The air in Akademi High felt heavier in the days that followed. Ayano's encounters with Budo lingered in her mind, his words replaying over and over, stirring something inside her she couldn't quite name. He was dangerous, but more than that—he was intoxicating. His dark, knowing gaze seemed to follow her everywhere, daring her to make a move.
She didn't want to admit it, but Budo had forced her to reevaluate her plans. His persistence, his intuition—they made him a threat she couldn't ignore. Yet, at the same time, his presence sparked a fire in her that was almost impossible to extinguish.
After school, Ayano found herself wandering toward the Martial Arts Club again. She told herself it was to keep tabs on Taro, but deep down, she knew that wasn't the only reason. She wanted to see him—Budo. She wanted to confront the force that had so thoroughly disrupted her carefully constructed world.
As she approached the clubroom, she heard the familiar sound of training—sharp, precise movements and the rhythmic impact of fists against punching pads. Peering through the window, she saw Budo practicing alone. His movements were fluid and controlled, every punch and kick exuding power. His expression was focused, yet there was a fire in his eyes that made Ayano's breath hitch.
Before she could stop herself, she stepped inside, the door creaking softly behind her. Budo paused mid-punch, his head snapping toward her. For a moment, neither of them spoke. The tension between them crackled like static electricity.
"Couldn't stay away, could you?" Budo said, lowering his fists but not breaking eye contact.
Ayano forced herself to appear composed, even as her heart raced. "I wanted to talk."
Budo grabbed a towel from the bench, wiping the sweat from his face as he approached her. "Talk about what? Your little obsession?"
Her calm facade cracked, just slightly. "I'm not here to talk about Taro."
Budo raised an eyebrow, his smirk returning. "Then what are you here for?"
Ayano hesitated. She hadn't thought this far ahead, hadn't planned for what she would say if he pressed her. But something about the way he looked at her, with that mix of challenge and intrigue, made her throw caution to the wind.
"I'm here because I'm tired of you following me, of watching me like I'm some kind of experiment," she snapped, her voice sharper than she intended. "What do you want from me, Budo?"
He took a step closer, his dark eyes boring into hers. "I want to know what makes you tick, Ayano. I want to know why you're willing to risk everything for someone who doesn't even notice you."
His words struck a nerve, but Ayano refused to let him see her falter. "And what about you?" she shot back. "You're so protective of Taro, but why? What are you hiding?"
Budo's smirk faded, and for the first time, she saw a flicker of vulnerability in his eyes. It was gone as quickly as it came, replaced by that same unrelenting intensity.
"I protect him because I know what people are capable of," he said, his voice low. "I've seen it. And I know you're capable of it, too."
Ayano felt her pulse quicken, but she forced herself to hold his gaze. "You don't know anything about me."
"Don't I?" Budo stepped even closer, so close she could feel the heat radiating from him. "You and I... we're not so different. We both want something we can't have. The only difference is, I'm not afraid to admit it."
Ayano's breath caught in her throat. His words, his presence, the way he seemed to see through her—it was maddening. But it was also exhilarating. She had spent so long hiding her true self, burying her darkness beneath a mask of normalcy. Yet here was Budo, stripping her bare with just a few words.
For a moment, neither of them spoke. The air between them was thick with tension, an unspoken challenge hanging in the space. Then, without thinking, Ayano took a step forward, closing the distance between them.
"Maybe you're right," she said, her voice barely above a whisper. "Maybe we are alike. But that doesn't mean I'll let you get in my way."
Budo's lips curled into a faint smile, but his eyes remained cold. "Then I guess we'll see who's stronger, won't we?"
The challenge in his voice sent a thrill through Ayano, one she couldn't quite understand. For the first time in her life, she felt like she wasn't alone in her darkness. But she also knew this wasn't just a game. This was a battle, and only one of them could win.
As she turned and walked away, her heart pounding in her chest, she couldn't help but smile. Budo thought he could outmatch her, but he had no idea what she was capable of.
And neither did she.
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Unraveling the calm
RomantizmAyano Ashi has been obsessed with Taro Yamada for years and there's a boy who comes between them. Will Ayano's love change or not. (I did not own the image and Ayano x Budo can be canon or fanon)