My Best Friend is so Popular it's a Problem (BL) - Chapter 7

“Ah, uh, yeah…“

Haru held my hand tighter, edging closer bit by bit. I, on the other hand, kept backing away like a rabbit cornered by a wolf. It had been like this for a while now.

My head spun in circles, what do I do, what do I do, when suddenly Haru, impatient at last, yanked both my hands. I stumbled forward and bumped into his chest with a soft thud.

“Uah! S-sorry!”
“It’s fine! You’ll go out with me, right? You will, won’t you? …Even if it’s just pretend.“

His face looked desperate, cornered.

…Well, of course. Anyone would get fed up after being told I like you or go out with me every single day, without their feelings being considered. So, I couldn’t say I didn’t understand why Haru was forced to ask me this. …But still.

“…I’m probably bad at acting, though? Wouldn’t Sora be a better choice…?”
“No way. We’ve known each other since middle school. Even if it’s pretend, he’d see through it right away.”
“…Yeah, true.“

I sighed, and Haru just kept staring at me.

“…So, this is… a bother to you, huh?”
“…………“

“Right… thought so.“

His head lowered, his voice grew faint, as if fading away. Even the grip on my hands began to weaken.

I had never seen Haru look so powerless before, and it made me feel restless instead.

Faces of those annoying people who always swarmed around him flickered in my mind one by one. No doubt they’d keep chasing after him, pestering him, making him angry again and again.

“…Alright.“

“—Eh…?“

I muttered softly, but Haru caught it instantly and snapped his head up. Hope lit up his face.

“I know how much you’ve been struggling… I might not be good at it, but—”
“Yeah! Yeah! Thanks! Don’t worry, it’s fine. Yuuto, you don’t have to do anything. As long as you stay by my side, I’ll take care of the rest!”

Relief washed over Haru’s face. He grinned wide, slapped my shoulder a few times, then pulled me into a tight embrace. It wasn’t like his usual playful closeness—it felt different, heavier somehow.

“…H-Haru…!“

“…Practice.”
“Huh…?“

“Because… we’re lovers now, right?“

He whispered right in my ear, his breath brushing my skin. A shiver raced down my spine.

“Wh-what the hell are you…!“

I quickly clapped my hands over my ears and pulled back, flustered. Haru just blinked at me, tilting his head.

Then, slowly, his lips curled upward, and he looked at me—

…with an expression I had never seen on him before. Seductive, beautiful, and dangerously alluring.