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Budo usually wasn't patient enough to sit and watch the cherry blossoms fall, but he remains glued firmly in place. It wasn't bad. Maybe it would be nice to slow down like this more often.
Petals float down softly in a subtle breeze. Someone into poetry could probably put it better. The pink against the green grass and bright blue sky, it practically begged to be sung about. The sight of it makes him feel 'prose-y'.
The petals, the breeze, the fountain, real textbook levels of serenity going on. Too bad it seems to be going right over his head.
He checks his watch. He's not wearing one.
Okay, he was nervous. So what? Just waiting around for something to happen just ramped up his nervous system. He could accept that. It was totally normal to be nervous sometimes.
…What now?
Admitting it didn't make his palms any less sweaty.
Earlier that day Budo had found a note in his locker. An anonymous request to meet up by the East Fountain after club activities. No further details. He didn't think about it too hard.
Hey! Budo was a busy guy! Sometimes anonymous notes was the easiest way to get a hold of him outside of the Martial Arts club!
He had mentioned the note while they were doing their cool down stretches. To be honest, he was hoping someone was going to ask about the club. Or maybe to spar! That would be fun!
His open musings had been promptly interrupted by his club members laughing at him. It was then abruptly brought to his attention that anonymous notes in pretty handwriting asking to meet alone, were typically reserved for confessions.
He had waved them off at the time. Honestly, they were all too nosy for their own good.
…but it wasn't a totally crazy idea, right?
No. Surely, there was some other reason.
People totally write anonymous letters asking to meet up under the pretty cherry blossoms for non-romantic reasons. Probably.
Why else would it be here at the fountain? They literally had a magical cherry tree just waiting to be used. It was tradition, Budo cant remember hearing about any relationship that DIDN'T start on that hill.
Maybe they wanted something more discreet? Or something more original? Or maybe it wasn't a love confession.
Did it matter? Budo was going to be stuck here worrying his lip until someone showed up.
Speaking of, he can hear footsteps approaching.
His spine straightens. He's too scared to turn around. Something about the idea of one of some shoujo girl standing there blushing made him nauseous. He couldn't really name why. All he knew was that his discomfort ran deep.
"Masuyama!"
Huh. That's not anything like the voice he was expecting.
It catches him off guard enough he forgets to be nervous and turns around.
Yamada. He clearly had just ran all the way here, bracing himself on his knees out of breath.
Oh. Okay.
The onset dread from earlier lifts. This was much easier to deal with.
That answered some questions. Asking another boy to meet under the cherry tree might have been hard for someone as shy as Taro. There wasn't a 'hateful' atmosphere to their school, but rumors had a way of spreading around Akedemi.
While Taro catches his breath Budo takes a moment to draw his gaze over the other boy. His hair is in his eyes. It looks soft. Budo has to admit… Taro is kinda cute. His whole loner shtick makes you want to step in and protect him.
Maybe a confession wouldn't be the end of the world.
"Hey Yamada! What's up?" Budo finally remembered that he needed to reply. Keep it friendly, dont scare the boy off!
Yamada takes a second to look around, clearly uneasy, "You don't have anyone waiting on you, right?"
Was that flirting? Like asking if he was single? Budo was never good at detecting those kind of signals. His head was full of martial arts and justice, not subtle romantic subtext!
"Haha! Nope! I'm all yours!" he laughs off Taro's concern. Okay was Budo flirting? He didn't really think about it before saying anything. As usual.
Yamada smiles. Budo isn't sure what page either of them even think they are on, but his chest still swells. Making him smile feels like winning.
But this still might not be a confession. He has to keep that in mind. Budo would feel like a big-headed idiot if he read this wrong. He doesn't want to mess this up.
"Oh, good! I just wanted to ask..." He trails off, losing his nerve. Budo starts to sweat again. The anticipation is killing him! Come on Yamada!
"Would you walk me home?" he asks meekly. Taro's cheeks have gone red, and he cant make direct eye contact. He looks off into the bushes and rubs the side of his neck.
Budo resists the urge to throw his hands up. That didn't answer any of his questions!
"Of course! I'd be honored to walk with you." Budo agrees anyways. Internal struggle aside, he was raised to be a gentleman. He would say yes no matter who showed up to meet him.
But… walking someone home was kinda romantic, right? Ugh! Why does it all have to be so vague? Maybe Yamada just wants company, or has a gang on his back and wants another punching bag present, or maybe he wants to 'accidentally' brush his hand against Budo's while they walk side by side.
The thought of it sends blood rushing to his face.
"Ah, thank you!" Taro looks at him bashfully with an awkward smile. Cute. Budo is starting to think he might be a little disappointed if there's no 'accidents'.
He gestures for Taro to lead the way.
They walk out of the school side by side, at a respectable distance. They hadn't every talked a whole ton, but they had been classmates for a long time. Constantly orbiting each other out of reach.
He's feeling 'prose-y' again.
"So, what are you hanging around past club hours for? I thought you would have gone home by now." Budo attempts small talk. He couldn't keep his mouth shut if he tried.
Taro closes his eyes and hums, "I like being on school grounds. Watching the world go by while I listen to the running water in the fountains… it's peaceful."
Budo nods. "I get it!. I've never really thought about it too hard but, yeah! That's why I drag my club members out to the gardens. I like to think the fresh air helps us focus."
Taro chuckles awkwardly, "Yeah, I uh, see you guys around sometimes."
"Not everyone agrees with that though. Juku says we are wasting 'precious sparring time' by walking everywhere. I can take criticism, so I offered to let us run everywhere to make it faster, but he didn't seem interested. For some reason." Budo rambles on, speaking with his hands.
"His loss, it would have made great cardio." Taro jokes quietly. Budo almost misses his small sly smile.
Budo grins at him.
They continue chatting. About clubs (Budo failed to recruit him to Martial Arts), about class, about the gardens.
Budo could have fun talking to a wall. He didn't like to brag, but he considered himself a pretty skilled conversationalist. However, having fun talking to Yamada didn't require any sort of skill. As far as he was concerned all it took was a pair of working ears.
They continue their leisurely pace as they stroll through the neighborhood. Taro's place wasn't that far from the school, but they both seem to be dragging their feet.
Taro has a pretty smile.
They stop in their tracks as something rustles nearby. Budo scans the area for danger and spots the alleyway between buildings. It's stacked full of cardboard boxes. Something is moving behind them.
The empty streets becoming threatening. It's just them, and whatever is behind those boxes.
Usually one simple 'rustle' wouldn't have been a big deal, but things were different lately. After the incident last week… the general atmosphere had been tense. Taro specifically. Even now he looks ready to pop out of his skin. He's standing there nervously picking at his hands.
And Budo can't have that.
He readies his stance. It wouldn't be a sparring match. Even if he had never really been in a street fight before, he would give it his all.
As the boxes topple to the ground Taro yelps and grabs on to his arm. It short circuits his plan to lunge into battle, but it doesn't matter.
The mysterious boogeyman reveals itself. A stray gray cat darts out from the alleyway, running off after startling itself with the boxes. The "danger" has been narrowly avoided.
Taro doesn't seem to relax.
"Scared of cats?" Budo asks.
Taro shakes his head, "Just allergic," he looks away bashfully, "I guess I've just been jumpy lately…" he trails off and starts to pull away.
Budo holds him firmly in place, "Hey don't worry about it. I'll protect you, cats, and all." he gives him a warm smile.
He is forcibly reminded of the possible romantic tension in the air.
Taro holds on tighter. This doesn't clear things up at all.
It doesn't matter. Taro looks happy, and is safely glued to his side. That's good enough for him.
They arrive at the Yamada's doorstep. Budo drops takes him all the way to the door, as any good gentleman would.
Taro stands there fidgeting a bit. There's something clearly on his mind.
Budo waits patiently for him to talk.
"Masuyama. Thank you for walking me." He says politely. There's more he's struggling to find. Budo can see it in the way his face twitches.
Taro continues, "Ever since Osana…" he pauses. This wasn't an easy topic for anybody.
"Yeah? How is she?" Budo asks gently.
"She's fine. She's set to make a full recovery. I just…" Taro's shoulders hike up to his ears, "Am I crazy for not thinking it was an accident?"
"Did something happen?" Budo's eyebrows furrow.
"No, no." Taro waves it off. "Just paranoid, I guess. I don't feel safe walking by myself." he mutters.
Ah. Not a confession then. He's a little embarrassed. Of course it wouldn't be that. How self centered could he be? Ah jeez, he's still making it about himself now isn't he?
"Not crazy." Budo reaches forward to take Taro's hand. He was picking at his fingers again. "Everyone knew you two were close. Makes sense you're shaken up about it. What matters is that you keep showing up and pushing through even though it's scary."
Taro looks at him wide-eyed.
"And until you feel better about walking on your own, I'll walk you home whenever you want." he smiles and gently rubs his thumb across the back of Taro's hand. Convoluted flirting scheme or not, he likes playing hero. He understands that more than romance anyways.
Taro suddenly gets even more timid than before. He takes in a shaky breath.
"I just wanted to thank you again..." Taro won't look at him directly as he takes a step closer. "I really can't tell you how much this means to me."
The tips of his ears turn cherry red.
Cherry is Budo's favorite flavor.
Taro places a hesitant hand on his shoulder and leans in, planting a gentle kiss on Budos cheek.
Budo feels the very world turn on it's axis. It's like seeing all the stars and galaxies, along with the atoms and quarks all at the same time. His stomach erupts into butterflies. He better not open his mouth, lest they fly out.
They are both left staring at each other.
Taro looks like a deer in headlights, too scared to move.
Budo can feel all of today's thoughts and questions of flirting or not flirting rush through his head. It's all so overwhelming he can barely think of what to do next.
He slowly lifts a hand to his cheek. He can still feel the soft touch forever imprinted on his cheek.
And with that Budo beams. Taro finally seems to be able to breathe again.
He almost trips as he steps off the doorstep. One foot in front of the other, keep it together Budo.
"Goodnight! See you in class tomorrow, Taro!" He is grinning as wide as he can as he bids his farewells. He heads back the way he came, head too full of clouds to see Taro wave back.