you don't have to fuck them and lead them on either but the each their own
He never lead ML on. MC literally never said anything about them having a relationship, and was actually rather clear about it just being sex. ML had every opportunity to say no to what was very clearly casual sex, and he didn't. He then ignored what the MC said and indicated about the sex, and started pushing his romantic fantasies onto MC.
Also, it's really funny to hear anyone talking about MC leading on ML, when ML raped MC about 3 chapters ago.
ML is not entitled to anything from MC.
Let’s not forget people. Just because someone really likes you doesn’t mean you have to like them back and reciprocate.