LMI 97

“Aah!”

Koi screamed in a high voice at the hand that had grabbed his bare skin. He quickly covered his mouth with both hands and looked up at Ashley with wide eyes. As if asking what he was doing. But Ashley didn’t care and put both hands in, caressing both of Koi’s butt cheeks as he lamented.

“Ah, I don’t want to break up.”

The next class was approaching. Koi’s face turned red, and he didn’t know what to do, looking down at the butt that Ashley was groping. He agreed with his words, but he couldn’t think of anything to say because he was so conscious of his butt. Ashley frowned at Koi’s reaction and asked,

“Koi, are you not bothered at all?”

“Eep!”

Koi screamed again as Ashley squeezed his butt tightly as if punishing him. Haa, haa, unable to control his naturally rapid breathing, Koi trembled and felt dizzy, answering hesitantly.

“I, I d-don’t, d-dislike it either.”

“Right?”

Ashley released the hand that had been holding his butt. But that didn’t mean he let go. Instead, he gently caressed it and muttered, sighing above his head,

“I wish we could be together forever.”

“M-me too.”

This time, Koi answered without delay. He tried to concentrate on Ashley’s words, trying to focus his attention away from his butt.

“I want to be together forever without breaking up too.”

Ashley looked down at Koi when he said it without stuttering.

“Really?”

Koi nodded at his brightened face.

“Yeah, really.”

Koi also regretted breaking up. He didn’t know how empty and lonely he had felt after breaking up the day before. Ashley felt the same way, so he gained a little courage.

“Um, I’ve been thinking about something…”

Ashley stopped his hands and looked down at him as he cautiously spoke. Even then, Koi tried to take his attention away from the two hands still on his butt and continued,

“Um… when we graduate…”

Ashley’s eyes sparkled.

“Koi, you were thinking the same thing?”

“Huh? Oh…”

Koi answered absentmindedly and then widened his eyes.

“Y-you too?”

Ashley smiled brightly and answered.

“Of course.”

“I see.”

Ashley’s heart felt like it was going to burst as he looked down at Koi’s face, shining with overwhelming joy. We were thinking the same thing. As expected, we’re in love, so our hearts are connected.

“Koi.”

“Ash.”

The two of them said the next words almost simultaneously.

“Let’s get married.”

“Let’s live together.”

The two of them, who had blurted out their words in an instant, were still looking at each other with smiling faces.

“Huh?”

“…What?”

It was then that they realized something was wrong. Koi blinked blankly, and Ashley frowned as they stared at each other. Their expressions changed as they belatedly understood each other’s words.

“M-m-m-marriage?”

Koi, who had turned bright red in an instant, stammered and jumped up. Ashley’s face contorted even more as he saw that.

But Koi wasn’t in a situation to care about that right now. He was so surprised by the bombshell that he almost retreated without realizing it, but Ashley immediately grabbed his butt, so he failed.

“Why? You don’t want to marry me?”

Ashley asked accusingly. Still trapped in his arms, Koi shook his head in confusion.

“I-it’s not that.”

We’re still high school students!

Koi couldn’t control his pounding heart and hurriedly added,

“Marriage is too early.”

Before he could finish speaking, Ashley grabbed his tail and growled roughly.

“Too early? Are you saying you won’t marry me?”

“No, no, it’s not that.”

Koi shook his head frantically. That’s not what he meant, and he hurriedly organized his thoughts and put them out there.

“Um, I, I’m not saying I won’t, but it’s too sudden, so, first, let’s live together first…”

“So, you’re saying you’ll break up with me if things go wrong? Koi, are you really serious?”

“No, no, that’s not it.”

Koi was cornered. No matter what he said, Ashley found a gap and attacked. So, this is the skill of the ace of Buffalo High School’s ice hockey team. Koi realized and swallowed hard.

There was no way out. Koi had no intention of breaking up with Ashley, and he didn’t dislike getting married either. He just hadn’t thought about it. When he confessed honestly, Ashley ordered with a stiff face.

“Think about it, then. Right now.”

“Uh…”

“Koi, answer quickly. Will you marry me or not?”

“Hahaha, I will!”

Overwhelmed by his force, Koi ended up shouting urgently. Ashley stared intently at Koi’s face. Koi hurriedly nodded and said again.

“I’ll get married, I’ll marry you.”

“Koi.”

Only then did Ashley’s face relax, and a bright smile spread across it. The hand that had left his butt hugged Koi’s body and held him tightly without any gaps.

“You’re mine, forever.”

“Yeah, uh-huh.”

Koi answered dazedly. He still couldn’t believe that he had agreed to get married. But what was even more unbelievable was the fact that Ashley had proposed to him.

“Really, you want to live with me? Forever?”

Ashley, who had raised his head at Koi’s cautious question, frowned and asked.

“Of course, don’t you?”

His expression was serious. Ashley was more sincere than ever. The moment he realized that fact, Koi’s pulse quickened little by little, and soon his whole body felt like it was going to explode.“Me too,”

Koi answered, his voice trembling.

“I want to live with you too… forever.”

The last word was so overwhelming that it was hard to even say. Hearing that, Ashley smiled broadly and tilted his head to kiss Koi. Koi closed his eyes, parted his lips naturally, and wrapped his arms around Ashley’s neck.

I love you, Ash.

His fingertips tingled with overwhelming emotion. He pressed his whole body against Ashley and repeated the same words over and over.

I love you. I love you, Ash.

Class time was approaching, but neither of them cared. Wedding bells were already ringing in their ears. Ashley licked and sucked at Koi’s mouth, reaffirming the vow he had made countless times. He would never let go of this small body in his arms until the day he died.

*

“Buffalo!”

At Al’s spirited shout, the cheerleaders followed with a roar, straightening their ranks. Koi clapped enthusiastically, cheering them on as they moved in perfect unison to the music.

‘The Cheerleading Team successfully completed their Homecoming game support without any injuries.’

The rumor spread by word of mouth, and before long, new members began to apply.

Of course, Koi’s role ended as soon as the new members arrived. But the Cheerleading Team, including Ariel, didn’t seem willing to let him go.

“Instead, there’s something else you can do.”

Koi was given a different mission, not as a cheerleader, but as the cheerleaders’ gofer. It was menial work, like organizing the cheering props or preparing the music, but someone had to do it, and they chose a familiar ‘sister’ rather than recruiting someone new.

It was a good thing for Koi too. If he continued the activity until the end of the semester, he would be able to fill his credits without any problems.

In fact, they could have easily asked anyone else to do this. But they chose Koi. They must have known about Koi’s situation and were being considerate.

Koi gladly accepted their kindness, and after class, he diligently helped out during their practice sessions whenever he had time.

“Here, water.”

As he handed out the chilled water bottles one by one, the girls, exhausted from practicing, caught their breath and accepted them.

“Thanks, Koi.”

“Ah, that hits the spot.”

Koi smiled, feeling proud at the refreshing sounds coming from all directions. The Homecoming party was over, and the season was in full swing. Buffalo High School was once again a strong contender for the championship this year.

Because everyone had worked especially hard this year.

Ashley’s face naturally came to Koi’s mind. They were doing well since then. So well that it was almost unsettling.

When the cheerleaders’ practice ended, the ice hockey team’s practice would end shortly after. Koi finished cleaning up on time and hurried to Ashley’s car.

“Ash!”

At Koi’s shout, Ashley, who had been leaning against the car waiting for him, straightened up and smiled brightly. Koi jumped into his open arms without hesitation. Water droplets fell from Ashley’s hair, which he had just finished showering. He could picture Ashley rushing to shower and running over to see Koi.

“You could have dried your hair.”

“It’ll dry soon.”

Ashley said that and lightly kissed Koi’s lips. Koi smiled happily and accepted his kiss.

I’m happy.

“Let’s go.”

Ashley said, lifting his head. Koi nodded, his face bright, and got into Ashley’s car. Soon after, Ashley started the car and, as if it were natural, took Koi’s hand with one hand. Everyday happiness had settled between them like that.