L*ck Me If You Can-Chapter 42

“...Koi?”

Ashley reacted immediately.

“What’s wrong? Are you feeling sick? Your face is all red.”

He looked genuinely concerned. But that only made it worse. When Ashley leaned closer, his face—which was already filling Koi’s entire vision—completely scrambled his thoughts.

“Koi, are you okay? Do you want to go to the hospital?”

Ashley reached out as Koi’s breathing grew more erratic. But the moment his fingertips brushed against Koi’s cheek, Koi flinched hard and recoiled in panic.

No! If Ashley touches me, I’ll die. I’ll seriously die, for real!

Panic swept over him like a wave, and a deafening alarm went off in his head. Haa, haa. Koi pressed himself against the window, gasping for air. Seeing his flushed, burning-red face, Ashley widened his eyes in alarm.

“We really should go to the hospital.”

“What? N-no!”

As Ashley turned the key to start the engine, Koi shouted in a panic.

“I’m fine! I’m not sick!”

“What are you talking about? Your face is bright red. You’re running a fever.”

“No, seriously, I’m fine! I-I just need a bit of fresh air, that’s all, really!”

I don’t even have insurance!

Koi screamed internally. Maybe it was the dread of that real-life threat, but the flush in his face began to drain, turning pale. Ashley stared at him with a furrowed brow, looking deeply concerned. Koi met his eyes, wavering, pleading silently for him to believe him.

Sigh.

In the end, Ashley let out a sigh and backed off.

“Alright. Let’s just get out of here for now.”

As he started driving, Koi nervously watched his profile, then cautiously spoke up.

“Um... would it be okay if I open the window? It’s kinda... hot...”

He pressed the window button—of course, nothing happened. Just like the doors, the windows wouldn’t open either. Koi pointed to the locked window, and Ashley glanced sideways before turning forward again and pressing a button on the center console.

The air conditioning turned on, and soon, a cold breeze began to flow through the car.

*

“...Koi?”

Ashley responded immediately.

“What’s wrong? Are you feeling sick? Your face is totally red.”

He looked genuinely worried. But that only made things worse. When Ashley leaned in, his face—already far too close—completely stole what little remained of Koi’s composure.

“Koi, are you okay? Do you want to go to the hospital?”

As Koi’s breathing grew heavier, Ashley reached out a hand. But the moment his fingertips brushed Koi’s cheek, Koi panicked and flinched away.

No! If Ash touches me, I’m going to die. I’ll seriously die, right here and now!

Panic surged through him like a flood, and a blaring siren screamed in his head. Haa, haa. Gasping for air, Koi pressed himself flat against the window, face flushed and burning red. Seeing him like that, Ashley’s eyes went wide.

“We’re going to the hospital.”

“What? N-no!”

When Ashley started the engine, Koi shouted in a rush.

“I’m fine! I’m not sick!”

“What are you talking about? Your face is completely red. You’re burning up.”

“No, really, I’m okay! I-I just need some fresh air! That’s all! Seriously!”

I don’t even have insurance!

Koi screamed internally. Maybe it was the dread of that real-life crisis, but the color began draining from his face. Ashley stared at him with a deep frown, concern clouding his expression. Koi met his eyes, shaky and desperate, silently begging him to believe it.

Sigh...

Finally, Ashley exhaled deeply and backed off.

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“Fine. Let’s just get out of here for now.”

As he started driving, Koi watched his profile nervously. Then, hesitating, he quietly asked,

“Um... could I open the window a little? It’s kinda... warm...”

He pressed the window button—unsurprisingly, it didn’t work. Just like the doors, the windows were locked. Koi pointed to it in awkward silence. Ashley glanced over, then turned back toward the road and pressed the button on the center console.

The A/C kicked on, and a cool breeze filled the car.

*

The car door finally unlocked once they arrived at Ashley’s house. After parking in front of the garage and opening his door, the passenger lock clicked open as well. Koi waited, then followed Ashley out of the car.

Maybe Ashley figured he wouldn’t try to run anymore—he didn’t hold Koi’s hand this time. Koi, feeling small, quietly trailed behind him. Ashley only spoke again after he’d sat Koi down at the snack bar.

“How did the test go? Did you pass?”

He handed over a can of soda and a cup. Koi blinked in surprise.

“You didn’t hear from Elle?”

He didn’t know the result? Then why had he brought Koi here?

Koi was confused—but this time, it was Ashley who looked taken aback.

“Elle? Why?”

Seeing his furrowed brows, Koi hesitated.

“I-I just thought you two made up...”

“No, Koi. You’ve got it wrong.”

Ashley’s tone turned firm as he denied it.

“It’s over. Completely. There’s no chance of us getting back together.”

“Oh...”

Koi had assumed all kinds of things ever since he saw the two of them walking side by side. But now he realized it had all been in his head. Ashley genuinely didn’t understand what he’d meant. Koi’s cheeks slowly flushed with delayed embarrassment.

“...I see,” he mumbled.

Ashley frowned, giving him a look that said just say whatever’s on your mind. Koi hesitated, then cautiously asked,

“Um... why did it end?”

Ashley was silent for a moment. Koi figured he might dodge the question.

But again, he was wrong.

“I...”

Ashley kept his gaze steady on Koi as he spoke.

“...fell for someone else.”

...What?

This translation is the intellectual property of Novelight.

Koi’s eyes widened in shock. He stared, blank, as Ashley repeated himself.

“I fell for someone else.”

“Uh...”

Koi blinked, stunned. Ashley’s voice was calm—like he’d already sorted out all his feelings. Koi didn’t know what to say, so he mumbled,

“...Oh. So, um, are you going to start dating someone new?”

He finally found something to say, and Ashley gave a quiet laugh.

“Hmm. I don’t know.”

“Huh? Why not?”

Koi asked again, confused by the vague reply. Ashley didn’t answer—he just looked straight at Koi.

“I’m not sure.”

“Why?”

Koi couldn’t hide his frustration and pressed further. Instead of answering, Ashley poured soda into the cup filled with ice. Koi waited patiently while he drank. Then, Ashley set the cup down and finally spoke.

“Because I’ve never confessed to someone before. I don’t know how.”

“Huh?”

Koi blinked at the unexpected response.

“But... you’ve had girlfriends, haven’t you?”

What did that mean—he’d never confessed?

Ashley explained,

“Yeah, I have. But it’s not like I ever told someone I liked them or anything. It just kind of happened naturally.”

Oh...

That was news to Koi. He nodded. For a moment, he wondered if it was okay for someone like him—who’d never dated anyone—to be giving advice. But that thought quickly faded.

He’s my friend. I have to do my best.

Koi asked eagerly,

“Then... why not do what you’ve always done? Just let it happen naturally.”

“It’s different this time.”

“How?”

Ashley rested his chin on his hand and looked at Koi.

“Because... I don’t know how they feel about me.”

That made Koi react instantly.

“What? Of course they like you. I mean, obviously they do!”

His voice was louder than usual as he continued passionately,

“Who wouldn’t like you, seriously? If you told them you liked them, they’d be thrilled! I know they would!”

Ashley looked slightly flustered by the intensity and let out a soft laugh.

“No way.”

“I’m serious!”

Koi shouted with absolute sincerity.

“If you told me you liked me and asked me out, I’d say yes right away!”

Ashley narrowed his eyes as he stared at Koi.

Wait.

Koi froze as the realization hit him. Something about what he’d just said felt... off. But it was too late to take it back. Ashley rested his arms on the table and leaned toward him.

“Would you?”

Koi met those silver-blue eyes and completely froze. That face—sharp features, neatly defined, smiling so gently—was right in front of him. Those eyes focused only on him. That smile meant only for him. His heart began to pound out of control.

Ashley spoke.

“Koi.”

His voice was soft. Sweet.

“I like you.”

...What?

Koi’s eyes widened. It felt like fireworks were exploding in his ears—or maybe it was the sound of his own heartbeat. That thunderous noise was unlike anything he’d ever experienced in his life.

I like you.

I like you.

I like you.

Ashley’s low voice echoed endlessly in his ears.

Ash likes me.

He °• N 𝑜 v 𝑒 l i g h t •° likes me.

“...Uwaah!”

Koi shrieked, jolting backward in shock.

“Koi!”

Ashley reached out and called his name as the chair toppled with a loud thud. Koi sat frozen on the floor, blinking in a daze.

“You okay?”

Ashley asked, face filled with worry. Slowly, Koi’s awareness returned. He realized he’d slipped from his chair and landed hard on the floor. If Ashley hadn’t caught his arm, he might’ve hit his head. Only when he saw Ashley’s pale, tense face did Koi finally nod.

“Yeah... I’m okay. Thanks...”

“...Good.”

Ashley smiled in relief. Then, still holding Koi’s arm, he suddenly pulled him up.

“Ah!”

Koi was caught off guard and ended up pulled straight into Ashley’s arms. His eyes widened in disbelief, completely unprepared. Ashley held him tightly and said,

“Don’t scare me like that.”

Thud.

It felt like his heart fell straight through the floor—and then began pounding even harder. His vision blurred, his mind went blank. Only one thought remained:

What if Ash finds out?

Caught in a storm of excitement and fear, Koi’s heart was racing uncontrollably when Ashley finally let go. He stumbled for a second, but managed to steady himself. Only then did Ashley release his hand.

Koi looked up and saw Ashley’s usual warm smile.

“You passed the test, right? Let’s skip practice today and have a celebration instead. I think there’s a cake.”

“...Cake?”

Koi echoed blankly. Ashley stood and replied,

“I left a note asking them to have one ready—because I figured you’d pass.”

That caught Koi completely off guard. He didn’t even know how to react. A cake? For me? It’s not even my birthday...

He’d never had cake for his birthday. Maybe once, long ago, but it was so far back he couldn’t remember.

And now... out of nowhere... a cake.

For something as small as passing a test.

Ashley opened the fridge and pulled out a chocolate cake. Koi quietly watched as he set it on the table. He brought over plates and forks, stood the fallen chair back up, and sat Koi down again. Koi didn’t even blink as he watched Ashley cut the cake.

“Congratulations, Koi.”

Ashley pushed the slice toward him with a soft smile. Koi felt a lump rise in his throat.

“Th... thanks.”

His voice barely squeezed out. Ashley just smiled. The fork in Koi’s hand trembled slightly as he scooped up a bite and brought it to his mouth.

“How is it?”

Ashley asked.

“...It’s good.”

Koi replied.

Ashley smiled again. His heart pounded, the cake was too sweet, and Koi nearly burst into tears.