Your Protector

Chapter 13

Class had never felt like it lasted for so long. Taro was practically jumping in his seat, his knee certainly wouldn't stop bouncing. When that bell rang, he would very quickly pack up his things and race out of the classroom, making sure to avoid Budo at all costs.

After what felt like years, the bell finally rang, and Taro immediately threw all his books and pencils in his bag and rushed to the door with his bag over his shoulder. However, to his shock, Budo managed to stop him before he could get through the door.

The martial artist stood before him, his eyes looking down at him with a rather dark expression. Uneasy, Taro took a step back as he clutched the handles of his bag; he had never seen Budo look the way he did now. He looked... almost dangerous.

Budo, realizing his annoyed expression was scaring Taro, quickly shook it away. His eyes were now much softer and sweeter, as was his voice. "Taro, to make up for what happened at lunch... may I treat you to ice cream in town after club activities are done?"

Taro did not expect him to say that. His eyes a moment ago said something completely different. However, Taro couldn't argue with Budo making a kind offer. "Okay, sure... are you going to pick me up from my house so we can change out of our uniform?"

Budo slightly shrugged his shoulders. "I just thought you would wait for me, and we can leave school together and walk to town," he explained.

"Oh, well that works too," he smiled. "I can work on some homework or read while I wait for club activities to end."

"Great," Budo replied, his eyes and demeanor now excited. However, it immediately disappeared when he was reminded by the uneasy expression on Taro's face why he was making this offer in the first place. "Um... I do really want us to talk about what happened," he sheepishly said as he scratched his nape.

Taro bit his lip as he realized he has yet to tell Budo his secret. He nodded to his friend's words. "Yeah. I... also have something I need to talk to you about, something extremely important."

Budo had a feeling it had to do with Taro telling him that he doesn't know the real him. Finally, Taro was going to tell him his big secret. Hopefully it would bring them closer together. "I'll find you at the fountain?" he inquired.

Taro nodded again as he responded with a 'yes'.

Budo smiled and waved at him before stepping out of his way and watching the boy leave the classroom. Budo left soon after with a small smirk on his handsome face.

He was feeling a little more confident than he did at lunch. Once he and Taro discuss their feelings with each other, he's sure it will end with Taro forever becoming his.

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Just like they planned, after club activities ended, Budo found Taro at the fountain reading a book. Together, they left school and walked to town. There, Budo paid for their ice cream, and they found a rather secluded bench to sit at.

They finished their ice cream in silence mostly, wanting to wait to talk after they ate their frozen treats. Once they did, Budo began the conversation.

"Do you want to start, since I started last time?" he asked Taro.

The boy sighed. "Things will make more sense if I tell you first," he said.

"What is it?"

Taro kept his eyes mostly on his folded hands in his lap. His lips began to quiver out of nervousness. Budo noticed this, and to encourage him to trust him, he slowly reached out and put his hand on Taro's. The boy flinched slightly, but he didn't pull back.