(Ch1 to ch3 released so far) I wouldn't say the story is bad. It sure starts slow, but it actually goes faster after making clear that the protagonists are not actually just friends despite the title. I'm not used to having an introduction like this. I'd actually try to go more into detail rather than mixing introduction and subject ot make this point clear, and make it as a kind of a prologue. Then the story is quite similar to what we are used to from this author, but isn't it kind of what we expect from authors, staying close to their usual genres? Then again, I hope there's more exploration in the future. Some of the earliest stories while not too accurate, were more explorative than the recent ones, while sticking to the main genre at the same time. As for this one, it seems focused in making a simpler story than that generally. I hope in such case, we'll learn more about the characters themselves, not only the protagonists, but the villains and main supporters too. I'd also like to know the backgrounds of the orb too, but I feel it will just be a nod to certain past story at best, I might prefer a link from a future story if so...
You're free to like it or hate it, but, let me encourage you, to do your own story. Even more if you hate it!. The more there is to choose, the more everyone enjoys!