L*ck Me If You Can-Chapter 94

Haa, haa.

Koi returned to the motorhome, breath caught in his throat. They’d kissed over and over again, too unwilling to part, until it became dangerously late.

Even at the very end, he’d stalled and hesitated, feet refusing to move—until Ashley finally made the decision himself. If they lingered any longer, his father would catch them for sure. One day, Koi would reveal the truth himself, but that day wasn’t today.

“Koi, I’ll walk you home.”

When Ashley stepped out of the car and started striding toward him, Koi panicked and shook his head rapidly.

“N-no! I can go alone—I’ll go alone!”

“I just don’t want to say goodbye.”

Ashley confessed honestly. He wanted to walk with Koi all the way to his doorstep, dragging out their farewell just a little longer. And truthfully, Koi felt the same. But reality wasn’t so sweet.

“I’m... embarrassed.”

Koi admitted quietly.

“My house is really poor. I don’t want you to see it.”

Having finally forced the words out, he looked up at Ashley with resolve.

“I’ll go alone. Really. I mean it this time.”

Koi barely managed to suppress the urge to run back into Ashley’s arms again. He turned quickly and ran, this time without looking back, putting all his strength into making himself move.

When he finally arrived home, thankfully, his father hadn’t returned yet.

He slipped into the dark motorhome and headed straight for the shower. The cramped space barely fit one person, but Koi began scrubbing himself down right away. First, he washed the clothes—shirt, pants, and underwear—scrubbing them by hand with soap. Only after that did he begin washing his own body.

Even though he’d already showered at school, he lathered up twice and washed his hair again.

Just as he turned off the tap, he heard the door and then footsteps.

His father was home.

Koi froze, straining his ears. If his father was drunk, it was better not to show his face.

Only then did he realize, in his rush to get inside, he hadn’t brought a towel or clean clothes.

Panicked, he looked around—then heard footsteps outside the door. They stopped right in front of the shower.

Koi went still, every muscle locked, breath held. His heart pounded wildly. He was paralyzed with fear.

In that moment, Koi squeezed his eyes shut and silently called out from deep inside his chest—

Help me, Ash.

“...Ahem.”

As if in answer, his father cleared his throat just outside the thin shower door. Koi flinched and froze again. After a brief pause, his father spoke.

“Koi, are you showering?”

The unexpected calm in his father’s voice stunned Koi. It wasn’t what he had expected at all. While he stood there stunned, his father called again.

“Koi?”

“Uh, y-yeah! Yes!”

Panicking, Koi stammered out a reply and hastily gathered his damp clothes in his arms before opening the door.

His father stood a short distance away, waiting. He frowned slightly at the sight of Koi, dripping wet.

“You okay, Koi?”

“Y-yeah.”

Koi repeated the same shaky response and quickly added:

“I’m fine. Y-you can shower now. I’m done...”

He hurried past him, fumbling in the drawer for a towel and drying himself in a rush. A sudden chill ran through him, so he threw on a worn sleep shirt and a pair of shorts as quickly as he could.

Then, still carrying the wet clothes, he stepped outside. Only after hanging them carelessly over a line did his mind start to settle.

He didn’t seem drunk...

Koi hesitated, then glanced back toward the motorhome. Through the flickering interior light, he saw his father’s shadow moving inside.

Gulp. Without realizing it, Koi swallowed hard.

He had no choice. Bracing himself, he cautiously stepped back inside.

Through the dim light, he could make out his father moving. Koi paused at the doorway, watching.

His father paced for a moment, then disappeared into the shower.

Now.

Koi darted in and jumped straight into bed, yanking the covers over his head. His heart pounded in his chest.

The sound of the shower echoed unnaturally loud in his ears.

But his father didn’t take long. He came out quickly and noticed Koi curled up on the bed. He paused but didn’t say anything—just stared.

Follow current novels on freewebnσvel.cѳm.

The silence made Koi anxious all over again.

...Sigh.

He suddenly heard his father exhale.

Then came the sound of footsteps... followed by the rattle of a bottle.

So he had gone for the alcohol after all.

Koi thought for a moment he wouldn’t drink—but no, of course, the first thing his father reached for was the bottle.

Still, he didn’t drink much tonight. He didn’t even finish two glasses before getting up and lying down on his bed.

Only then did Koi allow himself to relax.

“You okay, Koi?”

His father’s voice echoed back in his memory. It was strange—too strange—that his father had asked him that.

To him, Koi was like air—something that existed but wasn’t seen. On the rare occasions he acknowledged Koi, it was always ★ 𝐍𝐨𝐯𝐞𝐥𝐢𝐠𝐡𝐭 ★ while drunk and violent.

So Koi always tried not to be seen. Tried to live as invisibly as possible. And all he wanted was one thing—

To grow up and get out.

College was one of the ways he could become independent. If his grades were good enough, he could get scholarships, grants, all kinds of help.

If his grades were good.

The memory of his botched college entrance exam returned, and a small sigh escaped his lips.

It’s fine. I can take it again. I’ve been saving money, haven’t I?

This translation is the intellectual property of Novelight.

All that money was for his escape. Not enough for tuition, but maybe enough to cover rent on a rundown apartment. Or even buy a cheap car. Something old and beat-up, but enough to live in and drive to work.

Then I’d never have to see him again.

The nights of sleeping in fear would finally end. Koi squeezed his eyes shut, trying to fall asleep. But the moment he did, his thoughts drifted elsewhere.

I called Ash’s name.

His heart fluttered softly.

Remembering how he’d called Ashley’s name, trembling in the shower, made his chest ache and his breath grow short.

Before, in moments like that, there was no one to call.

He used to just lie there, helpless, waiting for the beatings to stop.

Compared to those days, this felt like a dream. Now, he had someone to call.

Ash, Ash, Ash.

The more he repeated the name, the faster his heart raced, the more he wanted to see him again.

They had only just parted, and already he missed him this much.

This must be why people want to live together when they fall in love.

Blushing, Koi curled into himself. His whole body felt like it was vibrating with the beat of his heart.

After graduation... could I live with Ash?

*

I’m gonna marry him.

Under the pounding stream of water, Ashley stared dead serious into nothing as that thought consumed him.

After sending Koi home, he’d returned and immediately stepped into the shower. But the entire time, there was only one thought in his mind.

I’m gonna propose to Koi. That’s the only way to stay with him forever.

It was the only way he could protect Koi too. If they were married, there’d be no more worrying about kidnapping him or not. A wedding ring already symbolized possession.

Koi would be entirely his.

Just the thought made Ashley feel lightheaded. The idea of rescuing him from that hellish place—and doing it legally—was satisfying, but even more than that, he loved the idea of never having to say goodbye again.

Morning till night, every day, together.

The thought alone was so euphoric his brain buzzed.

Ashley smiled widely beneath the spray, unable to hide how his mouth was curling at the edges.

Marriage really was a perfect system.

It was a human invention he found very agreeable—and as a human himself, he fully intended to use it.

Before he knew it, he was imagining where to buy the ring, where they’d go on their honeymoon, and eventually, the two of them living in a quiet two-story house in the countryside, with a dog and a cat, growing old together.

And with that dream in his mind, he finally drifted off to sleep.

*

“Mmm-mmm-mmm, mmm-mmm-mmm.”

The next morning, Koi hummed happily as he got ready for school, even nodding along to his own tune.

He had never known mornings could be so exciting and feel this good. Washing his face, getting dressed, packing his bag—every little routine thrilled him.

His steps were light, and he couldn’t stop smiling.

He checked his reflection in the mirror. His cheeks were flushed with a rosy hue. Embarrassed but not displeased, he hurried to leave the house.

But just as he was about to go—

“Koi.”

His father’s voice called from behind.

And in an instant, all that happiness vanished.

Koi froze, remembering—he’d forgotten his father was still home, sleeping in bed.

He stopped in place, hesitating, then slowly turned his head.

His father was half-sitting up in bed, staring at him.

A suffocating silence filled the air.