My Dress-Up Darling: Marin "Dere's" to Dream

gamerant.com:

To say there is sexual tension in My Dress-Up Darling is a grand understatement, as two youngsters from opposing worlds find commonality in their love for clothing design, and slowly fall head-over-heals for each other too. Rom-com Anime are usually dripping with Dere tropes left, right, and center, used as entertaining tools to liven up the different lovestruck personalities.

However, true to form, Marin Kitagawa simply refuses to fit neatly into a box and displays characteristics typical to several different Dere categories. The only thing that is not in question here is this otaku girl's sentiments towards Wakana Gojo, which he, unfortunately, has trouble reading, subsequently creating a delicate dance of «will they, won't they» throughout Season 1.

My Dress-Up Darling: Where Traditional Japan Meets Otaku Culture

Gojo epitomizes the Dandere trope to a tee, as the shy, awkward, anti-social type who generally only speaks when spoken to. He is easily flustered yet unconcerned with making new friends; quite happy to continue in his isolated existence. Gojo would much rather hang out with paintbrushes and dolls than with unpredictable and volatile people but is quickly smitten with Marin and slowly starts to break out from his self-confinement.

Unfortunately, it seems that Gojo is in denial regarding his true feeling for Marin or has convinced himself that his affections wouldn't get reciprocated. The prolonged sexual tension, however, encompasses the whole mood ofMy Dress-Up Darling; as a slow-burn rom-com that has fans in a constant state of eager anticipation.

Considered the archetype of this romance-orientated trope is the Deredere (also spelled dere-dere), which translates as 'lovey-dovey.' These lovestruck characters are