Isn't it more just 'heteronormativity' that ppl hear 'relationship' and assume it's romantic in context, since 'business relationships' are a thing too/platonic stuff, unless his self esteem is preventing him from calling them 'friends'
Or it's like that arrested Development scene "I have feelings for you"
"I have feelings for you."
Narrator: The feeling was friendship, but neither had ever experienced it