Uh... Okay, I enjoy the sugar and all, but this was just stupid. She literally came forward with "I love you" (which is by default stupid cause they haven't interacted enough for her to be in love. She likes him at best), and he...well, he never quite gave her a reply, but he accepted the date and stuff, no?. But now he says "can we start as friends?", which objectively is stepping back from dating, and she goes "I'd love to be your friend"? And not in a "well, it's better than nothing" way, but rather "yes, that's my greatest desire in the world".
@FrozenCircuit You! That avatar! I approve.