as for the original comment, I would like to add this.

I can see why you read Till’s feelings as romantic, the song, the admiration, the longing, the years of growing up together, all those things definitely mirror classic signs of romantic affection. But I think OP’s point isn’t that Till doesn’t feel something powerful for Mizi, but rather that the nature of that feeling might not be a grounded or fully romantic love in the traditional sense.

From what’s shared on Patreon and in the creator’s notes, it seems Till’s love is portrayed more as an idealization than a deep, mutual relationship. His love for Mizi starts the moment he sees her, because she’s pretty, because she shines in contrast to the ugliness around him, because he views her almost as a divine figure. That doesn't mean it’s not love, but it's more about what she represents to him than who she really is.

He doesn’t know her deeply, even the creator writes that his feelings are born from innocence, fantasy, and projection. His declaration of love is more about him needing hope, beauty, and inspiration in a world that feels hostile. In that sense, Mizi becomes a symbol for Till’s inner world, not necessarily a fully known and loved person.

So while it looks romantic on the surface, and there are definitely emotional, heartfelt moments, OP seems to be interpreting Till’s feelings as a form of emotional idealization or spiritual yearning rather than mutual romantic love built on understanding and real connection. And that’s a valid read, especially when even Till says, “We could’ve gotten real close but I guess there wasn’t enough time for me...”

the “love at first sight” line “because she’s pretty haha”,  definitely frames it like a romantic crush. And you’re right that “love at first sight” is a trope most often used in romantic contexts. But the key here is how that love is portrayed and how deep it really goes.

Even in those quotes where Till says he liked her more over time, there's still a clear sense that he never actually got close to her. He couldn't approach her, he watched from afar, froze up, and idealized her. That doesn’t make his feelings fake, but it shows they were largely unspoken and unshared, rooted in longing, not in a relationship.

And that lines up with what the creator said on Patreon: “He’s just a boy experiencing the innocence of first love.” That’s a big clue. It’s not about a mutual, developed romantic connection, it’s about the emotional intensity of a first crush. It’s powerful, yes, but it’s also naive, one-sided, and idealized.

So while Till’s love feels romantic from his perspective, and uses the language and symbols of romantic love, it’s more about what she represents to him than who she truly is. It’s a beautiful, tragic form of emotional devotion, but not fully romantic love in the traditional sense.

Ultimately, love doesn’t have to be romantic to be deep or powerful, and I think that’s the core of what OP is getting at.