Man I hope this isn’t too depressing of a read. Dreading the leadup to the bullying incident and how long it will linger before the plot just moves onto romance.
I agree. The sequel is much less darker than the prequel. Also, in my personal belief, I change myself because that is what I want or that is for my self-development (as long as not cause any harm to other people and if other people don't mind it, that's even better). But for Kokuyo, he listens to his older brother and changes himself just for Kotaro (maybe).
I just personally think that Kokuyo dress feminine just for Kotaro is not the way of who Kokuyo is. If Kokuyo dresses feminine for himself or for who he is then it's fine, but he did that for Kotaro, so I personally don't see that is the good way to be who he is. But whatever, each people has their own different philosophies (or at least a tiny part of difference).