i know what you feel, but that's a common problem for ongoing series to keep it longer.
Also, you can't expect them to go beyond 'just a friend' because it's not that kind of series in the first place. (there's still a chance tho, just not in early chapters)
they're not even able to become actual friends.
every single chapter starts out the same way.
it feels like a change of tapestry and nothing else, that's what i mean.
the development right now is on course with 0.2% per chapter.
not relationship development, just development in general.