People seem to think this means Saotome likes Jimi, but I don't think so. I think he's just not a terrible person and was trying to spare her feelings.
@sirflimflam Yeah I agree, I definitely think he'll eventually fall for her but for now he just doesn't want her to be hurt since he just realized how much she likes MC.
Not gonna lie, I honestly enjoy that Takane and MC are so far "just friends". It's weirdly refreshing to have a female in orbit around the MC who isn't romantically interested or involved.