I can confidently say 'Citrus' is pure fiction, not based on real events. The story revolves around step-sisters Yuzu and Mei navigating complex romantic feelings, which is a common trope in yuri manga. The dramatic school settings and exaggerated emotional conflicts are crafted for entertainment, not realism.
The author, Saburouta, has never mentioned drawing from true stories. Instead, the manga leans into stylized romance conventions—love triangles, sudden inheritances of elite schools, and intense jealousy scenes. While some emotional beats might feel relatable, the plot itself is fantastical. The art style’s exaggerated expressions and melodramatic pacing further signal its fictional nature. If anything, it captures universal feelings of first love but wraps them in heightened drama for maximum impact.