If I Can't Have Senpai (Under Revision)

Chapter 29

"Y-Yeah I'm fine, Ayano took care of me." Budo said gesturing over to Ayano who awkwardly hid behind him.  

"Aya-chan?" Mr.Sakimoto craned his head over Budo's shoulder to look at her.

Ayano held her breath. This was it, he was going to be uneasy and awkward around her because of the poison incident. He wasn't going to look at her the same and may even convince Budo that she was crazy for not letting him call the ambulance. Just as Ayano braced herself to be brushed off or be given a stiff 'hello' she suddenly felt herself being hugged.

"H-Huh...?" Ayano blinked as Mr.Sakimoto had hugged her as well. But why, why would he hug her? Especially after all that she had done.

"Thank you, Aya-chan, I'm so glad you are safe too!" Mr.Sakimoto says as he pulled away from her with a kind smile on his aged face. His actions were sincere and his face showed no grudge and fear whatsoever.

Ayano felt her face heat up and quickly averted her eyes. Mr. Sakimoto was so fatherly and forgiving, she had never encountered an adult like this. She envied who was ever under his care. 

"Mr.Sakimoto, if its alright with you. Do you mind if we stay over tonight, I promise I'll help you out with the morning shift." Budo said before bowing his head down in respect. Ayano quickly followed in pursuit with her cheeks still red.

"M-Me too..." Ayano murmured softly. 

"Raise your heads, of course you two can stay and I will gladly appreciate the help tomorrow." Mr. Sakimoto said with a kind smile on his face as he put a hand on both their shoulders. "I would let you guys use the guestroom upstairs but currently my niece is using it. I hope the backroom is still to your liking."

"Yeah its fine, I don't want to be an inconvenience." Budo replied.

"No worries my boy, you and Aya-chan are always welcome here."

"Thank you sir." Budo bowed his head again and then turned to Ayano with a smile. "Lets go, Ayano"

Ayano nodded and walked with him to the backroom. Budo swung open the door revealing the small room with the cot. 

"Hahh, finally..." Budo sighed tiredly as he stretched his arms. 

Ayano looked at the room with a small smile on her face. In this room her and Budo shared so many memories despite it being small.

"Mr.Sakimoto is really nice, he didn't even ask why we needed to stay the night." Ayano commented as she closed the door behind them. 

"That's because he trusts us." Budo replied while walking towards the cot. He stared at it for a moment. Was he and Ayano going to have to share again? Not that he would mind that but he wanted to respect Ayano's personal space.

"Hey...Budo-Senpai." Ayano's voice made him snap out of his flustered thoughts.

"Hm...?" Budo quickly looked back at her.

"Erm....thank you..." Ayano murmured pointing her two index fingers together.

"Eh..? For what?"

"....For what you did back at the hospital...and....for saving me from..from...that man..." Ayano stammered as her mind flashed back to the dreadful man and his assault.

"Ayano...you don't have to thank me for that. I told you from the start that I would also be there for you."

"Budo-Senpai... you always seem to be rescuing me."

"heh....I guess that makes me your personal hero, right?" Budo said with a cheeky grin on his face and both hands behind his head. 

"Yes..." Ayano said softly with a small smile on her lips. She walked up to Budo until she was in front of him.

"Eh...Ayano?"Budo looked at her curiously when he suddenly felt her hand rest on his shoulder while her other hand rested on the back of neck. Budo blinked in surprise and felt his whole body froze. Ayano leaned forward and placed a gentle kiss on his neck next to his wound.

"Nn..! A-Ayano...!?"Budo felt his breath hitched at the delicate touch, he could feel his face instantly turn red.  Ayano slowly moved away and Budo unconsciously touched his neck.

"You're my hero Budo-Senpai..." Ayano said softly with a sweet smile on her face. 

"....I....I....!" Budo, once again a stammering mess quickly turned his head away shyly. His heart was violently slamming itself against his rib cage and he had to resist the urge to tackle the girl. 

"Goodnight Budo-Senpai." Ayano chuckled as she poked his forehead making him snap out of his stupor as if she knew she was occupying his thoughts. She walked away from him and settled herself into the bed to sleep. 

"Ye-yeah, I'm going to get some water!" Budo said quickly as an excuse to leave the room. He quickly left and gently shut the door behind him before sliding onto the floor. He brought a hand to his chest and took in a deep breath. 

He almost seemed like a school girl who was literally melting after talking to their crush for the first time. Ayano always seem to surprise him like this. He consciously touched his neck where she had kissed him. He was filled with the sudden desire to kiss her neck too and leave his mark on her. He gulped at the thought and sighed remembering that he just left the room because he degraded himself into stammering love-sick mess.

"Keh...that was so uncool." Budo groaned and leaned his back against the door.