So I just caught up to the translated WN and re-read the manga.
Man, Shinomiya has always been on his corner, huh? I hope he stops his simping for her friend and go for her instead.
Not to mention
I like how the bond among MC's squad feels genuine. He may have started this with popularity and sexing fem monsters but he genuinely cares for his new friends now.
Seems like a nice way to balance him. He may have overwhelming stats and experience to the point he'll demolish anyone if it's a death battle, but lose out in situations where a hyper-specific/functional hax is better suited.
That's...actually a pretty reasonable motive. The way things ended up is believable too lol. I just hope this gets resolved in the manga sooner rather than later.