Spoilers...
so ML isn't befriending MC on mothers orders now, but he was 'spying' on MC and reporting to MCs mother back when he was his tutor. MC obviously fell in puppy love with ML (tutor) and ML felt so guilty. I think ML likes him for real now but due to age gap/their past he tries to maintain a bit of distance to MC and so when MC finds out the truth about the past he sees it as ML not caring about him at all, and just close to him to keep an eye on him for his mothers benefit.

Don't forget he will also be your first betrayal.*sigh*