L*ck Me If You Can-Chapter 151

Don't lie.

As if he heard Ashley's voice, Koi immediately grew uneasy. Pretending to cut the marlin, he looked down at his plate and continued speaking.

"It's true. After we broke up, when I was in the West, I dated a few people. So you really don’t need to coach me about dating. I know enough myself."

No sooner had he finished speaking than he put the cut fish into his mouth. The rich flavor that spread inside was something he’d never experienced before, but unfortunately, there was no room to savor it. Koi, trying his best to act like nothing was wrong, chewed the fish and swallowed it with some wine. That was when Ashley, who had remained silent until now, opened his mouth.

"Yeah, it’s been ten years. That makes sense."

He spoke in the same emotionless tone as always and looked at Koi as he gave a short apology.

"Sorry. I was rude. Of course, you must’ve had girlfriends too."

No.

In that moment, Koi almost instinctively shook his head and nearly confessed the truth.

The truth is, there was nothing like that. Who would ever be interested in someone like me if it wasn't you? I'm Connor Niles.

He couldn't believe he had told such an enormous lie. But the chance to correct it was already gone. Ashley was already continuing his meal like it had nothing to do with him, and his expression remained unchanged. At this point, admitting that he’d just been bluffing would be ridiculous, so Koi barely managed to suppress the words that reached the tip of his tongue and instead forced himself to swallow the fish.

As they continued eating, Ashley brought up ordinary topics. Sometimes he smiled, sometimes he listened to Koi attentively, and throughout, he remained kind and warm. Koi felt relieved by the safe subjects, but a part of his conscience was weighed down with guilt for lying.

*

"Thanks for today."

Koi said as Ashley pulled up at the place they’d agreed to meet. Just before getting into the car after leaving the restaurant, Koi had realized that Ashley had nearly finished an entire bottle of wine himself. But Ashley casually took the wheel. You can’t drive drunk, Koi thought, going pale, but Ashley didn’t look even remotely intoxicated. The staff didn’t stop him either. On the contrary, they handed him the car keys as if it were completely normal, so Koi, half-believing and half-doubting, got into the passenger seat. And astonishingly, just like when they came to the restaurant, Ashley drove him safely all the way home.

“Hey...”

“Koi, can you grab the shopping bag from the back seat?”

Koi had been about to say something about the danger of drunk driving when Ashley suddenly spoke. Thrown off, Koi did as he was told. As he reached back and grabbed the large shopping bag, then sat properly again, Ashley spoke.

"Take it. It's yours."

“Huh?”

Koi, about to hand the bag to Ashley, widened his eyes in surprise. Not understanding what he meant, he just stared. Ashley continued.

"Wear it for your date tomorrow. I guessed the size by eye, but it should fit."

Koi just blinked in confusion at the sudden remark. Ashley smiled when he saw Koi's expression. There was something strangely unfamiliar about that smile he’d seen all day. Then Ashley opened his mouth.

"The clothes you’re wearing now are the kind of thing you'd wear when meeting a friend like me. But it’s different when you're meeting a girl. Wearing clothes that don't fit right and look awkward—that’s tacky. Walking around like that with a girl... don’t you think that might embarrass her?"

"Ah..."

Ashley was right. Koi fully understood, but there was something he still didn’t get. He hesitated, then finally managed to ask.

"Well, even so... why are you giving me a gift like this?"

This translation is the intellectual property of Novelight.

Ashley had bought Koi clothes before, but that was before they started dating—when they both had feelings for each other beyond friendship. But now it was different. Didn’t Ashley just say they were friends? Then why this kind of gift?

To Koi’s hesitant question, Ashley replied without pause.

"Because I want your date to go well, obviously."

"Yeah, but... why?"

Koi asked again. This time, he wanted to hear the truth. He could feel himself growing tense, ears sharp for the answer. Ashley opened his mouth, looking straight at Koi.

"I want you to be happy."

His voice was incredibly calm. As if it couldn’t possibly contain more sincerity. Koi, staring at him blankly, watched as Ashley offered a faint smile and said,

"Very much. The most."

And then he quietly added,

"I hope you're the happiest person in the world."

Koi had nothing more to say. No one could possibly doubt Ashley. Of course not. He was just... so utterly sincere.

“Tha... nks.”

His throat tightened for some reason, and Koi barely managed to mumble it. He got out of the car, hugging the shopping bag to his chest. As he stood on the sidewalk and turned back, Ashley smiled at him, then started the car. The car soon pulled away, and Koi stood alone, watching it disappear into the distance.

Ashley checked the rearview mirror and saw Koi standing there blankly in that same spot. Still clutching the gift he'd received.

Yes. I'm being sincere.

Ashley gently pressed down on the accelerator, picking up speed. I want you to be happy. More than anyone else in this world.

A smirk curled at his lips. It was nothing like the smile he'd shown Koi all day.

Because if you're at the peak of happiness, when that day comes... your heart will shatter even more.

*

The next day, Koi arrived at the meeting spot with Julie a full fifteen minutes early. The clothes Ashley had given him the day before fit him perfectly—astonishingly so. A simple, clean-cut shirt and pants, not too flashy but perfect for a first date. Koi admired the design but felt a weight settle over his heart.

Even here, Ashley’s skill had come through without a filter. The clothes were the perfect balance—presentable for a date without being overwhelming. Seeing how perfectly the sizing matched, ⊛ Nоvеlιght ⊛ (Read the full story) Koi sighed involuntarily as he tried them on.

No matter how much it hurts to be reminded of it, it won’t change anything. Ashley’s just that good at this kind of thing.

Koi forced himself to focus, firming up his resolve. He kept reminding himself—they were just friends. He absolutely couldn’t misinterpret Ashley’s kindness or cross the line.

With that in mind, he wore the clothes Ashley had bought and headed out to the meeting spot. Julie had arrived ten minutes early, and when she saw Koi, she immediately beamed with a bright smile.

"Hi, Koi. Have you been well?"

Koi greeted her back and listed off the movies he'd looked up in advance. Julie chose the most popular one, but the only available showing was over four hours away.

"How about we eat first?"

Koi readily agreed to Julie’s suggestion, and they found a nearby restaurant. Sitting across from each other in a casual diner, they chatted over their meal, and Koi brought up one of her articles. Following Ashley’s advice from the day before, Koi had picked and read a few of Julie’s recent pieces, and when he mentioned one, Julie was surprised but delighted, happily chattering away. Thanks to that, the mood between them lightened quickly, and by the time the movie was about to start, they were already exchanging silly jokes.

"Caramel popcorn is the only way to go."

With a wink, Julie hugged the popcorn box and drinks. Koi smiled back and followed her into the theater.

Julie had picked an action film. It featured a famous actor known for doing death-defying stunts without CGI—climbing skyscrapers with bare hands or clinging to airplanes. Not a single seat in the theater was empty.

"I binge-watched the entire series last night just to watch this."

Julie said, and Koi gave a vague smile in response. He’d never seen the previous movies—it was too expensive to go to theaters. Thankfully, it wasn’t the kind of series where you had to see the earlier films to enjoy the new one. The lights dimmed, and the movie began.

Right from the start, it was gripping. True to its blockbuster label, the screen was filled with overwhelming scale, and Koi was drawn in instantly.