I've just finished Aya and Lulu's epic battle. And is there any way to interpret Lulu's reaction at the end as anything other than a blatant crush? Especially with the cover that shows the two of them all snuggly.

I also love Aya's crazy-ass family. Her mom has the world's best non-reaction.

I think you've nailed it, when you said Aya's non-token, and that's one of the best things about the series. She gets the kind of investment and care allotted only to male characters most of the time, without being made any less of a clearly female character. If that makes any sense. She even had a grand 'convert the rival' scene - a lampshaded one, no less.