By Zephyria 
〈Yes, that’s good news.〉
Koi’s expression brightened further. Ash is happy too! Ashley’s lips had curved simply from facing his lover’s face, but Koi misunderstood his smile. He immediately hugged Ashley, rubbing his face against his shoulder and letting out a happy sigh.
〈I’m looking forward to seeing how they grow. Aren’t you curious about what Nathaniel will be like when he grows up?〉
He’ll probably be a complete mess, just like me.
Ashley thought coldly. It didn’t matter since Koi would never find out anyway. Koi would love the child unconditionally and wouldn’t even perceive any flaws as flaws.
If the child resembles me that much, wouldn’t he also be very skilled at hiding the fact that he isn’t normal?
Thinking of it that way, it was not a bad conclusion. After all, as long as Koi was happy, wasn’t that enough?
〈Yes, Koi. You’re right.〉
Ashley spoke tenderly, holding the child in his arms.
〈We’ll be happy, from now on and into the future.〉
〈Yeah.〉
Koi nodded vigorously. It will definitely happen. How could a life spent with his beloved Ash and his beloved children not be happy? Even if hard times come, they can overcome them.
Because we will definitely make it.
“Ash, even if I keep some distance from the kids, I can still give my opinion, right?”
Koi, having thought of something, looked up and asked. Ashley nodded readily.
“Of course, Koi. Tell me anything.”
“Then, perhaps…”
Koi took a breath before asking.
“Could you help Chase meet a lot of people?”
“People? A lot?”
As Ashley repeated the words as if he didn’t understand, Koi added an explanation with a nod.
“Chase hasn’t manifested yet. But since his trait is different from mine, there will be many things that don’t fit even when he does. So, if he meets many people, it’ll be easier to find someone he gets along with, and it’ll be helpful in many ways, don’t you think?”
Ashley remained silent for a moment, as if lost in thought. He seemed to be seriously considering Koi’s suggestion, but he didn’t open his mouth for a while. To Koi, who was waiting with inner tension, Ashley finally murmured after a long time.
“It’s not a bad idea.”
“Right?”
Koi’s voice rose in delight at the fact that Ashley agreed with his thought. Ashley replied, “Yes,” but then frowned.
“I heard that the chocolate company I defended before is filming a new commercial. The age group fits and it’s decent, but the problem is that the company’s models have always been girls…”
“That’s fine!”
Koi shouted in an excited voice before he could even finish speaking.
“Ash, that’s the perfect job for Chase! There’s probably no one in the world who would suit that commercial as well as Chase!”
“What?”
Ashley asked back, bewildered by the sudden outburst. At the time, he didn’t understand Koi’s words, but he soon realized. The chocolate commercial Chase filmed caused a massive sensation worldwide, and his son literally became a star.
Along with the bonus misunderstanding of being a ‘girl.’
It worked!
Koi couldn’t contain his joy as he watched the contracts pouring in for Chase. Since he was still young, if he balanced school and work without overdoing it, he would soon meet many people. Then Chase would be able to find someone he could open his heart to, right?
He knew that Grayson and Stacey poured a lot of attention into him, but the direction was wrong. Every time he saw Chase getting hurt, Koi’s heart ached with distress.
However, the twins had no ill intentions either. They always said the same thing.
“We did it for Chase’s sake.”
That was the problem—they were sincere. He asked the employees to take special care of Chase, but it wasn’t of much help. At least after Chase started his career in entertainment, the frequency of their clashes decreased. As long as he continued to grow like this, there would be no problem. Although Chase stopped trying to talk to Koi after that, he thought it was fine.
The memories of the children gave Koi the strength to endure. That was why, even when Chase was the first to become independent and never contacted him once, he waited patiently. Even when Nathaniel was called the devil of the legal world and made all of North America tremble in fear; when Grayson caused scandals almost daily claiming to search for true love; when rumors spread that Stacey was a pervert; when Chase was called a mad dog and made people in the industry scream; and even when Larien became a wanted fugitive for fraud, Koi believed.
My children will definitely meet good people who understand them and become happy.
That is what he believed.
Meanwhile, Ashley handed the law firm over to the eldest, Nathaniel, and entered politics. So, when the news finally arrived that Chase, the most sensitive and wounded of the children, was getting married, the Miller family was stirred up for the first time in a long while.
“Chase? This is nonsense!”
The most shocked person was, naturally, Grayson. It was only natural, as wasn’t this the younger brother who had made the family worry because he couldn’t even release his Pheromones properly? He was the deficient younger brother who needed Grayson and Stacey to look after him since childhood, yet he was the first among the siblings to marry.
“Shouldn’t we check who the partner is? He’s a bit lacking in some areas, so he might be getting used.”
Stacey also doubted the person Chase had chosen. Fortunately, Nathaniel showed no particular interest, and Ashley only left a short comment: “That’s good.”
And as if that were the beginning, the siblings left one by one to find their partners. Koi blessed them with a joyful heart and loved them all unreservedly.
Until only Grayson remained.
“Grayson said he wants to be a firefighter?”
Koi asked in surprise upon hearing the news one day. Ashley nodded lightly and answered indifferently as usual.
“He’s an adult, so he must take responsibility for his own actions.”
That was true. The things Grayson had done recently were difficult to defend, even for Koi.
“This will be a good lesson for Grayson too.”
If he helps others and mingles with them, perhaps he will change. Koi made a light joke on purpose.
“Who knows, maybe the destiny Grayson is searching for so desperately is there?”
Ashley gave a short laugh at Koi’s wish. As if it were impossible.
“If he stops his futile efforts, that would be a good thing.”
At the unmistakably sarcastic remark, Koi could only laugh awkwardly.
Grayson had never worked a day in his life. He had played the stock market or invested in companies with family money a few times, but it was closer to a pastime, and he had never performed any physical labor.
“Anyway, since that’s what he wants, I hope it comes true. Like the other kids.”
Ashley, who had been sitting at the tea table drinking tea, set down his cup and looked up at Koi. Looking at his smiling face, Ashley silently grabbed his waist and pulled him closer. Koi, naturally landing on Ashley’s lap, wrapped his arms around Ashley’s neck and spoke.
“I’m looking forward to seeing what kind of person Grayson’s partner will be.”
Ashley had no expectations at all, but instead of saying that, he kissed Koi’s lips.
“I love you, Koi.”
Koi also smiled and closed his eyes. Naturally, Ashley’s hand stroked Koi’s thigh, moving up to squeeze his buttocks.
“Koi.”
“Yes.”
Koi responded obediently to the soft call. Ashley smiled and whispered in his ear.
“There’s something I want to eat right now, is that okay?”
“Huh?”
Is he saying he’s hungry?
Without thinking much, Koi nodded.
“Sure, let’s ask the chef to make something.”
Just as he was about to stand up, Ashley held him back. Lifting the bewildered Koi and seating him on the tea table, Ashley spoke.
“Bon Appetit.”
And then, he pushed up Koi’s shirt and immediately pressed his lips against his nipple. Koi’s startled scream rang out briefly, but it soon turned into a thin moan that scattered long into the air.
〈Made in Heaven…… or Hell〉
-End-