My MC is kinda just how I was as a kid with (slightly) better social skills, very quiet and a bit too mature for his age, an old soul as some might call it. However despite this he is always a bit of a believer in magic and the power of fantasy and stuff like that.
Initially my MC kinda disliked Qiu cuz he thought he acted like a popular show off know it all that never admitted he was wrong. He grew out of it though when he realized just how hard Qiu was trying to make it so everyone had fun even at his own expense.
He was starting to see Qiu as more of a friend by the end of step 1 but one of those friends who you constantly roast and tease without really meaning it.
By step 2 my MC kinda saw their relationship with Qiu as a friendship who have an understanding of not being the closest of pals. The sort that constantly pick on each other but are ride or die, hide a body together type friends when something important happens.
Now Tamarack, that was hardcore crush at first sight. And very unsubtle about how much he favored Tamarack, always hanging out with her and going along with her plans, even if he had to tone down her ideas to be more reasonable from time to time.
Throughout Step 1 they quickly became best friends with a mutual crush as the unpopular new kids with Tamarack being loud, curious and energetic, and my MC being almost silent but very level headed, cautious and stoic. Perfect partners in crime.
By step 2 my MC was going though a bit of a jealous phase, and was a bit overly protective of Tamarak from anything he saw as a threat due to being worried that she might have to move away. He also started speaking more out loud to Tamarack (and Qiu) and complimenting her to try and ease her lack of confidence.
In step 2 my MC is still trying to keep Tamarack and Qiu on good terms with each other but he kinda knows its a lost cause and hopes the two can find some kind of common ground at some point