not necessarely... he was a teenager. Even so, he was neglected by his parents his hole life, so as a child he was starving for love, kindness and attention. Still, when someone lacks these things they transfer that needing for someone else and that could be a friend, a teacher, a familiar, a cousin, a partner or a love interest. So it's not unatural for him to fall for Ibee, since she's close at him in age. All that hunger for love he was feeling he directed to her as he trusted her the most. It's a psychological thing. Ibee saw that coming and decided to step away to make him walk his own path. She thought he was confused and that he didn't truly love her, but instead he was misunderstanding his feelins of greatfulness and frienship for romantic love. Time proved she was wrong. He was away and had every opportunity to get to know and be close to other people, but he still kept faithful to her. A curiosity is that they lived together for just 3 years and spent the other 3 apart. Now as they both are adults they're free to decide what to do about their relationship.