Responses
i’m not sure but i’m guessing maybe he didn’t wanna take sides and was worried(?) or he was confused and scared about what souma would say and didn’t wanna hear him continue? or maybe he didn’t understand the context and that they were interrupting i’m not too sure and somehow didn’t even really process that first read
Likewise, I lean towards the fact that he didn't know what was happening between the two. Quite bizarre to read, even this hypothesis sounds inappropriate but the rest is even worse. Maybe this will be explained later...
But why tf did kuno stop souma from trying to protect Niina back then? I'm trying to find a motivation (that isn't jealousy bcuz that'd be disgusting) but I can't figure it out.
Souma's best friend is clearly in a dangerous, uncomfortable and unwilling situation with a grown adult, his teacher, so making him stop to avoid "embarrassing" Niina or "pressing" him is like not a valid reason, and I don't think Kuno would prioritize that either. He people pleases but he seems to care and seemed thankful for Niina friendship.
[Also! Please guys, if yall ever find a young friend in a position like that, DO assume the worst. It's always better to let them be mad at you than to let them be abused.]