U said it so beautifully! I agree.
Yeah, it should be longer so this couple can address that problem properly.
A couple who intentionally hurt each other despite their love for each other. It could be an interesting plot for a manga.
I honestly think ONE exchange could have helped a lot. "Hey you said <this>, what's up with that?" And "Oh, that was so they don't push for more from you which I know you don't like. I don't REALLY think that way, that was just for them." The uke points out he "overheard" but it was never discussed further.
idk why but for some reason this made me feel sad, like it is clear that kyotarou (however it is spelled) is in love with kei but.....it just made me sad, maybe because he makes kei feel like he is unimportant and that he is just an object but idk im just sad I really wish this wasn't a one shot so that there would be more time for their feelings to fully reach each other and for them to come to an understanding of each of their needs so that they wont be hurting each other unintentionally ┗( T﹏T )┛