Lick Me Up If You Can Novel (Completed) - Chapter 34

“Huh, huh?”

Koi, who had put down the empty can, made a strange sound. Ashley, anticipating the grim situation that was about to unfold, let out a frustrated sigh. Koi, his eyes already hazy from the alcohol, looked at Ashley and said.

“This tastes a bit strange.”

“Because it’s alcohol.”

Ashley ran a hand through his hair and frowned.

“You’d know if you smelled it.”

Koi, who had been blinking and looking at him, soon smiled foolishly.

“You’re right. My nose tingled.”

Ashley was flustered by Koi, who was giggling and making “ting, ting” sounds. It was his first time seeing someone drunk. Did alcohol really make you drunk so quickly?

Just in case, he shook the can, and it was indeed empty. He hadn’t expected him to get so drunk from just one can of beer. Perhaps it was because it was his first time drinking alcohol.

Anyway, I need to sort this out.

Ashley thought as rationally as possible. Although it wasn’t intentional, it was his fault for giving him alcohol, so he had to take responsibility.

The alcohol in the refrigerator must have been put there by the employees. They might have put it there to drink during work, or just to have on hand in case guests came. What was important now wasn’t “why.” Ashley sighed, looking at Koi, who was still giggling.

He seems to be in a good mood.

Ashley gave a wry smile, seeing Koi’s ears occasionally twitching. He might feel guilty when he sobered up, but since only he and Koi knew about this situation, it wouldn’t get out. Of course, Ashley also felt that taking responsibility for Koi now was more important than blabbing about something that was partly his own fault.

“Get up, Koi. You can’t lie down here, you’ll catch a cold.”

“Huh? Uh-huh…?”

Koi made strange sounds and swayed. Ashley sighed and picked him up.

“Ugh.”

He was much lighter than he had thought, and Ashley almost hurt his back. Ashley, who let out a surprised groan, looked down at Koi, who was giggling, with a bewildered expression. Koi still just smiled foolishly, unaware of Ashley’s thoughts.

“Ashy, I’m floating~”

“Of course you are, it’s true.”

Ashley replied indifferently and walked. As he entered the mansion, Koi kept rambling.

“It’s amazing~ It feels like someone’s holding me and flying~”

Is he not drunk?

Ashley soon frowned and looked down at Koi suspiciously. Just as he was about to go up the stairs, Koi suddenly waved his arm.

“Ah, hey!”

Ashley, startled, hastily held him tighter, and Koi burst into laughter.

“I flew~ I flew~”

“Just you try drinking again.”

Ashley threatened, but Koi didn’t seem to hear him.

“I’m an astronaut, I’m an astronaut now~”

Ashley silently watched him make “whoosh, whoosh” sounds with his mouth and then quietly resumed walking.

As they went up the stairs, Koi laughed, made wind sounds, and randomly listed constellation names. Ashley remained silent and just walked.

“Ugh…”

Ashley pushed open the guest room door with his shoulder and laid Koi down on the bed. Koi mumbled in his sleep. Looking at him, who had gotten drunk and passed out from just one can of beer, he couldn’t decide whether to call him pathetic or dumbfounded.

Ashley quietly looked down at Koi, who was sprawled on the bed. His slightly parted lips and cheeks, flushed from the alcohol, were particularly eye-catching.

“…Koi.”

Ashley called him in a small voice. If he had been awake, he would have answered, but unfortunately, all that could be heard now was his deep breathing.

“Koi.”

Ashley whispered in an even lower voice. He cautiously leaned over Koi and gently stroked his cheek. Koi’s warmth was felt in his palm.

Koi.

Ashley’s lips only moved, repeating his name.

“I want to kiss you.”

He confessed in a voice that faded like a breath. He couldn’t tell if the warmth on his flushed cheeks was his own or Koi’s. The temptation was too strong. Just a slight touch would be fine. If it was just a touch of lips. Just a slight touch.

…That’s impossible.

Ashley gathered all his patience and forced himself to sit up. It took immense courage to resist such a strong temptation.

He gasped roughly and sat on the edge of the bed, looking out the window. The same dark indigo sky as before came into view.

“Haah…”

He let out a deep sigh, as if boiling over, and sat there for a while. He felt as if he had expended all his energy at once.

After staring blankly at the sky for some time, he finally sighed and stood up. And Ashley didn’t look back at Koi until he walked out into the hallway and closed the door.

“Ugh…”

Koi stretched widely and woke up, blinking his sleepy eyes while lying still for a while. The scenery that came into view was unfamiliar. The bed was surprisingly wide, soft, and fluffy like clouds. It felt like he was dreaming.

Maybe he was still dreaming.

Koi closed his eyes again and turned onto his side. The mustiness he used to feel from his old, dirty sheets was not here. Instead, a soft sheet, fresh as if just washed, gently wrapped around his body, and Koi sighed, “Haah,” rubbing his face.

Huh?

Just as he was about to fall back asleep, he suddenly felt something strange. Could a dream be this vivid?

That’s impossible!

Startled, Koi’s eyes snapped open, and he hastily sat up and looked around. The room’s view was unchanged, but the antique bed and furniture, and the walls with refreshing colors, looked even softer in the sunlight pouring in through the large window.

Here…

Koi belatedly recalled his memories. The events of the previous day flashed back instantly. The pouring stars, the sky that shone even in the darkness of night, the refreshing wind that made his heart flutter.

And.

I drank alcohol!

Koi’s eyes widened in surprise. It was an accidental mistake, but he couldn’t believe he had made such a blunder. Koi, who had never broken even the smallest rule in his life, had now broken the law.

Oh my god, how could I commit such a crime?

Koi turned pale and clutched his head.

What should I do?!

“Hi, Koi.”

Koi, who had been wandering through the large mansion looking for Ashley, finally found him in the tearoom. Ashley, who was preparing breakfast, smiled and greeted him.

“You’re eating breakfast, right? Come and sit here.”

“Uh, yeah.”

Koi nodded absently and then belatedly said.

“Is there anything I can help with?”

“No, I’m done. Just sit.”

“Okay.”

As he sat down as told, Ashley asked.

“Coffee? Black tea? Herbal tea? Or.”

He listed them indifferently and then added mischievously.

“Beer?”

“Pfft.”

Koi, who was drinking water at the moment, was so flustered that he spat it out.

“Cough, cough.”

As he coughed frantically, having choked, Ashley picked up a napkin and offered it to him.

“Th-thanks.”

“You’re welcome.”

Koi finally calmed his coughs and straightened his posture. In the meantime, Ashley finished preparing the meal.

“Did you make all this?”

He asked, looking at the plate full of food, and Ashley answered lightly.

“It’s nothing special. You just have to bake it.”

Indeed, it didn’t require great skill. It was just bacon, eggs, sausages, potatoes, and salad. But it was amazing that he had prepared all this by himself. Koi looked at Ashley, who was sitting opposite him, and asked.

“Do you always eat breakfast like this?”

“No.”

Ashley answered readily.

“I don’t usually eat much. Maybe just cereal.”

“Then you made it because of me?”

Koi asked intentionally. It was just a joke, but what he got back was just Ashley’s smiling face.

Oh.

Koi paused. Really because of me?

“Go ahead and eat.”

Ashley said, unfolding a napkin. Koi said, “Uh-huh,” and quickly picked up his fork. He, too, hadn’t had breakfast in a very long time. And that morning’s breakfast was the most delicious he could remember.

“Ash! Hey, are you okay? Are you all better?”

When he finally arrived at school, Bill, who was just parking his car, greeted him warmly. Ashley got out of the car, naturally exchanged a hug, then pulled away from him and replied.

“I’m fine now. Nothing happened, right?”

“It’s only been a few days, what could happen?”

Bill then gave a strange smile and said.

“You came out earlier than I thought? I heard you were taking about a week off.”

“The coach must have misspoke. I clearly said I’d only take a short break.”

“Oh.”

Bill let out a short whistle and then examined Ashley’s cheek, which was much less swollen.

“It still looks a bit swollen, but isn’t it okay like this?”

“It hurt quite a bit.”

Ashley gave a wry smile. Of course, he deserved it.