I'm not criticising the writer because obviously they have no choice but saying thats is like saying 'X is gay but will never say it or express it or have other characters vocalise receiprocation'. The kisses are are non consentual and are played as gags and at the most, at the very most, everything is left to reader interperatation because that's how fiction works when things aren't directly said. Which is typically fine in any other genre but in one tagged in shounen ai or yaoi or any other romance subgenre, is very unfulfilling.
It is what it is and it's still a great read. We all know what is being insinuated but we can also see the layers of red tape around it, preventing it from reaching the conclusions these relationships should reach. These characters will never be able to vocalise things that really need to be vocalised in order for a relationship in fiction to be recognised and developed. It's a comedy skit comic with some fan service but a LOT of people dont realize thats all it ever can be.
Hm, I wonder if this is like 19 days where the author cant ever put them in a relationship due to China's laws. I can't even remember if this is platonic or not, I should probably reread.