Three Little Words [Ayano x Budo]

Chapter 4 // Cleaning Day

Ayano's POV
I couldn't believe what I had just heard. After what he just saw, he still wants to be my friend?
I broke down in tears, speechless.
"Is that a no, or?"
"It's a yes you big dummy." I finally managed to choke out
"Good, well, it appears we have a bit of a mess to clean up first."
"Y-you're.. helping me?"
"I know more about you than you are willing to admit Ayano."
"What's that supposed to mean?"
"I know you don't- well, you struggle to feel emotions. I've known since we were 6."
"How did you-"
"Look," he cut me off, "I'm not saying what you did was okay, but we can discuss this after we get you and - this - cleaned up, alright?"
I nodded
"I'll go get a mop and bucket from the roof, you put the body in the grinder and burry the.. the mixture over there. The plants will soak it up. Where is your locker key? I'll get your Martial Arts uniform from your locker."
I reached to get my locker key before he stopped me.
"Wait! You have blood on your hands! If you touch the key I'll get blood on me AND your locker, just tell me where it is and I'll get it."
"Uhh.."
"What?"
"It's.. It's in my skirt.."
"Oh brother.. How do you get it in there?"
"I stitched in some pockets.."
"Of course you did." he sighed
"Look, come in the shed so nobody sees, then just get it. I won't mind this time, since you're doing this for my sake."
"Are you sure?"
"Positive, come quickly." I went to grab his hand and then remembered the blood.
"Oh, yeah. Sorry."
We walked into the shed and closed the door.
"Where abouts is the pocket?" he scratched the back of his neck awkwardly.
"It's on the left at the front, there is a zip that you're going to have to open." he sighed
"Alright, just don't look at me. I don't want this to be any more awkward than it already is."
As he ordered, I turned my head away and closed my eyes.

Budo's POV
Don't get me wrong, I liked Ayano a lot and had for years, but I didn't want to have to do this. It was just so invasive. I awkwardly put my hand down her skirt and found the pocket. I unzipped it and got out her key as fast as possible and pulled out my hand.
"DONE!" I gasped some air out
"Let's just pretend that never happened, okay?" Ayano giggled awkwardly before waiting for me to open the door again, being careful not to get blood anywhere.
"Agreed."
"Anyway, go get the mop and bucket."
I did as she told me to do and grabbed the mop and bucket. Once I had retrieved them I went in her locker and got out the uniform. I locked it again and walked to the gardening club.
Kohara's body was gone and Ayano was tipping the blood into a hole she had dug under the garden bed.
"Here, take these."
"I have to clean this up myself?"
"Hey, you murdered her, not me. Besides, you're already bloody. I don't have another uniform and red tends to stand out very well on white." I pointed out
"Fine. Could you at least use the hose to fill up the bucket with water?"
"Alright, alright." I laughed and picked up the bucket, avoiding blood stains and footprints.
"I have a question."
"Go ahead." I carried on
"Why are you helping me?"
"Ayano. I want to help you get better. It can't be easy in your situation. My life goal was to make you smile, now it's to- nothing" I turned around and she was blushing like crazy.
"It.. It was?"
"Maybe..." I was blushing too now
"For how long?"
"Since you were 6 and I was 7.."
"Seriously?" she giggled
"Yeah, well. Are you done cleaning yet?"
"Almost. Just a few more footprints."
"Well, now i've told you, I get a question."
"And that is?"
"Why did you kill Kohara?"
"She.. had a crush on the guy I like.."
"And who would that be?" I asked nervously
"I- I can't tell you yet."
"Yet?"
"I'll tell you at your house tonight."
She thought I meant tonight? Well.. I can't say no now, I need to find out. I guess tomorrow night should be fine too. My mother is out of town on a business trip until next Saturday, so I don't have to worry about that.
"Finished! Now I just need to get changed."
"Okay, head to the locker rooms. I'll carry your uniform so you don't get bloody hand prints on them."
"Okay, thank you Budo." she looked at me and gave me a genuine smile, I loved it.
"You're welcome, anything for my favourite sociopath!" I laughed
We got to the locker rooms and realised a problem,
"How am I meant to get nude and take a shower if you're here with my items of clothing?"
"That is a good question... uhh"
That's when Ayano directed me to open her locker, which was openable by a combination this time, thank god. She got me to go in her gym bag and get out one of her long socks.
"Wrap it around your eyes so you can't see anything."
"Oh! Good idea Yan-Chan!"
Ayano went and took a shower, before returning and getting changed into her martial arts uniform.
"Okay, you can take off your mask now, but I still need some help with this stupid headband thingy - no offence."
"None taken, it took me ages to learn how to do it by myself." I laughed and did it as gently as last time. She looked so adorable in her uniform.
"Oh! One last thing!" I remembered
"What?"
"Did you put the knife in the furnace and activate it?"
"Of course I did dummy. There's no evidence what-so-ever."
"This isn't your first rodeo is it?"
"No, but I hope it's my last." she sighed