My Best Friend is so Popular it's a Problem (BL) - Chapter 22

My head was tilted back, the back of my head supported by Hayato’s palm, and I could do nothing.
Startled, unsure what to do, I had pulled back my tongue—but Hayato’s tongue sweetly tangled with mine. It wound persistently around my shrinking tongue, then traced and sucked at it, as if checking its shape.

My mind went completely blank, my body frozen since before. Only my stupid heart was beating furiously, making a sound that seemed far too loud.

“…Yuto.”

Finally releasing my stiff body, Hayato called my name from up close.

I stood dazed, unable to return to myself, when he suddenly leaned in again, attempting another kiss.

“W-wait, Hayato!”

Feeling a sudden panic, my hands reacted instinctively. I pushed hard against his shoulders, forcing him away from me for a moment.

“—What’s wrong, Yuto?”

His face was so displeased. But that’s exactly how I felt too!

My heart raced, my body trembled, and my face burned with heat. I exhaled slowly, desperately trying to calm myself.

“…Anyway, just… just come here for a second.”

I couldn’t discuss our fake relationship in front of everyone. Ignoring my burning face and my still pounding heart, I grabbed Hayato and pulled him out of the classroom.

We ended up at the empty back of the school, and I let go of his hand. The lingering feeling of that deep kiss still pressed against my lips, and I was too embarrassed to look him straight in the eyes.

“Yuto?”

Hayato took a step closer, lightly pinching my fingers that had let go of his hand. My body twitched at once.

…How am I overreacting this much…? It’s so embarrassing.

“Um, hey!”

I tried to cover my embarrassment with a loud voice. Hayato tilted his head, giving me a suspicious look, as if sensing my nervousness.

“Let’s… stop the kissing now.”

“…Huh?”

Hayato looked at me like he didn’t understand what I just said. For a moment, I almost faltered at his expression, but this was a matter of life and death.

…Yes, life and death. If I kept being toyed with by Hayato, something terrible would surely happen.

“Because, look… everyone already knows we’re dating, right? So it doesn’t really—”
“Did you hate it?”

“…Huh?”

Hayato interrupted me, his expression oddly displeased yet slightly reproachful.

—W-why do I feel like the one helping him is being scolded? I furrowed my brows, utterly confused by the situation.

“…Of course I didn’t like it. We’re both guys… and best friends… so th-that’s why—”
“I get it.”

Before I could finish, Hayato cut me off.

“The act is over. —I’ll tell everyone that we’ve broken up.”

“Eh…? W-wait a second, Hayato… I didn’t mean that… Hayato!!”

Before I could finish, Hayato turned on his heel and ran.

“Wait, Hayato!!”

I shouted after him, but he didn’t hear me. Hayato kept moving farther and farther away.

Left alone, I just stood there, staring blankly at the back of Hayato as he disappeared from view.