While the word “friend” will sometimes be added to dialogue in the English-language adaptation, Malleus has yet to ever actually refer to someone as a friend in the original game.
When Kalim saying he is bringing his friends to his hometown (including Malleus), Malleus specifies “school friend” when he responds.
When Cater offers to take a photo of a melon that is “supposed to make friendships last forever” with the prefect, Trey, Grim, and Jamil, Malleus refuses.
Someone from Epel’s hometown refers to Malleus as Epel’s friend during the Glorious Masquerade event and Epel fervently denies it, but Malleus makes no comment.
Silver seems to be convinced that Malleus is friends with Leona.
Silver welcomes the other Housewardens to Diasomnia with, “Greetings, friends of Malleus-sama.”
Lilia thanks the prefect for treating the Malleus the same and all their other friends, saying, “he needs someone to call a friend.”
When Malleus happens upon an animate gargoyle at NBC one of the first things it does is ask if they can be friends, as he feels a certain kinship with Malleus due to them both having horns.
Malleus comments on Ace being friends with the prefect, and his wish for the Wish Upon a Star event is for his tamagotchi Roaring Drago to make a friend.
Twisted Wonderland Reference Note 