What did I just hear?

He couldn’t believe his ears. What in the world was Koi blabbering about? Ashleigh stood there, stunned and speechless, as Koi’s sobbing reached his ears.

“…Koi.”

When he finally managed to open his mouth, a hoarse voice came out. Ashleigh quickly cleared his throat and continued.

“What is that suddenly about? Did something happen? Koi, was there an accident?”

– No, no. It’s not like that.

Koi urgently denied his words, then let out a trembling breath. Ashleigh involuntarily tensed at the exaggerated gasps coming from the other end. After a pause, Koi finally confessed.

– My father, he’s sick.

His voice broke into fragments between trembling breaths.

– It’s cancer. …They say he has six months at most, and there’s nothing they can do.

Ashleigh stood there, blinking for a moment. What did that have to do with anything?

“…Right, that’s too bad.”

That was all he could say. He simply couldn’t understand what that had to do with Koi not being able to come here. Impatient, he was about to open his mouth again, when Koi continued after taking a deep breath.

– My father doesn’t have much time left… he’s going to die.

“Yes, I know.”

Ashleigh couldn’t suppress his frustration and spoke quickly.

“So? Why can’t you come? It has nothing to do with you.”

For a moment, Koi said nothing. With the phone pressed tightly to his ear, listening only to the ragged breathing, Ashleigh couldn’t bear his anxiety and repeatedly clenched and unclenched his free hand. It felt like a long time had passed before Koi finally spoke.

– He’s my father…

Ashleigh instinctively furrowed his brows. He didn’t understand what Koi was trying to say. To his lack of reaction, Koi repeated the same words again.

– My father has cancer and doesn’t have much time left, only half a year at most.

“So what does that have to do with anything?”

Ashleigh continued, equally frustrated.

“He’s in the hospital anyway, isn’t he? Then they’ll take care of it there. You won’t be able to do anything there, so why can’t you come?”

Koi hesitated for a moment, as if speechless.

– There’s nothing… but…

Ashleigh cut off his hesitant words.

“Besides, what do you even want to do now? After he beat you like that, did he apologize? Did he cling to you, crying?”

Again, Koi fell silent. A sigh of disbelief escaped Ashleigh’s lips.

“Right, if he apologized now, that’s enough. It’s all over, isn’t it? Hurry and come to the station. No, I’ll go. Which hospital is it? I probably can’t catch the last train, so I’ll go to the next station and…”

As Ashleigh spoke, he grabbed the handle of his trunk and moved urgently. He had to get back to the car as quickly as possible. He had to meet Koi. If he missed this chance, if he didn’t meet him right now.

A faint sob was heard from the other end. And then a trembling voice followed.

– I’m sorry, Ash. I can’t go.

Ashleigh, who was rushing to leave the station, stopped in his tracks. To him, standing frozen in place, Koi continued.

– I can’t leave my father alone… I’m sorry, I’m sorry.

“Koi.”

Ashleigh mercilessly cut off his repeated apologies. His own voice was also faintly trembling.

“Do you know what you’re saying right now? …Because of that man, you’re giving up on leaving with me?”

Koi said nothing. But Ashleigh knew it was an affirmation. He instinctively gasped, and without hiding the passion in his trembling voice, he asked.

“You’re staying for the man who beat you like an animal? Are you serious? Are you telling me you’re abandoning me right now?”

– I’m sorry…

“Cut the nonsense!”

Finally, Ashleigh sharply yelled. He simply couldn’t understand it, couldn’t tolerate it. Koi wasn’t coming? He was giving up on him because of that man? Now, after all this time? Really?

“There’s still time until the last train.”

Ashleigh quickly continued.

“It doesn’t matter if we miss the train. We can take a car to the next station and catch the first train in the morning. I’ll wait here, it’s okay no matter how long it takes, so leave right now. You should take an Uber. Don’t worry about the taxi fare, I’ll take care of it. Okay?”

– Ash…

“I’ll wait here until you come.”

After saying only his piece, Ashleigh hung up the phone. Silence fell instantly. There were almost no people coming and going in the train station, and the surroundings were eerily quiet.

Haa, Ashleigh sighed, then returned to his seat. He buried his face in his hands and rubbed it roughly, then took a deep breath and lifted his head.

He’ll come.

Ashleigh thought, as if making a promise to himself.

Koi will definitely come. He’s just a little late.

He felt as though Koi would rush through that entrance any moment, calling Ashleigh’s name. He would apologize, not knowing what to do, and throw himself into his arms. Then Ashleigh would say it was okay.

He would scold Koi for playing such a bad prank and warn him not to do it again, but a smile would spread across his face. He would hold the thin body tightly in his arms and kiss him. And then they would leave for a world all their own. Yes, that’s exactly what would happen.

Because Koi would never abandon him.

Ashleigh thought, anxiously glancing at the station entrance repeatedly. Time continued to pass, and the last train departed in the night. Ashleigh remained alone in the station waiting room until then.