By Zephyria As always, after Ashley parked the car on the way to take Koi home, Ashley got out of the car first and stood facing Koi.
“Thank you for the ride, Ash.”
Koi said, looking up at him. Ashley silently looked down at Koi, but he wasn’t looking at his face. Koi noticed his gaze and looked down, then said, “Ah,” and looked up again.
“Thank you, and for buying me clothes again… You could have just lent me yours.”
“No, absolutely not.”
Ashley strongly denied. Koi was startled and looked at him, but Ashley was serious. Koi didn’t realize at all what he had looked like earlier, but for Ashley, it was an extremely serious situation.
After showering, Ashley froze when he saw Koi come out wearing the old, worn-out jeans he had been wearing and a new T-shirt that Ashley had lent him. The shirt, which was not the right size, was stretched out in all directions, and if you looked at it from above, you could clearly see Koi’s bare skin. Ashley felt both maddening anger and desire at the same time as he saw all the traces he had kissed and sucked on still remaining.
He immediately put Koi in the car and headed to the mall, and he could only feel relieved after buying three shirts that fit Koi’s size and making him wear them. Of course, Koi, who was completely unaware of the situation, only thought, ‘Ash doesn’t like other people wearing his clothes.’
The two were still standing facing each other. Even though everything looked the same as before on the surface, Koi somehow felt that today’s atmosphere was different from usual.
Well, it couldn’t be the same.
While feeling bitter inside, he had to admit it. That he was the one who had created this situation. But he couldn’t help it.
Ash is just mistaken.
Koi was very aware of his situation. Ashley was just including him in the group because he felt sorry for him, and he was grateful for that, but that’s why he shouldn’t misunderstand even more. Besides, it hadn’t been long since he had Manifested, so Ashley would be confused enough. He would definitely regret it later.
He will think it’s a good thing that I didn’t accept him right away.
“Thank you as always, Ash.”
Koi smiled with difficulty. Thank you for saying you liked me, even if it was just a misunderstanding. He added inwardly. You’re a really good guy.
“Koi.”
“Yeah.”
Ashley called his name. Koi quickly answered. Ashley didn’t say anything for a while after that and then opened his mouth.
“I was serious when I said I liked you.”
“That’s…”
“It’s not a misunderstanding, and I didn’t say it wrong. I like you.”
Ashley firmly cut off Koi’s words. Ashley continued as he watched Koi, who was hesitating and unable to find the words to say.
“I don’t know why you’re denying my words so strongly, but I know my feelings better than you do. I like you, and this is not a lie.”
“…”
“I like you. Why don’t you believe me?”
Ashley gave a bitter smile. The setting sun was turning the surroundings all red. Koi blankly stared at Ashley’s brilliant platinum blonde hair, which was dyed orange and occasionally swayed in the wind. He opened his mouth, but no sound came out properly. That’s, Koi answered after a long time.
“There’s no way you could like someone like me…”
Ashley frowned. He clearly showed signs of displeasure, and Koi didn’t know what to do and wandered his gaze around.
“Koi.”
“Yeah.”
When he answered hastily, Ashley commanded in a more serious and stern voice than ever before.
“Don’t ever say ‘someone like me’ again. Then I become someone who likes ‘someone like you’.”
“…”
Koi was speechless and could only stare at his face. Ashley continued to speak.
“Don’t you dare belittle the you that I like. If anyone despises Corner Niles, I will get angry, no matter who it is. Even if it’s you.”
Koi had nothing to say to the strong tone. Ashley asked as he looked at him, who was just standing there without saying anything.
“Got it, Koi?”
“…”
“Corner Niles.”
Ashley called his full name. Koi hurriedly nodded.
“Yeah.”
Koi hurriedly added in a trembling voice.
“I won’t, not anymore.”
Only then did Ashley’s expression relax and a gentle smile, like usual, appeared.
“Okay.”
Koi was relieved to see his smiling face, but he still found it hard to believe that this situation was real. Am I dreaming right now?
Maybe I’m still lying in bed with Ash right now.
Maybe I fell asleep while lying next to him, waiting for his Manifestation to end. Otherwise, there’s no way Ashley would say these things to me.
Just as he thought that far, Ashley’s voice suddenly flew in.
“Are you putting yourself down again right now?”
“What? Ah, no.”
Koi was startled and shook his head at Ashley’s suspicious expression.
“It’s just, well… I can’t believe it.”
“That I like you?”
Koi couldn’t even bring himself to answer. Ashley was now used to his reaction and was no longer surprised or embarrassed.
“It’s okay, you don’t have to believe it.”
Ashley said.
“I’m going to keep liking you, and I’m going to say it over and over again until you believe it. That I like you. So it doesn’t matter. I’m never going to give up until you accept it, whether you’re tired of it or you sincerely accept it.”
“That’s…”
Koi couldn’t finish his sentence and lowered his head, trailing off. He had no idea how to interpret this situation. As he hesitated and stood there, Ashley rummaged through his pants pocket and took something out and held it out.
…Huh?
Koi widened his eyes and raised his head when he saw the object he was holding out. Ashley opened his mouth when he saw his expression.
“That’s right, the Homecoming party ticket you gave me.”
“Why this…”
Ashley said to Koi, who was flustered.
“I wanted to go with you.”
Koi also knew that. Had he changed his mind? While thinking it was natural, he was also confused as to why he was giving the ticket back. When the returned coupon somehow made his heart ache, Ashley said something unexpected.
“Give this to me when you feel like you want to go with me.”
“Huh… Huh?”
Koi stuttered again at the unexpected words. Ashley continued in a calm voice.
“Just tell me to go to the party with you. Then I’ll know.”
A faint smile appeared on Ashley’s lips.
“That you like me too.”
Koi couldn’t say anything with his mouth open. Ashley, who clearly saw that he was panicking as if a war was going on in his head, didn’t waste any more time and bent down and grabbed Koi’s hand. Ashley placed the ticket on his listless palm and bent his fingers to force him to hold it, and then grabbed Koi’s hand with one hand.
“I’ll be waiting, Koi.”
After saying those words, Ashley kissed Koi on the cheek again. A cute sound was heard, and a moist sensation remained on his cheek.
“Then goodbye, Koi. See you tomorrow.”
Ashley smiled and waved his hand, then readily got into the car. And he drove away in the Cayenne, leaving Koi still standing there blankly.
Koi, who was reflected in the rearview mirror, quickly disappeared from view. Instead of going straight home, Ashley changed lanes and started driving aimlessly down the road.
He didn’t want to go home right now. He had been with Koi until now, but now there was no one again.
In fact, it wasn’t that different when he lived in the East. There were always many servants bustling around in the mansion he lived in, but despite that, the surroundings were always quiet. He ran away because he hated that, and it was still just as quiet here, but it was better than having people around. If it was quiet because there was no one, then that was only natural.But that normalcy changed after Koi came to his house. Ashley was now sick of the silence. He didn’t want to sleep alone anymore either. But it couldn’t be just anyone. There was only one person he wanted.
Suddenly, the hand gripping the steering wheel came into view. A bandage was wrapped around his arm, exposed beneath the short-sleeved t-shirt. Koi had put the bandage on while he was asleep.
He gripped the steering wheel with one hand and lifted the bandaged arm. After staring at it for a moment, Ashley gently pressed his lips to the bandage. The sudden warmth felt like Koi’s, and he sighed unconsciously.