L*ck Me If You Can-Chapter 25

September was approaching, but the weather remained sweltering. The early morning sun had already risen high, and its harsh rays stung his eyes.

As always, Koi rode his bicycle to school. In the past, returning to school after vacation had always been unbearable. There was nothing enjoyable about it—just trying desperately to avoid Nelson and his gang, enduring loneliness as he moved from class to class under everyone’s indifference.

But now, things were different.

"Hey, Koi!"

"Hey, Sara!"

A classmate from one of his courses greeted him first. Koi returned the greeting with equal warmth. Something like this would have been unimaginable before.

As he parked his bike in the designated area and made his way toward his locker, he exchanged a few more greetings. Koi had changed. He was more confident, more natural. And, of course, all of this was thanks to Ashley.

While organizing his locker, he sensed a commotion from one side. Reflexively turning his head, Koi’s face lit up with a smile. Ashley was walking over with other members of the ice hockey team.

The hushed murmurs from students, the excited gazes directed at them, and the effortless camaraderie of the team—all of it was the same as before the break. But Koi was not. He no longer avoided them, no longer hid in the corner, stewing in silent envy. Instead, he simply shut his locker and focused on finding the right moment to greet him.

Someone cracked a joke, triggering a burst of laughter. In the midst of it, Ashley suddenly turned his head. Their eyes met, and Koi raised a hand in a small wave. Ashley’s eyes narrowed slightly, his smile widening. Koi returned the smile before turning away first.

As he walked toward the building for his first class, he heard hurried footsteps approaching from behind.

"Koi!"

"Whoa!"

A sudden tug on his shoulder made Koi yelp. When he looked up, it was—of course—Ashley. With one strong arm slung around his shoulders, Ashley used his free hand to ruffle Koi’s already messy hair.

"Stop, I said stop!"

Koi shouted urgently, but Ashley only laughed.

"You walked off by yourself."

At his playful complaint, Koi hesitated.

"We're going to see each other in class anyway," he muttered. "Besides, you looked like you were having fun with your friends..."

He hadn't meant to say that out loud, but it slipped out. Ashley hummed thoughtfully before answering in an offhanded tone.

"We were just talking about training starting again."

Of course. There was no reason for Ashley to talk about that with him—it wasn’t like Koi could contribute to that conversation.

It was disappointing, but that was just how it was. Koi accepted it quickly, but soon, something else caught his attention.

"You're heavy. Let go."

Ashley still had his arm draped over Koi’s shoulders as they walked. When Koi grumbled on purpose, Ashley let out a small chuckle.

"Nope."

Annoyed, Koi let out a strained noise and tried to pry Ashley’s arm off, but it was ◆ Nоvеlіgһt ◆ (Only on Nоvеlіgһt) too heavy. And that wasn’t the end of it. Ashley tightened his grip, pulling Koi’s neck closer to him.

"Argh!"

Koi let out a strange yelp, making Ashley laugh out loud. Koi shot him a glare but soon found himself laughing too.

Ever since summer break, Koi had grown incredibly close to Ashley. Ashley invited him over often, and Koi gladly accepted. Just like Ashley had said, the good days were only beginning. They went on drives, ate hamburgers in the car, and even visited the beach together. Koi had never had days that shined like this before.

As they walked side by side, Ashley suddenly hooked both arms over Koi’s shoulders from behind, resting his chin on top of his head.

"Ahh, I wish it was still summer break."

"Wait, wait—!"

Koi panicked at the sudden weight pressing down on him, his voice rising in alarm. But Ashley simply matched his staggering steps and shuffled toward the classroom with him.

"Ah."

Just as they reached the classroom, Koi let out a short exclamation and abruptly stopped.

"What’s wrong?"

Ashley, still resting his chin on Koi’s head, asked. Koi hesitated for a moment before mumbling.

"There are no seats."

Only then did Ashley straighten up, glancing around the classroom. After a quick scan, he spoke.

"There."

He pointed at two empty seats. But instead of Koi’s usual corner seat, they were positioned in the middle of the classroom, one in front of the other.

Ashley looked down at him, puzzled, as if wondering what the problem was. Of course, he wouldn’t understand. Explaining it to him would be embarrassing, so instead, Koi simply pointed at one of the seats.

"You sit there."

"Where?"

"The one in the back."

Koi insisted.

"If I sit in the back, I won’t be able to see."

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He remembered the one time they had swapped seats before—it had been a disaster. There was no way he was going through that again. He absolutely refused to have his view blocked by Ashley’s broad back. His college entrance exam might have been a lost cause, but he still needed to keep up his grades.

Ashley, oblivious to Koi’s reasoning, tilted his head before finally moving to the back seat. Only after he sat down did Koi confidently take the front seat.

Class soon began, and Koi straightened his posture, ready to focus.

Just as he was getting into the lesson, a voice came from behind.

"Koi."

"Hmm?"

Keeping his gaze fixed straight ahead, Koi leaned back slightly, straining his ears. Ashley spoke in a low voice.

"I can see just fine."

Koi, dumbfounded, turned around to glare at him. The moment their eyes met, Ashley grinned. For the first time, Koi had the urge to punch that annoyingly handsome face.

"Imagine someone your size blocking the front. You wouldn't be able to see a thing."

He whispered under his breath. Ashley, still beaming, responded effortlessly.

"Good thing I'm not tiny, then."

"You—!"

"Koi Niles, what was my last question?"

The teacher's loud voice suddenly cut through the room.

Startled, Koi blinked, stammering.

"W-what?"

The teacher’s stern gaze locked onto him, and Koi instantly broke into a nervous sweat.

"Uh, um, well, that is..."

Seeing his flustered state, the teacher gave him a sharp warning.

"Pay attention in class. Now, everyone, focus here."

After regaining the class’s attention, the teacher resumed the lesson. Koi, his face burning red, quickly turned forward, trying to concentrate.

But then, he heard muffled snickering from behind.

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Ashley was laughing.

Ashley, you—!

Koi whipped around, but Ashley, unfazed by the glare, simply pointed to the front with a smug expression.

"Focus on class, Koi."

Koi fumed, but there was nothing he could do. He had no choice but to fix his posture and focus again—before he got called out a second time.

Another soft chuckle drifted from behind.

*

"Ashe, you—!"

The moment class ended, Koi rushed at him, smacking his chest with both hands. But Ashley only laughed, unfazed, as if Koi’s fists were nothing more than a gentle breeze.

His smugness was infuriating, but there was no way Koi could ever overpower him.

Frustrated, Koi turned on his heel, his cheeks puffed in irritation. But, of course, Ashley immediately followed.

"Koi!"

Even as Ashley called after him, Koi ignored him and kept walking. But Ashley quickly caught up and fell into step beside him.

"Are you going to the homecoming party?"

"No, I don’t like those things."

I don’t have a girlfriend, and I don’t have money.

Koi hesitated before asking, "You’re going, right?"

Ashley had both a girlfriend and money—on top of that, he was the king of the school. Of course, he would go. He had probably attended every homecoming party without fail.

Surprisingly, Ashley’s response was indifferent.

"Not sure yet."

"Haven’t you always gone before?"

"Yeah."

Ashley ran a hand through his hair roughly.

"I mean, I probably will. Elle’s going."

"I see..."

Of course, his girlfriend came first. That was only natural.

Koi convinced himself with that thought, nodding as if it didn’t bother him.

But suddenly, Ashley slung both arms over Koi’s shoulders again, resting his chin on top of his head.

"Stop it. I said stop!"

Koi wriggled furiously, but Ashley just planted his arms more firmly, completely trapping him.

"Ah, this is nice."

"You—!"

Just as Koi raised his voice again—

"Ashe!"

Someone called out.

Ashley—and Koi—both came to a halt.

Above Koi’s head, Ashley murmured.

"Elle."