I disagree. It's still pretty vague: "Suki" can be used platonically, like when referring to a child, friend, or thing. However, the "aitsu" does add a bit more intimacy to the statement, but not necessarily in a romantic way (makes since since they're close friends). In the end, it's still inconclusive as to whether it's platonic or romantic, just as others have said. (Though I'm down with it being romantic, but I'm not getting my hopes up).
As someone who grew up in Japan, it made me doubt about your Japanese proficiency the moment you said using aishiteru was cringey.
Ok I studied Japanese in a university in Tokyo and have Japanese family and I translate manga. I generally know what I'm talking about and I just wanted to clear up some things. As I've seen so much bad Japanese concerning Hide's statement.. What he said was 「アイツの事好きっすもん. 'Aitsu no koto sukissumon' Which means 'because I love him'. And yes he uses 'suki' but in Japanese the most common way to confess romantic feelings is '君の事が好きです/だ' 'Kimi no koto ga suki'
No one uses 'aishiteru' it's very cringey and even married couples wouldn't say it to each other.
It's very unlikely that he said it platonically because while its not something a male friend would say to another male friend.
An example of a 'suki' romantically is the popular song '今好きになる」 'Ima suki ni naru' or 'right now I'm falling in love with you'. The statement isn't as vague as someone people are claiming. Japanese people would immediately recognize the romantic feeling behind Hide's statement.