I just wish they were both university students 😭. That'd take away the slight ick. A little sister familial type relationship opening him up (like a needy little sister who won't let you sulk alone) would be perfect, but the Manga is being clear about going toward a romance. Sucks for his childhood friend I guess. As for the gloomy anxious friend, just say you were a dumb middle schooler. We've all been dumb middle schoolers.