LMI 34

“Uh-oh?”

Koi, who had put down the empty can, made a strange noise. Ashley, anticipating the bleak situation that would soon unfold, let out a frustrated sigh. Koi was already looking at Ashley with hazy eyes due to the alcohol and said.

“This is a little weird.”

“That’s because it’s alcohol.”

Ashley frowned, running his fingers through his hair.

“You’d know if you smelled it.”

Koi, who had been blinking at him, smiled sheepishly.

“That’s right. I wondered why my nose was tingling.”

Ashley was flustered by Koi’s appearance, giggling and making tingling noises. It was the first time he had seen someone drunk. Does alcohol usually make you drunk this quickly?

Just in case, he shook the can and it was indeed empty. He didn’t think he would get this drunk from just one can of Beer. Maybe it was because it was the first alcohol he had ever drunk.

Anyway, I have to sort out the situation.

Ashley tried to think as rationally as possible. It wasn’t his intention, but it was his fault for giving him alcohol, so he had to take responsibility.

The employees must have put the alcohol in the refrigerator. They might have put it in there to drink during work, or they might have just put it in there for show, in case guests came. What was important now wasn’t ‘why’. Ashley sighed, looking at Koi, who was still giggling and laughing.

He seems to be in a good mood.

Ashley gave a wry smile, looking at his ears that were twitching from time to time. He didn’t know if he would feel guilty when he sobered up, but since he and Koi were the only ones who knew about this situation, it wouldn’t leak out. Of course, Ashley also thought that it was better to take responsibility for Koi now than to deliberately blab about something that he was partly responsible for.

“Get up, Koi. You can’t lie down here, you’ll catch a cold.”

“Huh? Uh-oh……?”

Koi made a strange noise and staggered. Ashley sighed and picked him up.

“Ugh.”

He was much lighter than he thought, and he almost hurt his back. Ashley, who had let out a surprised groan, looked down at Koi, who was giggling. Koi was still just smiling, oblivious to his feelings.

“Ash, my body is floating.”

“I guess so, since it’s true.”

Ashley replied casually and moved his feet. As he entered the mansion, Koi kept chattering.

“It’s amazing. It’s like someone is holding me and flying.”

Isn’t he not drunk?

Ashley frowned and looked down at Koi suspiciously. Just as he was about to climb the stairs, Koi suddenly waved his arms.

“Ah, hey!”

Ashley, startled, hurriedly readjusted his hold on him, and Koi laughed.

“I flew, I flew.””Don’t you dare drink again.”

Ashley warned, but Koi didn’t seem to hear.

“I’m an astronaut, I’ve become an astronaut.”

Ashley watched him make whooshing sounds with his mouth, then silently resumed walking.

As they climbed the stairs, Koi laughed, made wind noises, and rattled off constellations haphazardly. Ashley remained silent, just walking.

“Ugh…”

Ashley opened the cabin door with his shoulder and placed Koi on the bed. Koi mumbled in his sleep. Ashley couldn’t decide whether to be pathetic or dumbfounded at Koi passing out after only one can of beer.

Ashley stared down at Koi sprawled on the bed. His slightly parted lips and flushed cheeks, perhaps from the alcohol, were particularly eye-catching.

“…Koi.”

Ashley called him in a small voice. If he were awake, he would have answered, but sadly, all that could be heard was deep breathing.

“Koi.”

Ashley whispered in an even lower voice. He carefully leaned over Koi and gently stroked his cheek. He could feel Koi’s warmth in his palm.

Koi.

Ashley moved his lips, repeating his name.

“I want to kiss you.”

He confessed in a voice as faint as a breath. He couldn’t tell if the heat on his cheeks was his own or Koi’s. The temptation was overwhelming. Just a light touch would be okay. Just a touch of lips. Just a little.

…That’s impossible.

Ashley gathered all his patience and forced himself to stand up. It took tremendous courage to resist such a strong temptation.

He sat on the edge of the bed, breathing heavily, and looked out the window. As before, the deep navy sky filled his vision.

“Haa…”

He let out a deep sigh, as if boiling over, and sat there for a while. He felt like he had poured out all his energy at once.

After staring blankly at the sky for some time, he finally sighed and got up. And Ashley didn’t look back at Koi until he went out into the hallway and closed the door.

*

“Ugh…”

Koi woke up with a big stretch, blinking sleepily for a while. The scenery in his view was unfamiliar. The bed was surprisingly large, fluffy and soft like a cloud. It felt like he was dreaming.

Maybe I’m still dreaming.

Koi closed his eyes again and turned to his side. The mustiness of the old, dirty sheets was gone. Instead, a soft sheet, as fresh as if it had just been washed, gently wrapped around him. Koi sighed and rubbed his face.

Huh?

Just as he was about to fall back asleep, he suddenly felt strange. Can a dream be this vivid?

That’s impossible!

Koi opened his eyes wide in surprise and quickly sat up, looking around. The scenery in the room was the same, but the antique bed and furniture, and the brightly colored walls, looked even softer in the sunlight pouring in through the large window.

Where is this…?

Koi belatedly recalled his memories. The events of the previous day flashed back in an instant. The pouring stars, the sky shining even in the darkness of the night, the refreshing breeze that made his heart flutter.

And.

I drank alcohol!

Koi’s eyes widened in surprise. It was an accidental mistake, but he couldn’t believe he had made such a mistake. Koi, who had never broken even the smallest rule in his life, had committed a crime.

Oh my god, how could I commit such a crime.

Koi turned pale and grabbed his head.

What should I do!

*

“Hi, Koi.”

Koi, who had been wandering around the large mansion looking for Ashley, finally found him in the tea room. Ashley, who was preparing breakfast, smiled and spoke to him.

“You’re going to eat breakfast, right? Come and sit down.”

“Oh, yeah.”

Koi nodded absentmindedly, then belatedly said,

“Is there anything I can help with?”

“No, I’m all done. Just sit down.”

“Okay.”

As he sat down as instructed, Ashley asked.

“Coffee? Tea? Herbal tea? Or…”

He added mischievously, listing them casually.

“Beer?”

“Pfft.”

Koi, who was drinking water, was so embarrassed that he spat it out.

“Cough, cough.”

Ashley handed him a napkin as he coughed, choking.

“Th-thank you.”

“You’re welcome.”

Koi barely calmed his cough and straightened up. In the meantime, Ashley finished preparing the meal.

“Did you make all this?”

Ashley replied lightly when he asked, looking at the plate full of food.

“It’s nothing special. You just have to bake it.”

In reality, it didn’t require great skill. It was just bacon, eggs, sausage, potatoes, and a salad. But it was amazing that he had prepared it all by himself. Koi looked at Ashley sitting across from him and asked.

“Do you always eat breakfast like this?”

“No.”

Ashley answered readily.

“I don’t eat much. Maybe I’ll have cereal.”

“Then you made it for me?”

Koi asked on purpose. It was obviously a joke, but all he got in return was Ashley’s smiling face.

Oh.

Koi paused. Really for me?

“Eat up.”

Ashley said, unfolding his napkin. Koi said, “Okay,” and quickly picked up his fork. He hadn’t had breakfast in a very long time either. And that morning’s breakfast was the best he could remember.

*

“Ash! Hey, are you okay? Are you all better?”

Bill greeted Ashley happily as he parked his car, having arrived at school after a long time. Ashley got out of the car, naturally hugged him, then pulled away and replied.

“I’m fine now. Nothing happened, right?”

“It hasn’t even been a few days, what could have happened?”

Bill then said with a suggestive smile.

“You came out earlier than I thought? I heard you were going to rest for about a week.”

“The coach misspoke. I clearly said I would only rest for a little while.”

“Oh.”

Bill whistled briefly and examined Ashley’s cheeks, which looked much calmer.

“You look a little swollen, but isn’t this good enough?”

“It hurt quite a bit.”

Ashley gave a bitter smile. Of course, he deserved to be hit.