Man, I’ve always thought that the MC has the shallowest motivation, but actually it’s quite realistic compared to other series. I mean it’s literally a highschool kid trying to have his peers’ attention and admiration/respect.
A kid’s social circle/interactions can be pretty savage afterall. I don’t know what kids are into these days, but I remember reading some news a few years back about kids spending big on popular free-to-play games because that’s how they can have a “place” (or be cool) in their social circles. So, not too different from this really (except this one you gotta put your life on the line, which I wouldn’t be surprised if some real kids would do as well…).
Anyway, in hindsight it probably better that the reveal happened this way that way, he can (and did) frame it as “I am not trying to brag, someone just have loose lips”, which is probably cooler.