I don’t think it’s a matter of respecting his choice, it’s that his choice is coming out of denial and pressure from outside sources. he’s trying to convince himself and repress his wishes in order to conform and she’s noticing that.
with this being a romance manga it’s pretty likely they will get together but i hope he doesn’t fall for her simply because she is similar to hinaga or something… i hope he is able to look at her as her own person not just a memento of hinaga