When he said "Sorry" I wanted to slap him so hard, he'd fly all the way back to panel one. She wanted to bully her later best friend. And after being told off in front of everyone (rightly so), her ego got hurt and she got so pissed, that she somehow orchestrated MC's bullying. MC even got scarred for life! If you'd apologize in such a situation in real life some people would laugh about you behind your back, some others would believe you to be a bit on the dim side. He did the right thing, even if it was in a moment of self-righteousness, but evil prevailed and he got beaten. Don't make the MC apologise author. It feels wrong.