If it's were me in his place I would do the same thing as he did. Even if I love that person a lot I wouldn't confess my feelings for them cuz u know if that person feel the same they would've chose me not others. If I confess everything would come crushing down and I don't want that to happen I'd rather stay still for the sake of maintain our friendship and relationship just the way it is. And if one day that person realise their feelings for me he will come back and say it to me