"I'm strong enough to carry my own bag, Budo. I know I didn't spar today, but I'm not that weak."
Budo blinked, taking a second to process what she'd said. He opened and closed his mouth several times, looking like a fish out of water as he struggled to respond.
"I uh, just, to be nice?" He cleared his throat, taking a second stab at it, "As a martial artist, I have a duty to be chivalrous. And that includes carrying things for girls, even if they're more than capable of carrying them on their own." Budo let out a breath, satisfied at last with his reasoning. "I know you're strong enough, if that death grip on my arm earlier was any indication."
"I suppose I shouldn't stand in the way of your moral code." Ayano nodded thoughtfully, glancing at the arm she'd grabbed only moments ago. "And I do apologize for grabbing you like that, Budo. You just caught me off-guard is all." She smoothed out her skirt and began walking out to the front gate, casting a quick glance behind her to make sure Budo was following. She smiled to herself at how close he was keeping himself. I can't wait to see the faces of those delinquent fuckers when I walk by with the strongest fighter in the school.
As the pair made their way to the front gate, Ayano's suspicions were confirmed – the delinquents and their leader, Osoro, were all standing at the gate. Their raucous laughter died abruptly as they noticed her approach. Osoro stepped forward, glowering at Ayano and blocking her path.
"Wow, that's a scary face." Ayano said flatly, looking up at the delinquent. "If you keep making that face, it'll stick that way forever." While she didn't really want to piss off Osoro any more, she just couldn't resist such an easy jab. Besides, she thought, how much angrier could he really get with me? Pretty angry, apparently.
"You've got some balls talking to me like that, bitch." Osoro's face twisted into a sneer. "Got something to say about my face? How about I rearrange yours permanently?" He held up a fist as a threat. Ayano didn't find it particularly threatening – her grey eyes hadn't moved from his amber ones.
"I'd really rather you didn't, so why don't we just let bygones be bygones and you can let us go home?" Ayano smiled cheerily, grabbing onto Budo's arm to show Osoro the two were leaving together.
"US? Budo, you're with this freak?" Osoro's eyes narrowed, his focus now on Ayano's companion. Budo nodded, stepping forward to put himself between them.
"Osoro. I've had enough of you picking on defenseless students. You skipping class is none of my business, but I won't stand for you harassing students at the front gate, especially not a member of my club." Budo puffed out his chest and stood toe to toe with Osoro. It looks like he's trying to scare him into backing off without a fight.
"Oh, you little fuckin' busybody, sticking your nose in everybody's business but your own. Why don't you just buzz off? That bitch is mine. She disrespected me, and I'm going to teach her a lesson if it's the last thing I do." Osoro's amber eyes flashed with fury. He wasn't backing down from Budo's attempt at intimidation.
"I've protected people from you before, Osoro, and I'll do it again in a heartbeat. Are you that eager for another beatdown?"
"Fuckin… whatever. Get lost." Osoro absently touched one of the bandages on his face – no doubt a stinging reminder of his last altercation with Budo. "But you'd better watch your back, ponytail. Prince Charming isn't going to be around to protect you forever, and when we catch you alone, be prepared to pay for your disrespect."
Ayano and Budo walked away, and Ayano turned back, shooting Osoro a smug smile. I knew he'd be too much of a pussy to stand up to Budo. Now I just have to stay in Budo's good graces and play the scared little girl, and I'm totally in the clear. She held onto his arm just a little tighter, and squeezed in just a little closer – Ayano was willing to bet this wouldn't go unnoticed. Sure enough, once they were out of earshot of the delinquents, Budo cleared his throat.
"Um. What exactly did you do?"