Your Protector

Chapter 28

It was finally the end of the day after what felt like years. Budo still had to follow his club leader duties, despite his desire to leave this blasted school with Taro, so it was just Taro leaving school by himself. For once, he actually wanted to be home instead of school.

"Yamada-San!"

Taro turned when he heard his name being called. His curious look turned into a scowl when he saw who it was. "What is it, Aishi-San?"

Ayato grimaced when he heard Taro's lovely voice holding aggression towards him. He could get used to hearing that pretty voice of his every day, but not when he's upset with him. The beauty gets overshadowed by the anger. "I... take it you saw the post Gurin-San made today...?" he rubbed the back of his neck, giving Taro a sheepish smile.

The boy didn't share his pathetic smile. "Of course I did. No one can stop talking about it. And now everyone thinks Budo is a lying scumbag," he spat, his fists clutching his school bag tightly.

"Yamada-San, I–"

"Why did you tell her?"

Ayato was taken aback by the question. "What?" he asked, a little dumbfounded.

Taro refrained from rolling his eyes; it wasn't going to do Ayato any favors by playing dumb. "You were the only person who saw our argument in town. I know it was you who told Gurin-San about it. So why did you tell her?"

Ayato bit his lip. "I... I didn't mean to... well, there's more to it than just..."

Taro crossed his arms. "Than just what?"

He sighed, sounding as genuine as he could. "Look, after I saw the photos of you and Masuta-San at the party, I was reminded of your guys' argument... and it was hard for me to believe that you two could still be together after that. Masuta-San was so angry, I would've thought you... wouldn't want anything to do with him."

"You couldn't be farther from the truth. I love him!" He couldn't hide it any longer. Everyone already knows, so might as well stick by what his heart says, no matter the problems people may have with it. Budo is right, their opinions shouldn't matter.

When Ayato heard Taro passionately say that last sentence, his jaw twitched. Years of acting had perfected his skills in hiding his true self, but there was a tug stronger than a bull that was telling him to lash out over the fact that Taro was loving the wrong person.

"I have always loved him," Taro continued. "So to see his entire reputation being torn apart by lies and deception has made me extremely anxious and infuriated. Trying to ignore everything is driving him crazy, and frankly, it's driving me crazy too. So thank you, Ayato Aishi, for telling some random girl about an exchange that you didn't have total context for," he mockingly bowed. Right as he turned on his heel to leave, Ayato reached out and grabbed his shoulder, a little too possessively for Taro's liking.

"I... I'm so sorry, Yamada-San. I cannot imagine how you must think of me," his apologized with a "genuine" voice. "And if Masuta-San was here right now, I would be begging on my knees for forgiveness. The truth is..." he paused, before continuing, "I don't know what a healthy relationship looks like."

Taro lifted a brow as he turned around to face him. "Huh?"

Ayato reluctantly released Taro's shoulder. "My parents are nice, but..." he bit his lip, "they always argue with each other. My father drinks and smokes, so oftentimes, he lets his emotions get the better of him, and my mother... well, she's not the best at resolving conflict." Taro titled his head, curious on where Ayato was going with this. "My parents try to put on an act after every time they fight that all is well, but it's obvious it's not. I don't know what a healthy argument looks like. I'm just used to arguments being swept under the rug while couples are still at each other's throats. So when I saw you and Masuta-San fighting... I didn't want you two to end up like my parents," he shook his head with guilt as he finished.