Vector found himself staring at Second as she made dinner. It had been at least five months since she had first appeared in his home, and despite him trying his damndest to get her to believe he wasn't going to try anything illegal, she refused to leave.

"How annoying," he muttered under his breath. He wanted her gone, but at the same time he didn't. Was he used to her presence? Maybe he was just desperate for another person to interact with.

He shook his head and got up so fast that his chair almost fell backwards.

"I'm going for a walk," he said.

"But what about dinner?" She turned around to face him, looking rather upset.

"Just put it away, I'll have it later," he said, back facing her. He hated whenever she made that look, it was like he was doing something wrong.

"If you say so," she said, and then he closed the front door.

Where he was planning to go he didn't know, he just wanted to get away. Not much later after his departure, the sun had begun to set. He walked for as long as he could, and when he finally looked up he found himself in front of a building that said BARian. He laughed a little to himself.

"I remember this place." He looked around before walking in. It was dark inside, and only a few people were spread out among the booths. Vector sat down by the counter and the bartender came up to him.

"What do you want?"

"Um, nothing at the moment," he answered. The bartender shrugged and went back to making some other drinks.

Behind him Vector heard the door open and then slam shut.

"Hey, my usual, please!" shouted a familiar voice.

Vector looked over his shoulder but quickly snapped it back.

Dammit! Why is he here? Vector thought. He did his best to hide his face and at that point he was considering running out the door.

"Wait, Vector? Is that you?" he heard from behind him.

He turned his head slowly and forced a smile on his face. "Hey, I didn't expect to see you here, Alit."

"I could say the same," he said with a laugh. Alit sat down next to him. "Hey, make it two," he said to the bartender.

Vector just stared down at the table. This was not what he wanted — he just wanted to be alone.

"So, what have you been up to?" Alit asked.

"Nothing really. Just staying out of the way ... I guess."

"Really? Well it worked. Honestly, I could've sworn you were dead." Vector just shrugged and turned away slightly.

"Well maybe that's what I was aiming for," he mumbled under his breath.

The bartender set two glasses that were topped with whipped cream and a cherry, in front of them and Alit grabbed them.

"Here, my treat," he said with a friendly smile.

Vector took it from him and looked at it. "A milkshake?"

"Well, mostly," he laughed. "But there's a little bit more in there."

Vector looked at it again and shrugged. He hadn't eaten yet anyway, so at least it was something. He took a few sips and his eyes widened. "What's in this?" he asked.

Alit laughed a little. "It's just a milkshake, with a few shots in it." He took a drink from his own glass. "It's a nice treat for the end of the day."

"Yeah, I guess so." Vector just stared at his drink.

"Yeah." Alit replied. "So, I have to ask you something."

"And that is?"

"Are you having a problem with something?"

"What gave you that idea?" Vector said, slightly taken back.

"Well, for one thing you're definitely different from how you were before. Also, it just seems like there's something bugging you."

"No, you're thinking too deeply into it," Vector replied dryly, finally taking another drink. "I just needed some time to think."

Alit waved the bartender over and ordered another drink.

"Well, maybe it would help you if you talk to someone, ever think about that?"

"I guess." Another drink appeared in front of him and Vector took it without a second thought.

"Good. Then let me ask you this: why'd you disappear after we all came back?"

Vector looked at him in disbelief. "Is that a trick question? I knew you guys wanted me gone, so I hid. It's as simple as that. And who could blame you guys? Honestly, after what I did, I still can't believe I was given a second chance."

"Well, I will say that I was definitely surprised that you were given another chance, but I was willing to forgive you." He took another drink. "But you ran off before I could."

Hearing that was surprising to him, but at the same time, it was Alit, and he had always been more forgiving.

"Well that's just you Alit, but you're one out of six. I already know for a fact that Nasch hates me and I'm sure the others do too." Vector clenched his fist. "They're probably hoping I'm dead."

Alit put a hand on his shoulder. "You never know, Vector. What happened was years ago — things change and so do people, and if they see that change in you then, well, they might be willing to let go of the past."

"Maybe," Vector whispered.

"But you hiding from the others won't help. Maybe you should try talking to them instead." Alit stirred his drink and thought for a second. "If I remember correctly, Nasch and his sister are living in that old mansion of theirs. Heh, it might be worth giving them a visit."

"I'll consider it." Vector turned and looked Alit dead in the eye. "But I'll do that when I want to. For now, this meeting and you knowing about me is a secret. Got it?"

Alit laughed. "Of course. Vector? Never seen him."

"Good." He finished the rest of his drink and pushed it to the side.

"Wow, I didn't expect you to drink one of those, much less two."

Vector just shrugged. "Well let's make it three," he said, waving to the bartender. Within seconds, another drink was poured for him and he snatched it up without hesitation.

"So, what else is wrong?" Alit asked after a couple of minutes.

"There is nothing else," Vector said, not looking at him all the while.

"Oh really? Well you're acting like there is." He moved the straw around in his drink. "See, I can understand if your only problem was what the others thought of you, but you still seem so, quiet, compared to the Vector I knew." He paused. "And I'm not sure if that's a good or bad thing."

Vector remained quiet.

Alit pressed on. "Hm, well, what have you been doing for all these years?"

"Nothing."

"I highly doubt that."

"Well believe it or not. Nothing, just, nothing. I have a house that I do nothing in."

Alit sighed. "That sounds boring."

"It was peaceful."

"Was?"

"Hm, well, a few months ago I did get a visitor."

"Oh really? Someone I know? Or?"

"Well, it's Yuma … or not. Remember that transformation thing he would do, back when we were fighting over numbers, Zexal?"

Alit's eyes widened when he mentioned Yuma, and he could tell he was excited, but he was controlling it far better then when they where in middle school.

"Oh yeah, I remember that! That was fun, I wish we could have dueled more when he was like that."

Vector looked at him in confusion and shook his head.

"Well one found me, the second one. Said she was going to watch me because she was told I could be a threat."

"Oh, well maybe I was wrong about you then."

Vector glared at him. "But I'm not — I just want to be alone! And then she just had to come there, making me and my house clean, telling me what to do. It's annoying I hate it."

"I'm sure it's not that bad."

"It is! Well, at first it wasn't, she'd just watch me as if I was going to snap at any moment. But then she stopped." He looked at his hands. "She stopped treating me like I was a threat — she'd even leave me alone while she'd get food."

"So is it still bad?" Alit asked, not really sure what Vector was trying to say.

"Well, she did start making food for both of us, so that's nice. And, she doesn't look at me like I might attack her. No, it's a different look now."

"What type is it then?" He leaned in closer.

"Like she cares? I don't know."

"Well, do you care about her?"

"Well, a little, I guess. I don't know, I haven't thought about it. But tonight, she looked so sad when I left. Maybe I should have explained to her."

"Explained what? What are you talking about?" Alit asked, getting more and more lost the longer Vector spoke.

"Explained that I don't understand why she cares about me. I mean, why would she? I'm just this bad guy to her. Why would she care about me?"

"Maybe she found a part of you worth caring for." Alit rested his head on his hand and leaned forward. "Are you the same? Do you care about her?"

"Well, yes, I guess so, for what she's done." He put his hands on his face, releasing what he was admitting to.

"Are you sure it's just that? Are you sure it isn't more?" Alit grinned. "Maybe you like her, and you don't know how to word it."

"No, no. Well ..." He went quiet. "I don't know."

"Maybe you should tell her then. It might help you a little."

Vector stood up. "Maybe, just maybe. I don't know." He turned to Alit. "Thanks for the drinks. And, maybe I'll see you later."

Alit waved goodbye to him and downed the last of his drink.

"I never thought he could be like that. But I guess it's true that a few shots can get anyone talking." He got up and put some money on the bar. "Put the rest on my tab, I'll pay it back tomorrow."