LMUC Ch 10

Someone let out an exclamation, followed by murmurs from various directions. Of course, they recognized Ashley. Ariel stopped in her tracks, frowning deeply, and Ashley awkwardly raised a hand.

“Hi, Ariel.”

Ariel’s face became even more hostile.

🏒

Ashley sat at an outdoor cafeteria table across from his very angry ex-girlfriend. He had thought about having another conversation with Ariel someday. But he had hoped that day would be much later, not catching him off guard like this.

What do you mean you didn’t know anything while sitting right in front of me?

Ashley felt a headache spreading from his eyes to his scalp as he sighed deeply. Of course, this didn’t change Ariel’s expression.

“Ahem.”

Ashley cleared his throat first. They couldn’t just sit there indefinitely. Best to get it over with quickly.

“How have you been, Ariel?”

He greeted her with a smile as he used to. Ariel scoffed in disbelief.

“Do you think that smiling at me will make me let it go just because of your pretty face?”

Ashley laughed awkwardly.

“No?”

Ariel clenched her fist for a moment. He thought he might get hit five times this time, but thankfully, she restrained herself. Taking a deep breath, Ariel finally spoke.

“I’ve thought we should have an honest conversation someday.”

She asked directly.

“Why did you do it?”

Crossing her legs, she folded her arms and continued in a sharp tone.

“We were doing pretty well, weren’t we? You didn’t seem to have any complaints about me, so why did you do it? Out of nowhere, you came over in the middle of the night to break up.”

Ariel spoke calmly but clearly, listing her questions. She must have run through this scenario in her head numerous times. Ashley hadn’t thought about it much, but he knew that honesty was the best approach.

“You didn’t do anything wrong.”

“Of course.”

Ariel’s eyes narrowed. Seeing this, Ashley couldn’t help but laugh, though the smile soon faded. With a bitter expression, he continued.

“I wish I’d realized it sooner, but I couldn’t accept it.”

Ariel looked at him in disbelief. Ashley apologized again.

“I’m sorry, Ariel.”

Ariel stared at his face for a long time without saying a word.

🏒

It’s over!

Koi hastily gathered his things and left the gym, exhaling all the breath he had been holding.

He couldn’t remember what he had done. Under the scrutiny of everyone’s eyes, he felt suffocated, his mind going blank, unable to think. Moving mechanically, he relied on his body to follow the moves he had practiced countless times.

When it was finally over, Koi waited nervously for the results. The team members didn’t say a word. Sensing something off from their glances and the silence, Koi felt uneasy. Ariel finally spoke.

“We’ll start the vote.”

He thought they would go somewhere to mark their votes, but it was simpler. They raised their hands to vote for or against, and counted. He later learned that they didn’t need elaborate procedures to admit a temporary member. Koi watched nervously as the hands went up and down. By just one vote, he narrowly passed the first test.

But his joy was short-lived.

“You’re very stiff, and your movements don’t flow. It’s quite serious.”

Ariel sharply criticized, despite the positive result.

“But since you didn’t make any mistakes, we’ll see potential in you. I hope you improve by the second test.”

I passed! My chances are better!

Desperate for the extra credit for college applications, Koi leapt in joy.

He couldn’t wait to share the good news with Ashley. Today was a no-practice day, and Ashley had promised to wait until Koi’s test was over. He believed Ashley, who had diligently helped him, would be just as happy.

But rushing outside, he looked around for Ashley but couldn’t find him, growing anxious.

Huh?

Pausing in confusion, he spotted Ashley in the distance. Filled with joy, he hesitated when he saw someone next to him.

It was the girl from the first test…

Ariel.

Seeing her walking with Ashley, Koi froze.

“Anyway, I’m the one who dumped you.”

Ariel said bluntly.

“Yeah.”

Ashley, walking beside her, smiled. Disliking his calm attitude, Ariel glared at him.

“I used to like your calm demeanor, but now it annoys me.”

Ashley chuckled shortly.

“You’re seeing me clearly. I’m not the great person you all think I am.”

“‘You all?’”

Ariel asked, puzzled. But this time, Ashley didn’t answer. He kept walking, looking straight ahead, then suddenly exclaimed. Ariel, looking up without thinking, soon frowned. Ashley’s face had changed completely.

He had always worn a gentle smile. His tone was soft, and he was always kind to the girls. Ariel liked that but also didn’t. Sometimes she doubted if he really liked her, but now she understood.

Ashley Miller liked Ariel, but he had the same feelings for everyone.

Because she had never seen him smile like this before.

Ariel was astonished and curious. Who could make Ashley smile like that?

And when she saw who he was looking at, she couldn’t believe her eyes.

The applicant who had fluttered like a dry leaf in front of him earlier was there.

What’s happening right now?

Koi blinked, looking at the two walking together. He heard murmurs from the remaining cheerleading team members as they watched.

“Was Ash waiting for Ariel? Right?”

“Yeah, they went off together right away.”

“Are they getting back together?”

“I hope so. They were such a good match.”

“Yeah, they looked perfect together.”

“The Buffalo King and Queen reunited, maybe at the homecoming party?”

Soon, there were excited squeals. Koi just stood silently watching them.

Yeah, they look great together.

Koi thought they were a perfect couple. It seemed inevitable.

There was a lot of talk and disappointment when they broke up. Ariel was a fitting match for someone as outstanding as Ashley Miller. So if they got back together, it wouldn’t be surprising. Koi himself had thought they would get married not long ago.

Now that I think about it, Ash hasn’t had a girlfriend since breaking up with Ariel.

That was strange too. A guy like Ashley Miller not having a girlfriend didn’t make sense.

He was waiting for Ariel to come back.

That made sense. Whatever had happened, Ariel had dumped Ashley, and he was waiting in despair. Now his wait was rewarded, and they were getting back together.

So that’s it.

Koi nodded. It made perfect sense and was something to celebrate.

Then why am I feeling like this?

He couldn’t understand why his heart ached and his mind was unsettled. It felt so empty and lonely, like something was missing.

Maybe I thought Ash was my friend alone. Maybe I had selfishly wanted to have him all to myself.

That had to be it. He felt left out. If they got back together, Ashley would pay less attention to him. They might grow apart…

Or he might not see him at all.

That seemed more likely. It was a painful truth, but Koi had to accept it. He should be thankful for being so close to Ash. The time they spent together was the exception, not the rule.

But.

He found himself stepping back.

But right now, I don’t want to see this. I really don’t want to see this.

“Oh.”

At that moment, Ashley saw him. Smiling as always, he raised a hand, and Koi turned and ran.

“Koi, hey!”

Ashley was confused by Koi’s sudden flight but quickly understood and sighed. Clenching his teeth, he waved at Ariel.

“Sorry, Ariel. See you later. Bye.”

After a quick farewell, he chased after Koi.

“Hey, Conner Niles! Stop right there!”

Watching them run off, Ariel frowned in disbelief.

“What’s wrong with them?”

Hah, hah.

Koi ran until he was out of breath. He had never run like this before. But he had to keep running. If he could escape, he would run to the ends of the earth. Faster, further, away from Ash…!

“Koi! Conner Niles!”

He was running mindlessly when he heard a voice calling from behind. Koi thought he was hearing things. But then, a sharp shout came again.

“Koi, you better stop right there!”

The booming shout momentarily deafened him. Running with all his might, Koi glanced back in fear and widened his eyes. Ashley was sprinting at an incredible speed. Obviously faster than Koi had ever run. Realizing how quickly Ashley had closed the distance, Koi gasped.

“Stop right there!”

“Ah!”

No matter how hard he ran, Ashley’s speed was terrifying. He rapidly closed the gap, and Koi remembered a fact he had momentarily forgotten. Ashley Miller was the captain of the high school ice hockey championship team.

“Darn…!”

Ashley gritted his teeth and reached out his hand. Koi, constantly looking back, turned pale. Just as a large hand filled his view, Ashley grabbed his shoulder and yanked him back roughly.

“Ah!”

Koi’s body momentarily lifted off the ground. The next moment, he found himself enveloped in Ashley’s arms.

“Gotcha.”

Ashley’s heavy breaths fell on Koi’s head. Koi, wide-eyed, blinked and struggled to catch his breath, leaning into Ashley.

“You can’t escape from me.”

Ashley said, still breathless.

“No matter how hard you run, you’ll always end up in my grasp.”

His voice seeped into Koi’s dazed mind.

“Because I’ll never let you go.”

Koi still couldn’t say anything. He just leaned into Ashley, breathing heavily.

🏒

On the way to Ashley’s parked car, Koi felt as if he was being dragged. Of course, Ashley was leading him by the hand, and Koi reluctantly followed behind.

Luckily, it was late, and hardly any students were around. Otherwise, they would have drawn a lot of attention. What would the kids have said? Probably nothing nice.

Feeling uneasy about the big hand holding his, Koi tried to slip his hand out. Sensing it, Ashley gripped tighter. Startled, Koi looked up, and Ashley, still facing forward, said.

“I said I wouldn’t let go.”

Koi wanted to say, I won’t run anymore, but the words wouldn’t come out. Realistically, he had just been caught in the act. Even he didn’t trust himself to keep that promise, so he hung his head again.

The atmosphere was uncomfortable and awkward, but the warmth of Ashley’s hand was oddly reassuring. Is this what friendship is? A mix of fluctuating feelings and overlapping emotions? Koi didn’t know. Ashley was his first friend.

Maybe I’m going through a late adolescence.

Koi thought. Though he was past that age, he had learned such changes could happen later too. Adolescence brought physical changes and emotional turmoil. Maybe that’s what he was experiencing now.

Maybe emergence and adolescence are similar.

It was a plausible idea. Both involved significant changes. Usually experienced before adulthood, but sometimes emerging later. Perhaps adolescence was like an emergence for Betas. It might make an interesting essay or paper.

Finding an essay topic was good, but it was time to face reality.

Koi glanced at Ashley cautiously. Still facing away, Koi couldn’t see his expression. Ashley hadn’t looked back once while leading Koi.

He must be really angry.

Koi felt a pang of fear. Understandably, anyone would be frustrated if someone ran away at first sight. And Ashley had stayed at school, waiting for Koi’s results even though he had no practice today. Koi’s reaction was like a slap in the face.

He might not have been waiting for me.

Another thought crept in. But he said he was. Koi shook his head, trying to dispel negative thoughts, but doubts lingered.

He was waiting for me but also for Ariel?

That made more sense. Koi grew anxious again. Whether he passed or failed, Ariel could tell him. If he failed, he wouldn’t need to continue practicing, and if he passed, they would practice as usual at Ashley’s house.

Maybe he wanted to make up with Ariel.

That’s it. Koi realized. It explained why Ashley, already exhausted from daily practice, went out of his way to teach Koi to skate. Koi didn’t know the limits of friendship since Ashley was his first friend, but he would do anything if Ashley needed it.

Yes, that’s it.

His suspicion turned to certainty. Helping a friend while reconciling with a girlfriend was a great idea. It benefited Koi too. He received Ashley’s help while also helping him.

It’s really a good thing.

But why do I feel this way?

Koi couldn’t figure out why he felt so gloomy.

“Get in.”

Ashley, now at the car, let go of Koi’s hand and opened the passenger door. He must know I passed, Koi thought. Hesitating, Koi stood still, and Ashley asked.

“I said, get in.”

“But, um.”

With many things to say, Koi’s words were the least useful.

“I need to get my bike…”

“Get in.”

Ashley interrupted.

“I’ll get it.”

Hurry, he urged, and Koi couldn’t resist. Slowly, he got into the passenger seat, and Ashley closed the door. Soon, he heard a click as the car locked.

“Huh?”

Startled, Koi looked around. Ashley held up the smart key. Wide-eyed, Koi watched him walk away briskly.

Surely Not.

A startled Koi grabbed the doorknob. But the door only rattled and didn’t open.

What’s going on?

He couldn’t understand. Is it even possible that the door doesn’t open from inside? Does this place really have such a device? Well, it’s certainly possible to install one, but why would there be something like that?

In a panic, Koi looked around hastily and tried to open the door several times, but he failed. In the end, he had to accept reality.

Ashley has locked me in.

🏒

It didn’t take long for Ashley to return to the car. Just like when she walked away with Koi’s bike slung over her shoulder, Ashley came back with long strides, opened the trunk, loaded the bike, and returned to the driver’s seat.

“Alright, Koi. Let’s talk.”

Ashley locked the car door again and turned toward Koi. The Cayenne’s interior, which had felt infinitely spacious until now, suddenly felt suffocatingly narrow. Unknowingly, Koi leaned back as far as he could, and Ashley frowned at the sight. An uncomfortable silence flowed.

“……Koi.”

Ashley spoke up after taking a moment. Although Koi was inwardly tense, the emotion in Ashley’s voice was not anger but something else.

“Koi, did I scare you?”

“Huh, what?”

Taken aback by the unexpected question, Koi stammered without realizing it. Ashley spoke to Koi, who was blinking rapidly.

“Why did you suddenly run away? You tried to escape again on the way here, didn’t you? Why? Did I do something wrong?”

“Uh……”

Hearing words he had never even imagined, Koi was taken aback, and his mind went blank. Although he felt like he had thought a lot on the way, this was completely unexpected. As he blinked, Ashley frowned.

“Is it something too difficult to say?”

“No……absolutely not!”

Belatedly, Koi shouted and shook his head vigorously. Only after feeling dizzy did he finally stop and, while gasping for breath, denied it again.

“It’s not like that, Ash. That’s not why.”

“Then?”

Ashley’s face grew even more serious. Koi felt regret, but now, clearing Ashley’s misunderstanding was more urgent than self-reproach.

“Uh, well, it’s just that.”

Koi hurriedly tried to find the right words but struggled. How could he explain emotions he couldn’t even understand himself?

Thankfully, Ashley waited patiently as Koi struggled to find the words. Ashley must have an abundance of patience, Koi realized, feeling both respect for him and disdain for himself. He took a deep breath.

“So.”

“Yes.”

Once Koi started speaking, he met Ashley’s eyes. Ashley was listening intently and seriously.

It’s okay.

Koi’s anxious heart gradually calmed down. It’s okay to tell Ashley, he thought. Ashley wouldn’t ridicule him, no matter what he said. After taking another deep breath, Koi finally confessed.

“I think I’m going through puberty.”

After speaking, Koi closed his mouth. Ashley was still looking at his face. For several seconds, he didn’t react.

“……What?”

After a long pause, Ashley’s only reaction was to scrunch his face. It was understandable. He couldn’t make sense of what he had just heard. Puberty? They were in 11th grade. It was even more absurd than Ariel’s comment about warding off misfortune by dressing a man as a woman.

However, Koi seemed quite confident in his guess. Listen, he began, explaining his reasoning with more conviction.

“They say it can come late, like an emergence. Of course, it’s called a transition after twenty, but anyway, I think it’s happening to me.”

“An emergence?”

“No, it’s puberty.”

Koi spoke with determination.

“It’s an emergence that Betas experience.”

“Sigh……”

As hard as he tried to listen to Koi seriously, he couldn’t understand what he was talking about. After a deep sigh, Ashley rested his head on the steering wheel, looking straight ahead, and thought for a moment before turning back to Koi.

Koi had been waiting anxiously for Ashley’s reaction until then. Seeing his expression, Ashley couldn’t just dismiss it as nonsense. He decided to try to understand Koi as best as he could.

“Why do you think you’re going through puberty?”

Ashley asked as seriously as Koi. Koi opened his mouth to answer. Just then, Ashley’s face filled his vision.

In that instant, Koi’s face turned bright red.

“Koi?”

Ashley reacted immediately.

“What’s wrong? Are you feeling unwell? Your face is red.”

He was genuinely worried. But his concern had the opposite effect. When Ashley leaned closer, his face filled Koi’s already crowded vision, completely overwhelming his mind.

“Koi, are you okay? Do you want to go to the hospital?”

Ashley reached out as Koi’s breathing grew ragged. But the moment his fingertips brushed Koi’s cheek, Koi recoiled in alarm.

No way! If Ash touches me, I’ll die, I’ll really die!

A sense of urgency washed over Koi, and a loud siren blared in his mind. Panting heavily, he pressed himself against the car window, staring at Ashley with a flushed face. Ashley’s eyes widened in surprise.

“It’s best to go to the hospital.”

“What? No, no.”

As Ashley immediately started the car, Koi shouted belatedly.

“I’m fine, I’m not sick!”

“What are you talking about? Your face is bright red. You’re running a fever.”

“Really, I’m fine! I just need some fresh air, really!”

I don’t have insurance!

Koi inwardly screamed. Due to the real-life crisis, his previously flushed face gradually turned pale. Ashley frowned and looked at him seriously. Koi met his gaze anxiously, as if pleading to be believed.

Sigh.

In the end, Ashley sighed and stepped back.

“Alright, let’s get out first.”

Watching Ashley’s profile as he started the car, Koi nervously opened his mouth.

“Can we open the window? It’s hot…”

He purposely pressed the window button, but naturally, it didn’t move. Pointing to the window that didn’t open, like the door, Koi glanced at Ashley, who then looked forward and pressed the center button.

The air conditioner turned on, and cold air flowed out quickly.

🏒

The car door opened after they arrived at Ashley’s mansion. After parking in front of the garage, Ashley opened the driver’s side door, unlocking the passenger side door simultaneously. Koi followed Ashley out of the car after hesitating.

No longer believing Koi would run away, Ashley didn’t hold his hand. Koi, feeling subdued, followed behind silently. Ashley spoke again after seating Koi at the snack bar.

“How did the test go? Did you pass?”

Ashley asked while placing a cola and cup in front of Koi, who was startled.

“Didn’t Al tell you?”

So you didn’t know the result? Then why did you bring me here?

Koi was bewildered, but this time, Ashley seemed surprised.

“Al? Why?”

Seeing Ashley frown, Koi stammered.

“No, um, it’s just…”

Ashley’s reaction was unexpected. What’s with that expression? Koi stuttered in confusion.

“I thought you two reconciled…”

“No, Koi. You’re mistaken.”

Ashley denied his words seriously.

“We’re completely done. There’s no going back.”

“Oh…”

Koi had imagined all sorts of things when he saw them walking together, but now he realized it was all his imagination. Ashley really didn’t understand Koi’s words. Koi felt his face gradually turning red from embarrassment.

When Koi muttered softly, realizing the truth, Ashley frowned and stared at him, as if urging him to speak up. Koi hesitated before speaking carefully.

“Um… why did it end?”

Ashley was silent for a moment. Koi thought he might avoid answering. But once again, he was wrong, and Ashley spoke.

“Because I.”

Fixing his gaze unwaveringly on Koi, he continued.

“I fell for someone else.”

What?

Koi’s eyes widened in surprise at the unexpected words. Ashley spoke again to the dazed Koi.

“I fell for someone else.”

“Oh…”

Koi blinked in confusion. Ashley’s voice was incredibly calm. He seemed to have already settled everything in his heart. With nothing more to say, Koi muttered, “I see.”

“Um, so will you have a new girlfriend now?”

Ashley chuckled at Koi’s belated question.

“Who knows.”

“Huh? Why?”

Koi asked again, puzzled by the ambiguous response. Instead of answering, Ashley stared at Koi’s face.

“I’m not sure.”

“Why?”

Koi anxiously urged him. But instead of answering, Ashley poured a drink into the cup with ice. Koi waited patiently while Ashley took a sip. After putting the cup down, Ashley finally spoke.

“I’ve never confessed before, so I’m not sure how to do it.”

“Huh?”

Koi blinked at the unexpected words.

“You’ve always had girlfriends?”

But Ashley replied to the confused Koi.

“Yes. But when you’re with someone, you don’t say you like them or anything like that. It just happens naturally.”

I see…

Koi simply nodded at the newfound information. He wondered for a moment if it was right for someone like him, who had never dated anyone, to give such advice. But he soon brushed off the worry. It’s a friend’s matter; I have to do my best.

Koi asked eagerly.

“Then can’t you just do it the way you’ve always done? Naturally?”

“It’s a bit different.”

“How so?”

Ashley looked at Koi, resting his chin on one hand.

“Because I don’t know how they feel about me.”

Koi reacted immediately to Ashley’s words.

“What are you talking about? Of course, they like you, no, they definitely do!”

Speaking in a higher-pitched voice than usual, Koi continued.

“Who in the world wouldn’t like you? They’d be thrilled to hear you say you like them!”

Ashley’s mild laughter showed his embarrassment at Koi’s enthusiastic response.

“Surely not.”

“I mean it!”

Koi shouted with all his heart.

“If you said you liked me and asked me out, I’d say yes right away!”

Ashley’s eyes narrowed as he quietly stared at Koi.

Oh.

After blurting out, Koi realized something felt off. But it was already too late. As he hesitated and froze, Ashley leaned towards him, resting his arms on the table.

“Would you?”

Koi was entranced by the silver-blue eyes staring at him. A face with clear and neat features was right in front of him. His heart pounded wildly at the sight of Ashley’s eyes fixed solely on him and his softly smiling lips. Ashley spoke.

“Koi.”

A gentle and sweet voice whispered.

“I like you.”

…What?

Koi’s eyes widened. It felt like fireworks were exploding in his ears. Or maybe it was the sound of his own heartbeat. The loud booming noise was the first he’d ever heard in his life.

I like you.

I like you.

I like you.

Ashley’s low voice kept ringing in his ears.

Ash likes me.

I like you.

“…Aah!”

Koi was startled and screamed, retreating.

“Koi!”

Ashley quickly reached out and called his name. With a crash, the chair toppled over. Koi blinked blankly, staying still for a moment.

“Are you alright?”

Ashley asked with a shocked expression. Gradually, Koi’s consciousness returned to reality. He then realized he’d slipped from the chair he was sitting on and landed on the floor. If Ashley hadn’t grabbed his arm, he might have hit his head on the ground. Seeing Ashley’s pale face, Koi finally answered.

“I’m alright. …Thank you.”

“…Okay.”

Ashley smiled with relief. He then readjusted his grip on Koi’s arm and suddenly pulled him up.

“Ah!”

Koi, who was abruptly pulled up, ended up in Ashley’s embrace. With wide eyes, he looked up, and Ashley, holding Koi, spoke.

“Don’t make me worry.”

Thump.

It felt as if his heart had fallen to the ground. Then it started pounding wildly. His vision blurred, and his mind went blank. Only one thought emerged.

What if Ash finds out?

As excitement and fear intertwined, Ashley suddenly let go of him. Koi staggered for a moment but quickly regained his balance. Ashley didn’t release him until he was sure Koi was standing properly. Koi’s field of vision filled with Ashley’s smiling face as usual.

“You passed the test, right? How about skipping today’s training and having a celebration party instead? There might be cake.”

“Cake?”

Repeating Ashley’s words, he stood up and said,

“I left a note to make one, thinking you would surely pass.”

Koi was so surprised he forgot to react. Cake? For me? And it’s not even my birthday?

He had never had a cake even on his birthday. Maybe it happened a long time ago, but he didn’t remember.

And now, out of the blue, there’s cake.

Just because I passed a minor test.

Ashley opened the fridge and took out a chocolate cake. Koi watched quietly as Ashley placed the cake on the table. After setting down forks and plates, Ashley righted the fallen chair and sat Koi down. Koi stared without blinking as Ashley cut the cake.

“Congratulations, Koi.”

Ashley said, pushing the cake towards him. Looking at his softly smiling face, Koi felt a lump in his throat.

“Thank you.”

Ashley just smiled at the barely squeezed-out voice. His hand holding the fork trembled slightly. Koi carefully took a piece of cake and brought it to his mouth.

“How is it?” Ashley asked.

“It’s delicious,” Koi replied. In fact, he couldn’t really tell the taste. But that didn’t matter. Ashley smiled again at Koi’s words. Koi’s heart was pounding wildly, and the cake was so soft that he almost burst into tears.

🏒

What was that earlier?

Koi lay curled up on his narrow bed, lost in thought. He had judged his fluctuating feelings to be due to puberty, but upon returning home, he found it strange.

If it was puberty, shouldn’t it happen frequently?

Koi was deeply troubled. He had experienced the emotional changes of puberty at his age, as he had learned in class. But without an environment to express it, he had just endured and ignored it, and it passed by. He could think that it was now surfacing, but then another question remained.

Why does it only happen when I’m with Ash?

No matter how much he thought about it, he couldn’t find an answer. Moreover, the emotions of puberty should fluctuate between anger, joy, and other extreme feelings, but the only emotion he felt was joy, and only towards Ash.

It’s strange. What’s going on?

Koi turned over with a serious expression. Even now, he could feel his ears twitching just by thinking about Ashley. Koi hurriedly grabbed his twitching ears. This is the problem. He knew that Ashley occasionally stared at his ears. Whenever that happened, his ears were moving, and by the time he realized it, Ashley was already smiling.

Ash doesn’t tease me about it, though.

Koi felt his face heating up and held his ears tightly.

But it’s still embarrassing.

Despite having proudly told Ashley that he liked him all along, now he felt embarrassed. It wasn’t just the fact that his ears moved that was embarrassing. It was the fact that those ears were reacting eagerly to Ashley.

Why all of a sudden?

Even he thought it was strange, but he couldn’t find the cause. Puberty that reacts only to one person, he’d never heard of it. While many adolescents rebel against their parents or take out their anger on their family, it didn’t match Koi’s case.

Is it because he’s my friend?

Koi pondered while holding his ears. Isn’t it natural for friends to feel joyful and happy together? Ash also laughed often when he was with the ice hockey team members.

Right, it’s natural because we’re friends.

As soon as he concluded, another question arose.

But do friends also feel their hearts race and all that?

He tried to recall if Ashley or the other guys had ever blushed or shown shy reactions with each other. Nothing came to mind.

Is it just me?

The question returned to square one. Why? What’s the problem? Why does my heart race and why do I feel so happy when I see Ash?

Since Koi started getting closer to Ashley, he couldn’t help but feel excited whenever he saw him. Ashley noticed it clearly and had asked several times, with a smile, if Koi liked him that much. Even without his ears moving, Ashley would have known. Koi had expressed his joy with his whole body.

Each time, Koi had answered without hesitation that he did. There was nothing to be ashamed of. He wasn’t embarrassed. He had boldly said that he liked Ashley, so why did his heart pound and breath quicken now just by recalling those words?

If Ashley were to ask if he liked him again now, Koi felt he wouldn’t be able to answer as before. Just imagining it made his heart race and his whole body tingle.

Ugh! Koi screamed internally, curling up. Suddenly, Ashley’s face vividly reappeared in his mind.

Koi.

I like you.

His face flushed, and his skin tingled. In his memory, he had already returned to that moment.

In the snack bar, they were facing each other. Ashley’s clear silver-blue eyes were fixed on Koi. Koi held his breath, waiting for him to speak. Ashley caressed Koi’s cheek and, with softly smiling lips, whispered.

“Go out with me.”

“I didn’t say that!”

Koi screamed, pounding the bed. At the same time, the cheap frame under the thin mattress creaked loudly. He quickly stopped and rubbed the spot he had hit.

It’s strange, too strange.

Even if it was his first time making friends, he could tell. This emotion was too strange. Can friends feel like this? And “go out with me,” what is that? That’s something you’d say to someone who will be your girlfriend.

“We’re both guys.”

Koi said out loud. His racing heart gradually slowed. His voice brought him back to reality. Right, and. Koi muttered softly.

“Ash likes someone.”

He relaxed and rested his head on the mattress. The loud pounding of his heart disappeared, and he felt calm. Koi continued to think.

If he confesses to that person, he won’t have time to hang out with me anymore.

Thinking that made him feel very lonely. Suddenly, the image of Ashley with Ariel came to mind.

Why did I run away frantically back then?

He returned to square one, but his heart felt heavier. Turning over to the other side, Koi pondered again. He experienced all sorts of emotions, from joy to sadness, but found no answers. The only thing certain was that Ashley was the cause of all this.

If this isn’t the emotion friends feel, then what is it?

Koi had no idea what his feelings were. But he had no one to talk to about it. Ashley was his first and only friend, but he couldn’t consult him about this.

What if he finds it disgusting and hates me?

If these feelings weren’t normal, Ashley might despise him. Koi desperately wanted to avoid Ashley disliking him. But to do that, he needed to understand the cause.

For someone like Koi, who had no other friends or adults to consult, there was a very useful system available in such situations. Koi jumped up and took out his phone.

On the site students primarily used for assignments, there were all sorts of questions posted seeking answers. It included various concerns like parental divorce, relationships, and more. It was the place Koi needed the most right now.

He quickly logged into the site and paused to think before posting his question. How should he write it?

Hi. I’m Conner Niles from Buffalo High School.

Koi, startled, quickly deleted what he’d written. That was crazy, crazy! I might as well go to the playground and make a billboard saying Conner Niles goes crazy every time he sees Ashley Miller!

Good thing I have no money.

Koi thought, still clutching his pounding chest. If he’d had money, he might have actually done such a crazy thing. For the first time, he was grateful for being poor.

“Phew.”

After taking a deep breath, he began writing his question again. It was much harder than writing any assignment or essay he’d struggled with until now. It was just a question on a bulletin board, but it was unbelievably difficult. Koi edited and re-edited, reading it aloud several times, and finally completed his post.

I’m a high school boy. Recently, I’ve made a really awesome friend. He’s always kind and treats me very well. He’s the captain of the ice hockey team and incredibly handsome. He’s the most popular kid at school but never shows off. He’s also really smart, taking all AP classes, and scored perfect on the entrance exams.

I really like him. But lately, whenever I see him, my heart races and my face flushes. I don’t think it’s puberty, so why am I like this? Can you have such reactions to just a friend? I’ve never had a friend before, so I don’t know. Can anyone tell me?

Let’s remove the part about being the ice hockey captain.

As Koi read aloud and reached to edit the post, he accidentally tapped the screen.

[Posted]

“Wha-what?”

Koi’s eyes widened in shock. Oops! Realizing what he’d done, he let out a panicked squeal.

“Edit, no, delete.”

Koi frantically looked around for buttons. He hurriedly pressed the delete button and entered his password.

[Incorrect password]

“What, what?”

In panic, he slowly typed the numbers and letters, fingers trembling and breathing heavily.

[Incorrect password]

“Aaah!”

Koi grabbed his head and screamed. What do I do, what do I do! As he tearfully kept entering passwords, the view count kept rising.

🏒

“Ash, did you see that post?”

Bill asked as soon as they got out of the car. Ashley locked the car door and walked with Bill, asking,

“What post?”

“Figured you wouldn’t.”

Bill chuckled, seemingly expectedly, took out his phone, and quickly typed on the keyboard. Ashley adjusted his bag and moved on, waving back to a kid who greeted him, but Bill nudged his arm.

“Hey, look, hey.”

“What?”

Ashley, giving in to Bill’s urging, took the phone. Scanning the post, he asked,

“Which one are you talking about?”

“Ah, seriously.”

An impatient Bill snatched back the phone and read aloud dramatically.

‘I’m a high school boy. Recently, I’ve made a really awesome friend. He’s always kind and treats me very well.’

Ashley chuckled at Bill’s exaggerated, theatrical reading. Bill, undeterred, continued.

‘He’s the captain of the ice hockey team and incredibly handsome. He’s the most popular kid at school but never shows off.’

Until that point, it just seemed like a typical story. There are many ice hockey team captains, and most are popular and not show-offs or handsome, which is very subjective. But then Bill read the next sentence loudly.

‘He’s also really smart, taking all AP classes, and scored perfect on the entrance exams.’

Huh?

That part gave Ashley a strange feeling. Sure, many students take all AP classes, and many score perfect on entrance exams. But when all these traits overlap, the number shrinks significantly. And Ashley was one of that small number.

“Wait, let me see.”

Ashley snatched the phone back from Bill, who continued reading, and quickly looked at the screen. Bill stood still, just moving his eyes, watching Ashley read, unable to resist asking,

“Hey, isn’t this you? Right? It is, isn’t it?”