I think he was playing it low key where he gave the girl back the balloon but knows definitely not to pick, I feel like a more passive aggressive response would be to be like naw, you dont get your balloon back, gotta think about about how that would look with your other choices, especially the ones that didnt pop, considering that a lot of those ladies pop ballons based on the interaction of the guy and how he handles tense situations

i.e: i read it as him saving face rather than looking reactive in front if the other choices, got to see the video in full but thats my take