Recent discussions while frustrating, got me thinking about what might be pivotal moments for Uta's character evolution.
It seems like Uta is about to do something
Up until now Uta has been extremely passive, focusing on changing her own attitude rather than her situation, the most proactive thing she has done is confess her feelings to Kaoru. She has accepted that it is better not to "rock the boat" (which I suppose is the polite Japanese default for uncomfortable topics).
But finding Kaoru crying alone curled up in a ball, especially after Reiichi's confident assurance that everything is ok, seems likely to be her limit.
Uta's past form would suggest that she just reaffirm her promise to be there for Kaoru, adn try to find the least obtrusive way to do that, but I think she will want to go further this time.
It will depend what Kaoru does, but rather than romance it seems likely Uta's first impulse (after comforting Kaoru) is going to be to give her brother a boot up the arse, metaphorically, or possibly literally, to get him to step up. Kaoru will presumably try to stop her, and that will get interesting.