Username5601

One possible reason the ML rejected the FL is that he immediately realized his best friend liked her, stepped aside, and considered her off-limits. I'm baffled that she never considered the SML a friend, just an inside source to her crush. The way she cut the SML out and took her weeks to notice he wasn't around. The ML doesn't owe her apologies for rejecting her affection or anything that happened after that. His simple no was sufficient, and he never stringed her along.

I'm going to be in the minority and not understand the amount of dislike the ML gets from almost everybody around him. The ML is not obligated to return or explain his reasoning for declining the FL's feelings for him. He had to sit through at least two probes from FL about him not reciprocating her feelings. His family is very prideful, especially his father, and expects him to apologize for wanting to live his life on his terms and not theirs. The Man was drowning, and his friend gave him an out and left him hanging.