My Best Friend is so Popular it's a Problem (BL) - Chapter 23

…What the hell is going on?

“Did you hate it?”

Hayato’s expression, scolding yet clearly upset.
…but behind it, I could catch glimpses of a hurt face, flickering in and out.

Why?

I didn’t say I wanted to stop the act. I didn’t even say I hated helping. So why does he look at me like I betrayed him… like I hurt him?

—And on top of that, it feels like he firmly rejected me at the end.

No matter how much I thought about it, no answer came. I slowly headed back to the classroom to get my bag.

“So, Yuto finally broke up with Hayato! Then next up, it’s me.”
“Huh—? What are you saying? Of course it’s me!”

Voices from the hallway carried in, loud and excited.

A sharp, gripping pain shot through my chest, like someone had grabbed my heart. I rushed into the classroom, and there was Hayato, looking exhausted, surrounded by several classmates.

“Hey, Yuto! I heard you dumped Hayato?”
“W-what are you talking about!? That’s not true!!”

I frantically looked at Hayato, only to be met with eyes so cold they sent a chill down my spine.

“You didn’t want it, right? Fine then. It’s over.”
“Ha…Hayato!”

Before I could even react, he slapped away my outstretched hand.

“I’m leaving. Move.”

“…………”

Hayato’s expression was icy in a way I’d never seen before, and he didn’t try to soften it. I couldn’t find any words to say. Seeing me frozen, he let out a faint smile.

Then he passed right by me and walked out of the classroom. Behind him, everyone followed, like little goldfish trailing after him.

Left alone, I stood there.

Why… why did Hayato choose to stop the anti-stalker plan just as it was going well? Why did he suddenly become cold toward me? At that moment, I couldn’t understand any of it.