I had a hunch he was gay, but before I wasn't totally sure that he was in a relationship with Max. I'm wondering, is it because of his "family duties" that he's closeted? Because Noah seemed free to pursue same-sex relationships with no social reprisal.
I have to say, though, it's nice to see gay couples like this just living their lives normally (well, relatively speaking) in shoujo publications. It's not something you see often.