beta
Y'all gotta understand that other people react to things differently. Especially with all the societal pressure and norms and shit. Even if it was easy for you to accept that you're gay (personally it was for me) that doesn't mean it would be for others.
Eri in this case isn't even in the denial stage cuz she hasn't even thought of the idea that she could be attracted to women. I mean gurl has always felt that way with her closest friend since childhood, ofc she'd confuse genuinely being attracted to someone as just wanting to be a reliable friend to someone younger than her. For her, liking someone is just being comfortable with a guy and just winging it till she eventually falls in love or it doesn't work out and they eventually break up, yes it's comphet.
I get it. It's frustrating. But that's exactly what the author wants you to feel. Just cause u feel smth negative about the story like anger or whatnot doesn't mean it's bad. A character making you feel frustrated doesn't always equate to them being badly written. A story that only makes you happy is fine but not as impactful as a story that makes u feel all sorts of shit.