Obsession (Ayano x Budo)

Chapter 27

Somewhere in between the branches of a tall, bushy tree outside the hospital, there came a sneeze.

Ayano felt vaguely annoyed at herself for exposing her position for a second, even though no one was outside to hear it. But she couldn't have helped it. It was cold. How long was it now? 6 hours since she'd been waiting up in this tree, patiently watching her love from afar?

Every now and then, a drift of snow blew prickles of fine white ice across her cheeks, and she would wish for something hot to drink. But she couldn't complain, not when she was the reason Taro ended up like he was. She simply had no right to feel uncomfortable. And she had to admit it wasn't all that bad, since she'd been able to watch her love sleep in peace, doing things such as appreciate his profile and daydream about their future, all the while knowing she was well hidden.

Looking past a small gap in the bushy shield of leaves, Ayano could see directly into the room through the open curtains - and there he was, awake, talking to that Budo, still. Still? Ayano felt a twinge of possessiveness, but there was nothing she could do. Once that boy left, she could finally visit Taro while he was awake, maybe even talk casually to him. That idea was the most exciting thing in the world. It wouldn't be weird, right? They'd already been introduced, so just coming by for support would be totally understandable, right?

Ayano was bursting with anticipation. She kept watching, sending telepathic waves to push Budo to get a move on.

And then, like an answer to her prayers, Budo started to leave. Ayano watched with bated breath as he said one last remark to Taro before moving to the passageway door. For the first time, Atano noticed how upset Taro looked. What on earth were they talking about? Her eyes snapped back to Budo in speculation, who was about to disappear from sight.

And then, just before his head turned away from Taro, just before he exited through the doorway, it seemed to Ayano as if his eyes flickered directly to where she was hidden.

Their eyes met. She felt herself freeze, as if his glance was skewering her body to the tree upon where she was perched. It was only a second, and then he looked non-chalantly away, as if he'd never seen her in the first place, and continued out of the door.

Ayano could feel the pulse of her blood pump from beneath her skin. She wanted to tell herself it was coincidence, that his eyes had simply drifted randomly for that second, but she wasn't a fool. Budo somehow, always, was one step ahead of her. How had he known? Only a skilled, thoroughly-searching eye could have picked out her body from behind the camouflage of the leaves.

Ayano waited, sitting as still as stone, until she saw movement by the hospital entrance doors. Her eyes darted to it as fast as a bullet, and she watched silently as Budo exited the front doors, hands casually in his pockets as he ambled into the parking lot. He wasn't even looking her way, didn't give any sign of having noticed her. Ayano let herself feel a twinge of hope as he strolled further and further away into the streets. Perhaps, it really was just coincidence.

Ayano forced herself to wait one more minute, until she was sure he was gone, and then decided she couldn't wait anymore. She leaned back and stretched her arms as far apart as she could manage, feeling her stiff muscles reach a second of utter bliss before she relaxed and let them fall back to her sides. She took in a deep breath.

Ayano crawled to a nearby branch jutting off just below where she sat. She put one hand around it, another on the trunk, and scooted off so that her legs were dangling over the side. If she looked over, she would see the ground looming 3 meters below her, a mass of green covered slightly in white snow.

If I fall off here, I would become just like Taro. If I didn't die, that is. It was a strangely funny thought.

She pushed more off the side, then moved both hands to hook over the branch's edge. Her fingers and shoulders ached, but she forced herself to ignore the pain as she gently lowered herself. Her feet dangled in air for a long, uncertain second, until she found footing on another branch. She held her breath as she descended carefully from branch to branch, and then finally onto the grass.

The solidity of the ground felt great beneath her feet after hours of being in the tree. Ayano took a deep, full breath of air to her lungs, tasting the fresh morning air. Her heart was still beating quickly, but this time in excitement. She was ready.

On her body were normal clothes - a set of an inconspicuous jeans and hoodie which allowed her to blend into the mundane crowds, but at second glance one could tell she'd carefully picked out items such as her new boots and her best handbag. Ayano had showered, brushed her teeth, even put on perfume before coming here early this morning. She wanted senpai to notice how good she looked.

Ayano strode through the large, semi-empty parking towards the open hospital doors. She could feel the niggling of anticipation within her as she drew closer. What would her senpai say? He had looked so angry. Should she have waited for him to calm down?

As soon as she walked through the doors, she was blasted with a wave of cold, medicinal air. She kept her head level, her expression unconcerned, and no one looked at her as she walked past reception towards the elevators.

With a finger trembling with nerves, she gave the button a single, firm press. She couldn't wait to see him. Every fibre of her being was gravitating towards Taro's room, like a lost planet being drawn irresistibly into the circle of the sun. Ding. Ayano climbed into the elevator, turned around, and as the metal doors slid close noiselessly, a bundle of giddiness started unraveling inside of her. She felt the lift start to move up. Taro, don't worry. I'm on my way.

The elevator came to a soft, gentle halt. With a slight sway, the doors slid open again, revealing a narrow, long hallway lying perpendicular to it. Ayano already  knew to turn right, towards the ward where Taro lay resting. She'd memorized the map Info-chan had given her, plastered it's corridors and rooms, even the patients sharing Taro's room, deep in her mind. She wanted to know everything about Taro's situation, seeing as she was basically already his wife.

When Ayano reached the door to the ward, she stood beside it and waited a minute, giving herself time to take a deep breath. She gently pushed the door and stepped inside.

A few people curiously glanced in her direction, but she ignored them. Her attention was set on the man before her, but Taro's eyes were closed and he wasn't aware of her presence. Resting so soon? Ayano felt her excitement falter as she took in the deep bags under his eyes, and she felt slightly sick as she saw for the second time the mottled purple colors across his face in overwhelming detail.

But she couldn't leave him now, not when he was so close, and when he looked so vulnerable, it pulled at her heart to draw nearer, to protect and shield him.

Ayano took a few step closer to his bed, silently so as not to wake him, and took in his tired, sleeping face. Deep within her, her heart clenched and a horrible sadness started to build up inside. She wanted to weep every time she saw him- her gentle, loving senpai broken, as if he'd been a sweet blue bird, held gently in trusting hands, and then suddenly crushed in a fist.

And yet, every time she recalled those instructions she'd given to Info-chan, she remembered it had been her hand that had crushed him. Ayano swallowed the lump gathering in her throat. She felt exposed, as if it were obvious that she were the one who caused Taro to be like this, and glanced quickly to see that she wasn't being watched. No one was looking her way. They all had their own problems.

She looked at her love again, took in his features once more, and suddenly felt exhausted. If only Budo had been there instead of Taro...

But it wasn't his fault. Not at all. You can't blame Budo for it this time. Who's was it then? Who needs to be punished? Is it me, or is it Info Chan? Is it her, or is it the delinquents?

Ayano gently rested her hand on Taro's forearm.

Suddenly, it happened.