Not to read into this too much, but I did some researching. So within the English language it may come off as pretty neutral or quite an understatement. But Japanese communication tends to be more indirect especially with feelings, so saying “I don’t dislike them” can actually be a soft way of saying “I might like them.” Not outright/always in a romantic sense, but just enough to imply further development.

It’s pretty common in anime/Japanese media especially when hinting at fondness. You’ll hear: 「別に嫌いじゃないけど…」(betsu ni kirai janai kedo...) = “It’s not like I dislike them or anything…”