"Eh?" Yuya tilts his head and opens an eye to peek at Gongenzaka, bewildered.

"I mean, I was really weak. So of course you'd protect me, but then you decided to be my friend and... you didn't have to."

Yuya wasn't taught to protect people the way Gon was, so there really isn't a question of whether he'd do the same. Yuya was fragile and a lot more alone, when he had only Yuzu. Who was wonderful, but having one friend and then the rest of your class avoiding or bullying you kind of sucks.

"Of course I'd still want to be your friend, but it's kind of different isn't it?"