LMI 24

It was the first time. The thought that Ashley had really called him made Koi very nervous, and he asked again.

“What’s wrong? Aren’t you asleep yet?”

His face flushed red at the unnaturally high voice that even he could hear. Ashley said to Koi, who was bowing his head in embarrassment.

• I’m going to sleep. …I was just wondering if you got home safe.

The last words came out after a short pause. Koi didn’t notice the strange gap at all and replied in an excited voice.

“Yeah, I got here safe. I’m in front of my house now.”

• In front of your house?

“Yeah.”

At Ashley’s question again, Koi said honestly.

“Father’s drunk, so I can’t go in right now. It’s okay, he’ll fall asleep soon. It’s not even that cold.”

It was a lie. His shoulders trembled involuntarily in the cool night breeze. The heat from riding his bicycle had long since dissipated, and all that was left was the cold night air.

• What?

Oh no.

Koi was startled by Ashley’s question. This is bad, Ashley is suspicious. Koi hurriedly tried to smooth things over.

“No, when Father drinks, he always grabs me and rants, he keeps talking. I have to listen to it, so it’s annoying.”

• That doesn’t mean you should be on the street.

“It’s okay, it’s okay. I’ll go in soon. Don’t worry.”

He didn’t want to be found out that he was even being beaten by Father. Koi lied with all his might.

I have to change the subject.

Koi hurriedly changed the subject.

“Thank you so much for today, Ash. I’ll never have such a wonderful dinner again. The sunset was beautiful, and the dinner was delicious.”

And you were there too.

His face quickly flushed. Koi quickly stroked his burning cheeks.

• That’s wrong, Koi.

Ashley denied it with a serious face to the words he had said with sincerity. Ashley continued to speak to Koi, who had paused.

• You will have countless wonderful days in the future. Next year, the year after that, and the year after that.

But you won’t be there.

Koi’s heart became complicated. His words comforted Koi so warmly, but he became sad again when he thought that Ashley wouldn’t be there.

“…Thank you, Ash.”

Ashley didn’t say anything when he whispered softly. Koi hesitated, looking for something to say, but Ashley, who had been silent for a while, opened his mouth.

• When will that limited edition doll be in stock again?

“Huh? Doll?”

Koi, who had asked back in confusion, realized belatedly, “Ah.”

“That series?”

Koi blinked rapidly and rummaged through his memories.

“Well, maybe next week…? I don’t know exactly. Sorry.”

Ashley said readily, honestly.

• Let me know when it’s in stock again. I’ll go buy it.

At that moment, Koi’s ears perked up.

“Really? You’ll come? To the store where I work part-time?”

At the series of questions, Ashley replied in a voice mixed with laughter.

• Yeah.

At that moment, Koi suddenly heard the sound of fireworks in his ears. Realizing that it was the sound of his own pounding heart, Koi closed his eyes tightly.

“…Yes!”

The words burst out as if he were exhaling the breath he had been holding in.

Ah!

Startled, he covered his mouth with his hand. What did I just say? Koi blinked rapidly, but his mind went blank.

“Uh, um, that.”

He opened his mouth to try to smooth things over somehow, but he couldn’t continue his words properly and kept stammering, so he hurriedly added.

“We’re, friends, right?”

After a pause, Ashley replied.

• That’s right.

Hoo, Koi sighed softly. Ashley continued casually.

• Then Koi, see you next time.

“Yeah, see you again. Thank you so much for today.”

Ashley responded after he thanked him once more.

• Me too. Thanks for bringing the medicine.

“Yeah.”

Feeling proud for no reason, Koi blushed and smiled contentedly. I don’t want to hang up. He wanted to talk to Ashley a little more, but he knew he couldn’t. With a heart full of regret, Koi said.

“Well, then…”

Ashley finished the sentence first as he trailed off.

• Okay, good night.

“Good night.”

Koi held his breath and listened quietly. Ashley didn’t hang up right away. They were just breathing heavily, as if waiting for the other to hang up first. Then Ashley ended the call first from the other side. Koi stayed still for a few more seconds before quietly opening his mouth.

“Um, Ash…?”

He whispered softly in a deeply subdued voice. There was no answer. As expected, the call had been disconnected. Hoo, Koi sighed and put down the cell phone in his hand. His cheeks were still burning.

Haaa.

He took a deep breath to calm his trembling heart. When he took his second breath, the ringtone rang again. Startled, he answered the phone, and an unexpected voice flowed from the other side.

• Koi?

“A, Ash?”

Surprised, he checked his cell phone in a daze. The caller was definitely Ashley. He put his cell phone to his ear again, and then he heard Ashley’s voice after a hmm, hmm, clearing of his throat from the other side.

• If you don’t have anything to do tomorrow, do you want to come over?

“To your house?”

Koi, who had inadvertently asked back, widened his eyes in surprise.”Come over to hang out? At your place? Again?”

• Yeah.

Ashley readily answered and added a question.

• Do you have a part-time job?

“Uh, uh?”

Koi stammered, flustered. Of course, he did. But Ashley had invited him, and it was absurd to miss this opportunity for such a trivial reason.

I’ll go no matter what!

Koi hastily thought of a way to go to Ashley’s house and answered, “Yeah.”

“I do, but I can go after it’s over.”

Ashley said with a hint of laughter in his voice after the hasty reply.

• Okay, then I’ll see you tomorrow. Around dinner time?

“Uh? Uh.”

Tomorrow was a day he worked all day. But Koi nodded quickly.

“I, I’ll go before dinner.”

• Okay. Good night, bye.

Ashley, after saying a gentle greeting, chuckled briefly and added.

• This time, it’s really goodbye.

“Yeah.”

Koi answered, but in his heart, he was shouting enthusiastically, ‘You can do it again, you can do it ten, twenty times!’ Ashley laughed again and hung up.

Koi, after checking the disconnected call, stared blankly at the screen for a while. He had waited with a fluttering heart, but this time, he didn’t call back.

“Haa.”

Koi sighed in disappointment and raised his head. Suddenly, the Motorhome came into view. He crept closer and listened, but no sound came from inside. Koi took a deep breath and carefully opened the door. The old door made an ominous creaking sound, and he flinched in surprise.

He quietly held his breath, but there were no more sounds. Koi carefully moved inside. As expected, Father was sprawled on the floor, snoring in his sleep. Koi carefully stepped over the empty liquor bottles scattered next to him and tiptoed to his bed. He couldn’t even think about taking a shower. Instead, he brushed his teeth and washed his face roughly before lying down on the bed.

I should shower as soon as Father leaves.

Koi thought as he closed his eyes. He couldn’t meet Ashley in such a dirty state, not having showered the day before. Since he couldn’t smell himself, he couldn’t rule out the possibility of going to meet him without realizing he stank.

Absolutely not.

Koi vowed to himself again and again. Holding his cell phone tightly, he waited for tomorrow to come.

*

Haa, haa.

Koi panted, pedaling and pedaling. Today, he had entered through the gate with confidence, but that didn’t change the fact that he had to climb the mountain.

Seeing the sports car speeding past him as if to show off, Koi pedaled harder. It was definitely hard, but it wasn’t hard at the same time. He wanted to see Ashley as soon as possible. That was all that was on Koi’s mind.

Finally, the sight of the mansion he had been longing for began to appear in the distance. Koi couldn’t hide the overwhelming emotion. Just a little more, just a little more.

When he finally reached the front door, Koi felt like he was about to collapse from breathlessness.

Haa, haa.

He was clutching his chest, standing there catching his breath, when suddenly the front door burst open and someone came out.

“Koi.”

Koi, shrugging his shoulders, raised his head, and the face he had been longing for so much came into his blurry vision. The pain in his chest disappeared, and instead, an enormous joy welled up.

“Ashley.”

Koi smiled brightly, feeling happiness fill his chest. Ashley also smiled at him.

“Welcome.”

“Yeah.”

Koi nodded.

“I missed you.”

It had only been a day, but it felt like his heart was burning. How much he had missed him, and all he could express was this. Feeling a sense of regret, Ashley said.

“Me too.”

The moment Koi heard those words, his regret flew far away.