Regrets is what you have when you do what every losing harem character does. Not confessing, delaying too much, and generally not following your emotions.
Well, at least she confirmed he heard it. But a little too little, too late.
It's not like it's a big mystery why it would hurt her heart, and she doesn't seem dense enough to not figure that out.
Well, a bit of a coward to save face. But that's up to her to end it like that.
When suggesting doesn't work, just tell him directly. If only she and every other love interest would do that all the time... Then we'd have about 70% fewer chapters on this site. Or a lot more smut.