This isn’t right.
Koi hastily pulled himself together. Ashley had, at the very least, offered to be his friend. That alone was sothing to be grateful for. To feel disappointed—how selfish could he be? Get a grip, Connor Niles.
He scolded himself sternly, straightened up, and turned his full attention back to Ashley sitting across from him. Ashley had made ti for him despite his busy schedule; he couldn’t sulk his way through the evening.
You’re at a private mbers-only restaurant—pull yourself together.
Renewing his determination, Koi followed Ashley’s lead, steadying the unfamiliar food on his plate with his fork and carefully slicing into it with his knife. He brought it to his mouth with the herbs on the side, but the texture was different from what he expected. Naturally, he couldn’t sll it, and the taste was just as absent. Still, the texture wasn’t bad, and he slowly rolled it around in his mouth.
Then Ashley spoke.
“It’s stead scallop. Try it with the sauce.”
Did he forget that I can’t taste things well?
The thought crossed Koi’s mind, but then he realized—of course Ashley wouldn’t rember. It had been over ten years. It would be stranger if he did rember those little details. Resolving himself again, Koi nodded and obediently cut the remaining scallop, dragging it through the sauce on the plate. He was determined to act like he was enjoying it—if only to keep Ashley from worrying. Even if he wasn’t sure he could pull it off.
...Huh?
Koi paused mid-bite. It was clearly different this ti. He could taste it. His eyes widened unconsciously. Though the flavor faded after a few chews, the mont it touched his tongue—he had definitely tasted sothing. A sweet and tangy flavor from the sauce. The scallop itself.
“It’s... good.”
He murmured, still in a daze, and Ashley smiled from across the table—like he’d known that would happen. Still blinking in surprise, Koi watched as Ashley calmly cut into his own scallop and added,
“I asked them to make the flavor stronger, since my guest had a duller palate. Told them to keep it healthy—no excessive salt or sugar. All natural ingredients.”
Koi was stunned again. Still speechless, he managed to ask,
“So you... asked them in advance to prepare the food this way, just for ...?”
“I did.”
The reply ca so casually that Koi hesitated before asking,
“Why?”
He was suddenly afraid his voice would tremble. He barely got the question out before Ashley replied as if it were the most obvious thing in the world.
“We’re eating together. If you’re not enjoying it, it’d ruin it for too.”
That was all it took. Koi was certain. He couldn’t hide the quiver in his voice any longer and finally whispered,
“You rembered.”
It ca out like a quiet confession to himself. Ashley didn’t respond. He simply lifted his fork, took another bite of scallop—like it was nothing.
Koi’s chest tightened. He quickly looked down and pretended to focus on eating, but he couldn’t stop the sudden sniffle that escaped.
We’re friends now.
He scolded himself again. Ashley had clearly seen this coming and warned him in advance—to keep Koi from getting the wrong idea. What they had was long over. All Ashley could give now was friendship.
He’s just being kind. Don’t misinterpret it.
Koi forced down ✧ NоvеIight ✧ (Original source) the rest of the scallop and put his fork down. Almost on cue, a staff mber appeared and cleared their plates. From the corners of his vision, Koi noticed the employees standing along the walls, watching attentively to ensure no guest’s pace was interrupted. The elegance, the formality, the seamless service—it was all overwhelming. Koi had never been anywhere like this.
The next course arrived quickly. Once again, the waiter explained the dish in smooth detail before stepping away.
“Foie gras,” Ashley said once they were alone.
Koi stared at the fad dish and asked without thinking,
“This is that liver thing, right?”
“Hahaha.”
Ashley suddenly laughed out loud. Blinking in surprise, Koi looked up. Ashley nodded with a smile still tugging at his lips.
“That’s right. Bon appétit.”
That French phrase—Koi actually knew. Though his pronunciation was far from perfect, he tried to mimic it and cut into the foie gras, bringing it to his mouth. Again, a faint taste blood briefly on his tongue before fading.
“How is it?”
“It’s good.”
Koi answered honestly, and Ashley responded with a soft smile before returning to his own al.
After hearing Ashley’s laughter, Koi’s heart felt a little lighter. He smiled as well, and for a mont, simply focused on eating again. Then, just before the next course arrived, Ashley spoke up during a quiet lull.
“What’s your date like?”
Koi fought the urge to correct him—it wasn’t a date, technically—but that would’ve been pointless. He held back the reflex and answered instead.
“She said she’s a journalist. Said she knows Elle.”
He gave a brief explanation of how he and Julie had t, and as he did, a perfectly grilled swordfish dish was placed in front of him. Looking down at his plate, Ashley spoke.
“Julie? You an Julie Robinson?”
“You know her?”
This translation is the intellectual property of Novelight.
Koi looked up in surprise, and Ashley answered casually.
“She’s a pretty well-known journalist. Written so good pieces. Not exactly favorable toward , though.”
Koi froze as Ashley gave a slight, cynical smile. Sothing must’ve happened between them. When Koi cautiously asked, Ashley answered without emotion.
“There was an article titled, ‘Ashley Miller, the Devil’s Advocate of the Elite.’ Hardly flattering.”
“Oh...”
Koi gave a dazed, low sound, finally understanding. Ashley gave a faint snort.
“Truth tends to hurt.”
He laughed, but Koi didn’t join in.
Really, Ashley? The stuff journalists say... the bad rumors... I still can’t believe it.
Koi dropped his gaze to the plate. His swordfish had a different sauce from Ashley’s, and staring at it, Koi fell into gloomy thoughts.
You’re still this kind, though.
Despite being busy, Ashley had made ti for him, personally ca to get him out of jail, brought him to a private restaurant—and even arranged the food with Koi’s condition in mind. If this man sitting across from him wasn’t the Ashley Miller he used to know—then who the hell was he?
“You haven’t read any of her articles?”
Ashley’s voice pulled him back to reality. Koi shook his head without thinking. Ashley gave a wry smile and said,
“You should read her most recent one, at least. It might help.”
“Help with what?”
Koi asked, puzzled. Ashley replied easily.
“Even if you’re not eting her like that, knowing more about her makes it easier to have a conversation.”
“Oh...”
Koi murmured, realizing he had a point. Ashley continued.
“Sotis, even if that’s not your intention at first, you start developing feelings as you get to know soone. Better to keep your options open.”
It made perfect sense. But the more Koi agreed, the worse he felt. Ashley had dated multiple girls before Koi. Of course he’d be more experienced. But even knowing that, being on the receiving end of this kind of advice didn’t feel good. Especially hearing Ashley calmly, easily explain how to navigate a date—it stung more than he expected.
“Why are you telling this stuff?”
How many won had he dated after breaking up with ?
Koi knew he had no right to feel this way—but it still hurt. He didn’t need to rub it in like this. Still, Koi knew—Ashley wasn’t trying to flaunt anything. These weren’t boasts. That made it worse. If it were bragging, maybe Koi wouldn’t feel so upset.
As he shrank back and spoke quietly, Ashley replied in his usual, indifferent tone.
“Because I hope your first date goes well.”
Then, with complete composure, he added,
“I’m giving you advice as a friend.”
Of course. Koi knew that. But he still couldn’t suppress the resentnt. On impulse, he blurted out a lie.
“I—I’ve had girlfriends too.”
Ashley turned to look at him directly, staring at his face.
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