@havelmom How about just a kiss? It would take some time for ichi to gain the confidence to do even that. I agree that the super lewed hand holding stage would be a total let down since they already ride bikes together, almost hold hands, go on secret dates, share indirect kisses and food with eachother, and enter changing rooms together....
But this man can only progress so much so fast! The way I see it, we start with him acknowledging her obvious feelings and showing he cares about their relationship by doing his part in maintaining it. Planning events, inviting her out himself, etc. So far she has been doing the work to maintain the relationship alone and he just went with the flow.
Then we have confessing (or maybe indirectly asking her to confess) once his inner pickup-pai finally convinces him of her feelings, or he tested the waters enough to believe doing so wont destroy their relationship (hypothetical worst case scenario, he gets treated like pickup-pai and is never able to speak to her directly again. We know this wont happen, but ichi does not).
Then we have physical affection. Hugging and lewd hand holding is not enough at this point. I imagine we start with doing things the boyfriend would do. But we already do all of those things except the piggyback rides and sitting in eachothers lap. So... he will probably start sitting in her lap
Now we are ready for a kiss! Not giving one though. Ichi can now receive a kiss on the forehead by the super tall mountain named Yamada. He will blush violently and possibly run away, possibly melt from embarrassment, and possibly just stand still and hug her (depending on the context of the situation). After a few weeks of receiving kissing on the head/cheek perhaps he will finally be ready to give one... on the head/cheek.
And finally, we are ready for a normal peck on the mouth! We just need some romantic event or holiday in which it would occur.
Then roll closing credits, picture of them in a wedding dress (ichi is girlish enough), and an honorary shutout to Toradora for inspiring them to go so far as showing the kiss instead of just eluding to it before the credits.