@welcome2atlantis Cuz he’s not? The first step to becoming something more than friends is actually being friends in the first place. That’s how relationships work.
He’s not being “friend-zoned” until he confesses his feelings and she admits she can’t see him as anything else than a friend, until then it’s uncertain what her feelings actually are.
That's nice. he thought there was no progress but there is. Still am curious why she hates otaku culture though. Also good for her that she's making the effort to be approachable. At least there's something she can remember Kashiwada for.