The mangaka, Oshimi Shuzo, has again and again made his career portraying lost boy protagonists who don't know what's up and are caught up in situations beyond their naive understanding of live.
At the moment of writing this review (08.01.2023.) the manga is still unfinished (so we have to contend with potential horrors of ending).
In essence, it's about Lostboy-kun having to find his way around when his (male) childhood friend returns a.. trap. In a skirt and with long hair and all. and pretty AF. and with obvious hots for MC. Meanwhile their mutual female friend Humble-chan (who had hots for the now trap) starts misusing Lostboy's affection for her to ensnare him, starts "dating" him and play him off, while Trap-chan doesn't stand still either. Rollacoaster of manipulation, guilt and regret ensues. aka Oshimi Shuzo bread and butter.
OK, this manga DOES present some interesting philosophical questios if you bother to look: what makes a good partner? what's a partner? what's the boundary you should draw? what's acceptable? WHY should one respect oneself?
I DO feel sorry for Trap-chan, and i think he IS a tragic character. and s/he sems to be an all round OK person. Meanwhile i am pretty pissed by miss Humble and her (for lack of better word) character, but then again, given the passivity of Lostboy, she is sort of a needed plot device to move the plot forward... i guess...
Maybe i'm too old, but I think anyone with a little bit of spine and life exp would feel seriously compelled to "get his ducks in a row" before your two "friends" take a giant... ship... all over your life. AKA to call them out and set the rules straight.
which doesnt happen in any way shape or form before... long.
BUT surprisingly enough, it DOES sort of happen later on. Lostboy-kun DOES make a decisive flip after one chapter. the problem is, it just... happens. for a manga that pays so much attention to inner mindset of protagonists, NOT showing the internal buildup leading to this is a pure waste.
but before it, it's just the MC being manipulated or gently pulled in.
Personally, while i can appreciate the philosophical aspect of considering a same-sex relationship (as if "what makes an actual relationship?" ). the manipulation and all is not my cup of tea.