About 3 O'clock High

I just rewatched this 80s classic and just noticed something I missed when I was a teenager watching it for the first time, the Bully character makes a faint smile at the end scene where he gives back the money at the bookstore.

Does this mean he planned losing the fight all along? Was it to end his reputation of being a viscous animal? Three scenes seem to imply this idea; 1) in the library scene where he knocks out the football player he is reading a book. These seems peaceful and intellectual for a mean spirited delinquent so it implies he isn't a brainless brute. 2) He also showed that he is smart and studies by solving two algebra math problems in the principles office. 3) and last, in the ending scene we hear the students spin ever greater stories about the fight. This implies the bullies own reputation grew out of proportion as people made up stories about him

And logically, the little guy had no chance if the bully seriously wanted to beat him up. Look how many people he floored with one punch. Instead of mashing him right in the bathroom, he sets up a fight after school knowing the all the students would be there to see it. during the fight he doesn't really smash into him like he did to the other people. Hence I think it was all a plan by the bully from the beginning to end his reputation by getting beaten by a weak nerd in front of the whole school.