If what the comment above says is anywhere remotely true; then it sort of explains the slight bleak feeling that lingers throughout the story; Akane and Haru hooking up is painted as Akane recklessly giving into her beastly heat, not the romance they hoped for as they are childhood friends, the fact Haru was caring enough to pay attention to Akane in her time of need and Akane holding him as he got embarrassed was very lucky of him.
There's even some lore about beastkin prejudice as Akane's human mom warns her not to give into her beast desires, there has been sightings of beastmen causing trouble by acting on instinct; don't be like that person (implied to be her beastkin husband, who's suspiciously not around), but Akane loves the lewd sex she has with Haru, it is his fault too Akane says since he sure loves to creampie her.
Akane ends up not thinking too much of her mom's warning to live as a human, Akane has taken a liking to act as a beast, Haru too seems to enjoy acting a little mean in bed, by the end Haru's classmate has noticed he and Akane sure have been going home together often lately, he assumes Akane is sick due her mask, but Akane's heat goes on, and upped her lewdness by tasting Haru's cum in public under her mask, teasing him as she invites him to go back home together once again, THE END. -----------------------
I love vanilla, but this isn't a very cozy story, if this was meant to be something darker it still shows a little, again, assuming the comment above is true.