because i don't want to learn another C build system and i actually have useful stuff to get done

Cross-compilation and using multiple toolchains was/is a nightmare in bazel (at least it was until a couple of years ago).

Not saying make is strictly better here but at least you can find plenty of examples and documentation on it.

Because I "love" to install Java runtime to build my C/C++ applications.

jesus christ it's written in fucking java of all things?

I am just happy with xmake for my small personal project (about 1-2K LOC). Really glad I migrated away from cmake.

Must be a joke, right?

If not Makefile, then use ninja (and/or meson).