Responses

well, he's used to that kind of touching but the kind that the mc did was without sexual intention. it's likely from his perspective he felt that it was the caring kind. kinda like a caring parent or sibling you know? considering his flashbacks, it's likely he didn't experience proper familial love and care and only experienced shallow sexual relations ╮( ̄▽ ̄)╭
like didja see his blush when she squeezed his hands? he must not be used to such affectionate treatment (that's non-sexual and without intention)