I have a hard time trying to understand romantic l love. So, on one hand, sure is refreshing seeing this kind of plot and terminologies being used in media; on the other hand, I'd be kinda disappointed if it turns out like the "ooops, I just didn't know I was in love with you before" kind of situation.
Well, brace yourself for disappointment. This is a genre story, and the genre is "romance". So they WILL fall for each other, the only question is how the process will work. As I've said before, in romance stories even the robots fall in love.
A romance not necessarily means a love story in literature, as far as I know. And I firmly believe that are many kinds of love in this world, not only the romantic one.
Anyways, let's wait and see. But I guess you may be right, disappointment seems to be on its way here. It's just a shame that in today's day and age authors keep resorting on mislabeling things and feelings just for the sake of a "romantic relationship", instead of trying to explore a new approach.
It's about time we broke up with traditionalism, sheesh.