Even in Eli x Umi tag, I could've seen my Nozoeli ×3 I just love them all even Eli x Nico (such a sweet heartwarming chapter). That's much more like motherly love as I see tho.
It's definitely a strange thing, though, that newcomers will see the name Kimiko Sakurako and think: oh, yeah, she's the Love Live writer. And we'll be all "Get off my Astrea Hill lawn, you kids!"
Kind of a revelation for NicoMaki. No fighting, no antics, no forced sexual tension like in all the doujinshi, just them running into each other and having a fun time together in a natural way. Just look at Maki's face: https://dynasty-scans.com/chapters/love_live_school_idol_diary_ch02#38
Now that's a look of real, vulnerable joy in a shy person.
The ice cream selling... Nico x Maki truly are the best. (still love Oshima Tomo's doujinshis tho) but these diary things, are sooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo cuteeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee and sweeeet