The urge to withdraw, post something pointed, or take suspiciously long to reply is protest behaviour — an attempt to provoke reassurance without having to ask for it. It sometimes works, which is the problem: it teaches you to get your needs met sideways instead of out loud.
It doesn't make you manipulative. It makes you someone who learned that asking directly wasn't safe.
Name what you actually want before you act. If the honest answer is 'I want him to notice me' — that's a sentence you can just say.
“i've been in my head today and could use a bit of reassurance, if you have it”
“requesting one (1) reassuring message, no rush”
“i need more contact than we've had this week. is that doable?”
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Was It Casual is for reflection, not therapy or professional advice.