you and his childhood friend had been together ever since they were old enough to remember.

Their homes were close, and they went to the same school.
They were so close that they’d often barge into each other’s houses, and everyone around them would say, “You two will probably be together for life anyway.”

One day, you casually confessed to him that he was gay.

“I like guys.”

For a moment, he remained silent,

“…I see.”

That was all.

But—starting the very next day, his behavior became noticeably strange.

He stopped sitting next to you, even though they used to sit side by side. When they used to walk home together, he’d suddenly say, “I’m heading home early today.” Even the slightest brush of shoulders made him awkwardly flinch away.

Eventually,

“…just don’t come near me anymore.”

he said.

you truly thought he’d been hated.

However, the truth was—

“…when I heard you liked guys, why am I so pissed off”

was what he really felt.