By Zephyria “So, none of your friends know? That you Manifested.”
Koi asked, changing the subject.
“Yeah.”
Ashley said.
“The only people who know I Manifested are a few teachers, the coach, Father, and his secretary. …Well, there’s one dangerous person.”
“Wh-who?”
Koi asked, very nervous. Looking down at him, Ashley opened his mouth with a serious expression.
“There’s someone who sneaks into my house all the time. That person knows my secret.”
“Re-really? What should we do? Shouldn’t we install a security system or something?”
Ashley shook his head at Koi’s question.
“No, there’s no need to go that far. They’re really small, not even half my size.”
“Still, you never know. What if someone attacks you while you’re sleeping or something, even if it’s you? It’s dangerous.”
At those words, Ashley seemed to think for a moment and said.
“That’s true. They even snuck into my house when I was sick and almost put me in danger.”
“See! So, nothing happened, right? Huh?”
Looking down at him, who had reacted quickly, Ashley continued with a serious face.
“I don’t think they were trying to kill me, but how do they get past the front gate security and come to my house every time? They’re really scary.”
“Get past the front gate security?”
Koi, who had repeated his words, suddenly realized something was off. Ashley nodded with a serious expression at him, who had paused.
“Yeah, I don’t know how they knew the way, but they went around the mountain and came to my house.”
Only then did Koi realize the meaning and shut his mouth. Looking down at his face, which was starting to turn redder and redder, Ashley added in a low voice, as if sharing a secret.
“And do you know what their mode of transportation is? Not a car, but a bicycle. And it’s so old and worn out that it’s practically scrap metal.”
Ashley deliberately frowned at Koi’s face, which had turned as red as a tomato.
“How can I beat someone who comes around the mountain on that thing? Isn’t it really scary?”
“I-I don’t know!”
Koi quickly turned around and ran towards the classroom. Of course, Ashley easily caught up with him by casually taking a few steps.
“But Koi, do you know what’s even scarier?”
Koi didn’t answer and ran desperately. Ashley said, running alongside him.
“Well, they changed their bicycle!”
“Stop it!”
Koi couldn’t stand it any longer and threw a punch. Of course, it was a punch that was no better than a cotton swab, and he didn’t even hit him properly, just grazed him. But Ashley suddenly cried out, “Ouch, ouch,” and sat down, clutching the arm he’d been hit on with his other hand. Koi, who had been running away again, turned around a beat later and shouted in surprise.
“A-Ash?”
Oh no! Koi turned back to Ash in a panic. Ash remained crouched in place, clutching the arm he’d been hit on with his other hand, until he got close. Koi asked, not knowing what to do.
“A-Ash, are you okay? I’m sorry, you haven’t been Manifested for long and you must not be feeling well… What should I do, I’m so sorry.”
Should I call 911? Just as he was about to take out his cell phone in a hurry, Ashley suddenly grabbed both of his arms. Ashley’s smiling face came into Koi’s widened vision.
“Got you.”
“You tricked me!”
Koi belatedly struggled, but of course it was no use. Ashley readily got up and put an arm around his shoulder, pulling him close.
“This time, you fell for me.”
“Y-you tricked me.”
“Yeah, sorry.”
Ashley said in a tone that didn’t sound sorry at all. Koi tried to get angry at him, but all that came up was relief.
I’m glad he’s not hurt…
Seeing him sigh in relief, Ashley smiled. If they weren’t at school, he would have kissed him. Ashley suppressed his regret and instead put an arm around him and started walking. As he walked alongside him, Koi suddenly remembered the conversation they’d had earlier, after his breath, which had been rising to his chin, had calmed down somewhat.
“Hey, Ash.”
“Yeah?”
Ashley replied immediately, as always. Koi used all the knowledge he had to ask.
“Hey, about what we were talking about earlier, so you’re usually okay, but you release Pheromones at your house, right? So if I go to your house, I’ll be exposed to them too?”
“Yeah.”
Ashley readily answered this time as well, but he was nervous inside. Maybe Koi would never come to his house again. It can’t be helped. It’s all because I Manifested like this.
As he was mentally prepared, Koi unexpectedly nodded.
“I see. Okay.”
“…That’s it?”
Ashley couldn’t help but take his eyes off the front and look at Koi at the too-simple reaction.
“Huh? Uh…”
Koi scratched his head, looking bewildered.
“But you just have to wash well, right? It’s okay, I always shower twice a day.”
He added with a bright smile.
“I was with you the whole time you were Manifesting, and I didn’t Manifest.”
He didn’t bother to mention that Father had told him not to meet Ashley. After all, Koi had no intention of following those words.
〈Let’s be together.〉
A smile slowly spread across Ashley’s face as he recalled Koi’s words.
“…Yeah.”
Ashley said.
“Let’s be together.”
“Yeah.”
Koi nodded. It didn’t matter what Father said. He would never break up with Ashley.
With that determination, Koi smiled brightly at Ashley.
“I’ll be with you.”
At that moment, Ashley clenched his fists so hard that his fingernails dug into his palms, trying to resist the urge to hug Koi and shower him with kisses. This is school, he repeated like a mantra. I have to hold back, even for Koi’s sake.
They weren’t officially dating yet. He hoped they would be soon, but no one knew when that day would come. For him, every day, no, every hour, every minute, every second was too long.
“Koi.”
Ashley opened his mouth as they reached the classroom where they had class. He could feel Koi looking up at him, but Ashley continued to look straight ahead.
“I can’t wait long.”
Huh…
Koi didn’t react immediately and blinked. Ashley took his arm off of him and entered the classroom first. Leaving Koi, who was hesitating in the hallway, behind, he sat down in his seat, and Koi, who had been lingering in the hallway, came into the classroom and sat down next to Ashley, watching him carefully. Ashley deliberately smiled at him.
So admit it before then, Koi. Your feelings.
Another student came in, and the teacher started the class. Ashley looked at Koi, who was quickly straightening his posture. His expression, which seemed more nervous than usual, clearly showed that he was very shaken by Ashley’s words. Looking at Koi’s face, Ashley thought.
I might not be able to stand it anymore and kidnap you.
*
“One, two, three, end!”
At Ariel’s cue, everyone stopped moving at once. At the same time, the music stopped, and a few seconds later, everyone caught their breath and relaxed. Koi also bent over, panting, and caught his breath.
18
Cheerleading Team practice was harder than he thought. Moreover, the amount of exercise was much more than he expected, and therefore, the team members’ stamina was also enormous.
Since joining the team, Koi had felt apologetic to all the cheerleaders in the world, including the team members, every day, every moment. Because they were always smiling and jumping brightly, he had never imagined that such hard work, training, and tears were hidden behind it. And above all, they were sincere about their role.
“We will lead Buffalo High School to victory!”
At Ariel’s shout, everyone shouted in unison. Koi also shouted along, impressed by their pride.But the moment of emotion was never long. Koi always had extra training left.
“You have no muscles.”
Ariel would often harshly criticize Koi, poking at his body here and there. It was understandable, as everyone in the cheerleading squad boasted fairly solid muscles from repeated physical training. Among them, Ariel was, as expected of the captain, the best.
“Ariel even won an amateur boxing match.”
Koi was impressed by the vice-captain’s proud words about their captain one day, but he also shuddered at the memory of Ashley’s face, which had been red and swollen.
“Okay, everyone worked hard today.”
While everyone was roughly cleaning up, Ariel clapped her hands to get their attention. As everyone looked at her, Ariel continued.
“We’re going to get uniforms made before the upcoming Homecoming game. Have your uniforms ready in advance, and if anyone has any problems, be sure to tell me or the vice-captain. This game is like the beginning of the season, so we have to do it right.”
“Yes!”
“Okay!”
Ariel nodded at the shouts filled with spirit, then suddenly smiled brightly.
“In that sense, shall we all have a bonding time at Green Bell today?”