The Guy is not getting the hint

So I (24f) recently started chatting with this guy whom I knew from school , i thought it's great getting in touch after so many years but suddenly out of nowhere he said that he had crush on me during school days and he still likes me I didn't commented anything on that but he started acting like we're in relationship, sending his gym updates what not so today I strictly told him that I don't feel anything but he wanted to know the reason and was not letting it go so I had to say it on very strict manner ,actually he's a very nice guy I think bit I don't like him in that sense so i didn't wanted him to waste his time but now I'm feeling little guilty that was I too hard on him, but still he's texting me and sending me romantic reels