Obsession (Ayano x Budo)

Chapter 32

The next morning, Taro was signed out of the hospital. Budo had been right next to him all the time, eagerly assisting his movement, filling in his forms, explaining the situation... Taro watched as Budo used his charming smile and charisma on the nurses to quicken the process. And it worked.

Taro looked Budo's way speculatively as they waited for the last form to be approved. The positive grin that greeted him was full of energy and excitement. After quickly returning the smile, Taro looked away, staring at nothing in particular as he thought about it.

"Yes, it's all done. You're free to go." The nurse gave them both a nod. "Good luck, Mr Yamada, with your recovery."

"Thank you! Have a great week," Budo said energetically, and turned Taro, seated in his wheelchair, around, before he could even respond. They could leave already? Didn't this stuff usually take forever? It almost felt surreal. 

In fact, it almost felt as if things were going too quickly. Taro felt as if the world was rushing past his eyes with every second, every conversation whistling past the tips of his ears as chaos and calamity shattered the reality he knew.

Within just three days, so much had happened. And now...

And now his life was in Budo's hands. Literally.

Budo has been a really good friend lately, Taro thought as he was wheeled past the front doors of the hospital. Maybe that fight was good for him. He's been supportive ever since.  

His wheelchair was steered steadily along the stretch of the pavement, guided home by a cheerful Budo. Taro was glad to be outside. Even though a slight wind nipped at his clothes, he enjoyed its coolness upon the skin of his face and neck, the only places he could still feel. The day was slightly overcast, and a little beam of faint light shone in curtains through breaks in the weak cloud-cover. The smell of ice from the recent snow, a clean, sharp smell, was slowly fading. Winter was loosening its grip just for today, and Taro felt that it perhaps fate giving him a break from the recent havoc. As he turned his head to the side,  so that he could observe the strip of trees besides the pavement, his eyes watched dark leaves shift and whirl in the breeze, and he felt the calmest he'd felt in the last three days.Even though the two of them weren't talking, he was glad. It was the first moment of peace he had enjoyed in a while. 

Away from the hospital and its confined rooms full of despair and confusion, and here in nature, brimming full of determination to take down Ayano and those who had done this to him... Taro felt hopeful for once. And he felt safe.

Behind him, Danger allowed himself to smile freely. Budo was simply overjoyed, especially as he watched that hope-filled face of his prey. His mind was already imagining the possibilities that awaited them, and he let himself dream as they travelled slowly to him house. He just couldn't wait to get back home.

And at the end of the street was the double-story house that made Budo's heartbeat pick up in nervous, excited anticipation. "We're nearly home," he said as they drew near. Taro turned his head forward once again, surprised by how quickly they'd arrived. The pace had felt so relaxed, but had they been going faster than he'd realised? Where was all the time going?

Their pace gradually slowed to a stop in front of the house. In front of them, a short staircase led to the front door. Both of them looked silently at the unexpected obstacle that lay before them, then looked at each other.

"Should I go get a piece of board to use as a ramp?" Budo suggested. At those words, Taro's lips parted slightly into humoured smile.

"For goodness sake, Budo. It's only three steps. Surely you can just lift me and the wheelchair up. I thought you said you were strong?"