Hotaru really likes Fujiwara, but their relationship is destructive, as he keeps cheating on her and treating her badly.
That's why Hotaru is trying seduce Yuma in order to get back at Fujiwara and find some recomfort, but in reality doesn't love her in a romantic way (she probably isn't gay).
Meanwhile, Yuma discovers she actually likes girls and falls in love with Hotaru. She doesn't get nearly as much pleasure kissing Takeda as kissing with Hotaru.

That's my take on the story so far, this series is getting better and better, can't wait for the next chapter. :D

Either we read two entirely different stories or I missed something while I was reading when was there any indication that Hotaru liked Fujidouchenozzle? She had boyfriends in the past sure but this could be to cover up that fact that she likes Yuma.

This cover trope has happened in other Yuri manga I've read years ago. Girls date guys to suppress the feelings they have for their friends so they could try to be more "normal". So this could be in effect with Hotaru/Fujidouchenozzle so I don't think she loves him at all.

The love live fandom is such a mess. Though I don't care for Umi seeing such a rare pair sure is a nice change of pace

Normally I'd agree with you because I'm far from a NicoMaki/ NozoEli shipper and also find those people annoying, but you really didn't need to start ranting in this thread. You didn't need to start a shipping war on a thread that was clean from the negativity...It just makes you look like a hypocrite because you're doing the same exact thing as those annoying shippers.

When did they mention anything about other ships? Unless we read completely different things they only mentioned their grievances about how they couldn't get into this because they didn't like Nico.Also how shippers start complaining on djs that features pairings they don't like.

And every fandom has annoying people I find the EliUmi fandom just as annoying for saying things like "they are the true pairing" lol what there is no true pairing just some that has more evidence backing them up. Just because their voices blend well doesn't mean they belong together. Also it comes to the fact I hate Eli & Umi a lot.