Nice flashback.
Akari totally missing the point there... Also, of you're trying to say "I'm gay" in very unsubtle ways to a potential partner, you might as well say "I'm gay and interested in you". Although that's awkward in its own way, at least it succeeds at communicating the point. I guess you might get a bad reaction but if they get your unsubtle hints and don't like it, what's the difference?
Though it also seems like Shiho was missing the point there too, I think Akari has been interested in "that way" from the start.
I guess because it isn't focused on the physical, this manga seems to make the characters seem unsexual. But I don't think that's actually the intent.