Ariel was stunned. What the hell was this bastard saying to her right now?
“You liked him? Koi? This whole ti?”
The order of the words was all over the place, but she ignored that.
“Then what was all that crap about ‘making him happy so he’ll leave you’? Did the pheromones rot your brain or sothing?”
Ashley gave a quiet chuckle. As if that level of criticism didn’t faze him in the slightest. Ariel was annoyed by that smug reaction, but she had sothing more important to ask.
“What the hell are you thinking, Ashley Dominique Miller?”
She said his full na sharply, knowing he hated it. Seeing the slight twitch of his eyebrow brought her a small bit of satisfaction.
“If you really like Koi, then I don’t get what the hell you’re trying to do. Shouldn’t you either try to be with him or give up? What exactly are you doing? What do you even want?”
Ashley didn’t respond. As if he had no intention of explaining himself to her.
You bastard.
Ariel didn’t bother hiding the disgust in her voice as she asked,
“Don’t tell ... you’re playing so kind of push-and-pull ga with Koi?”
Suddenly, Ashley laughed out loud. It was short, but packed with aning.
“Oh co on, Elle. We’re not teenagers anymore.”
As if the very thought was laughably childish. But Ariel didn’t feel even a bit embarrassed as she shot back,
“Then what the hell are you doing? Or wait—are you doubting Koi or sothing?”
Surprisingly, Ashley answered lightly.
“I trust him.”
Seeing Ariel freeze, he continued with that sa calm, unshaken deanor.
“Koi probably does like . I’m sure he’s doing the best he can in his own way.”
“Then what the hell’s your problem?”
So this asshole had known all along that Koi liked him. All that effort Koi had put in to hide his feelings... it made Ariel feel awful. Furious, even. She lashed out, but Ashley just gave a dry laugh. He even shook his head, like an audience mber seeing a ridiculous play to its end. He said,
“Elle, whether or not Koi sincerely likes doesn’t matter.”
Ariel suddenly wanted to throttle him, but she didn’t get the chance—Koi was back.
Hearing movent, Ariel reflexively looked up—and then froze. Koi’s face looked completely different than it had a mont ago. Ariel’s expression hardened, while satisfaction slowly spread across Ashley’s face. As Koi awkwardly settled into his seat, Ashley felt his thigh grow heavy.
“Koi, what’s wrong? Did sothing happen?”
Ariel asked first. Koi shook his head quickly, but anyone could tell sothing was off. Of course, only one person besides Koi knew exactly what had caused it. Unfortunately, that person was the very one who had °• N 𝑜 v 𝑒 l i g h t •° orchestrated this entire situation.
“I-it’s fine. Just... a little uncomfortable.”
“Suddenly?”
This translation is the intellectual property of Novelight.
Ariel frowned. It was a natural question, but Koi couldn’t explain. He was still embarrassed—still wanted to run away. There was no way he could say it out loud.
Head down, unable to speak, Koi simply shook his head. anwhile, the root of all evil raised a hand leisurely. As the server quickly approached, Ashley spoke.
“The sa bottle. One more.”
“More wine?”
Ariel scrunched up her face in distaste. Koi looked just as pale. They were relieved the al was almost over, but now he was ordering another bottle? In contrast to their reactions, Ashley replied calmly.
“It’s not every day you get to enjoy good wine. Don’t worry—I’ll cover it.”
He gave Koi a smile ant to be reassuring, but Koi couldn’t say a word, his face burning red.
*
“Are you sure you’re okay, Koi?”
Even as they parted ways, Ariel couldn’t help but ask. She had been worried about him since he returned from the restroom, fidgety and restless.
“If you’re feeling sick, want to go to the hospital?”
He seed distracted, constantly spacing out. Even the way he walked looked off—awkward. He definitely wasn’t feeling well.
But despite her concern, Koi couldn’t accept her kindness. It wasn’t that he was sick—and that made it even worse. Facing his friend’s worried expression, Koi forced a small smile.
“I’m okay. Just tired... I’ll feel better once I rest at ho.”
At the word ho, Ariel glanced at Ashley. He stood behind Koi, sa as ever—one arm confidently wrapped around Koi’s waist. Ariel found the sight disgusting, but if she pointed it out, Ashley would no doubt spout so bullshit like, “I’m holding him because he’s not feeling well.”
Even setting Ashley aside, Ariel had a lot she wanted to say to Koi. But the timing wasn’t right. She chose instead to squeeze his hand.
“Alright. Go get so rest. I really enjoyed today.”
“Yeah. Bye, Elle.”
There was a flash of relief on Koi’s face. Maybe he was just glad he could finally go ho. Ariel, feeling a pang of pity, patted his arm a couple more tis before letting go.
Even as she got in the driver’s seat and pulled away, she waved to him. Through the rearview mirror, she watched them shrink in the distance before turning her eyes back to the road.
What the hell is that bastard planning?
Nothing made sense. He hadn’t been like this in high school. Had he changed? Or had he always been this sly and everyone had just been fooled?
And the way he treated Koi today was weird too. Ariel hadn’t drunk any wine because she was driving—but Koi hadn’t drunk any either. Ashley hadn’t let him. Koi had to drink juice or soda the whole ti. Even when Ashley ordered the extra bottle, Koi didn’t get a single drop.
He raved about how good the wine was, but wouldn’t let Koi have any?
Sothing’s up.
Ariel couldn’t shake the uneasy feeling. She decided she’d call Koi out soon to have a long, honest talk. With that thought, she stepped on the gas.
*
As he watched the car disappear, Ashley tightened the arm around Koi’s waist and pulled him close. Koi, caught off guard, ended up pressed right against his chest. Ashley lowered his head and whispered above him.
“Did you do what the card said?”
The answer was already obvious from Koi’s awkward behavior, but he asked anyway. As expected, Koi flinched, ducked his head, and stamred helplessly before finally nodding faintly with a whispered, “Yeah...”
Ashley felt the erection he’d been restraining grow harder.
“...Hiiik!”
Koi let out a choked squeak. Ashley had grabbed his butt. He was already feeling awkward below—now with a firm grip on his ass, he panicked visibly.
Completely ignoring Koi’s frozen reaction, Ashley leisurely kneaded the small flesh that fit perfectly in his hand.
“Should we head back now?”
Koi couldn’t even respond—he just nodded frantically. He wanted to get ho as fast as possible and take it off. He had no idea the night was just beginning.
He practically tumbled into the passenger seat of Ashley’s car as he opened the door. Finally, finally, Koi could breathe, his chest rising and falling in quick relief.
Ashley closed the door, strolled around the front, and got into the driver’s seat.
“Koi.”
“Y-Yeah?”
Startled by the sudden call, Koi turned toward him. Ashley smiled.
“Show when we get ho.”
Koi was so shocked he couldn’t even swallow his breath. His mouth just hung open.
Ashley, not even glancing his way, looked forward and started the car. The ride felt faster than usual, and Koi sat frozen in the seat, unable to speak. Just waiting in growing dread.
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