I feel like he plans to be rejected on purpose and then that’ll create distance between them naturally. He’s thinking it’s a better plan than previously where he cowardly tried to protect her hiding his identity but if he reveals his feelings it’ll be a authentic way to protect her and to the public. The rumors stop if they’re true LOL so he confessed accordingly to the rumors.
I feel like he plans to be rejected on purpose and then that’ll create distance between them naturally. He’s thinking it’s a better plan than previously where he cowardly tried to protect her hiding his identity but if he reveals his feelings it’ll be a authentic way to protect her and to the public. The rumors stop if they’re true LOL so he confessed accordingly to the rumors.