this trope is my thunder-dome:
Only Kind to Me - model student + popular delinquent + “he’s kinder than the rumors” setup. also: abusive parents. (you may actually really like this one, its a personal fav in the genre)
Eighteen's Bed - bad-boy/bully-ish tension + model-student emotional spiral, but wayyy angstier and darker than Bad Friend. It's a completed BL novel as well so you can read it if you don't want to wait for new chapters.
Involuntary Romance - has more bad-reputation boy meets accidental situationship chaos. like: “I was supposed to be protecting my friend, so why am I the one catching feelings?”
Haeon’s Owner - has the “scary/rumored boy is softer than everyone thinks” thing, but with more slice-of-life school romcom energy. same snack aisle, different flavor.
I listed them from angstiest to softest, so you have a pick-me-up afterwards.
theme in all of them: school gossip as the real villain. enjoy! -xx
do you guys have any similar recommendations like this story? i seriously love bad friend. absolute cinema. literary excellence. i need more huhu