Bro this dude is only smart for the most irrelevant things istg!!!! How can you not associate in your head that he would be extremely upset bc of that dating rumor that got out??? He thinks you don’t like him back and is anxious that you would be embarrassed to be seen with him in a romantic way in public. If you know it hurts him to break up and that this whole thing is weird bc he likes you you are not even gonna try to reveal ur feelings or sth? Grow some balls bestie