Obsession (Ayano x Budo)

Chapter 11

Coldness.

How she loved it. The icy bite of the winter wind, the lonely howl charging through the trees, and the eventual slow-drifting specks of snow that descended in white curtains... It could be viscous, beautiful, quiet. Just one temperature could reflect so many emotions.

Right now, Ayano turned her turned her head and looked through the school windows as she slowly strolled through the corridors. She could see the splatters of the heavy rain as they hit the windows, leaving transparent, winding trails as they dripped. That crystal-clear sound of rain was lovely to listen to, and the grey, turning mixture of the sky was more beautiful than any sunrise. It reminded her of her senpai, of his clear, honest dark eyes and smile. He was shy like a soft, hesitant drizzle, sweet like the summer rain, and simply watching him would prick her, make her swell and burst with millions of light sensations she'd never before experienced. She loved him.

"Hey, Ayano!"

A voice snapped her away from her daydreams. She stopped in her tracks and her head half-turned over her shoulder. Her eyes, sharp as flint, watched as a tall, lean figure jogged over to her. Thud-thud-thud. Him again.

"I know you don't like to spoil yourself, so I made you some lunch," Budo cheerfully, grinning wide, eyes bright, as he presented a plastic box he'd hidden behind his back. Ayano stalled only for a second, a flash of confusion as to why he would make her lunch, and then took it in her hands.

She gave a quick glance at its contents. Strawberries, plums, nuts, juice box, and two cream cheese sandwiches with cucumber. Nothing sweet, just as liked it. She knew she'd have to check it later for any hints of poisoning.

"Thanks," was all she said, more out of robotic courtesy than actual admiration, as she packed it away. She continued walk on and he too kept her stride, talking.

"So, do you want me to set you up with Taro again? We could try-"

"Aren't you just going to try sabotage my relationship again?" Ayano felt a little tired of him - always pestering, wanting to challenge her and kidnap her one minute, then trying to befriend her the next. Unpredictable. Confusing.

"Wha- I didn't poison it!"

"But I know you asked Info-Cham to do it," she replied dead-pan, her empty eyes straight ahead. "How much must that favor have cost you? Surely more than a few simple shots."

Budo's carefree smile nearly flickered into something more wry and hollow. He pushed the thought away - like he done so many times before. He had already completed the payment, and that was that.

"What about if you joined the martial arts club?" Budo continued, persistently cheerful, "You would find the strength very useful, and Taro's joining too. You'd get to work alongside him for an hour everyday."

She was silent as they walked onwards. Budo was wishing that he knew exactly what she was thinking right now. Only the gentle "tap-tap" of her shoes and the more solid "thud" of his made any sound in the passage, besides the whistling wind, "pat" of the rain, and some doors slamming in the distance. It was still so early - naturally only they and some of the teachers would be at school an hour before it began. Budo waited, anxious beneath his earnest smile, for her answer.

Tap-tap-tap-tap.

Finally, she cast a long, unfathomable look in his direction and sighed. "I will consider it."

His smile brightened and a happy surprise was lit up in his eyes for a second, although Ayano didn't see it. A rush of triumph shot through him. "Sure, take your time. If you do want to check it out first before committing, first practice is today after school. Taro will come today too."

"Okay," she said just as tiredly as before, and continued onwards without him.

Budo stood, watching her figure strode away, neat black hair swishing slightly, her stride purposeful as she ascended the steps to the roof.

Back to wait for that damn Taro he thought bitterly, but shook his head slightly. The feeling of triumph was still surging through him and cast away his bitterness. All he could think about was the club today after school.