Is it just me?

Do tell me if I'm interpreting this the wrong way but I've always hated the "fake bf" trope if you're already dating someone

I think you need to change your mindset a little. Instead of thinking about the author writing romantic scenes between Yamabuki and ML, consider it more of the author fleshing them out as individuals, specifically Yamabuki. Part of this current arc answers different questions readers might have had about Yama's situation (What's gonna happen to her now? Why doesn't she run away? etc.) Especially after meeting her father and seeing how overbearing/overprotective (and borderline abusive) he is.

The other part is for the "romantic moments". It's not about Kihara, it's about Yamabuki's feelings for the ML. During CH.44, look at the end scene as the author explaining why Yamabuki fell in love with this ML in particular, not forcefully pushing them together. Yamabuki is known for always questioning the roles everyone in their world is given and wondering why it's like that (check out CH.7). And although we don't know how she felt for the previous "MLs", Yamabuki fell for Kihara, not only because of her Heroine role, but because of who Kihara is as a person. That's why these "romantic moments" exist. It's for the reader to see Yamabuki's pov and show off these qualities that made her fall for him. Of course, this is a one-sided love, which I'm sure won't be easy to let go of. After all, her love isn't gonna just disappear once Misaki and Kihara start dating. Sadly, that's not how feelings work; it'll take time for her to move on. Especially because their world won't let her step out of the Heroine role who falls for the "ML." So I say give her some grace like Kihara. He acknowledges it, but doesn't support it, truly seeing her as just a friend he wants to help. Those blushy scenes were because he needed to act quickly, and Yama still hadn't moved on.

That isn't to say she's gonna try and get between them! She's not trying to get in the way; she supports them! Check CH.40, where, despite losing, she doesn't demean or cry over her loss, and instead continues being friends with Misaki like the other Heronies, even going straight to them for help.

Also, I totally agree about the unnecessary romantic scenes when an outside party intrudes on the established main couple. With some exceptions, like here! To me, this whole Yamabuki Arc makes sense and doesn't feel forced. Yamabuki needs help stopping her dad from continuing with the Fiancé plan. Kihara and Misaki want to help her because they don't want anyone to be left behind in their "Happy Ending." Misaki remembers the Yama route, and they all agree that following the "fake dating" plan is the best way to get to Yama's father and talk to him. You know the rest from there!

Wow, I wrote a lot! Sorry for the wall of text, hope this helps explain things! LMK if you need clarification. I cut down a lot of what I wanted to say since I don't wanna find out if Mangago has a word limit yet! (￣∇￣")

Oh thanks that really explained a lot for me and like resolved a lot of confusion about what the author wants to do. It's just that sometimes I don't understand why a character has to have romantic feelings for the main character. Like yes I understand it is because she is one of the romantic interests decided by the game and maybe those feelings might even have come by default. Of course she thinks Kihara is cool because of the qualities he has.

But sometimes I feel like the romance aspect is unnecessary since I feel like if he can divert from the original storyline of being in love with the girls then even the girls should have been allowed to just view him as a friend. Like idk if I'm making sense right now??? But yeah I just wish that the girls should have also been allowed to have just platonic feelings for him as well

I get you, I get you! I've seen a lot of manga/anime in my day. You have no idea how often I wished any romantic subplots simply didn't exist, or if the MC ended up with someone who wasn't the assigned FL. I truly can't wait to see if Kihara and Misaki break out of the game's code!

Because the only problem is that technically, he hasn't yet. Kihara is the only person who has full control over himself. He was given the role of the "ML," which entails his complete freedom over choice in most things within the game. Whoever he talks to, whatever he does, he can do it because he's the "ML." Except for anything going against the game's rules themselves. We know for sure that Kihara is blocked from taking certain actions, touching certain people, or even going to certain spots. Everything Kihara does is within the bounds of the game, but not everything is allowed. It's why he can hang out with Misaki for a long time, but can't touch him. The "ML" has the option to hang out with his "best friend", but initiating any type of physical intimacy or touch in general is going against the game's code. Thus Blocked.

Even Misaki is still stuck in the game's code. Once more, CH.40 shows this during his confession. It's very romantic, and he does love Kihara, but everything he says is within the "Best Friend" role. The best friend wants the ML to be happy; he'll want the ML to be the happiest in the whole world, so he'll help the ML in any way possible! But Misaki can't say he loves Kihara. He's just the "best friend" after all. Or at least that's my speculation talking in the last bit.

About your last comment about the girls viewing Kihara as a friend, I think we might see that sooner or later. Just not with Yama, but maybe one of the other girls, or heck, Rival might secretly want to be Kihara's friend, but can't due to the game. I think it'll be interesting if we do get to explore more about this game world of theirs.

Ohhhhh yeah I get that. It makes so much sense that Kihara has more freedom since he is the main character.