Well, I don't know that he would use the word "friend" but I use the word.

He's secretly very sweet and doesn't want people to know it. I don't think he really realizes he is, either. But he's considerate, very blunt.

But I mean, there's nothing stopping you from being his friend HERE, right? So you could also find out. [Usagi is, not so subtlety, trying to play matchmaker.]