@Tactless Him being such a straightforward guy, I wouldn't be surprised if had just never thought about it, the friend asking if he liked her in the last chapter got him thinking about it, and he decided he did like her after all, and should tell her immediately.
@Tactless When asked if he's in love with her he first laughed it off and then realized that he, in fact, is. And that was right at the end of the previous chapter.
Narrative has a shitty pacing indeed though, I agree.