L*ck Me If You Can-Chapter 149

After escaping the crowded roads and driving a long stretch into the outskirts, the sun had begun to set by the time they reached their destination. Watching the elongated shadows ◈ Nоvеlіgһт ◈ (Continue reading) cast by the trees lining both sides, Koi narrowed his eyes at the silhouette of a tall structure rising faintly beyond the treetops. As they drew closer, the building slowly came into focus—and it was unlike anything he’d expected.

Ashley glanced over at Koi, whose mouth had unknowingly fallen open, and spoke up.

“They bought a château from France and relocated it here. Every last brick was imported.”

So that’s possible...

Koi could only stare blankly at the building as it loomed nearer. A real French castle, the kind he’d only ever seen in pictures, stood before him. After getting out of the car and tilting his head to take in the towering structure, he realized it wasn’t just modeled after a castle—it was old. Genuinely old. A placard confirmed Ashley’s words: the château was over 300 years old and had been transported and rebuilt entirely. Koi swallowed dryly without meaning to.

How expensive must this place be?

A sigh slipped out at his own poor-man instincts, unable to fully enjoy something so extraordinary. Still, reality was what it was. Koi quickly ran the total of his saved-up cash through his mind and, feeling small in the face of the restaurant’s grandeur, reminded himself of his resolve.

You saved up like a man possessed for this. Even if I lose every cent tonight... it’s worth it.

Taking a deep breath, Koi turned to Ashley. Ashley had already handed his car keys to a valet and was waiting for Koi to finish looking around. Then he asked,

“Shall we?”

“Yeah.”

Koi nodded firmly, steeling his resolve once more. He took another deep breath before finally following after Ashley.

*

Huh?

As soon as Koi opened the menu with trembling hands, his eyes widened in surprise.

Something’s off.

He closed the menu and opened it again. Still the same. Quickly scanning for the prices, Koi blinked repeatedly, unsure he was reading them right. Noticing his reaction, Ashley spoke from across the table in a calm voice.

“It’s a private club. The prices aren’t that high. Doesn’t mean the food is any worse.”

Only then did Koi understand why there was no information online about the restaurant—not even a website. Staring in dazed realization, he looked up at Ashley, who smiled and asked, 𝒻𝑟𝘦𝘦𝘸ℯ𝒷𝑛𝘰𝓋ℯ𝘭.𝘤𝘰𝘮

“You thought I was going to bankrupt you or something?”

“N-no, that’s not it.”

Koi shook his head quickly, his face flushing. He denied it, but there was nothing else to say. Of course Ashley wouldn’t do something like that on purpose, but realistically... the possibility had crossed his mind. Ashley couldn’t possibly imagine how poor Koi was. Unable to find anything to say, Koi offered a sheepish smile instead.

“I thought it’d be really expensive, so... thanks.”

“You’re welcome. Want me to order? Or should I ask for an English menu?”

Koi glanced down at the menu again, then looked up at Ashley.

“You order. I’ll just have the same as you.”

Even if it were in English, he wouldn’t understand it anyway. He didn’t know the first thing about French cuisine. While Ashley called the waiter and placed the order in fluent French, Koi quietly watched. When they were alone again, he asked,

“When did you learn French?”

“As a kid. My father made me.”

“Oh... I see.”

Just as he was beginning to feel the gap between them all over again, Ashley said,

“If it were Spanish, I’m sure you’d be better. You always scored higher, right?”

Ashley’s voice was soft, clearly trying to make Koi feel more confident—but Koi instantly shook his head and shut it down.

“N-no. I forgot most of it... I’m not good anymore.”

Ashley silently looked at him. The awkward silence made Koi realize too late he’d said the wrong thing. He began to sweat nervously, but Ashley let it go and shifted to the next topic.

“Next time we go for Spanish food, you can order for us.”

“O-oh, sure. I’ll do that.”

Of course he could manage that much. Koi nodded eagerly—then his eyes widened.

“Wait... we’re meeting again?”

His uncertain question was met with a warm smile from Ashley.

“Of course.”

This translation is the intellectual property of Novelight.

Koi’s eyes widened even further. He’d thought tonight would be the last time. In disbelief, he blinked at Ashley, who continued,

“We’re not kids anymore, Koi.”

His voice dropped gently.

“Honestly, I know I surprised you yesterday. I was confused too. Wasn’t feeling great. The trial dragged on forever, and I had to jump straight into the next thing.”

Koi suddenly remembered the article about Ashley’s firm winning a major lawsuit and quickly focused on what he was saying.

“I thought about it, and... whatever happened between us was ten years ago. Right?”

“Yeah.”

Koi nodded quickly, and Ashley went on.

“Whatever we were before, it’s all in the past. There’s no reason we can’t start over now. Don’t you think?”

“Y-yeah.”

A glimmer of hope started to bloom inside Koi. Along with a hesitant but growing smile, his heart filled with a quiet, dangerous kind of expectation. Maybe... maybe...

Ashley feels the same way.

“Koi.”

Was he waiting for this moment?

Ashley smiled at him. And suddenly, Koi could see his younger self reflected in the Ashley sitting across from him now.

<Koi.>

Ashley slowly opened his mouth. It felt like everything was happening in slow motion.

<I like you.>

“We should be...”

Just as Koi was about to tear up at that warm smile, Ashley said—

“...friends.”

“...Huh?”

Koi sat there, still smiling dumbly, blinking. He hadn’t processed what Ashley said. Like something had short-circuited, all he managed was a confused sound. Ashley leaned forward and asked seriously,

“Koi, did you hear what I said?”

Ashley peered at him over the table. The moment finally sank in, and Koi’s face turned bright red as reality hit him.

“O-oh, yeah. Friends. Sure. Let’s be friends.”

He fumbled the words out and hesitated before adding,

“You mean... we’re just going to be friends from now on, right...?”

He asked carefully, half-hoping. Ashley smiled again and leaned back in his chair.

“Yeah. Why not? We were high school classmates. Even if we dated briefly, that was ten years ago.”

There was nothing incorrect in what Ashley said. It all fit together too perfectly—leaving Koi with no room to argue.

“R-right.”

Koi dragged out the word, nodding slowly. Something inside felt off, but he didn’t know what. What had he been expecting from Ashley?

He’d told himself just seeing Ashley again would be enough... but had he been hoping for more?

Ashley saying they could be friends should’ve made him grateful. So why did he feel this way? Ashamed, ungrateful, and wanting to hide. Just then, a waiter arrived with the first course and wine.

The server explained the dish, but Koi didn’t hear a word. He was still reeling and needed time for the shock to wear off.

After the waiter left, Ashley raised his wine glass toward Koi, who was still staring blankly.

“Shall we toast, Koi?”

“Huh? Oh...”

Koi snapped back to attention and quickly lifted his glass. At first he grabbed the bowl, then, realizing his mistake, moved his hand nervously to the stem. Ashley waited patiently, then spoke.

“To our reunion.”

With a soft smile, he added,

“To friendship.”

Koi managed to echo the words.

“To... friendship.”

Ashley lifted his glass and sipped his wine. Koi carefully took a sip as well, but even though he was sure the wine was ridiculously expensive, he couldn’t taste a thing.

Ashley really is done with me.

Of course he is. It’s been over ten years. And back then, all they’d done was kiss.

As he slowly lowered his glass, his gaze met Ashley’s from across the table. That smiling face only deepened the emptiness spreading in Koi’s chest.