Lick Me Up If You Can Novel (Completed) - Chapter 46

At the unexpected words, not only the other guys but also Koi were surprised. Ashley casually picked up a hamburger and said,

“Isn’t that the most certain way? If we post it, everyone will see it.”

“Ah, that’s true.”

Bill agreed.

“But don’t you dislike that kind of thing?”

Ashley simply dismissed Bill’s subtle addition.

“Regardless of whether I dislike it or not, it’s the most efficient system, isn’t it?”

And he deliberately pointed at Bill and added,

“Besides, you’ll be the one posting the article.”

“No, that’s true, but…”

Bill was about to say something more, but the other guys cut him off.

“Ash is right.”

“Yeah, let’s post it there. Everyone will go crazy.”

“It’s better if you post it; you frequently visit that site, you’ll do it best.”

“I’ve never written an article before.”

Bill grumbled, but still opened the screen and began typing on the bulletin board. He quickly typed, posted the article in an instant, and put down his phone.

“Let’s see the reactions.”

No sooner had he spoken than Bill’s phone vibrated. Another guy opened his phone to check and widened his eyes, “Oh!”

“Hey, comments are already coming in! Wow, the views are going up super fast.”

“Where, where?”

“Ah, here it is.”

Following suit, the other guys also took out their phones to check, and laughter erupted from everywhere.

“Everyone’s going wild. Are all the students in the school coming?”

“Wow, the site’s incredibly slow.”

“Wait, what is this? Why isn’t it working?”

“Uh, me too.”

“It’s not opening for me either.”

The children in the cafeteria exclaimed with curses here and there. While they continuously refreshed the unopening bulletin board, Ashley and Koi were the only ones not looking at their phones in the cafeteria.

Koi looked around with wide eyes, then turned his gaze to Ashley. Ashley, meanwhile, was indifferently chewing on his unappetizing school hamburger.

And after that time, no one talked about Koi’s timid worry post. Everyone’s topic, both on the bulletin board and in reality, was buzzing about Ashley Miller’s party.

*

Before lunchtime ended, everyone left the cafeteria to go to class. As they walked out in a group after returning their trays, someone shouted at Ashley.

“Ash, thanks for inviting me to the party!”

Ashley looked that way and lightly waved his hand in response. Koi secretly glanced around, seeing the girls laughing loudly and scurrying away.

Whenever they passed by, everyone’s attention would always be focused on them, but today, Ashley was receiving even more intense gazes filled with admiration and envy. Yet, Ashley showed no particular reaction. He walked along, joking and laughing with his friends as usual. Koi once again wondered how he had ended up joining this group.

Since that day, Nelson’s group’s bullying had disappeared, and his once agonizing school life had become so enjoyable. Everyone, including Bill, was cheerful, didn’t play nasty pranks, and most importantly, everyone was very kind to Koi.

“Alright, see you later.”

They waved to each other as they parted ways for their respective classes. Koi also waved back at them before turning around.

This class was with Ashley. The two walked side by side towards the classroom. Along the short path, passing students continuously spoke to Ashley and greeted him. It was a common occurrence, but today was exceptional. It was probably because of the party, Koi thought, and silently walked, looking only at the ground.

Ashley spoke to Koi when the passing students had dwindled and the surroundings had become quiet.

“Koi.”

“Huh?”

As Koi instinctively answered, Ashley placed a hand on his head. Koi just blinked his eyes, standing still, as Ashley’s long fingers brushed against his hair before pulling away. In his hand was a small leaf.

“It was stuck there.”

“Ah, oh.”

As Koi belatedly and hurriedly shook his head, Ashley laughed aloud.

“It’s gone now. I took it off.”

At the pleasant laughter, Koi felt embarrassed but also found himself laughing along. Ashley was laughing unusually much today.

He must be in a really good mood, Koi thought. What happened? He was curious, but in any case, he was happy if something good had happened to Ashley.

As he smiled, thinking that’s good, his heart started pounding again, and his chest felt ticklish. Oh. Koi paused, flustered. But the thumping didn’t stop; it only grew stronger.

Suddenly, Ashley stopped laughing and looked down at him, as if asking what was wrong. Koi stared blankly at his face, which still held traces of laughter. His mouth felt dry, his fingertips tingled, his whole body’s pulse pounded, and his mind was completely scattered. So he absolutely couldn’t bear it.

“Uh, um, Ash, Ashley.”

“Hm?”

Ashley answered immediately. Even in his confusion, Koi quickly racked his brain and came up with an excuse.

“Um, this is about my friend.”

At the difficult opening, Ashley widened his eyes and asked,

“You have another friend besides me? Who?”

“Huh? Uh, uh?”

Suddenly hit squarely, Koi was flustered. Ashley glanced at his ears, which were flapping for a different reason this time, and smiled broadly.

“Just kidding. Of course, you’d have friends besides me.”

“Uh…”

Koi was bewildered again, blinking his eyes rapidly. Ashley, seeing Koi’s reaction, deliberately added,

“Many of them.”

That’s not true, Ash. You’re my only friend.

Koi barely swallowed the words that hovered in his throat. But Ashley seemed to think Koi had many friends. It wasn’t true at all, but he didn’t want to break Ashley’s illusion of him being a very sociable friend. Koi put on a tiny bit of bravado and hurriedly mumbled,

“Yeah, um, so, one of those, uh, many friends, they said…”

He stammered, and his voice even squeaked in the middle. Koi almost panicked, but fortunately, Ashley showed no particular reaction. If Ashley had kidnapped Koi and locked him in his room earlier, he would have burst into laughter in this situation, but unfortunately, they were at school right now.

Phew, Koi let out a small sigh of relief and bravely continued.

“They said they’ve been having some worries lately, and I don’t really know either, so I was wondering what Ash thinks.”

“What is it?”

“Uh, um, so…”

Unable to bring himself to say it while looking at Ashley’s face, Koi spoke, staring only at the ground.

“Uh, they made a close friend, and lately, um, every time they see them, it feels strange. Before, they just thought it was good, but lately, like, their heart pounds, and their hands tremble. They even feel a ticklish sensation here.”

Ashley silently looked down at the crown of Koi’s head. He found Koi, who stubbornly avoided eye contact, both exasperating and cute. Ultimately, the cuteness won out, and Ashley asked with a smile,

“Your friend?”

“U-uh! My, my friend!”

Koi jumped in surprise and nodded his head rapidly. Ashley had to clench his lips and calm himself down for a moment, holding back the urge to ask if he was the person in question.

Did I say something wrong?

Koi became anxious again, looking at Ashley. What if he says these feelings aren’t for friends? What if he’s offended?

“Koi.”

Finally, Ashley opened his mouth. Unexpectedly, his voice cracked, and he cleared his throat, “Ahem.” Koi watched him, secretly frozen. He was more nervous than ever until Ashley answered. When the time, which was barely a few seconds, felt incredibly long to Koi, a sound finally flowed from Ashley’s lips.

“Koi, isn’t it that your friend likes that person?”

“Huh?”

Koi’s eyes widened in surprise. He unconsciously looked up at Ashley but didn’t even realize it.

“O-of course they like them. Because they’re friends.”

As he hurriedly answered, Ashley pointed out,

“You said it was different from that, didn’t you?”

At Koi’s pause, Ashley continued to press.

“Do you feel your heart pound and get ticklish when you see your other friends? No, is there even a reason to have this kind of worry in the first place? If they’re just friends?”

I don’t know. You’re my only friend.

As if sensing Koi’s thoughts, Ashley said,

“Then, for example, I always eat lunch with my team, train, and spend a lot of time together. You know that, right?”

“Yeah.”

“I think of them as friends, but I’ve never felt my heart pound or felt embarrassed like that.”

“Really?”

“Yes.”

Ashley said firmly. Then he frowned and added,

“Rather, it’s unpleasant to think I’d feel that way about those big, dark gorilla-like guys.”

“Ah…”

Koi let out a blank exclamation. Ashley looked straight down at him and said with utmost seriousness,

“That’s liking that person, Koi.”

Realize it.

Ashley secretly yearned.

Realize it, Koi. Your feelings.

A cold wind blew between the two standing opposite each other. They just looked at each other. Koi’s own heartbeat seemed to echo very slowly, dully, in his ears.

Me, Ashley?

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