A True LOVE [ Yandere-kun X Male Rivals ]

[12] It's a Secret

Taro was confused.

For most of the day, Osano seemed distant, irritable and on edge. The comments he threw at him were out of the blue and caught Taro off guard. Now, as they were talking over lunch, he came face to face with a completely different personality, contrasting with the way he acted before. 

Was this the same Osano from moments ago?

Taro's gaze shifted from Osano's beaming, cheerful face to Ayato's calm and attentive presence. Ayato was always the type to maintain his composure; Taro knew that, and he noticed how his personality balanced Osano's. 

After everything he had seen lately, the realization dawned on Taro, and he was reminded of a familiar saying.

'Opposites attract.'

"Are you guys dating?" Taro blurted out, interrupting their conversation.

The two turned their heads to him, their reactions starkly different.

Ayato appeared unfazed, a hint of confusion on his face, as he opened his mouth to answer. However, he was interrupted when Osano's voice cut through.

"W-Why would you say t-that?!" Osano's cheeks flushed red, clearly flustered.

Taro was taken aback by Osano's sudden outburst, but as usual, Ayato swiftly handled the situation.

"No, we're not," Ayato stated in a matter-of-fact tone, biting into his sweet bread. "Why? Did it seem that way?"

"Oh, I...uh..." Taro hesitated, trying to backtrack. What made him assume that? He pondered, "I think I just mistook your closeness for something more. Just now, you guys looked like a couple talking to each other. I might be saying weird stuff, so you can ignore what I just said."

Ayato shrugged it off, returning to their conversation, but Osano appeared reluctant. Somewhere within him, Osano felt a tinge of disappointment. Was he disappointed with their relationship? Did he want them to be something more? These thoughts cluttered his mind, and he realised that there were a lot of unresolved feelings.

As the three chatted about something else, Taro's mind drifted back to the drama club.

"Ayato, remember the scene you acted in with Sunobu-san?" Taro reminded him.

Ayato nodded, "It's not exactly hard to forget. What about it?"

"Since we're on the topic anyway, I remember you mentioning you've never fallen in love before," Taro asked curiously.

Osano shot a surprised look, "You haven't?!"

The boy was startled to find Ayato meeting his gaze calmly, "You have?"

Osano blushed, feeling put on the spot, "I-I mean, maybe a few crushes and short-term relationships."

Ayato paused, choosing his words carefully. "But have you truly been in love?"

"Huh?" Osano sounded confused.

"Crushes and short relationships, as you mentioned, might not necessarily be love," the black-haired boy explained. "Have you ever experienced love?"

"I..." The question caught Osano off guard, leaving him at a loss. Memories of past relationships halted abruptly. The only thing dominating his thoughts was Ayato's growing presence beside him.

"I'm...not sure," Osano said, feeling unable to give a clear response.

Taro sighed, catching Ayato's attention. "Well, if you put it that way, I don't think I've been in love either. Neither of us has."