L*ck Me If You Can-Chapter 48

Huh?

At the unexpected voice, Koi sniffled and looked up. A second shadow suddenly entered the empty courtyard. He blinked quickly to bring it into focus—and saw someone running toward him from a distance.

“Ash?”

Startled, Koi called out without thinking. Ashley didn’t even seem to be running that fast, but within a few steps, he was already standing right in front of him. As Koi stared up at him, wide-eyed, Ashley smiled.

“Good. You’re still here.”

What am I even looking at right now? Koi couldn’t quite believe it was real and just kept staring—until Ashley suddenly furrowed his brows.

“What’s wrong? Were you crying?”

“H-Huh? N-No. Just... had something in my eye.”

Koi rubbed his eyes vigorously with his arm, as if to prove it, then looked back up.

“Why are you here? Did something happen?”

“What do you mean, ‘did something happen’?”

Ashley repeated Koi’s words and then grinned playfully.

“We’ve got skate practice. Did you forget?”

“Wh-What?”

Watching Koi stammer in surprise again made Ashley laugh out loud. He reached out and lightly tapped Koi’s nose with his finger, smiling brightly as he said,

“I thought you were waiting for me this whole time. Was I wrong? Was it for someone else?”

“N-No, it was you. Of course it was.”

Koi was still completely confused.

“W-What about the others?”

“I told them I forgot something and left.”

At that, Koi felt his heart «N.o.v.e.l.i.g.h.t» sink. So he had been right after all—Ashley didn’t want anyone to know they were together—

“I just wanted to be alone with you. If the others found out, they’d want to tag along.”

“Huh?”

Koi made another dumb sound, caught off guard by the unexpected response. Anyone else might’ve gotten the message immediately, but not Koi. Ashley knew that already, so he hadn’t expected anything.

Still completely blank, Koi watched as Ashley picked up his bike and slung it over one shoulder like always.

Koi flinched and reached out. He was about to say he could carry it himself, but Ashley suddenly grabbed his hand.

This time, Koi didn’t even make a sound—just inhaled sharply. Ashley laced their fingers together and started swinging their joined hands back and forth like a swing as they walked.

As they walked side by side, holding hands, Koi’s head was overflowing with questions. What did Ashley mean by that? Did he really say what I think he said? Did I hear it wrong? Is there something wrong with my ears? Or my brain? Maybe I’m just imagining all this. What if I’m hallucinating? I don’t even have insurance. Wait, no, I’m holding hands with Ash right now. So it’s not a dream, right? Then he really did say he wanted to be alone with me? Why? Why would he?

“Koi.”

Ashley’s voice cut through the battlefield in Koi’s head. He looked down at him with a soft expression and asked,

“What time does your shift end tomorrow? Six, right?”

“Huh? Uh, yeah.”

Koi nodded automatically. Ashley smiled again.

“Then I’ll come get you at 6:10. That should be enough time, right?”

“Huh? For what?”

Koi looked up, completely lost. Ashley continued, still smiling.

“I’m saying, after your shift tomorrow—let’s go somewhere together.”

“Huh?”

Once again, that was all Koi could manage. He had no idea what was going on.

“But... your party is tomorrow...”

As he remembered he hadn’t even been invited, something ached deep in his chest. But Ashley waved it off like it was nothing.

“That’s just for the others to hang out. We’ll do our own thing.”

What is he talking about?

Koi’s eyes widened at the unexpected words. Seeing his reaction, Ashley narrowed his eyes and asked teasingly,

“Or... would you rather go to the party? Is that more fun than spending time with me?”

“N-No! Of course not! Definitely not!”

Koi shook his head so fast it was almost desperate. Then, with his face burning red, he muttered,

“I like hanging out with you more...”

“Good.”

Ashley grinned as Koi’s ears began to twitch wildly again.

“Then it’s settled. 6:10’s good? Is it okay if I come get you?”

“Yeah, that’s perfect.”

Koi nodded quickly—then tilted his head a little.

“Wait... where are we going?”

“You’re supposed to ask that before you say yes,” Ashley said with a mock-serious expression.

“If you keep saying yes like that, you might get taken away by someone bad, you know.”

Koi finally let out a laugh. Blushing and smiling wide, he said,

“But I only do that with you.”

This translation is the intellectual property of Novelight.

He didn’t seem to realize that Ashley might be exactly the kind of “bad guy” he was talking about. Ashley had to restrain the sudden urge to completely shatter that innocent trust and instead gave him a gentle smile. Koi’s ears kept twitching non-stop as he laughed without a clue.

Ashley was suddenly grateful for the harsh training he’d endured as part of the sports team. Without it, he might’ve lost all self-control by now.

He let go of Koi’s hand casually, pulled out his keys, and popped open the trunk of his car.

“Go ahead and sit down.”

As usual, Ashley loaded Koi’s bike into the trunk by himself. Meanwhile, Koi, feeling both thankful and guilty, hurried to the passenger seat to at least not get in the way. Ashley climbed into the driver’s seat, buckled in, and glanced over to make sure Koi was seated and ready before starting the car.

“Where we’re going is a secret. I’ll tell you tomorrow.”

Ashley smiled and added,

“You’ll be surprised.”

“Really? Seriously?”

What could it be? Koi’s heart started pounding again. He quickly grabbed his ears to hide their movement—but it was too late. Ashley had already seen everything. Pretending not to notice, he pulled the car out of the school parking lot.

“H-Hey, Ash...”

As the car merged onto the road, Koi spoke up hesitantly. Ashley glanced at him, and Koi asked cautiously,

“Um... so, was I the only one you didn’t invite to the party... because of this?”

Because you wanted to go somewhere with me, just us?

Just thinking about it made Koi’s heart flutter and his fingers tingle. He’d been so sad earlier, but now he felt the complete opposite. The idea that Ashley had ditched his friends to spend time with him—Koi had never even imagined it. Ashley, seeing the hopeful look on Koi’s face, answered mischievously,

“Nope. I was planning to kidnap you.”

“Hahaha.”

Koi burst out laughing right away. His flushed cheeks and twitching ears made Ashley smile too.

Poor Koi. You cried over something that small?

Ashley had known the moment he saw him that Koi had been crying. Honestly, anyone with eyes would’ve known. But he’d chosen not to mention it—because he’d already guessed Koi might’ve been hurt by what happened.

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He hadn’t expected him to cry, though.

Just for being told he couldn’t come to the party?

Ashley was a little shocked—but it was fine. Koi had clearly forgotten all about it and was now completely wrapped up in excitement. His still-twitching ears were proof.

Truth be told, seeing Koi with Bill and the others earlier had annoyed Ashley more than he’d expected. Up until now, Koi had fit in just fine with the group. They’d talked, laughed, had fun together.

But that was always with Ashley around.

When he saw Koi talking cheerfully with the others even without him, it made his blood boil. So he'd acted out a little. Just a bit of spite.

But remembering the redness around Koi’s eyes brought a different feeling.

Still, he had no intention of apologizing. Instead, he changed the subject.

“Koi, should we eat dinner when we get there?”

“Yeah.”

Koi answered instantly. Ashley asked again.

“What do you want? We can order in, so tell me—whatever you want.”

“Anything’s fine.”

Koi replied without hesitation.

“As long as I’m with you, anything’s fine.”

Koi grinned, his ears fluttering again. Screw the party.

Ashley smiled back.

This sweet, lovable Koi... only Ashley Miller needed to know about him.