I'm On Chapter 30 Of HoTE And I Genuinely Cannot Figure Out The Author's Intent Regarding How We're Meant

I'm on chapter 30 of HoTE and I genuinely cannot figure out the author's intent regarding how we're meant to perceive the relationship between Cliopher and his Radiancy. My instincts tell me that it's supposed to be platonic (at least on Kip's part because he does have very ace energy) but there are times when I'm reading and I'm just like this is a textual romantic slow burn.

I guess it's kinda like that text post that's like not romantic not platonic but secret third thing (so devoted the lines blur)?