It's funny you should say that because he is quite shy in real life. David organises and manages him and his life. I know some people who are friends with them & really like him.
As a schoolboy he would have had to strike a pose, I wouldn't take much notice of that now. There's also jealousy, a childish & unpleasant emotion that manifests itself, particularly at school.
I regret that I find your assessment of his personality is based upon him as an adult.
As a schoolboy, he came up against someone who could and did, play the piano to competition standard and, thanks to the size and span of his hands, with greater skill than RD, who took it very badly when he lost the school piano prize to the opponent who stood early a foot taller than RD.
The only jealousy was from RD's side rather than anyone else.
As to "some people who are friends with them & really like him", he is no longer a child and is no longer, as he was at school, on his own.
Owlswing
)O(