My Best Friend is so Popular it's a Problem (BL) - Episode 28

My heart is racing. Ever since Hayato started looking at me—serious and piercing, like he could see right through me—my heart hasn’t stopped pounding. Not only does it refuse to calm down, it’s getting louder and louder, like it’s about to burst out of my chest.

“Yuto, you said you liked me, right? That was the truth, wasn’t it?”
“…Yeah.”

I couldn’t look away from Hayato’s gaze, so I nodded while staring back into his eyes. When I answered, his expression softened.

“I… I like you too, Yuto. I’ve liked you ever since we became friends.”
“Eh?”

I blinked, surprised, and Hayato laughed.

“You really didn’t notice, huh? The hugging, the clinging—that was all just with you, right? That’s because I liked you. I just wanted to be close to you.”

“……”

I froze in shock, my mind blank. Hayato gave a small, helpless smile, then continued.

“After I fell for you, I started to regret everything I’d done before. But at the same time, I thought—if that old version of me could help me win you over, then maybe I should use it.”

“You… You didn’t have to do all that. If you’d just told me straight…”
“Would you have said yes? Back then, you only saw me as your best friend, didn’t you?”

“Ah… yeah… maybe.”

Looking back now, I can tell I already liked him. But back then, I’d convinced myself he was just my best friend, and without even realizing it, I’d shut those feelings away.

“I figured that if I just confessed on impulse, you’d reject me, and things would just get awkward between us.”

I see…
That request from Hayato—to pretend to be his lover—it was actually his desperate way of confessing.
That’s why he looked so hurt when I tried to stop the kiss.

“I love you, Hayato. You’re my best friend… and my precious lover.”

“Yuto… I love you too! I love you so much!”

Hayato threw his arms around me, and I hugged him tightly in return.

My beautiful, seductive best friend—the one everyone chased after—was still my best friend, but now he had become my one and only lover.

＊＊＊＊＊＊＊＊＊＊

“Hayato—”

It’s 7:40 in the morning. Because Hayato insisted we should go to school together, not just walk home, I made a small detour on my way to pick him up.

Click.
The front door opened, and a beautiful woman stepped out.

“You must be Yuto, right? I’m so sorry to make you come all the way here.”
“Ah… n-no, it’s fine…”

Wait—this must be Hayato’s mom?
Wow, she’s gorgeous!!

“Hey!! Hayato! Hurry up already! Don’t keep him waiting!”

Her sharp voice didn’t match her pretty face at all. While I stood there, heart pounding for all sorts of reasons, heavy footsteps came running from inside.

“Sorry! I made you wait!”
“You sure did! If you keep doing that, I’ll have Yuto go ahead without you next time!”
“Don’t say unnecessary stuff, Mom!”

Still complaining, Hayato slipped on his shoes and dashed out the door.

“Have a good day, Hayato! You too, Yuto!”
“Yeah!”
“Ah… y-yes, thank you!”

Her smile was so bright and kind that my face went hot.

Man, Hayato’s so lucky. He’s got such a beautiful mom.

Pinch.

“Ouch!”
A hand suddenly reached from the side, and Hayato pinched my cheek hard. Tears stinging in my eyes, I turned to glare at him—but he was already sulking.

“I’m better than that old lady, aren’t I?!”
“……”

I was speechless. Wait—he’s actually jealous?!

This beautiful, charming Hayato… jealous of his own mom?

The thought made me laugh softly—and my chest filled with warmth.

“Hayato.”

“…What?”

“I really, really love you. I love you so much.”

I said it firmly, like a vow. For a second, Hayato just stared blankly—then his face bloomed into a bright, beautiful smile.

“I love you too.”

This overly popular, frustrating best friend of mine—he’ll always stay by my side. As my precious best friend, and my beloved lover.

―The End ♪

Hayato: “It’s lover and best friend, got it?”
Yuto: “Ah, yeah… right///”