By Zephyria 
“I’m sorry, I didn’t think of that. I misunderstood for no reason…”
“Yeah, that’s right, Koi.”
Ashley leisurely stroked Koi’s buttocks as he continued speaking.
“I could never be ashamed of you, Koi. If I were, I would have forgotten you long ago. I wouldn’t have even considered meeting you again.”
At Ashley’s pointed remark, Koi felt embarrassed and repeatedly apologized.
“You’re right, you’re right. I’m sorry. You’re not that kind of person.”
What did ‘that kind of person’ mean? If it meant someone who discriminates against people based on their circumstances, then that was accurate. Ashley Miller treated everyone equally, whether they came from the most noble family or had nothing at all. Meaning he ignored them all the same.
There was only one factor that changed his attitude: whether it was Koi or not. Even if you broadened the scope a bit, it was only whether the person was someone Koi cherished or not. And even that wasn’t due to some admirable thought like ‘if they’re important to someone important to me, they’re important to me too,’ but rather the result of an extremely self-centered thought: ‘If I treat someone Koi cherishes like everyone else, Koi will be disappointed in me.’
Of course, he couldn’t let Koi find out about that.
“Now that you know, it’s fine. We should have talked to each other sooner. Then we wouldn’t have had such pointless misunderstandings.”
Ashley said with a bitter yet affectionate smile. It seemed like a simple expression of regret and pity over the situation, but in truth, there was another intention hidden within.
It’s my fault for not being honest and misunderstanding on my own.
Koi looked up at Ashley, unsure what to do.
“Thank you, Ash. I didn’t even realize…”
To think he was being so considerate of me.
Going to such a place alone probably wasn’t easy. While he didn’t know much about social activities, he had vaguely picked up on it from occasionally seeing cases where people looked for partners to attend official events or special gatherings. Formal occasions where people met required a companion.
Yet, Ashley didn’t even suggest going together, solely concerned that Koi might feel uncomfortable. How awkward and unpleasant must it have been for Ashley to go to such a place alone while everyone else was with their partners?
“I’ll never think that way again.”
“Good, Koi.”
Ashley naturally kissed Koi’s lips.
“I would never do anything to embarrass you. So don’t think that way, okay?”
“Okay, Ash. I believe you.”
Koi nodded emphatically and accepted the gentle kiss. All doubts were buried by his love for Ashley, leaving only pure trust as they got into the car together and headed to the party venue.
“This party is hosted by a politician?”
Koi asked with shining eyes as they sat side by side in the backseat of the sedan. Ashley, softening his stiffened mouth corners, reached out his hand. He naturally took Koi’s hand, brought it to his lips, kissed the back of it with a soft smack, and then spoke.
“Yeah, to raise funds.”
“I see.”
To actually attend a fundraising party he had only glimpsed in passing through articles or news programs, Koi unconsciously let out an admiring sigh.
“That’s amazing. Lots of famous people will probably be there.”
At Koi’s excited tone, Ashley still smilingly said,
“Today, you’ll be the most famous one.”
“No way!”
Koi shook his head and burst out laughing. He took Ashley’s words as a joke, and Ashley didn’t bother to correct him.
No need to say something that might hurt him.
If he tried to tell him the truth, he’d inevitably have to mention the nasty rumors circulating. Since he didn’t know how Koi would react, there was no need to take the risk. Just bringing his adorable Koi in front of people was enough for Ashley. No, more than enough. How unfair that they could see my Koi, whom I worked so hard to obtain, without any effort at all.
“After going today, you don’t have to go again.”
Once should be enough.
Ashley thought so, but Koi’s thoughts were different.
“No, if it helps you, I’m happy to go anytime. It seems like it might be fun too.”
“It’s not really fun.”
Ashley quickly said.
“You’ll be pretty disappointed. They just say obvious things.”
It was true. Since what they wanted was money anyway, you could just throw some in appropriately and leave early. Koi tilted his head and said, “Is that so?” before smiling.
“Still, as long as I’m with you, I’m fine staying as long as needed.”
Ah, Koi.
Ashley smiled and kissed Koi’s lips. I want to be alone with you, you fool.
Unaware, Koi closed his eyes and parted his lips. Gently stroking the inside of his mouth with his tongue, Ashley let out a low sigh.
I want to go back like this.
Unfortunately, that wish couldn’t be granted. Just as he pressed his lips against Koi’s thin shirt and sucked on his nipple, the car arrived at its destination.
* * *
The grand hall, with enormous chandeliers hanging at regular intervals, was as bright as midday even though the sun was already setting. The lavishly dressed and gathered people were also chatting and laughing as if it were broad daylight. While lightly discussing trivial personal matters, the latest trends, or casually bringing up someone’s fortune or misfortune as a topic, their eyes alone shone greedily, scanning for any worthwhile information they might glean.
And those people kept glancing toward the entrance, waiting for just one couple. No, that couple was also the main reason people had attended the party today.
Ashley Miller.
He stood over 2 meters tall, had been an ice hockey player and MVP in high school. Thanks to that, his solid physique, built up over nearly a lifetime, and his sweet face to match, along with his platinum-blond hair, were objects of envy. Having inherited his father’s blood, he possessed flawless looks and was also the CEO of North America’s top law firm.
His deep purple eyes revealed his trait most clearly. The Extreme Alphas, said to be an extreme minority worldwide, all had those very purple eyes. The eye color that changes upon manifestation is known to be influenced by pheromones. Along with the sweet scent wafting around them, the purple irises made their trait seem even more detached from reality. Therefore, countless people admired and desired them, but conversely, they also became objects of hatred. It’s common to harbor extreme anger toward something unattainable.
Sometimes, that hatred is directed at the person the object chooses. Thus, the party’s interest was almost entirely focused on the man accompanying Ashley Miller.
Conor Niles.
His partner, attending a party with Ashley Miller for the first time, was surprisingly, utterly ordinary. To put it bluntly, someone of his kind had zero chance of ever crossing paths with the people gathered at this party venue in the same place. For a man from such a different world to come here as Ashley Miller’s partner, of all people.
The tabloids eagerly dug into Conor Niles’s past. According to what was revealed, his parents divorced when he was young, one remarried and was out of contact, and the other passed away early. It didn’t end there. He was a loner in high school with few friends, became a cheerleader for grades, and even a group photo of him wearing a girls’ uniform with other cheerleaders was made public.
No one knew how they obtained the photo from the yearbook, but anyway, stories about Koi set America abuzz for a while, becoming gossip on everyone’s lips. Despite working so hard to earn grades, he didn’t go to college and was currently making a living as a plumber.
The century’s one-of-a-kind Cinderella story. The marriage between the ordinary, poor high school classmate and the CEO of Miller Law Firm.
Could there be a more fascinating subject? People chattered about this story as if it were a scandal about a commoner marrying into royalty. After high school graduation, Ashley returned east for college, and Koi remained in the west. That they reunited in the east after nearly ten years and reached the point of marriage, how romantic an event was that?
Of course, that was only the positive take. One gossip article written with malice referred to Koi as a gold digger. It claimed he approached Ashley Miller under a meticulous, decade-long plan and, astonishingly, that operation succeeded.