Lick Me Up If You Can Novel (Completed) - Chapter 14

“Ash.”

As Koi mumbled softly, Ashley also whispered in a husky voice.

“…Koi, hi.”

Soon after, he cleared his throat. Koi watched him turn around and look at the snacks. He couldn’t believe the sudden situation. This was the first time he had seen him since the vacation started. His heart pounded.

Koi watched Ashley without taking his eyes off him until he picked out items and brought them to the counter. Ashley, who had placed a few snacks on the counter, finally spoke.

“Aren’t you taking a break for Independence Day?”

“Huh? Oh, yeah.”

Koi hastily scanned the barcodes and replied.

“My family doesn’t get together for meals on days like this.”

“…Hmm.”

Ashley’s words trailed off ambiguously. Koi took out a plastic bag and put the snacks in.

“You? Didn’t your parents come?”

At Koi’s question, Ashley took out his card and handed it over.

“My family doesn’t get together for meals on days like this.”

When Ashley repeated Koi’s exact words, Koi pfft, burst out laughing. To a startled Ashley, Koi said with a smile,

“You and I have something in common.”

Ashley looked down at him without a word. He hadn’t meant it as a joke. In fact, it was closer to sarcasm. Though it wasn’t clear if he was being sarcastic about himself or Koi.

However, Koi smiled brightly and looked up at Ashley with unchanging, sparkling eyes. His reaction was one of genuine, uncontrollable joy. Somehow, Ashley felt burdened by that sight, so he took the card, grabbed the bag, and turned away.

“Ah, Ash, wait! Just a moment!”

As he was about to get into his parked car, Koi, who had run out of the store, shouted. When Ashley stopped, Koi quickly ran up to him and held something out.

“This.”

“…What is this?”

Instead of taking what Koi offered, Ashley asked, and Koi said excitedly,

“It’s a souvenir they’re giving out for Independence Day, you can have it.”

Ashley had no choice but to accept it as Koi urged him, “Come on.” He looked down at the strangely shaped pink doll without a word, and Koi asked in an even higher voice,

“Cute, isn’t it?”

“…”

Ashley looked down at his face for a while, then lowered his gaze back to the doll. No matter how he looked at it, it was an incredibly ugly doll. Moreover, it had a grumpy expression. How could something like this be sold for money when it should be given away for free?

But Ashley couldn’t bring himself to be honest. Koi’s expression, looking up at him, was just too…

He looks happy.

“Pfft.”

Seeing that face, he couldn’t help but laugh. Koi blinked in confusion, seeing Ashley burst into laughter. Yet, his cheeks were still flushed, his eyes sparkling, and his mouth wide open in a huge grin.

“Yeah, it’s cute.”

After saying that, Ashley was startled. Fortunately, he didn’t need to retract his words. Koi smiled so brightly that his eyes became slits and spoke first.

“Right? It’s so cute, isn’t it? Actually, this is a limited edition, and they’re all gone. I hid one to keep for myself because a customer didn’t want it, but…”

“What? Then it’s okay, you don’t have to give it to me.”

“No, no.”

Koi waved both hands, pushing away the doll Ashley offered.

“I want to give it to you. Take it.”

Ashley could no longer refuse the repeated urging from Koi, who asked, “Huh?”

“…Okay, thank you.”

When he reluctantly took the doll, Koi smiled brightly again. That’s when Ashley saw it. Koi’s ears flapping slightly.

…Ah.

He almost touched his ears. Ashley, who had half-raised his hand, belatedly came to his senses and quickly lowered it. Before Koi noticed, he quickly spoke.

“Well then, I’ll be going.”

“Okay, bye. Drive safe. Have a happy Independence Day!”

Koi greeted him brightly, waving his hand. He stood there waving until Ashley got into his car and started the engine.

Ashley’s Cayenne smoothly turned the corner and exited the parking lot. After confirming that Koi was no longer visible in the rearview mirror, Ashley glanced down at the passenger seat. The ugly doll Koi had given him was sitting there.

“What’s wrong with his eyes?”

Ashley mumbled to himself. Even though he thought it was absurd, he was somehow smiling.