L*ck Me If You Can-Chapter 60

Ashley didn’t say a single word as he led Koi away. He didn’t greet any classmates who acknowledged him, didn’t offer even the smallest smile. He just kept walking fast, gripping Koi’s shoulder tightly like he was afraid he might bolt at any moment. Because of that, Koi had to practically jog just to keep up, feet barely brushing the ground at times.

Ashley brought Koi behind a remote building, a quiet path that hardly anyone ever passed through. There, Ashley finally stopped and looked down at him. Koi, panting like he was about to die, couldn’t even catch his breath, but Ashley didn’t let go. He released his arm from around Koi’s shoulders only to grab both of Koi’s arms instead, fixing him with a steady gaze.

Haa... haa...

Ashley watched him struggle to breathe, waiting in silence. Only after Koi’s gasping finally calmed did Ashley speak.

“You okay?”

“Y-yeah...”

Koi nodded quickly, eyes locked on the ground, unable to look up. Ashley’s voice came again from above him.

“What happened yesterday?”

Of course.

This chapter is updat𝙚d by freeweɓnovel.cøm.

Koi’s heart, which had only just begun to slow, immediately started pounding again. He stammered.

“W-what do you mean?”

He still couldn’t bring himself to look up. Ashley’s frustration grew the more Koi stubbornly avoided eye contact.

“You said something urgent came up. Then your phone was off, and I couldn’t reach you at all. Do you know how worried I was?”

“S-sorry...”

Koi apologized quickly. This was clearly his fault. Ashley had been left in the dark, like he’d been slapped out of nowhere—by someone like Connor Niles, no less.

How dumbfounded he must’ve been.

Koi, crushed by guilt, apologized again.

“I’m sorry... I didn’t think you’d worry that much.”

“I was waiting like we planned, and all I got was a few lines in a text, and then your phone was off. Anyone would be worried.”

Ashley scolded him more sternly than usual, and Koi shrank further, unable to lift his head.

“Sorry...”

Koi murmured once more. Ashley didn’t speak again for a while. The silence was heavy. Koi could feel his gaze burning into ~Nоvеl𝕚ght~ him and curled up even tighter. After a long pause, Ashley sighed.

“How was the test yesterday?”

Relief flooded Koi. Ashley was letting it go. He was moving past it. Koi was grateful for the mercy and nodded.

“I-it went well. I passed.”

“That’s good.”

Ashley replied, but his eyes didn’t leave Koi’s face. Something was wrong. No—everything had been wrong since yesterday. That strange text, the way Koi had been avoiding his eyes, the way he’d vanished—none of it made sense.

Did something happen at home?

That was the only possibility Ashley could come up with. There was no reason Koi would suddenly distance himself for no reason.

“Koi.”

He said his name softly, and Koi flinched. Still unable to read his expression, Ashley continued.

“If there’s anything I can do—anything at all—just tell me. Even if you think I can’t help, tell me anyway. Maybe if we talk it out, we’ll find a solution.”

He paused, then added gently.

“We’re friends, right?”

That word shattered Koi’s fragile composure.

Friends. Right. We’re just friends. Ash was just being nice to me as a friend... and I went and misread everything.

If he ever found out I liked him...

Just imagining it made Koi feel like he couldn’t breathe. Ashley was a good person, so he wouldn’t despise Koi. But he’d definitely start keeping his distance. They wouldn’t even be able to greet each other in the mornings anymore.

The idea of Ashley walking past him like he didn’t exist—Koi couldn’t bear it.

I have to hide it.

He bit his lip and made a silent vow. I can’t let him find out. I’m just Ashley’s friend. That’s all.

Huff. He exhaled a shaky breath, then nodded weakly.

“Yeah... thanks.”

This translation is the intellectual property of Novelight.

Even to himself, his voice sounded drained, completely lifeless. Trying to push himself forward, Koi added,

“I’ll do that.”

“...”

Ashley said nothing as he looked down at him. Something was off. No—everything was off. Koi wasn’t meeting his eyes. His voice was trembling. He barely gave full answers. All of it was wrong.

Koi, who always lit up when he saw Ashley, wasn’t even smiling. What the hell had happened?

Ashley could feel Koi trembling in his grip. He tightened his hold instinctively, afraid Koi might run away the second he let go.

“Koi.”

He could hardly believe he had to ask, but there was no choice.

“Did I do something wrong?”

“N-no! No, it’s nothing like that!”

Koi shot his head up without thinking. Their eyes met for the first time—but it wasn’t what Ashley had hoped for.

There was no smile. Koi’s face had gone pale, his eyes wide in terror. It was a face Ashley had never seen before.

And his eyes were shaking. Wildly, like he was genuinely afraid. His lips trembled, colorless and thin.

Ashley stood frozen in place, stunned by the look. Koi seemed to realize what he’d just done and hurriedly tried to cover it up.

“I-it’s nothing. I was just... not feeling well. That’s all. Really.”

Lies.

Ashley stared down at Koi, flustered, and knew immediately—he was lying. So obviously, so transparently, that only a complete fool would believe him.

One thing was crystal clear: Koi had no intention of telling Ashley the truth. And Ashley had no idea why.

“Koi...”

“Also,” Koi interrupted in a rush, “I won’t be able to practice anymore. I joined the cheer squad, and we have to train after classes now. Practice runs late, so I don’t think I can do skating anymore. Thanks for everything, really.”

“...”

It was like he’d memorized a script overnight. Ashley looked down at Koi, who was rattling off his lines like a robot, eyes on the ground.

“Koi.”

“I passed the test thanks to you. Really, I mean it. It’s all because of you. So... you don’t have to help me anymore.”

“Koi!”

Ashley suddenly shouted and grabbed his arm. Koi flinched, eyes going wide, and fell silent. Ashley stopped himself and looked down at him.

“...Sorry, Koi. I’m sorry.”

He quickly lowered his voice and apologized, bowing his head and letting out a long breath. Even then, he didn’t let go of Koi’s arms.

“I’m sorry I yelled. But I really don’t get it. Why are you acting like this?”

“There’s no reason.”

“Don’t lie.”

Ashley fought to keep calm, speaking in the lowest voice he could manage.

“There’s something. Isn’t there? Are you mad at me? Did I do something wrong? Tell me. If you don’t say anything, I can’t know.”

Ashley kept pressing. Koi felt like he was being backed into a corner. He answered, barely able to control his voice.

“You... you didn’t do anything wrong.”

“Liar.”

“I’m serious.”

And finally, tears filled Koi’s eyes.

“Really. You didn’t do anything wrong. I’m the one... I’m the one who messed up.”

“...What?”

Ashley’s eyes widened. Koi couldn’t hold back anymore. He scrubbed at his eyes with both hands, but the tears spilled over, dripping to the ground. Ashley could only stare, stunned. What the hell had happened overnight?

“Koi...”

Ashley tried to speak again. He needed to know what Koi meant. What had he done wrong? What was this?

He couldn’t stand it—Koi wouldn’t even look at him. Wouldn’t smile. Not even his ears moved like they always did when he was emotional. Ashley couldn’t make sense of any of it.

What the hell happened?

Just as he was about to push again, driven by desperation—

“S-stop.”

Koi tried to push him away. He pressed both palms against Ashley’s chest, but of course it had no effect. Ashley didn’t budge. In fact, Koi nearly stumbled backward, and Ashley caught him just in time to steady him.

Koi rushed to speak again.

“I-it’s almost time for class. I have to go. Let’s... let’s not talk about this anymore.”

“Koi.”

Ashley tightened his grip on Koi’s arm again.

“I can’t do that. You want to end this here? Just like this? Koi, is that really what you want? I still have things I need to hear from you.”

“I told you, there’s nothing else to say.”

“Well, I need to hear it!”

He couldn’t hold back any longer and raised his voice. Koi kept rejecting him, pushing him away, and Ashley couldn’t take it. His teeth clenched as he looked down at Koi’s ghostly pale face.

...Huh?

Suddenly, Ashley’s vision spun.