Well they make out constantly in the other books so idk if you could call that not romantic
You couls say they love each other but shindoh feels guilty about it and he's a kuudere so he doesn't show much emotion
From what we can see, they are definitely romantic but not sexual… Shindoh might be asexual and aromantic but seems like he’s accepted Toshio’s romantic feelings, even if he might not reciprocate. Shindoh def cares abt Toshio tho (and he cannot chance Toshio telling other ppl they are dating cuz police be coming)
wait I’m a bit confused on what they’re relationship is supposed to be by the end - Toshio seems to think they’re a romantic couple, but Shindoh hasn’t really confirmed or denied that. I feel like he’s just appeasing Toshio by not saying they’re not dating - basically preventing him from feeling sad or hurting his feelings. I know Shindoh cares about Toshio in his own way, but I don’t think it’s romantic at all let alone sexual. A part of me thinks it a bit cruel to let Toshio live in a sort of false fantasy, but mostly I want to know why the author made their relationship like that in the first place. Honestly I would have preferred if their relationship ended up being parent-child rather than them being lovers - it would be much more heartwarming as a slice of life manga rather than a BL