Unraveling the calm

Chapter I

Akademi High was, by all accounts, a place of order, of tradition. Everyone knew their roles, played their parts, and followed the quiet, unspoken rules of the school. Ayano Aishi was no different on the surface. To her classmates, she was just another quiet, reserved student, blending seamlessly into the background.

But inside, Ayano’s mind was anything but calm. Her days were consumed by one person: Taro Yamada. Taro was her world, her purpose, her reason for everything she did. To her, he was the only light, the only person who made her feel anything at all. She would do anything—anything—to be with him.

Yet, there was a complication: Budo Masuta, the president of the Martial Arts Club, and one of the most admired students at Akademi. He was powerful, confident, and, most annoyingly of all, protective of his fellow students, especially Taro. Ayano had noticed him observing her more often lately, his eyes lingering just a little too long. And it wasn’t just a passing interest. She could sense something deeper, something... darker.

The more Ayano tried to distance herself, the more intense Budo’s gaze seemed to become. It was like he could see past her calm facade, like he knew that something was simmering under the surface. He never approached her directly, but his presence loomed larger every day. Ayano knew she needed to be careful—she couldn't afford to let anyone get in the way of her and Taro.

One afternoon, as Ayano made her way to the Martial Arts Clubroom, hoping to observe Taro from a distance without being noticed, she felt a familiar chill crawl down her spine. Someone was watching her. She turned, expecting to see just another curious student, but her breath caught in her throat. Budo was standing at the end of the hallway, his eyes focused intently on her. There was something unsettling in his gaze, something that went beyond the usual friendliness he showed everyone else.

"Ayano," he said, his voice steady but low. He didn’t wait for her to respond as he took a step forward. "I know what you're doing."

Ayano forced herself to keep calm, schooling her expression into one of mild curiosity. "I don’t know what you mean, Budo," she replied, her voice soft but steady.

Budo’s gaze didn’t waver, and for a moment, Ayano felt her pulse quicken. "Don’t play games with me, Ayano. I know you’ve been following Taro. I see the way you look at him."

Ayano’s heart raced, but she kept her face blank. Budo’s intensity was unsettling; it was as if he had figured out part of her secret. But she wouldn’t let him see her fear. She wouldn’t let him interfere.

"Taro is my friend," Budo continued, his voice growing softer, but his expression hardening. "I can’t stand by if I think something’s going to happen to him." His eyes flickered with something Ayano hadn’t expected to see—possessiveness, a dark edge that seemed almost... obsessive.

Ayano’s mind raced. She had carefully hidden her true nature, her dark obsession with Taro. But Budo... he was different. He wasn’t like the other students. And as she met his gaze, she realized with a creeping sense of dread that perhaps she wasn’t the only one hiding something.

"Budo," she replied, carefully choosing her words, "I think you're overthinking things. I'm just trying to make friends."

Budo’s lips curved into a faint smile, but it didn’t reach his eyes. "I don’t think that’s the full truth, Ayano. I think there's more to you than you’re letting on. And I think..." He leaned in slightly, his voice dropping to a whisper. "I think you’re exactly like me."

Ayano’s breath hitched, her calm mask slipping just slightly. Budo’s gaze sharpened, his eyes gleaming with a knowing intensity that sent a shiver down her spine. This was a game she hadn’t prepared for—one where she was no longer the sole predator. And as she looked into Budo’s eyes, she realized with a chilling certainty that he wouldn’t back down easily.

For the first time, Ayano felt the stirrings of something new, something unexpected. Budo wasn’t just an obstacle. He was a threat. And perhaps... he was also her perfect match.

TO BE CONTINUED