Obsession (Ayano x Budo)

Chapter 26

Ayano's trying to kill you?

Budo felt an intense, irresistible urge to grin at his rival and had to fight it back. Seeing the severity in Taro's face made it ten times more difficult.

Where did this come from? Oh, Taro. You poor, confused little muffin. Your killer is the one right in front of you.

"Hmm, they did give you a big dose of drugs to ease the pain," Budo murmured to himself playfully. "Maybe you should rest a little before talking, hmm Taro?"

"Budo, shut up and listen to me," Taro replied sharply, his tone tinged with irritation. Although he couldn't move, Taro's glare showed his emotions clearly.

"Mmhm, okay, carry on," Budo sighed, leaning back against the counter. "I'm listening." He was, despite himself, curious as to why Taro would think this, especially as he knew that, in reality, Ayano was doing the exact opposite of trying to kill him. She was trying keep him alive.

"Remember yesterday when we had to go back to your house because we left Osana's gift?" Taro didn't wait for a reply before he continued, "Well, when I went to your bedroom to get the gift, I saw Ayano hiding in your cupboard."

What else is new?

Taro was looking at him directly as if he were expecting an explosion, and Budo's realized he was awaiting his reaction. Of course. He doesn't know that I could smell her in my room.

"No ways. Really? What did she say?"

"She said nothing. Just stared at me without a word." Taro wasn't picking up on the sarcasm in Budo's voice.

"But you didn't say anything about this to me while we were walking  back to Osana's. Why?"

A look of hesitation flashed across Taro's face before he continued, "Budo, look... I know know you were lying when you said you didn't like her. I don't blame you for that. I wanted to break this to you more gently, since I know how you feel about her. But now things are serious. She dangerous. Budo... I think she's stalking you."

Taro's eyes searched Budo's face for a reaction, but to his dissatisfaction, he found no hint of what he was feeling.

Budo didn't say anything. He looked away, crossed his arms, and, after some time, turned his gaze to the window. His eyes scanned the outside, taking in the lightly-snowed ground, and the large tree, which was a reasonable distance from the window.

"Budo?"

It had large dark-green leaves, which covered most of the branches from view, yet here-and-there was evidence of something which caught his eye.

"Do you admit it?" Taro questioned.

"Admit what?"

"That you like her."

"Like her"? If this is "liking" her, then I'm afraid what loving her will be like.

"Well, yeah, it's not a crime to like someone, is it?" Budo turned his attention back to Taro, who seemed reluctant to say what he really meant. He decided to say it anyway.

"I know you like her, but... I've decided that I'm going to tell the police when they come to talk to me. She set those delinquents on me and caused my paralysis. I don't want anyone else to get hurt, especially you."

Budo had known those words were coming, and had been waiting for them expectantly, yet he was not prepared for the wave of anger that crashed over him. Taro wants to put Ayano behind bars, does he?

But the fury only gave him more reason for what he would do soon. In a way, he was glad, because now he would have no choice but to what he really wanted to do. Taro, you imbecile.

"How can you be sure it was Ayano?" Budo's tone was detached from the rest of his body, where he could feel his heart constricting as if the currents of ice were charging through it.

"She sent the delinquents on me. The leader told me so." Taro had noticed Budo's sudden change of tone, and it increased his annoyance. What right did he have to feel angry when Taro had lost everything? "She must have thought I was going to tell the police I saw her in your house. Well, now she's right."

The tension between them grew.

"Why would she tell you that?" Budo reasoned coolly. "Surely it would make more not to give her name, just to reduce evidence for the police."

"I'm sure she meant for the delinquents to kill me. They must have thought I was dead after dealing the blow that paralyzed me."

"Taro, are you sure you're not just overthinking this?"

"How am I overthinking this? Budo, she's stalking you. I thought I saw her outside the martial arts club when we were practicing, but now I'm sure it was her. We've got to stop this. She's crazy."

"Yeah, I'll go call the nurse-"

"I knew she was messed up as soon as you introduced her to me. She was weird, trembly, and for Gods' sake, she even tried to poison me!"

"Calm down, Taro-"

-"She's f*cking crazy, Budo!" Taro screamed. Every head in the hospital room turned immediately to him. A nurse put her hand on Budo's shoulder and exerted a light, but firm, pressure. Her tone was cold.

"Sir, I'm going to have to ask you to leave. He's too aggravated. His brain cannot afford to become anymore stressed."

"Fine." Budo wanted to leave anyway.

"What? Are you going already?" Taro's anger dissolved like a switch. He didn't want to let Budo go and leave him alone again, vulnerable. "I'm sorry, I just... You weren't listening, and I got mad. I know it's not your fault. Will you visit again soon?"

Budo sent Taro a brief, lukewarm wave as he was firmly pushed towards the exit. He stood in the doorway for a few seconds and said before he left, "Don't worry, you'll be seeing me sooner than you think."