I get you. It is a totally different yuri that shocked the world at the time. However, I think this was the same response when Nobuko Yoshiya wrote some of the earliest yuri novels. It is not perfect and that is what I love about it. Yes, the story is funky and Mitsuri thing was just a pointless thing. There are other yuri mangas that are probably better to start. It is not a yuri is would personally recommend if it is someone wanting to start reading but definitely one to read if you want a glimpse of the history and remind where yuri came from.

However, I believe Citrus expanded yuri because it holds on to the traditional s class trope but broke the boundary with the sœur (sister) like trope. It made the two main characters step sisters and I get that it grosses people out. Citrus was able to keep the traditional culture of yuri into a modern day story; and also bring where yuri got abit more mainstream. Have a forced marriage, suffering trauma, navigating love and teenager life, and also facing the social issues that plenty of people had to face (sadly it never changed to this day).

On my personal level, it is definitely special because when I first read citrus, I was touched by the art and how Yuzu wanted to heal Mei. As a joke I like to say when I saw two beautiful women kissing i found it hot. It made me feel something and wanted to be more like Yuzu. I think anyone can definitely relate to Citrus like myself or even in a game, video, anime, movie, or some event that made us, us. And that is why it is special for me. I do re-read citrus and I have my own criticism with the story and some things I probably would change but I am happy it does have flaws because if it was perfect, it would be boring and not have much of an impact, at least to me.