts high school determined to leave her introverted self behind and miraculously lands in the top-tier popular group. But keeping up the extrovert act is exhausting. Just as she’s about to break, the school’s princess, Mai Ouzuka, confesses to her!? This isn’t the high school life she imagined!
The showdown between Renako and Mai has begun: best friend or girlfriend? Mai visits Renako as a “friend,” and they have a blast. Friendship is the best! But Mai’s feelings keep growing. Hoping to prove friendship wins, Renako plans a fun weekend outing. Everything's going great… until a sudden downpour flips everything on its head!?
Renako tries to forget the kiss, while Mai leaves for work in Paris. Renako walks home with Ajisai after school, holding hands and making plans to hang out later, too. Mai calls her a cheater, but they're not even dating, so how can she be?! But then when Ajisai comes over, Mai shows up too, bringing her little sister Haruna. Now it’s a chaotic four-person hangout... What could possibly go wrong?
Mai skips school, and Renako starts to worry... Maybe she really went too far. But then Satsuki calls her in to reveal the truth. Turns out, a heartbroken Mai told her something crazy... She's planning to join a Suitors Party?! How did it come to this?! Renako rushes to the hotel venue, where she and Mai face off… in swimsuits. Now’s the time. Renako has to finally tell Mai how she really feels!
Satsuki suddenly drops a bomb: “Let’s be girlfriends.” It’s clearly revenge for Mai's careless treatment of her. Still, Renako agrees to play along for two weeks if it helps the two make up. But why does Ajisai seem bothered? No way… right? Meanwhile, Mai’s as calm as ever. Things are shifting with Satsuki, but is it really headed in the right direction?
Satsuki suddenly starts acting all couple-y in front of Mai, much to Renako's confusion. After seeing an unexpected side of Satsuki, Renako dares to admit she's actually an introvert, only to find out Satsuki already knew. Shocked, Renako runs off, but Satsuki finds her, and somehow she ends up spending the night at Satsuki’s place. Are they really taking a bath together too!? Wait, why!?
Thanks to Ajisai-san, Mai finally agrees to talk with Satsuki, and Renako gets roped in as a witness. Just when it seems like they’ll make up, Satsuki drops a secret photo of her and Renako! Wait, what?! Things spiral out of control and somehow it’s turned into an FPS showdown??! There’s no way Renako's losing… absolutely no way…!
After their FPS practice, Renako stays the night at Satsuki’s. “Thanks for letting me face Mai,” Satsuki smiles, making Renako wish they’d just make up already. The long-awaited showdown begins! Mai’s flawless aim, Renako’s sharp instincts… and Satsuki struggling to keep up. But Renako can’t let her lose without a fight!
After the troubles with Satsuki settle down, Renako visits Ajisai over summer break... Only to realize that behind her gentle smile are hidden struggles. When Ajisai suddenly declares she’s running away, Renako decides to join her. Their destination: a hot spring! A fleeting summer escape that brings the two closer than ever.
At the inn, Ajisai insists on paying the full bill, but Renako, wanting to split it “like friends,” challenges her to a game of ping-pong. They clash, grow a little closer... but Renako loses, and now the two of them are alone in a private hot spring. This isn't exactly normal “friend” distance, is it? Wait, why is this starting to feel kind of... steamy!?
Renako heads to the hot spring town with Ajisai and Mai. They explore candy shops and photo studios, where Renako discovers a surprising part of Ajisai’s childhood. Dressed in yukata, they enjoy the evening festival. The fireworks are dazzling, but just before, something happens between Ajisai and Mai that Renako doesn’t notice…
The runaway trip may be over, but Renako is left shaken when she sees Ajisai in tears. She asks Mai what happened, but Mai won’t say. What was Ajisai thinking, what was weighing on her heart? Before Renako can find an answer, Ajisai calls her out. To her surprise, Mai is there too. That’s when Ajisai finally reveals her secret.
Renako can't bring herself to answer Ajisai's confession and ends up putting it on hold. Feeling guilty toward Mai too, she skips school. Unsure how to respond to both girls' feelings, she stays home and broods. While looking through an old album, she finds a photo of a little girl who looks just like someone in her current group...!?
Renako reluctantly accepts Kaho's invite to a cosplay photoshoot. Renako is so nervous that the first session ends up a disaster, so Kaho launches a "Renako's Magical Modification," making her listen to a mysterious hypnosis track. Renako first thought it was silly, but it leaves her oddly hyped, and she heads into the next shoot full of confidence... with unexpected results.
After the photoshoot, Renako and Kaho have a girls' night at a love hotel. Swept up in Kaho's energy, Renako even ends up bathing with her! Then an unexpected invite to a major event arrives, throwing everything into chaos. Later, Renako, Mai, and Ajisai go to an amusement park - only to face an unforeseen incident...
The requirements for participating in the Cosplay Summit was to compete as a pair. Renako builds up the courage to accept Kaho's invitation and go. After feverishly preparing their cosplays, the summit finally comes around. But then a crisis happens, as Kaho drops her contact lens - the key to her "extrovert cosplay." And in the midst of it all, Mai and Ajisai are also starting to move...
Kaho and Renako are relieved to have finally finished their Cosplay Summit performance, when they're suddenly joined not only by Satuki, but by Ajisai as well! Then Mai appears on the main stage as a special guest. As the four watch her shine, Ajisai rushes to join Mai under the bright lights, and Ajisai and Kaho urge Renako to come along. At last, Renako makes her decision...?!
