I really like this story, because this isnt drama or anything, but just a feel good story. I think we need such stories too. Dont put drama into it because all others have it, but just be wholesome. Naturally many people (like here in the comments) will hate it and call it garbage, but they dont see what the story wants to be. (I dont understand why all people always only want conflict, drama and suffering.)
Regarding the MC and how he acts:
He is the most human MC I saw for a while. His growth in personality and self-esteem makes sense. (to the dismay of all "crazy" people who would go slaughtering, punching and destroying everyone and everything else ... honestly people like that wouldnt deserve such things and would rather deserve beeing getting the villain punishment)
About him beeing dense ... he partly recognizes it where it is possible to do so (some are obvious for us because overhead looking on it but that is something the MC cant have), but because of his low self-esteem and past he cant simply accept this feelings.
Maybe now some people understand the MC better, because like many such stories people seem to be unable to understand things without getting slapped in the face with it.