Why's everyone hating the ML? Did he force MC on anything? Nope.... so why? LMAO PEOPLE

I don't know the reason for others but here's mine - just coz a character doesn't force themselves on another doesn't auto make them likeable. That boy was one reddit rant away from being an odd mix of sadboi and incel, just make it specific to the uke instead of women, his attitude and reactions to the MC's contemplations (wc are mostly valid btw) were just not it. Retain his behavior and change his character design to a stereotypical dweeb and you'll quickly see what a creep the dude is.