I'm torn, on the one hand, mangaka girl is clearly catching feelings for him. On the other hand, the guy still likes his otaku gal friend. On the third hand, otaku gal friend seems to like mangaka girl.
I like and would support all three... but I certainly don't see this ending with a throuple.
I guess a rock paper scissors love triangle is less annoying than a fighting over one person love triangle though. Everyone gets to be equally unsatisfied.
It's a conundrum wrapped in an enigma buried in a mystery.
It feels like the artist likes recycling designs, not out of laziness but for familiarity
If it ain't broke, don't fix it I guess.