I empathize with Ryouta, I really do. But his monologue and view on his relationship with his "friend" in this chapter was disappointing and pathetic. I don't know if it was the mangakas intention to depict Ryouta as some delusional masochist who honestly believes that HE is the one taking "advantage of the kindness" of his horrid lifelong friend, or it was unintentional to depict him as such. In reality, no sane person, would view the situation of Ryouta and the young lady as Ryouta "taking advantage of her kindness". This line of inner monolouge was just so jarring and bizarre. She is the one that has willingly or unwillingly been taking advantage of his kindness. Anyone can easily sympathize with Ryoutas love for her, but it would have been great for the mangaka to have Ryouta realize how she has absolutely zero respect for him. This relationship between these two borders on an ntr themed hentai. It's so unhealthy for Ryouta to continue to worship the ground this person walks on. He's wasted his life and kindness on a truly oblivious person who doesn't have a single atom of respect and warmth for him.
Fanfic wise, he should have taken this opportunity to complete tell her off for being a non entity like friend and permanently end their "relationship" then and there while still focusing his efforts on trying to get into Tokyo University. She deserves him neither as a friend nor a pitiful rebound for when she gets her confession shot down by the mc.
Sorry for the rant, its just this insanely harmful relatioship that the mangaka has chosen to put Ryouta in is really sucking the fun from this manga.
