Hunter knows Willow is special to him even before she is declared Grom Queen and asked to face her greatest fear in front of the entire school. He knows she's more than just his friend when he gives her a lovely little gift for Grom, before he sees his own possession as her fear, and before she comes through the fight victorious. And Hunter also knows that he isn't brave enough to say what he wants to say on his own. So with Luz's encouragement, he puts on a mask and a cape and tells Willow three very important things, one about his past, one about his present, and one about his feelings.