We Were Meant To Be (Budo x Taro)

Chapter 6: Do You Like Me?

Tuesday After School

After Taro apologized to Osana for the hundredth time, he and Budo made their way to his house. Ayano was caught stealing from the infirmary, so the guidance counselor sent her home for the rest of the day. Meaning she was not aware of Taro inviting Budo to his house.

Taro and Budo eventually got to Taro's house, and as usual, Taro was greeted by his little sister running up and hugging him. She continued to hug him until she noticed a stranger standing next to Taro.

"Who is this, big brother?" Hanako pouted. She didn't like it when Taro brought guests.

"This is Budo. He's a friend of mine." Taro responded. Hanako pouted even more.

"Friend...? You're not betraying me, are you big brother?" Hanako whined. Taro couldn't help but roll his eyes at his sister's paranoia. Their mother heard them from the kitchen, and walked to the front door where they were. She noticed Budo right away.

"Oh, and who are you, dear?" She sweetly asked.

"I'm Budo Masuta. I'm a friend from school." Taro's mother smiled.

"Taro, why didn't you tell me you were bringing a friend?"

"Sorry, mother. I meant to text you, but I forgot." Taro scratched the back of his head.

His mother nodded, "Well, do you boys want something to eat? How bout a few senbei with a cup of green tea, so you two aren't left hungry till dinner. Oh, will you be staying for dinner, Budo?"

Budo thought about the questioned. He looked over to Taro, who gave him a 'your choice' shrug. Budo nodded, "Yes, I will." Budo smiled as Taro's mother smiled at him back. His father wasn't going to be happy about this, but Budo didn't care. He knew this was his chance to get closer to Taro.

Hanako continued to pout as she watched Taro and Budo grab a snack, and head up to Taro's room. Hanako followed behind, but unfortunately for her, Taro locked his door. She grunted as she couldn't open the door to her brother's bedroom.

Taro and Budo were sitting on the floor, enjoying the senbei and green tea Taro's mother made.

"Mmm... your mother is a really good cook, Taro." Budo smiled.

"Yeah, she is. Thanks to her, I also consider myself a good cook."

"Oh, you cook?" Budo asked as he took a sip of his green tea.

"Yeah. I really enjoy cooking actually." Taro smiled.

"So, why don't you join the cooking club?" Budo asked. Taro's smile disappeared.

"Well... I'm not much of a people person. I just prefer to cook by myself, you know. The only time I see myself cooking for someone is my significant other." Taro blushed. Budo noticed how Taro didn't specifically say 'wife', so it gave him more hope that he had a chance with Taro.

Budo took the opportunity to ask him a more personal question. "Do you have anyone in mind, right now?" Budo blushed slightly. Taro almost choked on his tea from Budo's question.

"Oh-uh... I-I don't know..." Taro scratched the back of his neck.

"What do you mean you don't know?" Budo raised a brow. He wasn't sure if he was moving to quick, but it was too late to turn back now.

"Well... you see... I... I think I like someone... but I don't know if I really do. And I don't know how to tell them." Taro started to blush more. Budo was left speechless. He didn't know if he lost his chance with Taro, or this person Taro was talking about was him...

"Well-"

"Oh, it looks like we're done with our snack." Taro interrupted. He grabbed the plate and cups. "Here, I'll take this downstairs and then I'll be back." Taro stood up, and walked out of his room, leaving Budo with his thoughts.

"You're making him uncomfortable, idiot. Just take it slow. Let him come to you." Budo told himself.

Taro eventually came back, and offered Budo to lay on his bed with him. Budo felt his face heat up from his offer, and he couldn't refuse. The two laid on their backs, looking up at the ceiling. Neither of them noticed the other was blushing.

"You know, Budo..." Taro broke the silence they had. Budo looked over at him. "That person I was talking about earlier..." Budo was expecting Taro say it was him, but was setback when Taro said something different. "Do you think they would like me back?" Taro looked at Budo.

Budo turned to Taro, and rested his head on his hand. "Why wouldn't they." Budo said in a low tone. Taro blushed. "You're kind, gentle... respectful... surprisingly funny... you're apparently a good cook... and you're ridiculously attracti-" Budo quickly covered his mouth before the word came out of his mouth, but it was too late, Taro already heard what he was going to say.

"You... you think... I'm attractive?" Taro turned to his side to face Budo completely. Budo was speechless.

"I... I..." Budo mumbled. That was all he could muster out. This was it. This was either the start of a romantic relationship or an awkward situation.

"Budo... do you... like me?" Taro asked in a similar low tone to Budo's.

Budo still couldn't get a word out in edgewise, leaving Taro confused. He's never seen Budo so nervous and speechless. Taro couldn't stand the hesitation anymore, so he took it upon himself to make the first move.

He moved his face closer to Budo's, who widened his eyes, but he didn't flinch away. Instead, he allowed Taro to get closer to him right until their noses touched. Then ever so gently, Taro tilted his head to the side, and connected his lips with Budo's. Budo slowly placed a hand on Taro's cheek as he broke the kiss. Both boys were now speechless and blushing.

Budo wanted more, so he slowly laid Taro back on his back and rolled over so he was on top of him. Budo brought his face closer to Taro's until the two locked lips once again. As they continued to kiss, Budo gently wrapped his arms around Taro's waist, and Taro hugged around Budo's neck. He untied Budo's martal arts headband, and threw it to the side.

Finally, the two released the lip lock, and looked at each other lovingly.

"Yes... I do." Budo whispered. Taro smiled.

Taro pulled in Budo for a hug, and whispered into his ear, "I like you too, Budo..."

They both blushed. The two went in for another kiss, this one lasting longer than the last one.

Taro and Budo were practically making out as Info-Chan spotted them through the window in a tree. The thought of Ayano witnessing this sight amused her, and she could not wait to show her. Without wasting another minute, Info-Chan took a picture of the scene and climbed out of the tree.

Once she got back to her house, she immediately sent Ayano the picture.