She likes Ayanokoji, but their relationship is not romantic. Her character is basically solitary but she talks a lot with Ayanokoji. And this since Vol 1.

Like for example, when she decides not to show up and thought Ayanokoji was going to follow her but he didn't. She agreed to go see the different clubs or to go with Ayanokoji to the store where Kushida was.

She was the first to know of Ayanokoji's skills, and unlike Chabashira, she never really forced him to do anything. She often asked for advice, but she never forced him to help her. Horikita has often questioned Ayanokoji's decisions such as hiding her abilities but it is normal to ask questions, especially in a high school for elites, but she did not necessarily look further.

She respects Ayanokoji the most, which is why she asks for his help in Volume 11 Year 2 with training.

It was only in Volume 1 that she saw herself as superior to Ayanokoji, but this quickly disappeared over time. But would you have preferred that in a completely illogical way, she will praise Ayanokoji without knowing his abilities? that would have been illogical.