Recommendations Looking for some introverts

[eternalparticle]

Taking recommendations for a story about two people who have no friends, not because they are unable to, but instead they don't want to because of severe social anxiety. They end up together. Can be a slice of life, can also be romance. I just want to see two introverts struggle together in a public setting. It would be great if it's limited to two friends because, one = loner, three = friend group... two is perfect! Anything works yuri yaoi... novel manga manhwa...

Basically, bocchi but double and they never meet an excessively extroverted character...

Edit- Ok I think I confused a lot of people, what I am looking for is as simple as 2 people, no other friends, they don't want to socialize but are comfortable with each other (somehow) and they struggle together in a social setting. Now be it social anxiety or introvertedness whatever you call it.

For example, a scene as simple as ordering at a cafe, both of them are uncomfortable doing so, I believe it will be really funny and cute watching both of them overthink the situation TOGETHER. And if something like this does not exist then I'll be sad

 

[CharlesEBrown]

Wow - seems like that would be a common theme, but the only story I remember this happening in was Dean Koontz's "Watchers" - a golden retriever with exceptional intelligence brings the two introverts together... (which is kind of his "thing" - a damaged man with a dark past, an otherwise strong woman with some kind of psychological trauma, brought together by an innocent of some sort, to face a threat that seems supernatural but ultimately turns out to be technological

 

[Golden_Hyde]

Taking recommendations for a story about two people who have no friends, not because they are unable to, but instead they don't want to because of severe social anxiety.

this isn't really introvert, just a socially awkward guy. An introvert is generally someone who can choose whether they want to go out and socialize, but mostly they rather choose to stay at home and do their thing rather having to talk to someone else, but they will talk to people... until their social battery runs out.

 

[goldenphonix]

My book is something like that, I think. The MC has severe social anxiety and awkwardness (he's been homeschooled his whole life), and he's also what you'd call an introvert. The other main protag, his "friend" doesn't have social anxiety but he doesn't like people, so ig that counts as introversion lol? but someone is going to eventually join their friend group tho. a girl. she's very introverted as well with a bit of social anxiety like the MC.

 

[expentio]

I can recommend "Bocchi the Rock" for insight into actual social anxiety. Yes, it's to a degree displayed over the top, but the actual reasoning, inhibitions, social issues are pretty accurate. Stuff like not being able to enter a place, because the feeling of what might happen if you do that causes an overwhelming sense of dread, makes you reconsider and postpone the actual confrontation as long as possible. How every social interaction is a hurdle to take that makes you literally want to do anything else.

Just as a general thing. People with social anxiety WANT to have friends. However, they have extreme issues leaving their comfort zone. As theirs is not as much for comfort, as more that everything outside is an extremely taxing, and often devastating experience. That's not really an issue of choice. One wants and requires social contacts, yet one isn't capable of keeping up with going through all the necessary things required to maintain a social life. Stuff like doing smalltalk is taxing, and shallow relationships make you reconsider why you'd put in all the effort for something so dishonest. Meanwhile, not having a sociable hobby is extremely restricting to one's options on meeting other people. Having the option is a big deal.

 

[eternalparticle]

Ok, I re-read what I wrote and I feel a little dumb because I used a very confusing statement, but then again I feel like there is something else that needs to be cleared so it's time for a lecture.

I figured that people do realize what introversion and social anxiety are, but a common misconception is completely ignoring the fact that an introvert CAN have social anxiety (It's not even a rare case). Introversion is a personality trait, social anxiety is a disorder. So an introvert can develop social anxiety disorder and this is really interesting in general.

The introvert part of the person prefers solitude, on the other hand the social anxiety part of the person dislikes social settings. Both of these amplify each other making it so that the person not only prefers solitude, he is one with it. Solitude is his ecosystem. Such a person will RETREAT to solitude at all times. The person will never feel lonely and LOVE being alone.

Social Anxiety is not characterized by "wanting to make friends but being unable to," (not always true) instead it is only characterized by "intense fear or discomfort in social situations especially those which involve possible scrutiny, evaluation or judgement."

The statement: "I don't want to make friends because I don't like talking to people," is my favorite example. Depending on your interpretation this can fall under either introversion or S.A... but think about it... what else does this statement qualify as? (except for the fact that this can also stem from more than 3 other complicated cases but we don't talk about them!)

So when I used the statement:

two people who have no friends, not because they are unable to, but instead they don't want to because of severe social anxiety.

This actually means I was looking for a really complicated case of Introversion + Social Anxiety and I only realized it now, so um... this will be rather difficult to find (even a single protagonist with this case is really difficult to find) so I corrected myself.

 

[SternenklarenRitter]

Its more on the mature side (and HEAVY on fanservice), but 'No Game No Life' (Jnovel with both manga and anime adaptations) has a pair of shut-in brother and sister that get punted into a world ruled by games. Its about as introverted a protagonist pair as is ever possible. If they are ever separated (for example by a door that swings closed) they immediately become catatonic.