ohhh, I'm always a little timid abt how people will take this, but, while I definitely see a variety of reads making sense for him, I'm actually a bisexual godai believer, personally (not that I think he's really a label user) with, I guess, a Little more complexity to his approach to romance/attraction than that... I feel he's actually got something sort of demiromantic-adjacent going on, but, obviously, this is never a word he, himself, would use, least of all because I don't think it even existed back then, but also just because, as I said, I really don't see Godai caring to label himself with such terms

On that note, when it comes to them both being hit with girlfriend comments, I personally like seeing it as, while Ichijou's wry 'don't have one' is a 'it's ridiculous to imply I'd date a WOMAN', for Godai, his 'aww c'mon, it's not like that' when pops asks about it is a 'it's ridiculous to imply I'd DATE (at all)' (obviously very subjective, I just find the contrast amusing)

I like to think ichijou kind of busts down a door for godai in being someone he LOVES, like that's new to him--the deep, romantic bond he feels--and it's sort of there because of all they went through together, that's he's got this connection... He's not felt anything like this before!! (even if I do believe he's maybe had One other crush on someone that felt more romantic before, it's still not really the same for him)

also, i think Godai is only like half plugged into his attraction to men on account of his avoidant tendencies (and with that in mind, I personally believe maybe goichi would have occurred sooner if he was more on it, lol) like

I see it as a thing that was sort of there on his mind that he hadn't gotten around to yet because it's not like he dates anyways and while I see him having some flings on his travels, he's not exactly seeking them and more drifts into them, and it's, understandably, harder for one to stumble into something gay if you're not actively seeking it.

aaand, I've typed all this and I realise I can easier express all my thoughts on this via a snippet from my wip lol:

(also! additional mini belief I hold--i actually like to think, having seen the signs, Minori comes to the very natural conclusion that her brother IS gay and when he's like yeah I've got a bf she's like well of course, you're gay and he's like, Huh???)

~

The witch that returned was not the same witch that had left. That much was evident to Katherine.

Of course, in the more obvious ways, such as the new spells that Shelby had learnt, and took pride in showing off; the newfound companions she had brought home with her (namely Nimbus, the crow who seemed to think he was a cat, constantly craving attention); the new stories she had to tell, of great adventures, of allies and of enemies, of narrow escapes, of losses and of triumphs. Yes, anyone could notice those differences. But Katherine could see further than that.

The way Shelby’s smile stretched a little bit wider than it had before. The way she dared to finish her own sentences, when before she might have trailed off. She didn't fidget nearly as much. And when she laughed, she did so openly and heartily.

She was practically unrecognisable from the girl Katherine had first met. Gods, that girl was- was miles away!

Her heart sank a little at the thought.

That girl. So.. so broken. And if only Katherine had known, she could have done something, anything! ..But it didn't do to dwell. One simply couldn't change the past. (Well, Katherine couldn't, at least - one of Shelby's tales described a character who could indeed perform such feats!)

No, that girl was worlds away. Shelby had changed so, so much.

And Katherine couldn't have been more proud of her.

Delta Rune secret boss :D, HE'S MY FAVOURITE.