L*ck Me If You Can-Chapter 24

It was the first time.

The realization that Ashley had actually called him made Koi tense up completely. He hesitated before asking,

"What’s wrong? You’re not asleep yet?"

Even to his own ears, his voice sounded unnaturally high-pitched. His face burned with embarrassment, and he instinctively lowered his head.

"I’m going to sleep soon. ...I just wanted to check if you got home safely."There was a slight pause before the last part, but Koi didn’t notice. Instead, he answered in an excited voice.

"Yeah, I made it home. I’m right outside."

"Outside?""Yeah."

Ashley questioned him again, and Koi answered honestly.

"My dad’s been drinking, so I can’t go in right now. It’s fine, though. He’ll fall asleep soon. And it’s not even that cold."

That was a lie.

A chill ran through his body as the night breeze made him shiver. The heat from his bike ride had long since faded, leaving only the freezing night air behind.

"What?"Oh, shit.

Ashley’s sharp tone made Koi flinch.

This was bad—Ashley was suspicious.

Koi quickly scrambled to cover up his mistake.

"No, it’s just that when my dad drinks, he always drags me into his drunken rants. He won’t stop talking, and I have to listen. It’s just annoying."

"Still, standing outside—""It’s fine, really! I’ll go in soon. Don’t worry about it."

Koi forced the words out, refusing to let Ashley know the full truth.

I can’t let him find out that I get hit.

Desperate to change the subject, Koi spoke up hurriedly.

"Thanks for today, Ash. I don’t think I’ll ever have another dinner that amazing. The sunset was beautiful, and the food was delicious."

And you were there.

His face flushed again, and Koi quickly rubbed his warm cheeks.

"That’s wrong, Koi."Ashley’s voice turned serious. His immediate denial made Koi pause.

"You’ll have countless amazing days ahead of you. Next year, the year after that, and the year after that."But you won’t be there.

Koi’s chest tightened.

Ashley’s words were so warm, so reassuring, but the thought of those future days without him made Koi’s heart ache.

"...Thanks, Ash."

He whispered.

Ashley didn’t respond.

Koi hesitated, searching for something to say, but before he could, Ashley broke the silence.

"That limited-edition doll... when is it coming in again?""Huh? Doll?"

Koi blinked in confusion before it suddenly clicked.

"Oh, that series?"

He quickly racked his brain, trying to remember.

"Uh, probably next week? I’m not sure. Sorry."

Ashley answered without hesitation.

"Let me know when it arrives. I’ll come buy it."Koi’s ears perked up.

"Really? You’ll come? To the store where I work?"

His excitement spilled out in rapid-fire questions. Ashley chuckled on the other end.

"Yeah."At that moment, Koi heard fireworks explode in his ears.

No, that wasn’t it.

It was his own heartbeat, hammering wildly.

"...Awesome!"

The words burst out of him before he could stop them.

Oh god.

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Realizing what he had just said, Koi slapped a hand over his mouth, his eyes widening in horror.

What the hell was that?

He blinked rapidly, his mind going completely blank.

"Uh, I mean—um, that is—"

He scrambled to recover, but he kept stumbling over his words. Finally, he blurted out,

"We’re... friends, right?"

There was a pause before Ashley answered.

"Yeah."Koi let out a small sigh of relief.

Ashley continued, as if nothing had happened.

"See you later, Koi.""Yeah, see you. And... thanks again for today."

Ashley replied smoothly.

"Same here. Thanks for bringing me the medicine.""Mm."

Feeling oddly proud, Koi smiled to himself, his cheeks tinged pink.

He didn’t want to hang up.

He wanted to keep talking to Ashley just a little longer.

But he knew he couldn’t.

Holding onto the lingering warmth in his chest, Koi finally spoke.

"Um, well...."

Trailing off, he waited.

Ashley finished the sentence for him.

"Yeah. Good night.""Good night."

Koi held his breath and listened.

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Ashley didn’t hang up right away.

For a few moments, neither of them spoke, as if they were both waiting for the other to end the call first. Their quiet, steady breathing filled the silence. Then, finally, Ashley was the first to hang up.

Koi remained frozen in place for a few seconds before hesitantly opening his mouth.

"Uh... Ash...?"

His voice was low and quiet, barely above a whisper.

No answer.

As expected, the call had already ended.

Exhaling deeply, Koi lowered the phone from his ear. His cheeks were still burning.

Haaah.

He took a deep breath, trying to calm his racing heart.

The moment he inhaled a second time, the phone rang again.

Startled, he quickly answered.

"Koi?""A-Ash?"

His name slipped out before he could stop himself.

Panicking, he double-checked his phone screen.

The caller ID clearly displayed Ashley’s name.

As he pressed the phone to his ear again, he heard Ashley clear his throat before speaking.

"Are you free tomorrow? Want to come over?""To your house?"

Koi repeated without thinking.

Then, realizing what he had just said, his eyes widened.

"Wait—you’re inviting me? To your house? Again?"

"Yeah."Ashley responded smoothly before asking,

"Do you have work?""Uh... uh?"

Caught off guard, Koi stammered.

Of course, he had work.

But there was no way he was going to miss this opportunity just because of something as trivial as that.

No matter what, I’m going!

Racking his brain for a way to make it work, Koi quickly answered.

"I do, but I can come after my shift."

As soon as he said it, Ashley’s voice carried a hint of amusement.

"Great. Then I’ll see you tomorrow. Around dinner?""Huh? Oh, yeah."

Tomorrow was a full workday for him.

But still, Koi hurriedly nodded as if Ashley could see him.

"I-I’ll come before dinner."

"Alright. Good night, Koi."Ashley’s tone was gentle. Then, after a brief chuckle, he added,

"This time, it’s really goodbye.""Yeah."

Koi replied, but in his mind, he was screaming, «N.o.v.e.l.i.g.h.t» You can call again! Ten times, twenty times—I wouldn’t mind!

Ashley let out another quiet laugh before ending the call.

Koi stared at his phone screen long after the call had ended.

His heart pounded as he waited.

But this time, the phone didn’t ring again.

Sigh.

Koi let out a breath filled with disappointment and lifted his head.

That was when the motorhome came into view.

Approaching cautiously, he strained his ears to listen, but there were no sounds coming from inside.

Taking a deep breath, he carefully opened the door.

The old door let out a creak, and Koi flinched, shoulders tensing.

Still, nothing stirred inside.

Moving slowly, he stepped inside and glanced around.

As expected, his father was sprawled on the floor, snoring loudly.

Carefully stepping over the empty liquor bottles littered around, Koi tiptoed toward his bed.

Taking a shower was out of the question.

Instead, he quickly washed his face and brushed his teeth before slipping under the covers.

I’ll shower as soon as he leaves for work.

He couldn’t show up at Ashley’s house looking dirty, especially not after skipping a shower last night.

Since he couldn’t smell himself, he couldn’t be sure if he reeked or not. The thought of unknowingly meeting Ashley while stinking of sweat was horrifying.

Absolutely not.

He made a firm promise to himself, gripping his phone tightly as he closed his eyes.

As he drifted off to sleep, he found himself eagerly waiting for tomorrow.

*

Haa, haa.

Koi pedaled furiously, pushing himself to go faster.

Today, he had entered through the main gate like a proper guest, but that didn’t change the fact that he still had to climb up the mountain-like road to get there.

A sports car sped past him effortlessly, making him grit his teeth and pedal even harder.

It was exhausting, but at the same time, it wasn’t.

All he could think about was seeing Ashley as soon as possible.

Finally, in the distance, the grand mansion came into view.

Koi felt a rush of excitement swell in his chest.

Just a little more. Just a little more.

By the time he reached the front entrance, he was so out of breath that he felt like he might collapse.

Haa, haa.

Clutching his chest, he stood there, struggling to catch his breath.

At that moment, the front door suddenly swung open.

Someone stepped outside.

"Koi."

Lifting his head between ragged breaths, Koi’s blurry vision finally focused on the face he had been waiting to see.

The ache in his chest vanished, replaced by an overwhelming sense of joy.

"Ash."

Koi’s face broke into a radiant smile, his heart overflowing with happiness.

Ashley smiled back.

"Welcome."

"Yeah."

Koi nodded.

"I missed you."

It had only been a day, yet it felt like his heart had been burning the entire time.

Was that really all he could say?

The words felt frustratingly inadequate.

But then, Ashley spoke.

"I missed you too."

At those words, Koi’s frustration melted away completely.