Osananajimi no Ohimesama - Vol. 2 Ch. 15

[Esor]

It's an odd world indeed when even the main love interest ALSO wants the childhood friend to win.

This chapter mark the first time MC strongly state his will against our idea 😂

 

[morichiro]

I don't believe he's truly in love. He's just interested in her because he sees himself in her, without the childhood friend ofc. Just like IRL we tend to befriend those who share our own interests, he wants to share a connection with her, he's just confusing love with friendship. He's so used to his mundane daily life that meeting someone like him, but that actually has the guts to say "don't get close to me" or something along those lines, is enough to shake him.
Remember Hinaki wants him to make more friends, and I truly believe that she loves him, she just doesn't realize it because she's still growing.