Lick Me Up If You Can Novel (Completed) - Chapter 67

• My bike is gone.

Ashley, who was getting ready for school in the morning, was surprised by Koi’s sudden call but then smiled.

“Oh dear, that’s a problem. What happened?”

He already had a contingency plan in mind, but he asked leisurely. Koi hesitated, saying “Um,” and couldn’t easily speak.

• Well, that is, I think I… left it at your house.

“Oh, dear…”

Ashley deliberately sighed loudly. He could clearly picture Koi’s flustered and apologetic expression. Seeing his reaction, sweating profusely, unable to bring himself to ask for a ride, Ashley stopped teasing and suggested in a gentle voice.

“Alright, Koi. I’ll come over there.”

• Really? Can you?

Koi cried out in delight, then immediately asked worriedly again.

• What if you’re late or something…

“There’s still time, so it’s fine.”

Ashley spat out the mouthful of toothpaste foam and continued.

“We can meet where I always drop you off, right? It’ll take about 30 minutes from now.”

• Uh, uh-huh. That spot is fine.

Koi answered hastily, then added in a small voice.

• Thank you, Ash…

“It’s okay, Koi. See you later.”

After hanging up the phone cheerfully, he quickly rinsed his mouth and left the bathroom. Today was going to be a great day. The sunlight was brighter than usual, the wind was gentle, and the sky was so blue.

Besides, Koi called him first thing in the morning and asked him to pick him up.

He had been planning to tell Koi he would pick him up in the mornings soon. It was only natural for a boyfriend if his partner didn’t have a car. Actually, even if he had a car, he’d still want to pick him up.

Seeing Koi only at school in the morning wasn’t enough. He wanted to see Koi’s face even five minutes earlier. He pulled the T-shirt he had grabbed over his head and put on his usual jeans and sneakers. After putting on his bag, he went down the stairs, his steps incredibly light.

Starting today, should I gradually pick him up every day?

He found himself whistling as he stepped outside, looking around for his bicycle. The bicycle was in the spot Koi had mentioned. However, it wasn’t the old junk bike Ashley knew.

…Huh?

Ashley was bewildered by the unexpected situation. The bicycle leaning against one side of the mansion wall was brand new, incomparable to the one Koi used to ride. He wondered if this was really the one Koi was talking about, but there couldn’t be any other bike.

Ashley examined it closely and frowned, thinking, No way. This bicycle looked familiar somehow.

Where had I seen this…?

Just as he was trying to recall, he noticed a cat sticker on the handlebar. It was Ariel’s favorite cat character. Only then did his memory fully return. It was the bicycle Ariel used to ride before she bought a car.

Why would Koi have this?

Knowing there was no other explanation, Ashley pulled out his phone and called Koi. After a few rings, he heard Koi’s voice, and Ashley asked as usual.

“Koi, it seems like the bicycle changed, is that right?”

• Ah, yeah.

Koi replied brightly from the other end.

• That’s right. The one with the cat sticker on the handlebars.

“I see.”

Ashley spoke gently, but his expression wasn’t smiling at all.

“I’ll be there soon, Koi.”

• Okay, see you soon.

Koi hung up the phone, oblivious. Ashley stared at the disconnected call for a moment, then pulled the bicycle and headed for the car parked right in front. There was no trace of a smile on his face until he loaded the bicycle into the trunk and started the car from the driver’s seat. And as he drove towards Koi, all sorts of delusions and jealousy churned within him.

“Hi, Koi.”

Ashley, from the driver’s seat, spoke first. Koi, standing on the roadside where they had parted the day before, brightened at the sight of him and greeted him back.

“Hi, Ash.”

Ah, Koi belatedly paused. He felt incredibly shameless after how they had parted yesterday.

But there was no time for long deliberation. He was on the verge of being late, and the road was getting increasingly crowded, so he couldn’t keep the car parked on the roadside indefinitely.

He quickly opened the passenger door and sat down, and Ash immediately started the car. Sinking into the comfortable car seat instead of his usual bicycle, Koi expressed his gratitude.

“Thanks for coming, Ash. I completely forgot I left my bike.”

Ash smiled, looking straight ahead.

“I completely forgot yesterday too.”

In fact, it was natural for both of them to be flustered. Ash had only recently presented, and they had even had a small argument.

I like you.

Recalling Ashley’s words, Koi’s face flushed hot. He hastily lowered his gaze and pretended to be busy, searching for something to say, when thankfully, Ashley spoke first.

“Was everything okay yesterday?”

“Uh, yeah.”

Koi unconsciously stammered, then hastily added.

“Nothing happened, it was fine.”

Should he have left out the last part? He worried, feeling guilty, when Ashley spoke again.

“What happened to that bike? I haven’t seen it before.”

“Oh? Ah.”

Koi was glad the topic had shifted to something mundane and quickly answered.

“Al gave it to me. My bike’s wheel got broken, so it’s unusable.”

“The wheel?”

Ashley’s brows furrowed.

“It was still okay? That one?”

“I rode it because the wheel was fine.”

Koi felt a little hurt by the mocking remark about his bicycle, which, though old, had been responsible for all his transportation, including commuting to school.

“That kid did his best.”

“Yeah, yeah.”

Ashley nodded, but it looked utterly perfunctory. Just as Koi felt a pang of apology towards his bicycle, Ashley turned the steering wheel, took a curve, and said.

“By the way, how did Al give you that bike?”

“Oh? Oh…”

Koi answered smoothly.

“I fell off my bike, and the wheel broke. I was pulling it home, and Al was out jogging and saw it… She said if I got into an accident riding that, the cheerleading team would be in big trouble, so she gave it to me.”

“I see.”

Compared to Koi’s long explanation, Ashley’s answer was simple. The misunderstanding was now cleared up.

All the delusions that had filled Ashley’s mind during the approximately 20-minute drive from the mansion to where Koi was waiting had vanished into worthless nonsense, but the jealousy remained.

“I should have bought it for you.”

“Huh? What did you say?”

Koi, who hadn’t quite heard the low mumble, asked. Ashley smiled at him and replied, “No.”

“Nothing.”

“Uh…”

Koi looked bewildered but didn’t ask further, turning his gaze back to the front. Just as the traffic light turned red and the car stopped, Ashley slowly tapped his fingers on the steering wheel, lost in thought.

I shouldn’t rush too much, Koi will get scared.

Should I just lock him up? Is it too late now?

You decided not to think like that, snap out of it, Ashley Miller.

It’s okay to think about it. You had so many lewd thoughts about Koi last night, why are you being so coy now?

Koi is too cute, what should I do?

Right. So, let’s lock him up. Then you can do everything you imagined.

Should I, then?

“Wait, why are the two of us agreeing on this?”

“Huh? Huh?”

Koi turned his head in surprise at Ashley’s sudden outburst. Ashley hastily said, “No, it’s nothing,” and quickly smiled. Just then, the light changed, and as he started the car, Ashley calmed himself down again. Watching Ashley’s reactions, Koi felt a pang of pity.

He must be having a hard time because of his pheromones…

And to think he even asked him to pick him up, he felt utterly pathetic. Why did he forget his bicycle? Even if he was distracted!

Phew, Koi let out a small sigh, gripped his bag strap, and promised himself. From tomorrow, I must remember to take my bicycle. Forgetting it, it’s even unfair to Al, who deliberately gave it to him.

“Koi.”

“Ah, yeah.”

Koi, startled by the sudden call, hastily replied, and Ashley said.

“From tomorrow, I’ll pick you up.”

“What? No, you don’t have to!”

Koi quickly declined.

“Why do you need to go out of your way? It’s fine, I can ride my bike.”

“I’m not fine.”

Ashley cut him off. To a surprised Koi, he added casually.

“It’s natural to want to see someone you like for even one more minute.”

Following that, Ashley smiled at Koi. Koi blinked blankly, and his face slowly flushed. He wanted to say something, but nothing came to mind. Just yesterday, he had so easily said he didn’t like him, and now he was doing this. He crossed the line again today! Even if it couldn’t be helped this time, it couldn’t go on. Say it quickly, refuse him firmly! Hurry, you slowpoke!

“Um, excuse me.”

“We’re here.”

Just as he was about to start speaking, Ashley suddenly cut him off. As Ashley said, the school was right there. Before Koi could say anything more, the car took a sharp turn and stopped on the main road in front of the school.