Nishiyama Hiyori, a 15-year-old girl who's tiny compared to her peers (140cm/4ft 7" at the start), is just now entering high school after recovering from an accident the day before her entrance ceremony. Because she's extremely shy, and doesn't know anybody in her class except her childhood friend Ritsuka, at first she can't resist the urge to hide under a desk when the teacher tries to introduce her!
Just when Hiyori finally works up to courage to state her name to the class, she is interrupted by the tardy arrival of Hirose Yuushin, a carefree and remarkably tall (190cm, 6'2 ft) boy who blurts out upon seeing her, "Aren't you a bit small?" Now Hiyori's got a problem, because this boy sits next to her! Despite initially considering him rude and noisy, and disliking the attention he attracts to her, she quickly warms up to his friendly nature and develops a crush. Will Hiyori be able to make new friends and take her shot at first love?
Hiyokoi is a high school romance shoujo manga by Yukimaru Moe that started in 2009. An OVA by Production I.G was produced in July 2010 as a twenty-two minute long film.
For a manga couple with the opposite height relationship, see Lovely★Complex.
Tropes:
- Ambiguously Bi: Natsuki. A side story reveals that she used to crush on her (male) middle school teacher, but she also seems to be attracted to Hiyori.
- Cannot Spit It Out: Hiyori is too shy to confess her feelings towards Yuushin.
- Chick Magnet: All the girls in school are attracted to Yuushin, which doesn't make things any easier for Hiyori.
- Childhood Friends:
- Hiyori and Ritsuka, who have been friends since kindergarten.
- Yuushin and Kisaki too - since they're neighbors, they've probably known each other for an even longer time.
- Clingy Jealous Girl: Reina, until she decides to let Hiyori confess to Yuushin.
- Closed Door Rapport: Played with: after Hiyori runs out of class over the underwear incident, Yuushin follows to console her. He's talking to her through the door of the room he thinks she's hidden in, but then she unexpectedly emerges from the locker behind him instead. He was talking to the wrong door!
- Comedic Underwear Exposure: Subverted. In part of the first chapter, Hiyori gets out of her seat and goes to wipe the blackboard without realizing that the hem of her skirt has gotten out of place and everyone can see her chick print underwear. This provokes suppressed giggling from her classmates and Yushin can't help but burst into laughter, but the situation turns very un-funny when Hiyori runs away crying from the shame and embarassment. Yushin goes after her to try and make things right.
- Cuteness Proximity: Most people like Hiyori by default because she's so
small and cute. - Everyone Can See It: Almost everyone immediately realizes that Hiyori has a huge crush on Yuushin - except for Yuushin himself.
- Genki Girl: Reina sure is energetic.
- Huge Guy, Tiny Girl: Yuushin and Hiyori's heights are so different that they're the talk of the school.
- Keet: Yuushin is extremely outgoing and cheerful.
- Nice Guy: Yuushin's popularity is partly because he's nice to everyone.
- Opposites Attract: Tiny, shy, and self-doubting Hiyori seems like the opposite of the tall, outgoing, and popular Yuushin. At first she thinks he's out of her league, but Yuushin starts to feel increasing affection for her too.
- The Quiet One: Hiyori is so shy that she has a hard time speaking up.
- Shipper on Deck: Ritsuka and Natsuki both ship Hiyori x Yuushin, so they try their best to encourage and help their friend.
- Shrinking Violet: Hiyori is extremely timid and quiet, and lacks confidence in herself.
- Single Woman Seeks Good Man: Hiyori thinks Yuushin is cool, but also admires his warmth and kindness.
- Unlucky Childhood Friend: Kisaki once confessed her love to Yuushin, having been friends with him since childhood, but he couldn't see her in anything but a brotherly way and turned her down.
