you know, I'm starting to feel like the mangaka has such a brilliant storytelling technique. Reading this, I always found it odd how the MC just kinda talked with the recurrent characters when they were sad and then completely forgot about them until 4 chapters later. Yes, there was self-grow but it always felt like the MC didn't have any real relationship and the rest of the cast was just there as a filler. But now, the plot bitchslaps you in the face, as if it were planned all along. A meta-commentary, in the same capacity in which the poses of the characters and the art style, in general, are so wacky and unique in a manga that's all about trying to find your own thing. We're directly addressed as the reader through the MC, like a jigsaw falling into place, we realize all the weird things happening until now at the same time as him. Might be unintentional, but the level of care put into this is just mind-blowing.
and yes, the two have big gay sexual tension. I would be disappointed if they somehow end up together for some bullshit reason. This manga doesn't need a half-hearted, forced romance. It's better without any, really. How is he going to seriously care for another person when he hasn't found himself yet, hasn't confronted his fears nor obtained anything of value when it comes to growing as a person.