So what exactly is with the sudden deluge of these two as a couple?

Minoru is attempting to forget the past trauma by fabricating alternate memories of his time with Akira.

They hate each other.

Therefore, they're obviously head-over-heels in love.

I can just imagine her saying "why do we hate each other so much?"

i don't know anything about the anime, just the combination of her expression and kikimaru's comment.