By Zephyria But the joy of passing was short-lived.
〈Your body is very stiff, and the movements don’t flow at all. It’s very serious.〉
Regardless of the result, Ariel, who had watched all of Koi’s first test movements, pointed out in a sharp tone.
〈However, since there were no incorrect movements, I decided to see your potential. I hope you’ll improve in the second test.〉
Anyway, I passed! My chances have gone up!
Koi jumped up and down with joy because he desperately needed extracurricular activity points for college applications.
He wanted to tell Ashley the good news quickly. Since there was no practice today, Ashley had said he would wait until Koi’s test was over.
He was sure that Ashley, who had diligently guided his clumsy self for the past few days, would be happy for him.
But when he hurried outside, he looked around for Ashley but was dismayed when he couldn’t see him anywhere.
Huh?
He wondered and stopped awkwardly. Then, he saw Ashley walking towards him in the distance. Koi was about to greet him with joy but hesitated. He wasn’t alone. Someone was next to him.
The girl who was in front of me during the first test just now…
Ariel.
The moment Koi recognized the girl walking with him, he froze.
*
“Anyway, I dumped you.”
Ariel said bluntly.
“Yeah.”
Ashley, who was walking side by side with her, smiled. Ariel didn’t like his relaxed attitude at all and glared at him.
“I used to like your relaxed attitude, but why do I hate it so much now?”
Ashley chuckled briefly.
“You saw it right. I’m not as great as you guys think.”
“You guys?”
Ariel asked, puzzled. But Ashley didn’t answer this time. He looked straight ahead without saying anything, then exclaimed, “Ah.” Ariel frowned, lifting her head without thinking. Ashley’s face was completely different from before.
He always had a friendly smile. His tone was gentle, and he was always kind to girls. Ariel liked that, but on the other hand, she didn’t. Sometimes she doubted if he really liked her, but now she knew.
Ashley Miller liked Ariel, but he felt the same way about everyone else.
Because she was seeing that smile for the first time.
Ariel was dumbfounded and curious. Who was Ashley looking at with that smile?
And when she saw where his gaze was directed, she doubted her own eyes.
The applicant who had been fluttering in front of him like a dry leaf until just now was there.
*
What’s going on right now?
Koi blinked and just watched the two of them walking side by side. He could vaguely hear the cheerleading team members who were still around whispering about them.
“Ash was waiting for Ariel, right? Huh?”
“Yeah, they went together as soon as they saw each other.”
“Are they going to get back together?”
“I hope so. It’s such a waste, those two.”
“Yeah, they looked so good together.”
“The reunion of the Buffalo King and Queen, maybe at this year’s homecoming party?”
Soon, there was a flurry of excited screams. Koi just stood there silently, watching them.
Yeah, they look so good together.
That’s how it looked to Koi too. He couldn’t help but think that there would never be a couple as well-matched as them.
In fact, there was a lot of talk when they broke up. The regretful reactions were also considerable. Ariel was the only one good enough for the incredibly handsome Ashley Miller. So it was only natural that they would start again. Didn’t he think until recently that they would get married?
Come to think of it, Ash hasn’t had a girlfriend since he broke up with Ariel.
That was also strange. It didn’t make sense that a guy like Ashley Miller wouldn’t have a girlfriend.
He was waiting for Ariel to come back.
That made sense. For some reason, Ariel dumped Ashley, and Ashley, who was heartbroken, waited for her, and his waiting was being rewarded, and they were about to get back together.
I see, that’s what it is.
Koi nodded, realizing it anew. It was so obvious and something to celebrate.
But why am I like this?
He couldn’t figure it out at all. Why did his heart ache so much, and why was he so disturbed? It was so empty and lonely, as if there was a hole somewhere.
Maybe I thought Ash was my only friend? Maybe there was a selfish desire to monopolize him hidden in a corner of my heart.
That’s definitely it. There’s no other answer. He was feeling left out right now. If they got back together, Ashley would be less attentive to Koi than before. Then he might become more distant from Ashley than he was now…
No, maybe I won’t be able to see him at all.
That felt more plausible. It was a painful truth, but Koi had to accept it. He should be grateful that he was able to be so close to Ash. The time he had spent with him was more of an exception.
But.
He was backing away without realizing it.
But not now, I don’t want to see it now. I really don’t want to see that.
“Ah.”
Just then, Ashley found him. The moment he raised his hand, smiling as always, Koi turned around and started running.
“Koi, hey!”
Ashley, who was bewildered by Koi’s sudden escape, soon realized what was going on and sighed in disbelief. He gritted his teeth and waved at Ariel.
“Sorry, Ariel. See you next time. Bye.”
He said goodbye in a hurry and immediately ran after Koi.
“Hey, Corner Niles! Can’t you stop there?”
Ariel frowned, dumbfounded by his sudden departure.
“What are they doing?”
*
Haa, haa.
Koi ran as hard as he could, his breath catching in his throat. It was the first time he had ever run like this. But he had no choice but to run. He would run to the end of the earth if he could just get away from here. Faster, farther, quickly…!
“Hey, Koi! Corner Niles!”
He was running without thinking when he suddenly heard someone calling him from behind. Koi thought he was hallucinating. But he was wrong. He heard another sharp shout.
“Koi, are you really not going to stop there?”
The tremendous shout made his ears ring for a moment. Koi, who was running as hard as he could but couldn’t overcome his fear, glanced back and was surprised to see his eyes widen. Ashley was running at an incredible speed. Definitely faster than he had been running. Knowing that he had already been caught up so much even though he had run away from that far away, Koi gasped like a scream.
“Stop there!”
“Aah!”
He worked his feet hard, but Ashley’s speed was terrifying. Koi, realizing his amazing running skills that were closing the distance in an instant, suddenly remembered something he had forgotten for a moment. Ashley Miller was the captain of the high school ice hockey championship team.
“It…!”
Ashley gritted his teeth and reached out his hand. Koi’s face, who kept looking back, turned pale. When his big hand came into view, Ashley grabbed his shoulder and pulled him roughly.
“Ah!”
Koi’s body floated up for a moment. After feeling a brief sense of floating, Koi was already being held tightly in Ashley’s arms.
“Got you.”
Ashley’s rough breath poured over Koi’s head. Koi blinked his wide eyes and barely managed to catch his breath while being held by him.
“There’s no way you can run away from me.”
Ashley said, still panting.
“No matter how hard you run away, you’ll end up getting caught by me.”
His voice seeped into Koi’s dazed mind.
“Because I’ll never let you go.”
Koi still couldn’t say anything. He just kept panting roughly and leaned on Ashley, standing there like that.