ikr i also think the same but also let's not forget that in japan ppl cares alot about the feelings of the other party unlike us they can't give an immidiate rejection specially when the other party is someone important so usually they think alot about it. i think the teen guy was in a very awkward situation that's why he said "i didn't think about it yet" before clearly saying that his like and the kid's like are different. And about the time skip it's not gonna be anytime soon since the manga is a very slow paced one
I'm just patiently waiting to see how this plays out
Since the older guy never confessed his feelings or shows interest I'm not going to take this manga as Pedophile or Shotacan. I see it as kids having crush and trying to navigate through the world. I would have appreciated if when the child confessed the older teen shot down the confession immediately but I also get that he doesn't want to upset the kid. I hope the author goes about this well and shows childhood crushes well without including pedophilia, and grooming. This also better don't have a time skip.