A New Beginning

Chapter 12: Confrontation

I needed to ask him about my suspicions now. It's now or never. We were sitting outside at a secluded area so we could have some peace to ourselves.

The picnic was going well other than my nagging discomfort and nervousness about asking him.

But how does anyone expect someone to ask their best friend whether they committed murder out of the blue? It was going to be downright weird.

I didn't want to ruin the mood for him. And I also didn't wish for him to think that I suspected him of murder. It would sound as if my faith in him is easily swayed just by the accusations of a stranger.

But did it? That was the real question. Did I trust him?

I was in a conflict with myself, I didn't know who to trust. My gut feeling or Ayato?

"Y/N? Are you okay?" Ayato asked as he gently held my shoulder.

"Yeah, I'm fine," I lied at an instant.

I couldn't do this. But I couldn't be lying to him as well as myself.

"Ayato, remember, the disappearance of Budo?" I asked, a bit hesitant. My voice quivered at the end, great.

"Mhm, yeah, what about it?" Ayato asked, his jaw now slightly clenching.

"Well, the stranger who you claimed to be Kaga," I started to explain, "He had texted me before and he had informed about something concerning. It was regarding you. He told me that you're a murder."

"I'm a- what?" Ayato asked, he was surprised.

"He told that you're a murderer," I repeated and then continued, "To be more specific, he also said that you're the one who murdered Budo... and that you burned the body so there's no evidence. Is it true?"

"Y/N, are you seriously going to side with a guy whom you don't even know?" Ayato asked, his voice a bit more silky than usual, "Besides, he is a stalker. He crossed all your personal boundaries and scared you to tears. Are you going to trust him after that?"

"I mean..." I begun but paused.

He was right at that. Kaga was just a stranger. He was my stalker.

Maybe he just wants me not to trust Ayato or something. It could be because Ayato was providing me with protection and security which did not allow Kaga to get close to me.

"I'm sorry," I apologised, "I shouldn't have doubted you. You're my friend. My only close friend at that. I'm really sorry..."

I felt horrible after that. How did I just blame him like that?

"No, don't worry about it at all," Ayato gave me a warm and reassuring smile.

I returned the smile.

Was I being manipulated by him? It couldn't be so, could it?

"Y/N," Ayato called, "Tell me the truth. Do you believe him or not?"

Y/N sighed and tucked a loose strand of her own hair behind her ear. She nervously played with her own fingers as she spoke next.

"Honestly, sometimes, it feels like what he said is true. I have been thinking about this for quite a while."

"Then, why didn't you talk to me about this issue before?"

Ayato asked, he seemed a little upset over it.

I heaved a sigh. I needed to just word out my emotions. Why was it so hard just to phrase how I feel?

"Listen, I'm sorry. I didn't mean to offend you. But I was a little scared of even believing that you could be a murderer. You couldn't just kill Budo, could you? I don't think you're capable of that. You're just so sweet, you're so kind. You're such a great friend. It could never be that," I said.

I barely knew myself what I was saying at that point. I was just so torn between my mixed emotions.

I sighed and looked up at him. He didn't look upset nor happy nor angry.

His face remained stoic and then he gave me a warm smile.

"Its okay, I know how frustrating everything is."

Ayato patted my shoulder before squeezing it a little.

"Though, what if I did say I murdered him?"

My blood ran cold that instant. She just said that didn't she?

I gulped before answering.

"What do you mean...? Why would you even say something like that?"

Ayato laughed softly. It was a cruel sadistic laugh not a warm, friendly one.

"Ayato...? Did you murder Budo?"