Kiss Me if You Can Novel Completed - Chapter 125

Other times, the scrawny guy’s mother would pick him up, but on volunteering days, a staff member from the nursing home would escort him home. Instead, he had to wait for about an hour until the staff member finished, and during that time, he would always sit in a cafe in the same building and do his homework. That was the moment Josh’s gang was targeting.

“He’s out.”

Tommy whispered softly. The gang, their large bodies awkwardly squeezed into the corner of the building, held their breath, waiting for the scrawny guy who looked like he was half their size. The innocent prey had no idea what was about to happen. He walked along, pushing up his unsightly glasses, busily searching for something on his phone. He’s probably watching some boring YouTube video, everyone thought similarly.

“He’s coming.”

Ed whispered in a hushed voice. Everyone tensed their bodies. They were comrades who had fought countless games together, so they didn’t need to exchange words. If one went out, another would block the rear, and another would grab the guy. And finally, they would all become one team and finish him off.

And then, just as Tommy was about to block his path.

“Aargh!”

With a scream, the scrawny guy was dragged away by someone.

“Oh.”

Ed unconsciously let out a surprised sound and awkwardly got up. Was it a kidnapping? A flustered Josh wondered. A spectacular kidnapping situation wouldn’t happen in a quiet corner of a Californian town. Above all, that scrawny guy was just the second son of a very ordinary family, living a somewhat comfortable life.

Before anyone could speak, everyone moved on their own. Something was clearly wrong. Rushing outside, they looked around frantically for the scrawny guy.

“There!”

Ed pointed to one side and rushed off. Everyone followed him to a secluded area behind the building. There, they witnessed an unexpected sight.

“Ugh, ugh…”

The scrawny guy was hanging in the air, grabbed by the collar, letting out pained groans. Surrounding him were incomparably larger figures, but strangely, they were the same number as Josh’s gang.

“What?”

“What?”

“Huh?”

“Oh?”

Similar questions and exclamations came from both sides in succession. The moment they saw each other’s faces, both sides realized why their numbers matched.

“Josh.”

The guy holding the scrawny guy by the collar muttered through gritted teeth. Josh also glared at him and spat out.

“Wilson.”

The two stood there, glaring at each other for a while. Both were tense, waiting for someone to make the first move. Josh remembered what he had heard in the locker room before coming here. At the same time, Wilson spoke, as if spitting out words through clenched teeth.

“What business do you have in this neighborhood, you cowardly country bumpkins?”

Josh didn’t react to his provocation and responded casually.

“I heard the losers wanted to meet me, so I graciously came.”

As soon as Josh’s words fell, cheers erupted from behind, as if they had been waiting, and they began to mock them wildly.

“34 to 17, 34 to 17, 34 to 17!”

“Loser!”

“Losers, come lick my ass!”

“Wahahahahahahaha!”

As Tommy turned around and slapped his butt, scoffing, Josh and his gang burst into laughter, and Wilson’s gang’s faces immediately darkened. 34 to 17 was the score of their last game, and of course, Josh’s school won, and Josh made the final touchdown. For Wilson, who had the painful memory of throwing his whole body to stop him and failing, the blood drained from his face in an instant.

“You maggots from a trash school.”

At the same time, he threw the scrawny guy he was holding. The scrawny guy stumbled and fell on his butt, but he didn’t seem seriously hurt. Unfortunately, no one paid him any attention. Everyone’s gaze was focused on one spot, and immediately, Josh and Wilson clashed.

The two stood so close their breaths mingled, glaring at each other as if to kill, growling. Whoever laid a hand on the other first, a brawl would immediately break out. Both sides were tense, not wanting to miss that moment. Wilson glared at Josh as if to kill him, clenching his teeth.

“Don’t mess with me, country bumpkin. In the next game, I’ll make sure you don’t even have bones left.”

At that, Josh’s eyes widened, then he spread his arms wide and looked behind him.

“Wow, did everyone hear that? He’s going to make sure I don’t even have bones left, oh how scary! Who is this gentleman? He’s the quarterback who scored a whopping 17 points in the last game! Age 17, score 17! Oh, he’ll have to wait another 17 years to reach 34 points! I don’t even know if he’ll be able to play at that age. Oh, my God! My knees, my shoulders!”

Josh sneered, making groaning sounds. Laughter erupted again from behind, and Wilson, unable to control his anger, suddenly cursed and pushed Josh’s chest with both hands.

“You son of a bitch!”

“Oh!”

“Josh!”

Josh stumbled for a moment but immediately counterattacked. This time, Wilson retreated. Taking a quick, large step, the two almost touched noses, grinding their teeth.

“I’ll kill you, Josh Bailey.”

“Go ahead, you cowardly loser.”

This time, a truly menacing atmosphere hung in the air, as if punches were about to be exchanged. Everyone held their breath, ready to join in if necessary.

That’s when it happened. With a sudden presence, someone yelled.

“Hey, what are you guys doing there?”

Suddenly, the tension vanished, and everyone looked to one side. The shop owner, who had been tidying up the store, stood there holding a trash can full of food waste. Only then did they realize that the vacant lot where they had been fighting was the place where the shopping complex collected its trash. The large man waddled over, put down the trash can, and sternly rebuked them.

“What are you guys doing? Stop messing around and get out of here, quickly.”

At his gesturing and urging words, Josh and Wilson had no choice but to retreat. Even after that, he continued to wave his hand, saying, “Don’t do this here, just go.”

“If you keep loitering, I’ll call the police.”

At the man’s threat, they could no longer act tough. Even as they reluctantly walked away, they were busy glaring at each other.

“You’re lucky, Josh Bailey.”

To Wilson’s words, uttered through gritted teeth, Josh also sneered.

“Go say your last goodbyes to your mother, oh wait, you don’t have a mom, do you?”

Wilson almost threw a punch, but his gang, who were following behind, quickly restrained him, so he barely managed to stop. Wilson, his arms firmly bound on both sides, glared at Josh, grinding his teeth.

“Someday, I’ll definitely get you.”

Josh no longer bothered to respond and just raised his middle finger. Ed, who was walking ahead, let out a snicker.

“All talk.”

Laughter erupted here and there. Josh also shook his head and laughed.

It was only after they came out into the parking lot that they realized they had forgotten something.

“Excuse me, wait a minute!”

They had turned their heads without much thought at the sudden shout from behind, and then simultaneously froze. The scrawny guy they had intended to beat up had followed them. And the group suddenly remembered why they had come all this way, and who they had been waiting for that led to this situation.

For a moment, flustered, they looked at each other’s faces.

What do we do?

I don’t know!

While they exchanged silent questions and answers, the pushover, who was supposed to be their punching bag, opened his mouth first, his face flushed with excitement.

“Th-thank you. You saved me! I was about to get beaten up for sure…”

Seeing him repeatedly express his gratitude, the gang found themselves in an awkward situation. Josh urged them silently.

Do something!

Among the group, who were just looking at each other, Ed bravely stepped forward and spoke.

“No, we were just passing by coincidence.”

“But you still stepped in to help. Thank you so much. I never imagined anyone would help me…”

He endlessly recounted how he had gotten involved with Wilson, how much he had been bullied, and how malicious and cruel Wilson’s gang was. They listened to his continuous complaints in silence. Unaware of their inner turmoil, the pushover smiled brightly and said,

“If you hadn’t happened to pass by like this, I would have been beaten up again. Thank you.”

“……”

Everyone remained silent. He was completely mistaken, but they couldn’t bring themselves to say anything. That they had come to do the same thing to him.

“Uh, um. So.”

Josh, who had waited with a certain amount of patience, cleared his throat and spoke, sensing the right timing.

“Anyway, I get it. I’m glad we could help… We’re busy now.”

“Um, you’re Emma’s brother, aren’t you?”

Josh, who was about to turn and leave, stopped at the sudden mention of the name and looked back at him. The scrawny guy’s eyes sparkled, and his face flushed as he enthusiastically continued.

“I knew you because you’re famous, Hyung. And you even helped me like this… Thank you so much, I’ll never forget it.”

“Uh, uh… yeah.”

Josh wasn’t the only one who was flustered. All the gang members, who had arrived so triumphantly, were speechless and just looked at each other, as if asking what to do now.

It was up to Josh to make a decision. He swallowed hard and reluctantly opened his mouth.

“Anyway, then… See you next time.”

“Josh.”

Ed called his name in a flustered voice, but Josh just gestured with his eyes for him to stay quiet. Reluctantly, they got into Josh’s car.

“Goodbye! Thank you!”

Leaving the pushover who was shouting vigorously behind them again, Josh silently started the car. And for a long time, no one spoke.

“This isn’t right.”

Ed, sitting in the passenger seat, clutched his head and groaned. The guys in the back seat were no different. Sighs and groans alternated here and there, but that was all. Josh was dumbfounded by the anticlimactic ending, yet he couldn’t think of any other way. In the end, there was only one thing he could say.

“Let’s aim for the next opportunity.”

Emma’s mind might change too.

He thought to himself as he continued to drive. After dropping each of the guys off at their homes, and finally heading to his own, it was already close to midnight.

…Tired.

He felt an extreme sense of fatigue, to the point where he just wanted to collapse. Had he ever been this exhausted? Even playing a full game didn’t tire him this much. Mentally, sure, but why was his body so heavy?