L*ck Me If You Can-Chapter 145

Koi felt like Ashley had left something important unsaid, and he sharpened his ears, waiting for what might come next. But Ashley didn’t speak. What felt like a long time passed—though in reality, it had been barely five minutes—before Ashley finally opened his mouth.

“...Your ears don’t move anymore?”

“Huh?”

Koi instinctively reached up to touch his ears at the unexpected question. He could feel Ashley’s gaze still resting on them, and flushed with embarrassment.

“...I had them corrected. They don’t twitch randomly anymore unless I deliberately move them.”

Ashley said nothing, simply continuing to stare. Koi gave an awkward laugh and rushed to explain.

“It’s weird, you know? Having twitching ears. Breaking the habit wasn’t easy, but I worked on it, and eventually, it stopped.”

He laughed, but Ashley didn’t. Still fixated on Koi’s ears, Ashley muttered under his breath.

“...They didn’t move randomly.”

Koi lowered his eyes, fingers fidgeting with his ears. Ashley was right. If that old habit had remained, Koi’s ears would’ve started flicking wildly the moment he saw him again. His heart had been pounding with joy when they reunited.

But now he was glad he’d broken the habit. They weren’t kids anymore. Showing emotion in that way might’ve only made Ashley uncomfortable. Koi had decided to approach him with calm, mature composure—he wanted a fresh start.

He never dared to wish for anything more than that. What Koi wanted had already come true: to see Ashley again. That alone was enough. So returning to the West seemed like the right move. And yet, people were greedy. Koi decided to give himself a little more time. After all, what else did he have left in life besides this feeling for Ashley?

“Hey, Ash...”

“Why are you here?”

Just as Koi had finally worked up the courage to speak, Ashley cut him off. His furrowed brows and cold tone made Koi swallow dryly.

“I...”

He lowered his head, voice weak.

“I wanted to see you.”

The words came out small, lacking any confidence. Koi suddenly felt like running. He hated that he might have hurt Ashley again just by showing up like this. Holding back that impulse, he forced himself to continue.

“I just... missed you. That’s all.”

His whisper was barely audible. Ashley said his name.

“Koi.”

“Y-Yeah.”

Startled, Koi lifted his head—and was instantly met with Ashley’s sharp violet gaze. It pierced through him, and he froze. Ashley narrowed his eyes.

“You thought I’d be happy to see you?”

Koi was speechless. He could only stare, wide-eyed, as Ashley gave a faint, bitter laugh.

“You really haven’t changed. Still not thinking.”

It felt like his heart had hit the floor. Pale and stricken, Koi just stared at him. His mind went blank. All he could hear was Ashley’s voice, echoing endlessly.

Goodbye, Koi.

That final farewell replayed in his head. And then, suddenly, Koi remembered another reason he’d come all this way. He had to say it now. If he didn’t, he might never get the chance again.

But wouldn’t Ashley just hear it as an excuse?

Another voice inside tried to hold him back. Logic urged him to be quiet, to stay composed—but Koi couldn’t suppress the emotion.

“Back then... I’m really sorry I let you down.”

It was years too late, but the apology had to be said. The look on Ashley’s face from back then—hurt, betrayed—had haunted Koi ever since. Even now, with Ashley treating him so coldly, Koi still saw that younger version of Ashley in his mind’s eye.

“I’ve always wanted to apologize... for not choosing you that day.”

Every word felt like it was tearing at his throat. He wanted to gulp down a glass of water to ease the pain, but he endured it and finished speaking.

Ashley rested his chin in his hand and simply looked at him. It was impossible to tell what he was thinking. The silence stretched, and Koi felt his nerves fraying. Then, slowly, Ashley spoke.

“Leaving your family behind isn’t easy.”

His voice came out slightly muffled from the way he was resting his chin—but it was still perfectly clear. What shocked Koi was the lack of emotion in it. He blinked, unsure how to react, as Ashley continued, still unmoving.

This translation is the intellectual property of Novelight.

“We were kids. Reckless. I guess you couldn’t help it. Leaving behind a sick family member... most people wouldn’t be able to.”

Koi was stunned. Ashley was speaking as though he understood. Koi hesitated, unsure how to respond. Ashley gave a faint smirk and added curtly,

“Not that I understand it.”

Koi was at a loss for words. Ashley hadn’t said anything wrong. It was rational, logical, and devoid of blame. He was stating what anyone else might say: that they’d been young, and leaving a sick parent was a difficult decision.

But that didn’t mean Ashley understood emotionally. Whether or not Ashley’s own parents had been ill, he’d been ready to leave them behind without hesitation. He had chosen Koi, as if it were the most natural thing in the world. Thinking of that made Koi realize—maybe this cold response was inevitable. Maybe it just proved how different they really were.

He’d worked up to this confession for so long, and now it felt empty. At a loss for what to say next, Koi hesitated—then Ashley, looking indifferent, picked up a fry and asked, 𝚏𝗿𝗲𝐞𝐰𝚎𝕓𝐧𝚘𝘃𝗲𝐥.𝐜𝚘𝕞

“So. What about your dad? What happened?”

“Uh... he passed away pretty quickly... only lasted a few more months...”

Koi’s voice faded as his head drooped. Ashley, unmoved, replied,

“I should’ve waited, huh?”

Koi didn’t know how to react. How could someone say something like that? He’ll die soon anyway, just wait a little. No one could possibly say that—no matter how sick his father had been, no one could predict the future like that. It sounded like wishing for his death.

Of course, Ashley already knew. Back then, and now. He knew Koi wouldn’t be able to say anything. Still, Koi couldn’t help but ask.

“If I had... asked you to wait... would you have waited for me?”

Ashley’s chewing slowed. He stared straight at Koi without blinking. Then he swallowed and answered.

“You didn’t ask me.”

Koi had no reply. He lowered his head again. The uncomfortable silence returned. He searched desperately for something to say—but Ashley suddenly stood up with the bill in hand. Startled, Koi stood up too.

“That’s it, right?”

“A-Ash!”

Ashley walked toward the counter like it # Nоvеlight # was the most natural thing in the world. Koi hurried after him.

“Wait—hey, I said I’d pay.”

“It’s fine.”

“No, it’s not!”

Koi pleaded, stopping Ashley from pulling out his card.

“Let me do it. Please. I mean it—I can afford this now. Really.”

Please—Koi looked up at him desperately. Ashley stared at him for a moment, then silently stepped aside. Quickly, before he could change his mind, Koi pulled a crumpled wad of bills from his pocket and laid them out on the counter. He even scraped together enough for a tip. Letting out a breath of relief, he turned—and saw Ashley already heading out the door.

“Ash! Ash!”

Koi ran after him and just managed to stop him before he got into the car.

“Thanks... for coming. I never imagined I’d actually see you again.”

He couldn’t let this end here. He had to make another plan to meet. Despite his resolve, his voice wavered with uncertainty.

“Um... sorry for buying you cheap food. Next time, I’ll take you somewhere better. Would you... would you meet me again?”

Ashley’s comment about the “cheap burgers” had stayed with him. He wanted to buy him something better. If that could be his excuse to see him again—he’d take it. Looking up at him with hope, Koi asked softly. Ashley looked down and replied flatly.

“Dunno. I’m busy this weekend.”

Koi replied without thinking.

“Oh, me too. I’ve got plans.”

Ashley didn’t react immediately. Instead, he frowned slightly and repeated Koi’s words.

“Plans?”

Koi nodded honestly.

“Yeah. I made a friend here. We’re going to see a movie together.”

“A guy friend? That sounds fun.”

Ashley gave a faint smirk. Koi hesitated, then corrected him.

“Uh, Julie’s a girl...”

The smile vanished from Ashley’s face.