If you honestly think this is a sign of progress and that the series will ever break out of romcom relationship limbo, than you're in denial.
EDIT: This isn't a critique of the writing style mind you. This manga doesn't have any plot, it's just a collection of cute moments and that's fine.
Is senpai practicing judo a new thing? I recently reread the whole manga to catch up and I could swear it had never been mentioned before the previous chapter.