People thinking our Chad protagonist is dense, even though he explains he *almost* went with the flow but didn't on the *slight* chance he could be wrong and rumors would spread.
Oh man, been a long time since i last saw someone friendzone someone else while friendzoning himself at the same time.
The good, old "Whoa, this situation sure is suggesting, but i MUST NOT go with the flow. Im SURE its just me imagining things, because there is NO WAY she is interested in me."
I almost missed this trope in rom-coms. Almost...