@Mojo and
@IrregularPerson I know the meaning of Shounen Ai, I know that it's a genre and I know that it's PG BL. I was just saying that each Shounen Ai is different and has drastically varying levels of romance involved and I never know what to expect. Will it be platonic or romantic and so on. That's what my original comment was about.
"Is he really straight" as in, is this awkward plot placement to reveal he's gay? Or is he just platonically trying to cosy up to the male lead of the novel? Or will he be bent by this dude? The multiple different ways Shounen Ai can play out. I wasn't really asking for an explanation or definition, more just pointing out that his actions are very weird for a straight guy (despite this being Shounen Ai, the emperor said he's straight hence my emphasis on that).