I'M SORRY THIS IS SO LONG BUT HEAR ME OUT PLEASE It's an IMO but It's also totally a ok if you don't agree, I just wanted to know if you'd feel open to this idea
I did also believe that Takeo did have a small crush on Ao but after reading this and your comment, it just makes me think that Takeo was actually just a concerned guy, he wasn't all like "I'm the only one who can help you, so rely on me" stuff stuff, he told Ao that he's not gonna always be there (he assumed only he knows) so he tells Ao to overcome it but then sees Ao and Shingo together and tells Shingo to "Take care of him man cuz it seems like it's a trauma thing" It's not exactly what he says but basically he thought it was a random fear(?) not caused by a traumatic incident so he blatantly told Ao to overcome it but since it was not, He realises that Ao needs Shingo and that is what amazes him into thinking mlm relationships are an open idea to him.
Did all of that make sense? I kinda just wanted to share my opinion cuz I don't think he didn't deny liking Ao, he denied liking Shingo and it's true, it's more of a bro relationship with them and Wako did analyze a Takeo and Ao interaction and he concluded it was a rival thing so it just confirms with me that Takeo was actually just concerned for Ao at that time
First, thank you for being respectful in presenting your differing opinion!
I would have to disagree and say that I don't think Takeo only felt platonic concern towards Ao, especially since he said (to himself) "Why am I losing to a guy like that," alluding to why Ao is picking Shingo over him when everyone was caught in the thunderstorm and Ao rejected staying with Takeo to go to Shingo (ch10 of the other main Cupid story).
It's true that he outright denied liking Shingo; however, Wako asked initially if he had "someone [he was] interested in from the beginning" and Takeo said no.
Yup, that makes so much sense, I'm actually tweaking I do still truly believe that Takeo didn't have a crush but felt like he was responsible for taking care of Ao at that time
Because Shingo was still hooked up on the thought that Ao is willing to be comforted by anyone, even when Takeo told him him specifically to keep an eye on Ao, cuz he understands Shingo can only do it but doesn't know why.
He can't believe why he's losing to his kouhais with the "Why am I still losing to a guy like that" referring to Shingo being the same as Ao meaning they're meant for eachother and that it's ridiculous.
Yeahhhhh Takeo basically just felt a strong sense of Responsibility since the other person who knows about Ao's thing is not there then he realises why it has to be Shingo and it's a happy ending All of it is in chap 10 hehe I tried to make this not super long so if smthn isn't clear then I shall accept defeat cuz Idk how to explain further ╥﹏╥
read the main story this was a spin-off of, and it made me feel some sort of way about takeo...
takeo got mad that wako was insecure and thought he (takeo) had liked some other guy previously, and takeo really DID like some other male classmate previously so like bro wtf. whyd did you not only 1) deny it 2) didn't try to be understanding and help soothe your bf 3) get mad and kind of insinuated a break up????
im going to assume the author totally forgot about takeo and his interactions with his previous crush since the timelines of the both stories are also little funky.