History Main / TheNotLoveInterest

*** Steve's relationships extend into ''Series/TheFalconAndTheWinterSoldier'', where Steve is gone and both Sam and Bucky are still struggling to deal with the loss.

* Kumatora to Duster (or maybe it's the other way around) in ''VideoGame/{{Mother 3}}.'' When [[spoiler:Duster gets EasyAmnesia for three years)]], it's Kumatora who stays with him throughout it, even if only on the sidelines. And while she [[{{Tsundere}} hides herself behind harsh words]], she genuinely seems to care for him. But as for ''love?'' There's no real evidence of that.
** This similarly applies to Lucas and Kumatora, which might be jarring for those who have played the previous [[VideoGame/EarthboundBeginnings two]] [[VideoGame/{{Earthbound}} games]] in the series, in which the protagonist and lead girl are either outright confirmed to be a couple[[note]]Ninten and Ana[[/note]] or highly implied to be one[[note]]Ness and Paula[[/note]]. Kumatora is good friends with Lucas, but there's no indication that either feels anything beyond that.

** Player character's assistants in general [[spoiler: except Diego Armando, who is Mia's boyfriend]]. Maya, Ema, Trucy, Kay, and Athena all share the same characteristic of being [[{{PluckyGirl}} plucky,]] and [[GenkiGirl everlastingly energetic]] in [[BreakTheCutie their happy days.]] Given their partners are [[DeadPanSnarker Deadpan Snarkers]], people tease them for being OddCouple, even though it's usually comes off as brother/sister-like relationships. [[spoiler: Which is literally true in Apollo and Trucy's case, though neither of them know it.]]

* In ''VisualNovel/VirtuesLastReward'', Phi is the first girl that Sigma meets. They initially have a [[BelligerentSexualTension belligerent relationship]], her ending is the GoldenEnding of the game, and she has a lot of plot relevance... but she and Sigma are never even hinted to move in a romantic direction. At best, they go from TeethClenchedTeamwork to something resembling friends. [[spoiler: Although there are some scenes with them when you fail to defuse the bombs, they're not exceedingly romantic.]] WordOfGod has also confirmed that the two will never be a couple at any point. And for good reason, as ''VisualNovel/ZeroTimeDilemma'' reveals: [[spoiler:[[LukeIAmYourFather Phi is actually Sigma's]] ''[[LukeIAmYourFather daughter]]''. Not only that, but ZTD also introduces Diana, whom is Sigma's ''actual'' love interest... and Phi's mother.]]
* In '' VisualNovel/YourTurnToDie '', Jou Tazuna is this to the main character, Sara Chidouin. They’re ChildhoodFriends who have a very close and endearing relationship, and they are each other’s primary confidants. When [[spoiler:Jou is one of the first to be executed]] Sara is absolutely devastated, to the point where [[spoiler:her severe guilt causes her to see and hear hallucinations of Jou.]] Jou will even give Sara a PlatonicDeclarationOfLove both [[spoiler: before he dies]] and in one of the endings for Chapter 2. However, while Sara’s feelings for Jou are left up to speculation, Jou is already in a relationship with his and Sara’s friend, Ryoko.

[[folder:Web Comics]]

* In ''WesternAnimation/UltimateSpiderMan'', Harry comes off as this to Peter. Peter's constant ditching of Harry and inabililty to tell the truth puts [[TheMasqueradeWillKillYourDatingLife considerable strain on their friendship.]] In "Venom" the spat between Peter and Harry comes off as a girlfriend temporarily leaving her boyfriend only to make up with him later and gets back together with him. Complete with a female friend giving the hapless "boyfriend" relationship advice and the "girlfriend" venting about the "boyfriend" to family.

* Hatori is Ayumu's not love interest in ''Manga/{{Life}}''. They spend a lot of time together, Hatori is Ayumu's LivingEmotionalCrutch, Hatori is always there for Ayumu, and they spend a lot of time holding hands.

** Frodo and Sam. There's obviously strong affection and emotion between the two, and incredible devotion, especially on Sam's side. Sam winds up marrying Rosie Cotton (who seems to have no problem with their bond and even tells Sam to take care of Frodo in the books) and becoming mayor of the Shire, and he and his wife take care of Frodo until he leaves the Shire itself. Sam ultimately ends up taking a ship to the West, where Frodo is presumably waiting.

* In ''Literature/LookingForAlaska'', Miles Halter has Alaska Young, who quickly becomes his closest friend, confidant, and the engine driving his CharacterDevelopment. There are obvious signs of attraction on both ends, but they never formally hook up, primarily because neither one can think of a way to remove [[RomanticFalseLead Alaska's out-of-state boyfriend]] from the board.

* ''Manga/MyHeroAcademia'': no
** TheRival Bakugo to TheHero Midoriya. Bakugo is a source of inspiration to Midoriya, and more than one arc revolved around Midoriya trying to [[BadassInDistress save or protect Bakugo]]. Both characters' personal arcs are intimately intertwined and advance together with the plot of the manga.

**

* ''Manga/MyHeroAcademia'': The MoralityPet Kirishima to the AntiHero Bakugo. Kirishima is the first person Bakugo forges a significant amicable relationship of any kind, and the two are often seen doing things together, which is odd because Bakugo refuses to empathize with anyone, but Kirishima. [[spoiler:Kirishima also plays a key role in the rescue of Bakugo, as Midoriya notes, Kirishima is the only person in the world that Bakugo would let help him]].

* ''Manga/SuperGals'' has Ran and Otohata. Ran encounters Otohata when trying to steal his bag, and their first meeting is framed like a MeetCute moment. They cross paths several times afterwards, and Otohata often serves as Ran's {{savvy guy|EnergeticGirl}}, frequently calming her down when she gets too worked up. Even though Otohata admits having a crush on her at one point, and Ran's boyfriend Tatsuki frequently feels [[InsecureLoveInterest threatened by their continued interactions]], their relationship never becomes romantic.

*** In ''Film/CaptainAmericaCivilWar'', while Steve has more interactions with Sharon Carter, including some clear sexual tension between them which was somewhat resolved with TheBigDamnKiss early on, his primary motivation and catalyst for his actions is again, Bucky Barnes, who, by this point, is cemented as the second most important character in the ''Captain America'' films, after Cap himself. Steve is so [[UndyingLoyalty loyal]] and devoted to Bucky that he's willing to split up the Avengers, become a fugitive, desecrate his name and legacy, and more-or-less take on the entire world for him. Bucky, on his end, seemed to stay away from Steve for so long because he didn't want to cause his best friend any more pain. Natasha and Sam also reprise their roles in this film as well, with Natasha proving Steve emotional support at Peggy's funeral (thus the literal rather than the trope form of ComfortingTheWidow) and particularly Sam, who quickly engages in a semi-friendly rivalry with Bucky that feels an awful lot like interactions between one's first and second wives.

* The eponymous ''Franchise/RatchetAndClank'' are extremely close and would do anything for each other. While Ratchet has a couple GirlOfTheWeek love interests, and Clank is a general ChickMagnet, none of these relationships are as serious and enduring as their friendship (to the point that Qwark once referred to Clank as Ratchet's OnlyFriend -- untrue, of course, but they're definitely each other's best friends). Fans even {{squee}}d when they finally got to [[FanNickname bro-hug]], but if the fanwork is anything to go by, most fans are supportive of them as HeterosexualLifePartners; slash work ''exists'', [[Rule34 of course]], but it doesn't predominate.

** Ichigo rushes to Soul Society to save Rukia. Regardless, they're not each other's Love Interests, but are instead PlatonicLifePartners. [[spoiler: He ultimately [[HighschoolSweethearts marries Orihime]] and she [[ChildhoodFriendRomance marries Renji]], but they remain best friends ''and'' it's implied [[BabiesEverAfter their children will be close friends as well]].]]

* ''Manga/MyHeroAcademia'':
** TheRival Bakugo to TheHero Midoriya. Bakugo is a source of inspiration to Midoriya, and more than one arc revolved around Midoriya trying to [[BadassInDistress save or protect Bakugo]]. Both characters' personal arcs are intimately intertwined and advance together with the plot of the manga.
** The MoralityPet Kirishima to the AntiHero Bakugo. Kirishima is the first person Bakugo forges a significant amicable relationship of any kind, and the two are often seen doing things together, which is odd because Bakugo refuses to empathize with anyone, but Kirishima. [[spoiler:Kirishima also plays a key role in the rescue of Bakugo, as Midoriya notes, Kirishima is the only person in the world that Bakugo would let help him]].

* In ''Manga/NegimaMagisterNegiMagi'', Asuna is Negi's partner and the girl closest to him out of all the students in his class, and at least half of them are in love with him. Despite getting a lot of ShipTease, their relationship remains familial for the most part and never turns to serious romance. This is definitely settled near the end of the manga when Negi tells Asuna who is the girl he likes ''that'' way and Asuna's reaction confirms it's not her (not that she cares, she in fact tries to get Negi to confess to the other girl right away). It should be noted that Negi also admits that while he isn't in love with her, Asuna will always be his most important person.

* ''VideoGame/StreetFighter'': Chun-Li and Guile are the most recognizable ones. They're [[BirdsOfAFeather very similar in lots of ways]] and have a close working relationship. Guile is, [[MemeticMutation of course]], a family man, so this ship really isn't sailing any time soon. Other instances are Guy and Rose (the married thing again) and Ryu and... [[CelibateHero everyone else]].

* Shaun Murphy and Claire Browne in ''Series/TheGoodDoctor''. They have worked together in the hospital since the pilot and she was the first co-worker with whom Shaun befriended. Their friendship goes beyond the merely professional, and even so, they have never shown any romantic interest in each other. Instead, it is Shaun's neighbor, Lea, who ends up becoming his LoveInterest.

* The previous [[https://static.tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pub/images/FraternalFidelity_3734.jpeg page picture]] is from the ''Film/{{Doom}}'' movie, which took a certain pleasure in subverting the typical hero/heroine love interest angle, as well as other tropes. Samantha and John Grimm are estranged but loving fraternal twins.

* Danny is this to Nicholas in ''Film/HotFuzz''. WordOfGod says that in the original script Nicholas had an actual love interest, but she was cut and some of her storyline and actual lines were [[HoYay given to Danny]].
* In the remake ''Film/HouseOfWax2005'', the characters played by Elisha Cuthbert and Chad Michael Murray seem very much like ex-lovers [[spoiler:who will reconcile at the end, since everyone else is dead]]. But they're brother and sister, so no.

* Mako Mori for Raleigh Becket in ''Film/PacificRim''. The two of them quickly go from wary apprehension to mutual respect, culminating in the dojo sparring scene, which was intentionally shot in such a way as to [[DoesThisRemindYouOfAnything invoke a lovemaking scene instead]]. It is at this point that Raleigh realizes that Mako is "drift-compatible" with him (the film's TechnoBabble for "our brains are similar enough to be directly linked together" -- the only other person thus compatible with him was his late brother Yancy) and insists on her as his mech co-pilot for the rest of the film. Despite all this, however, their physical intimacy never goes beyond hugging each other tightly at the end of the movie.

** Dr. Gillian Taylor is similarly this to Captain Kirk in Film/StarTrekIVTheVoyageHome. The character was changed from a male biologist when Creator/WilliamShatner demanded Kirk have a love interest, but nothing ultimately happens between them aside from a kiss on the cheek.

** Jaune and Ruby quickly form a bond through a shared feeling of social awkwardness when they're both new to Beacon. They then bond as leaders of their respective teams, and the two teams are very good friends. Jaune is also quick to offer back-up to Ruby if he thinks she's in trouble, and whenever the two reunite after their teams have been on missions apart they tend to hold hands and gaze deeply into each other's eyes. However, Ruby shows no romantic interest in any character, while Jaune's romantic interests have been directed elsewhere.
** Sun and Blake initially bond over [[CommonalityConnection being Faunus]], with Sun initially being interested in Blake and also keen to help her with her problems. When she flees her team in an HeroicBSOD, Sun follows her, staying by her side while she works through the trauma her PsychoExBoyfriend has left her with. Her ability to resolve her problems make both of them realise they need to return to their separate teams, so they part ways at the beginning of Volume 6 as friends. When Neptune tells his friend that it seems like Sun is letting Blake go, Sun clarifies that helping her had absolutely nothing to do with romance.

* Several in ''{{Toys/BIONICLE}}'', in part due to most characters being asexual and aromantic. For example, Gali tends to fill this role for Tahu, as [[VitriolicBestBuds she often argues]] with him and he is more protective of her than the other Toa. The two address each other as "brother" and "sister", although, this doesn't stop the shippers since they're NotBloodSiblings.

Compare HeterosexualLifePartners, PlatonicLifePartners, LikeBrotherAndSister, JustFriends and TragicBromance. [[JustForFun/IThoughtItMeant Has nothing to do with]] SheIsNotMyGirlfriend, though somebody might say this (with actual sincerity). This trope is to {{UST}} as oil is to water ''vapor''. RomanticTwoGirlFriendship is a subtrope. RelationshipWritingFumble is what happens when the writers try to do this and it doesn't work.

* Ozma is this to Dorothy in the ''Literature/LandOfOz'' books. They're [[RomanticTwoGirlFriendship extremely close friends]] who regularly [[HoldingHands hold hands]] and [[PlatonicKissing kiss]]. They also both rule over Oz together. Due their [[KidHero young ages]] (with Dorothy being [[VagueAge vaguely twelve and under]] while Ozma is no older than physically sixteen) and the [[ValuesDissonance time period the books came out during]], their relationship is simply a platonic girlish bond. One non-[[Creator/LFrankBaum Baum]] book, ''Kabumpo in Oz'', depicts Ozma as outright [[CelibateHero disgusted by]] [[GirlsHaveCooties the idea of romance]].

* In ''Spindle's End'', Creator/RobinMcKinley's retelling of ''Literature/SleepingBeauty'', secret princess Rosie and her best friend Peony fill this role for each other. Though they both have male love interests and describe themselves as [[LikeBrotherAndSister "sisters,"]] theirs is very much a RomanticTwoGirlFriendship with more than a little [[HoYay Les Yay]]. After Peony saves Rosie from the evil fairy's curse by [[HeroicSacrifice masquerading as the princess, pricking her finger on the spindle and falling asleep in her place]], Rosie takes on the role traditionally played by the prince in the fairy tale, defeating the evil fairy, rescuing Peony and waking her with a kiss. On the lips.

*** [[RomanticTwoGirlFriendship Yukiko and Chie]]. During the quest to rescue Yukkiko, Shadow Yukiko reveals that she considered Chie a female version of Prince Charming. Chie's English voice actress has pointed out her thoughts that Chie may have a crush on Yukiko. Yukiko herself does admire Chie, but there's not much known on her side (though she ''does'' think Chie and Yosuke would make a cute couple).

* Stormer plays this up to Kimber in the ''WesternAnimation/{{Jem}}'' episode "The Bands Break Up". Stormer is treated similarly to Kimber's [[GirlOfTheWeek rotating roster of male love interests]], Kimber's friends fear Stormer is basically a [[AllGirlsWantBadBoys "bad girl"]] corrupting Kimber, and they develop a bit of RomanticTwoGirlFriendship. Despite this nothing happens and [[StatusQuoIsGod they go back to being enemies]] come next episode. The ''ComicBook/JemAndTheHologramsIDW'' reboot comic released thirty years later [[PromotedToLoveInterest scraps]] the "not" part period.

*** Her closest bond is with Hawkeye. He's the main reason she joins the team, and they have by far the closest relationship of the group, but they're never shown to be anything beyond extremely close friends. In ''Film/AvengersAgeOfUltron'', we find that [[spoiler:Clint Barton is ''married'' and with a family, sinking the Clintasha ship, though Natasha was the only member outside of Fury to know and is even [[HonoraryUncle viewed as an aunt]] by Clint's kids.]]
*** In addition to Hawkeye and Captain America (explained below), she was the one who recruited Banner to the team, is the only one Tony had a past connection with, she's shown to be close with Coulson and Fury, but so far every relationship is completely platonic. It makes her something of OneOfTheBoys. Though ''Age of Ultron'' [[spoiler: makes Natasha/''Banner'' canon. She loves him because "he is the only man who will run from a fight he knows he can win", and they bond over their sense of isolation (as well as being robbed the opportunity to have a family).]]

*** In ''[[Film/CaptainAmericaTheWinterSoldier The Winter Soldier]]'', the ''lack'' of a LoveInterest is almost a running gag. Steve still loves Peggy, [[spoiler:but she's well into her 90s and suffering from dementia.]] His post-war comics LoveInterest, Sharon Carter/Agent 13 is introduced in this movie, but they speak to each other exactly thrice (and the last occasion has Steve upset at her). Instead, the Winter Soldier, Sam Wilson, and Natasha Romanoff all take different aspects of The Not-Love Interest: the Winter Soldier serves as Steve's primary motivation, because [[spoiler:he's actually a brainwashed Bucky Barnes]]; Sam Wilson is his emotional support, with whom he's able to talk about his feelings for once; and Natasha is his [[{{Foil}} character contrast]], companion through most of the action, and gives the movie its flirty banter, though it's made subtly clear that the two of them have a platonic "work wife/husband" type of relationship and most of that banter revolves around her trying to set him up with other women.
*** In ''Film/CaptainAmericaCivilWar'', while Steve has more interactions with Sharon Carter, including some clear sexual tension between them [[spoiler:which was somewhat resolved with TheBigDamnKiss early on]], his primary motivation and catalyst for his actions is [[spoiler:again, Bucky Barnes]], who, by this point, is cemented as the second most important character in the ''Captain America'' films, after Cap himself. [[spoiler:Steve is so [[UndyingLoyalty loyal]] and devoted to Bucky that he's willing to split up the Avengers, become a fugitive, desecrate his name and legacy, and more-or-less take on the entire world for him. Bucky, on his end, seemed to stay away from Steve for so long because he didn't want to cause his best friend anymore pain]]. Natasha and Sam also reprise their roles in this film as well, with Natasha proving Steve emotional support at Peggy's funeral (thus the literal rather than the trope form of ComfortingTheWidow) and particularly Sam, who quickly engages in a semi-friendly rivalry with Bucky that feels an awful lot like interactions between one's first and second wives.

* In '' VisualNovel/YourTurnToDie '', Jou Tazuna is this to the main character, Sarah Chidouin. They’re ChildhoodFriends who have a very close and endearing relationship, and they are each other’s primary confidants. When [[spoiler: Jou is one of the first to be executed]] Sarah is absolutely devastated, to the point where [[spoiler: her severe guilt causes her to see and hear hallucinations of Jou.]] Jou will even give Sarah a PlatonicDeclarationOfLove both [[spoiler: before he dies]] and in one of the endings for Chapter 2. However, while Sarah’s feelings for Jou are left up to speculation, Jou is already in a relationship with his and Sarah’s friend, Ryoko.

** Harry's relationship like Thomas is like this sometimes. Thomas Raith the [[OurVampiresAreDifferent incubus]] is Harry's friend [[spoiler: and half-brother]] and they never have any doubts about the relationship, but when Harry is between girlfriends, Thomas takes on that role in the story a little bit: He's closer to earth in some ways and [[AlwaysSaveTheGirl has needed to be rescued more than once]]. Although Harry does [[FauxYay pretend to be]] [[ItIsPronouncedTroPay "Toe-moss"'s]] [[FauxYay gay lover]] once, to keep someone from questioning why he was searching Thomas's apartment ([[spoiler: since nobody else knows that they're half-brothers]])

* In ''Manga/DeathNote'', L is this for Light. [[FoeRomanceSubtext L evokes feelings in Light that he feels for no one else. L is the most important person in Light's life]] [[spoiler: even after he is dead. And in the anime L is the only person on Light's mind ''when he's dying''.]] Light has two canon love interests Misa and Takada [[UnwittingPawn who he cares nothing for]], and neither are as important to Light [[TragicBromance or to the plot]] as Light's [[TheRival rivalry with L.]]

** ''Shadow Of The Mist'' has Myst, the {{Deuteragonist}} whose mission to save her little brother triggers Boyle's RedemptionQuest to become a hero. Despite having the typical role of a MysticalWaif MagicalGirlfriend, she explicitly says that she can't stand people like Boyle, and has more of a ShipTease with [[NiceGuy Robin]] instead.