L*ck Me If You Can-Chapter 164

“Huh?”

Koi blinked in confusion and repeated the word. Ashley's gaze seemed different now. For a moment, Koi thought he might be angry, but he quickly dismissed the thought. Ashley has no reason to be angry.

“Koi.”

“Yeah?”

At the sound of his name, Koi quickly looked up. Ashley stared straight at him and ordered in a cold, level tone.

“Explain exactly what you meant by people ‘clinging’ to you. In detail. One by one.”

“Uh... okay.”

Nodding nervously, Koi began to speak, hesitantly recalling events from memory. Ashley didn’t move a muscle the entire time, listening with a frozen expression. He only reacted when Koi mentioned that one of the dismissed workers had tried to kiss him—and failed.

“He tried to kiss you? That guy?”

“No, he tried. I dodged him...”

When Koi repeated what he'd already said, Ashley fell silent again. He seemed lost in thought, and Koi anxiously waited for him to say something. With a sigh, Ashley finally furrowed his brows and spoke.

“What is this scent, anyway? Have you heard anything about it?”

“Ah, yeah.”

Koi nodded and carefully began to talk about the potted plant he'd been raising.

“I couldn’t even ride the subway or go anywhere, so I gave the flower to Ariel. After that, I was fine.”

“A flower’s scent lingers that long?”

The disbelief in his voice made Koi feel unfairly accused. He straightened up, his tone insistent.

“It’s true. After I gave the plant to Ariel, everything was fine.”

Ashley still didn’t understand, but Koi genuinely believed what he was saying. Ashley rubbed his forehead and muttered to himself.

“What kind of scent could it have been...”

Since Koi couldn’t smell it himself, he didn’t think he’d be much help—but he answered anyway, like he’d been waiting for the question.

“One of the workers said it smelled kind of like flowers, or grass, but really pleasant... calming.”

Ashley’s hand, still pressed to his forehead, froze. He sat completely still, not even blinking, lost in thought.

That’s impossible—Koi’s a Beta.

No, it’s absurd. If Koi were going to manifest, it would’ve happened long ago. He’d been right there with Ashley when he manifested—immersed in pheromones thick enough to drown in—and still nothing had happened. To mutate now? No way.

But all of Koi’s described symptoms matched Omega pheromones perfectly. The way people at work reacted, too. What else could explain that?

But then, why didn’t Koi smell like anything now?

If he had manifested, he wouldn’t be able to suppress his pheromones. Was he taking suppressants? No—Koi?

“Ash?”

Koi suddenly called his name. Ashley snapped out of it, pulling his hand away from his forehead and meeting Koi’s gaze. The worried look on Koi’s face was nothing but sincere.

No, Koi wouldn’t lie or hide something like this. I’d have noticed immediately.

Ashley dismissed the thought. But still—if ★ 𝐍𝐨𝐯𝐞𝐥𝐢𝐠𝐡𝐭 ★ he had mutated...

Why now?

“...Alright. I get it. I’ll handle it.”

Ashley spoke quietly, then changed the subject.

“You finished eating? Should we go?”

“Huh? Oh, yeah.”

Koi nodded automatically, though he looked longingly at the food still left on his plate. If I could take this with me, I could eat for two more days...

But Ashley had already paid and stood up from the table. Unable to bring himself to ask for a to-go box, Koi simply followed him out of the restaurant.

“Hey... thanks for today.”

Koi spoke toward Ashley’s back. Ashley turned around, and Koi lowered his eyes, unable to hide his awkwardness as he continued.

“For giving me the consultation, and even treating me to a meal...”

Koi kept speaking, but none of the words registered for Ashley. All he could focus on were Koi’s moving lips, the cold breeze brushing past his cheek, and the long fingers pushing his hair back shyly.

What if...

The moment he thought he could hear himself swallowing, his body moved on its own.

“...Ah!”

This translation is the intellectual property of Novelight.

Suddenly, Ashley grabbed Koi’s arm and pulled him close. Startled, Koi was helplessly drawn into his arms. That large body enveloped Koi completely. Sweet, thick pheromones poured over him like a waterfall.

What if you really did become an Omega...

Strong arms tightened around him, making it hard to breathe. But the pressure somehow made Koi feel safe. He closed his eyes and gently returned the embrace. Ashley tilted his head, nuzzled into Koi’s ear, then buried his nose in his hair and neck, inhaling deeply. Each breath echoed in Koi’s ears. Heart racing, Koi gripped Ashley’s back tightly.

Nothing.

Ashley held him like that, pheromones pouring out, but eventually had to admit it.

There’s no scent at all.

When he slowly released his arms, a wave of emptiness followed.

What was I expecting...

“...Ash?”

Koi called his name softly. Ashley finally looked down at his face.

Koi had no idea what had just happened. Even after all that pheromone, Koi didn’t react. Didn’t even realize. Ashley felt the same bitter frustration he’d felt over ten years ago. Overwhelmed by the urge, he hugged Koi tightly again.

Startled, Koi instinctively wrapped his arms around Ashley once more. He blinked, bewildered, not knowing what to do. Ashley held him in silence, not moving a muscle.

Ash...?

Koi didn’t know what this meant and began to panic slightly—but the moment was brief. Just as he worked up the nerve to lift a hand toward Ashley’s back, Ashley let him go.

“...Let’s go.”

He turned away, leaving Koi standing there with a stunned, empty expression. Koi stood frozen for a moment, then quickly ran after him.

Ashley didn’t say a word as they drove. Koi also stayed silent—until he finally had no choice but to speak.

“Hey, Ash... where are we going?”

The road they were on was clearly not headed toward Koi’s apartment. Growing uneasy, he kept glancing out the window until Ashley answered.

“To my place.”

“Huh? Why?”

Koi turned toward him, confused, but Ashley didn’t take his eyes off the road as he answered.

“Your place isn’t safe. It’s not a livable environment. Your boss could show up and cause trouble too—it’s just not secure.”

Koi wanted to say his boss wouldn’t do that, but he wasn’t confident. He hesitated, then asked cautiously,

“But would he really go that far...?”

Ashley answered without pause.

“Knowing he has to pay you now, he might want to take it out on someone.”

Koi still found it hard to believe—but Ashley was probably right. He had way more experience with this stuff.

“But you don’t have to take me to your place...”

“If you’d rather not, I’ll book you a hotel.”

“N-No, that’s not it.”

The suggestion flustered Koi, and he quickly shook his head.

“I just feel like I’m imposing too much... Is this only for a day or two?”

When he asked carefully, Ashley answered indifferently.

“Dunno. Depends on your boss.”

“So... it could be a while, and I’d be staying at your place...”

“Koi.”

Ashley cut him off before he could finish.

“What did I say before? You’re supposed to follow your lawyer’s instructions completely.”

“R-Right.”

Koi answered quickly but still looked uneasy. Ashley glanced over, then spoke again.

“Koi.”

“Yeah.”

He responded immediately. Ashley continued.

“Don’t feel like it’s a burden. A lawyer has responsibilities too—not just the client.”

“Responsibilities?”

When Koi echoed the word, Ashley nodded.

“Protecting the client is one of them.”

And with that, he drove Koi straight to his apartment—without giving him another chance to argue.