I note that Aya Konno can clearly write romance, as is evidenced by the few meager scenes we see in this series. She just doesn't particularly WANT to. The series is about gender roles. Asuka's attempts to be manly, despite his love of girly things. Ryo's gung-ho tomboyishness showing him the way that it can be done. And a nagging tendency for all the tall, handsome, rugged men to love flowers and makeup. It's comedic (just look at that cover!) and can be very clever, but it also means that in some volumes, such as this one, Ryo is almost entirely absent.