@Moshimellow: I don't think he would pity-date her. At the very least because Akane, during one of her more vulnerable moments, talked about how having her ex be honest with her was something that made her relieved, despite how shitty that circumstance was.
He risks hurting someone (again) and potentially losing a friend, which would explain his bad mood. And, almost as if to reassure readers, it was
Akane he sought at that time for reassurance and a reminder of where he can eventually be once he does reject his classmate's confession.