The words sometimes still rang in the former Barian's ears, even when he needs to hear them least. What was this, some sort of subconscious guilt trip on himself? Vector used to save those types of things for using against others, but now with what he had been told, he'd feel bad.
That was something he didn't manage to ever understand. Why? Why did Yuma put his faith in him again that final time, despite everything he'd done? He'd manipulated him, crushed everything he had believed in, and was responsible for the deaths of nearly everyone the young duelist cared for. At the time, Vector merely shrugged it off as just Yuma being Yuma, but was that really the case? He didn't think he'd ever know. Only one thing was certain in the redhead's mind: he wanted to protect that in any way he could.
Did he understand why the urge arose? Not at all. The ex-Barian was probably fully capable of destroying the boy's hopes and faith in him. Though just why can't he bring himself to do so? What feelings did he harbor for him, that made him want to keep the naïve teen safe and out of harm's way?
As confused as he was, Vector tried to figure himself out.
Alright, how do you feel around him? he asked himself.Without hesitation, he responded to himself, Disgusted and irritated, mostly.
Something was a bit off, and a part deep inside Vector told him one word.
Bullshit.Bullshit? What the hell was this? He's lying to himself about how he feels? Ah, but of course. The redhead knew that, aside from whenever the duelist pulled his ridiculous stunts and got into five different worlds of trouble, he never completely felt annoyed. In fact, most of the time he would burst out laughing with everyone else. Vector never felt an actual inch of irritation around Yuma. Instead it was something a lot more.. calmer, in a sense.
He felt happy. He enjoyed himself. He liked to be around Yuma. He loved it, really. Vector couldn't think of a better place he'd like to be at than at the blade haired boy's side. Sometimes he even admired him. There was no use lying to himself. He wanted Yuma safe because he liked him. Perhaps in more ways than one.
The realization hit him like a train. No. You can't be serious. I can't possibly have a crush on that idiot. No way.
Well, he actually did believe it. He just wished he wasn't conscious of it now.