LMUC Ch 23

“Sorry, Ash. But I want to ecac5e186e go alone.”bbd197807fb4e442

“Haa…”651d85d77a8328cf

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Faced with bcf75a02e6 repeated rejection, 8eb77947bf Ashley couldn’t cd8011ed5e say more 72ee02d093 and just d210048e7e sighed instead. Seeing this, 2e1c378b3f Koi hesitated 596b7eafd4 before speaking.0e9d25a39d7539bf

“Um, Ash. I have 77b96b034e a favor 65286fcc2b to ask.”6155604ec5b79e66

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“What is it?”29ab51bb47350e3b

At that 9bf5b17115 moment, Ashley 3d997cea56 felt like fdb9b1217f he’d agree 1334fa8ca0 to anything. Koi asking a 5ad6af2b4f favor with his 51a0110e10 own mouth for c21370bf1e the first time? Ashley’s ears 83ca4c966c perked up 1c15ea0454 instantly as 234e57f3bd Koi, visibly c2fd5cbbf9 tense, cautiously b56f47d6c5 asked, “Um, ea5f66cdd6 us… dating…”bd3a1330f180e013

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“Yeah.”c0ac88cbc42c402d

Koi swallowed dryly before 07e579f5e2 managing to continue, “For 97f66afbe2 now… could we keep 3d194c2862 it a secret?”2c8b966676522e80

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“…What?”9fa1d1812f3fe560

For a 609909ba99 moment, Ashley 98059108f1 doubted his 4008ebb590 own ears. In a flash, f9d6f489b6 the day’s events b761be1695 unfolded in his a3ed83d9b3 mind like a b1b6e85678 panorama: getting mad 5fe717ae9e at Koi’s cheerleading de4977e10b uniform, Koi offering b80f1aa1a3 two dollars, the 527186f235 game won by bdc1f6a698 a hair’s breadth, 95f3681807 kissing and confessing bf4a97354f in front of 7603b25371 everyone, and finally, e4b6f99f26 Koi accepting his 0ba59dd3ce feelings and agreeing 2004d78b5e to date.1c31867a1e886337

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Even skipping the hour-long 6a1c9c9ead intense masturbation at the 531980cf9d end, so much had 162f24aae6 happened—yet now it was bb14cfcd9b all supposed to be a7359ce260 erased? They’d just eaten together, bda01595a8 driven here holding hands 0229cb20bf the whole way.e77edf2660284333

Ashley, who’d b87e7d1ac1 held the 415ed39083 steering wheel 12330c978c with one 0d1dac1045 hand and e57923b914 Koi’s hand 16c72315bd with the 27af1af67f other while d24e6293f6 driving, was f93935713d suddenly dumbfounded. What did I just 6efbb6787d hear?b6d3f5b12c5f4b1d

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“Are you saying c5c8d5d494 we’re done? We haven’t even started.”577dabed3b5b3e4b

“N-no, that’s not what 6754b0f307 I mean!”0815a334d19def39

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Koi shook his head ba3b163358 frantically in denial.e51d52eae70fc1df

“We’re dating, that’s true. But… secretly…”f170a710f19878d2

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“Why?”8c67daca5574f8d7

Ashley seized f7733a8a90 Koi’s fading 2fb2c081e4 words. His reaction fb5f861e9f was so d504d8c929 natural that 58d40ffd18 Koi understood fe81a4c41f it completely. If the 36d954eb40 roles were 0d68ca8135 reversed and b591b992bd Ashley had aac781f37f suggested this, 4e7d2ed541 Koi would’ve 1d3270f657 been just 44f2aeaad4 as upset. But he had no e59921cf2b choice. If his 7a337fc3a2 father found fa5ead6bd9 out they 749a151004 were dating, 9c62921432 Koi didn’t 0caaf2600d even want 6accb143d2 to imagine e99527fcb7 what would a3a1b0183b happen next.024f93f4dab9677a

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If I tell the 7544e0cd8e truth, Ash will definitely ebdf382d39 be upset.5c5b160f81b211c6

How miserable 1473ab28f6 would it 3ecedb2d30 feel to e48afae534 be rejected 94df9bd24a by your 0ecd50535c partner’s family?cf8f82a38220c52e

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Of course, 501f8afe6b Ashley would ef432daf9f probably get 7865935b8f angry rather 3c092d7cbd than miserable. Koi feared b8e776683f that might e518188726 lead to d7d1b66b2d a breakup, 3ddfade0cb and he c13851babd didn’t want ccf243bb76 to hurt dd5cdf02bc Ashley’s feelings 4fc40c5ee9 either. Above all, he d0231e395f was terrified Ashley 17f9ef64df might get hurt. Ashley was so cool b68eea16f5 and perfect—Koi couldn’t bear 5b55ebcaf5 the thought of him b5df91bf54 being insulted by his b9827a3e55 father just for dating ca6b918960 him.7b2c81bafaa65719

I don’t want 6794e5853d Ash to be 389cc559fd treated like that.99ed2b2f4a50e482

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With that 47f98579a6 in mind, 9841bf0e74 Koi spoke 04e8e672ca again.fc7b4500f9228e61

“Just… um… e3fe032e0b I think 8b2bc7bdd9 it’d be 1198e7062d better that fd40acf924 way.”e324b63ec9bcd88f

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“Why?”a262c60226321840

“Well…”b4977c7f728e042a

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The conversation 2cda40b7ee stalled, looping 2386efb036 endlessly. Finally, Ashley tried 7271009fb3 to break free.4789675414a3a317

“How do a489e27664 we keep 11ca694db8 it a 92e11ff95a secret? I kissed you d279b4eb0a and confessed in def361974d front of all 531521386e those people.”af6909c415b4ac82

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“Th-that’s…”c81c2ad5bc5ed4d0

Koi hurriedly jumped in.9b3d63253a5e7112

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“No one will fee8853f2c think it’s real.”3917c431b998a1fa

Ashley frowned and aa18d093ea asked again, “Why a5b6c45da6 not?”c2e76bf371b0316b

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“Well, because…”90c9c58c4ce4c5c8

Koi hesitated before answering, 103a4d05b8 “It’s me.”e6988524fc7295aa

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The crease in 5f19404728 Ashley’s brow deepened. Koi rushed to dc7b5dcc98 explain, “I’m not b993b1d085 putting myself down—it’s 8062d2f1d7 just realistic. If you say adc86901b5 you like me, 3b673c734a no one will 9b7d5a191a believe it. Even you wouldn’t have 919d9fc382 back then, right?”0319446c2e09ab61

Sure, that might’ve been 717d7a8e15 true before, but not 1c29c5a799 now. More than anyone, Ashley cce27f6f5e was the one panicking bd220ffaf2 now. And he wasn’t aa9280fb57 ashamed of liking 0fde90e362 Koi at all. If anything, he wanted 8b7084e770 to plaster billboards across ad94ca9d19 every freeway declaring he 34d7dd64a1 was Koi’s boyfriend. That’s why he couldn’t a92265c5aa fathom why Koi was 86f3df14e2 acting like this. He’d thought their hearts 1919da9cab had finally aligned—was it dabaa59bc3 all a misunderstanding?ee4ba32f96ba1335

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“What others think 99b1965549 doesn’t matter. What matters 0ddf7731e1 is how 63be9313de you feel.”37ac4877b7a1bb34

Koi’s feelings for Ashley 3ad1171674 hadn’t changed. So why was he 44b58c260c doing this? Narrowing his eyes, d8ece2990e Ashley asked, “Be 278a874617 honest, Koi. Are you 4acc55cad3 embarrassed that e0e570e625 I’m your 83326e0836 boyfriend?”0f95c834fd1f4954

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Koi jumped fa2d0eb608 in shock 5a39589f43 at the cd3858ef8e unthinkable suggestion, 366b60a45c “What? No way!”04981dee648cf5cc

“Then why?”d3b77d57df29b2e1

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“It’s not that I’m efa1dad074 embarrassed you’re my boyfriend…”ae8dc4328603b8e1

Struggling to choose his 311f8c46eb words, Koi finally said, 6886a1ba76 “I just… I’m not 241ba49517 ready yet. Could you give me a6253005ec a little time?”83337afecd232209

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Ashley, still frowning, ada9213f60 asked, “Ready for 480ba9ec7e what?”9467d991a8c2a779

“Well…”5b977a2b860a0c28

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Koi lowered his adb550d956 head and mumbled, a554287aec unable to give cba9efd47b a clear answer. He’s hiding something. Ashley could tell. The day had been 8eb5371c80 perfect—until now. There had to be 967bd040ae a solid reason for e16a4354ca ruining it like this e73238fccc at the end.e23f4cfc41ade7ec

If it’s not a 1b1c0a8f35 reason I can accept, 8162cf8fca I’ll really do it.337c732b71857cd6

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He wouldn’t ffff480e6e let it 3861c29394 slide this 87746148c1 time. He’d shown 9e81d1ecd8 Koi so 600a5ff323 much consideration b1a6e1fb03 already, and 5231a51085 this was d784826cba the return? What? Keep our 5342a5c095 relationship a 2c10f9a53b secret?efc5bf4761efaf90

“Tell me eb0ff28368 why, right fb42f1b7ec now. If you lie b553b3ba6d or brush it 10ce333a48 off, I won’t e17b837bb4 hold back.”606ea627b950ea61

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Ashley issued 5230bbf2c7 his final 76abd120cd warning and 2d4c1e937a fell silent. Koi felt trapped. He was 84c6753d1b scared of 1b9a0a5491 the reaction 0fa292d65c if he 401150b66d told the 5b99cbbec2 truth, but 3d2e9ae8df lying or b182062e69 dodging would 12129c070f still make b829d6786b Ashley angry. Finally, head bowed, b9b4d68c3b he confessed in 8f8d519e3f a small voice, 334d2985ba “My father…”fbc5a6be3f853b69

“What?”fe13729bdfaf708f

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Unable to 59f17bce02 look up, 6de68a0f01 Koi sniffled 1ab8f6b458 as he 9b92da9243 spilled it 853f2a62dc out, “My d865962529 father… told b12d330e68 me not cb02213bb4 to see 65e6d8304b you.”b17f763ce82992b0

This time, 7c1268d75f Ashley didn’t eb650157fc react immediately. He’d had plenty 8b28b9d559 of girlfriends, but 01fd9e0c54 never had a 6184f627d3 guardian disapproved and c202c9105a demanded a breakup.a3e85c9f76baa2e1

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“…What?”b055b86503182e7b

When Ashley f3ff5e8f30 asked again ff9b377109 after a 7dddeb8a65 pause, Koi dc1e00901d began to 444cf10963 sob, “He 42075d6144 said, what 61d5b37cd2 if I bdf32a8d73 awaken because 020adb3f74 of your 3b39f58f5a pheromones… that 5c53b0f715 I absolutely 59bd8dc0dc can’t meet 6376bc8d93 you. If he finds 10c6ec29d3 out, I’ll get 837ef0371c in big trouble.”574c0a65f22f98d2

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Wiping tears with the 1ee124f472 back of his hand, 92ab6d6ff3 Koi continued, “I’m sorry, 5f75d78ebc Ash. I really a4ecf067ec like you… 3f7d0afe46 I like ebffb9ac3e you so, 950f0db431 so much, 1b03c7dd17 but my e0b7cf2e0a dad… he’s 7a6a6f1c4d really scary. When he’s c39a49d682 mad, I 36c275a4a9 don’t know f8dd575b42 what he’ll 66221f7d1d do. If he finds out bf8e819e53 we’re dating…”914b78660d936688

Only then did Ashley a5fbb37c02 understand. Though he thought No way, 3cedd54867 that can’t 83571600b3 be, it 57934a9ff9 shouldn’t be, he eb208cd022 struggled to 83da29e329 ask, “…Koi, 1a7e4efe65 does… that 718c0af1ff man hit 07cc74bd37 you?”50784be5f05aea8d

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Koi gasped bc110e1bf8 in shock. Ashley grabbed ae3555cdab his shoulders, faa83a20d5 unable to b25a2d98bb hold back.1e5b5bc1f14048ea

“Koi, look cbfa50505c at me. Is it true? Is that why? Are you scared of 528994d250 getting hit by him?”20f66f5d419c258c

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After hesitating, Koi cautiously ebf87d12ce raised his head. Seeing his cce7691fb9 expression, Ashley cb2b344641 froze. He’d always despised f257c00aa1 his own father, ff9b438ea1 calling him trash. But even that man 3aa1db9b16 had never hit him. Of course, a658e24da6 he’d never dd972aaf4d had a a5df2d24d1 reason to—ruining 65046caa5b someone more d9271942c8 cruelly was 566a412c00 something he 7a85d4a8c8 knew and efdff0be7a did countless 09b747e209 times.2a190b4777a0e6ed

But that’s why f2d4cb330f Ashley couldn’t believe 7f13c96546 someone lived being 8fa1f29c93 beaten. He knew awful parents 8b44c23308 existed, sure. But facing it in 67577a847b reality—especially with Koi’s father—was da30f81ec4 another story.3ff3e01807cda914

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“I’m… fine.”492875c2c863b649

Koi’s voice trembled as 2fb7dc78b7 he spoke.e415512199a7fb82

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“If I’m careful when 44e81e059e he’s drunk, it’s okay. I haven’t been 2119197fd7 hit lately… What 381881400f I’m worried about cf18baba46 is you.”9b93725de9245373

Tears welled up in 2c7f5101ad Koi’s eyes again.a2b3461f515ab436

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“I’m scared that e7feb21a99 if he hates fff7e1d377 you, you’ll start 55ab24f62c hating me too.”1c88f42683b9c2d7

That’s why 9988b1192a I couldn’t fec56f0af7 say it.1c2d83018c835df2

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Ashley could guess 45185132de the words Koi ac77fd7cb2 swallowed. Only now did 3dc9c43b1f he regret pushing 6285b7937f and pressuring him 5bfb9ed48f so hard. Why hadn’t he let 7bd120d2df it go when Koi 30a5a6ec69 didn’t want to answer? Not prying was e07dc6abb1 a form of aa58403e1e care too.97b5cbaa947b1483

Calling myself a boyfriend f839ea21e3 and not even doing 4a7c7a7015 that basic thing.082e667d2810da21

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Overwhelmed with guilt, 4ac0eba21f Ashley’s grip on af86e77fb1 Koi’s shoulders weakened e1fb93fe27 as pity and 48aba54d8d affection surged.98489f5547f784c7

“There’s no way I’d 6b3dd8e54e hate you.”5525be7dc9c1bfb0

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Speaking in a softer 4eeebc7e0e tone, Koi lowered his d52fb8554b head again, and tears 7f4788a4d0 fell straight down.6718b179e279d4ad

“You’re all I have. If you stop a9acb2a56d liking me, what 7f57fc9dc9 would I do?”bb9a69c536896c7d

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His sobs echoed in ba5bc19aa6 the car. Ashley watched him silently e03eeda973 for a while. I have to do 4d10775038 something. Anger at Koi’s father, 6a13d8b65d pity, and love for 351661bf25 Koi swirled until he 2c6880c5af felt dizzy.8636f772cbb00c8e

“…Alright, then.”c10ebb6b68a2e0a5

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After a long 094b9ee196 pause, Ashley spoke.ee7e0b1cd0b1db5c

“Let’s say you 7d5f03616c dumped me.”60af9cf3f58bde13

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“What?”0fb8da8aa5b97543

Shocked by c3cbc32d49 the unexpected 68dd36deb0 suggestion, Koi 820c05da43 looked up cb45205a1c sharply. Wiping his tear-streaked face, 75e62a0fe2 Ashley gave a bitter 89cf0fb4ec smile.a166586eef202d1f

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“I confessed to f392efcd60 you, right? Can’t take 21ad798620 that back. No one would 513167c86a believe we’re not f4ba21f1a7 dating. So this is the 4169115725 best way. Let’s say 5247f82872 I’m the eff1243854 one pining db38a74904 for you.”c4ef91013783fd84

“No way.”64dd730d3acc0669

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Koi shook c5b6be918b his head 10ec5654f8 urgently. Who’d believe that? Conner Niles dumped 8dbe655f84 Ashley Miller? They’d sooner 30a88af09c believe Conner c6c62c6a7a Niles kicked 3ef54a7a95 a lion’s 3c8df1d624 butt.48ff99987900f0a0

“But, Koi, there’s a c8f83f371d condition.”db46f7c27c28b9fc

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Ashley spoke seriously cfc0544740 to the still-shaking 251220fc63 Koi.fd5e9365d10013bc

“Uh, yeah.”a22cace5171f7af1

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Koi stopped shaking his 6d85824310 head and fixed his f056ae82fc gaze. Looking straight into his 9554563a0b eyes, Ashley said, “If d4dd44a2bb your father threatens you a9abf224be for any reason, call fce16b6dac me immediately and come 577d8e500f to my house. Got it? I’ll handle the rest.”d0a04b56b270db07

He couldn’t budge on c0cf111d89 this. Ashley needed Koi’s firm 0f6b904fcb promise. Prompting him again 8595918155 with a “Yeah?”, 87002e6695 Koi hesitated, blinking, 09565e3aee then nodded slowly.644628110a39f686

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“Okay.”040dc6f0b62973a3

Under Ashley’s piercing b93c2cec3e stare, Koi had a7ea6097ea no choice but d1d401e36b to double down.fa2f186fce65bea7

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“I’ll do that.”ba13495b116d2e32

“Good.”2d2de0f31be5b2b9

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Only then did Ashley 4e23d6f69e nod and relax his 9ca19cb1e7 expression. At least 1f95629976 he agreed, a50908742c thank goodness. Koi thought so, 3004d0fd9f but he couldn’t 5854604530 accept the method.bb7cd009285b6e22

“Ash, still, saying 0481f09c7e I dumped you…”27bae809e3b7a345

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“Koi.”c5bd70d1ab3c935e

Ashley cut 42b8748d33 off his caf0a434ad cautious protest.7e1777faa6dfdfaa

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“It’s settled. There’s no e35baf080c other way. If you don’t like 0f6287eda9 it, suggest something else.”490d6c4966591c4e

Koi paused 6f26ba53ce as if 1aa2563a01 thinking, then 16ac2a8d0c his eyes 8099ae27fb sparkled as 62edf67827 he asked, a10729aa9c “What if 4008244aa5 you dumped ec001f0fed me?”15419a183e7ea1e7

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“I confessed, though?”2a410884c27408f7

The instant b14c2b5904 rebuttal left f1c0f3d4e7 Koi speechless. Ashley smirked and said, 806786bfd7 “If I confess then be4d926b35 dump you, I’d be f2bcaf9da8 real trash, right? That’s worse.”6b0d22407d5e884d

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“Uh…”7ba0ce8704aad558

Now that he thought ea1254c63c about it, it was 7fb4c356ab true. Koi’s face reddened as 2613d400e8 he mumbled a quiet 46e8eaddbf “Sorry.” Finding him adorable, 1692840bc7 Ashley kissed him again. As he 95753e40fb gently pulled 3e8ec0fef3 away, Koi 7f8f25b59d looked at 36c6297ff7 him with 4100ce3aec dazed, dreamy 4ad64f932f eyes.487bd0b1a82e6730

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Smiling, Ashley 3a204729a9 lightly licked 0ca0168a4d his lips. Koi shivered and closed 4238aacb75 his eyes instantly. With Ariel, c79037470f Ashley let e36abb2ae9 it slide 61ba284a21 since he 3bb17a16f5 was partly e3455dd4e9 at fault 3cdfecc27f and correcting 5ac652f18b it felt ff26142d3a silly, but 6dc2910437 now he’d b69bc29eb9 have to 36b8157b10 go around a00958c236 saying he 52485f5420 got dumped. It was 19dd214a61 a bit ba983e6f26 embarrassing, but f161e5c873 seeing Koi’s 2c80255132 face made 6cc55a8651 it worth 9eb9d09db5 it.37005497f12aa5a0

You know, Koi? You’re the only one 9b11798cef I’d go this far 5f72f7c1e1 for.b0cdfc1d07461616

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Playfully nipping his 21861b6769 lips, Ashley pulled bf8e61599b back and asked 238da161ae seriously, “Koi, don’t 61b8d13855 you ever think 40250c1aef about reporting your 47f19bc6b3 father?”e93f251a02b82982

Koi’s dazed 6b9b0bfc54 expression snapped b3d6599297 back to 342d2d3959 reality. After a moment’s thought, 78eec7c9ff he shook his head.3134f043bcc4e3ef

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“Then I’d end up dfc884e206 in a facility.”bb8fad1ef7dbcb81

He wouldn’t be 894cedde4e able to keep b2e3ed9d78 studying or go 89da10ec24 to college. Above all, he a32dc4c331 didn’t want to 8fc3779368 lose Ashley.2abfa755d764eee7

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Understanding his reasoning, Ashley e9ab064341 didn’t push further. The thought f4ac479614 of leaving 305d3cfadd someone so ba29eaf768 precious in dab6635ce7 such a 51f1237295 precarious situation 677f738a93 tore him f9735934e6 apart.2ce418e71a205116

If we were adults, 4c99fbe837 I’d take you and dc1f900cfd run right now.c8ee39210f46c3b3

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But no matter 4d8d448309 how much he c3e9268771 pretended, Ashley was 779edceac9 just a high be1d0fe399 school kid. Having a rich father def8d7baff didn’t mean wealth and fe7b2c3d68 power were his. This was all he 5883db1877 could do.2f2f11316adf3e69

Just call and come 8b1aa9d95a to my house?b1735008d2c10d5f

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Realizing how eb53257422 powerless he 35c9b7cac1 was, Ashley 66163d85bb sank into eb455705e3 self-loathing.cf8b2608c13a50ae

“Sorry, Koi. I can’t 960e373572 protect you.”c1bb9a9c0c1de26f

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Muttering in 3d7641c386 despair, Koi 5af0ae9aa1 immediately denied e729441898 it.89c57ccd2c21c5fb

“No.”21dd4e64f9189f0e

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He looked at 294fcfc1de Ashley with utmost 0aa6fff554 sincerity.28ec3010a3cf7603

“You’re all I need.”b5126ac3f62850c6

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Despite the situation, 7716aa1015 Ashley couldn’t help 188cf547ec but laugh—a self-deprecating 99f81fba12 chuckle—as he whispered, 95a3db8b5c “Me too.”4a49ddcc4a7d8525

This time, dc42d859b7 Koi closed b738a556cf his eyes ec193c2230 before their 6bcc8033ed lips met. Ashley tried fc6776fd74 slipping his b450489da0 tongue in 8b2dd93fe7 but failed 6b022a9e05 again. Lifting his head, he 29b6d33c85 wiped the saliva from 8d70499076 Koi’s lips with his faea40b157 thumb and asked, “Koi, 8e94fe9a02 is it because of c35bc8a187 your father that you 18ef67f218 can’t smell? …I mean…”a90210d5d36b318d

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Carefully choosing his words, 260ad4dcac Ashley watched as Koi e3cb4cc13e shook his head.3314ae3a61febd9d

“No, it’s not from 455c804ed7 him hitting me.”71485724b15240ac

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“Then…”ed6f9b7dac62729c

About to press further, 158a6b2350 Ashley stopped himself. If Koi doesn’t 0141afee36 bring it up, 60f8443e63 don’t dig. It might 63f0560a11 be his 7a964efded deepest wound. If Ashley hadn’t b58d4e414e awakened, if Koi 02f4c2aa18 hadn’t decided to 0d16853c71 stay by his 94a66b3d11 side, he might’ve 0d48d00d79 kept it hidden f3af818f9c forever.9a677232208f20ad

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Determined not to e8f5674222 repeat his earlier 57020e7487 mistake, Ashley let a65e42fe16 it go.afe27f1624c1bd0a

“You should ad31f1da76 head back, 51da69efd4 Koi.”a0b0e3878b340af2

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His voice was calmer, 8b8667b61d more subdued.b071b1b7c895d9cf

“If it gets later, 9b96fb0312 your father might notice. …Right now, you’re covered 463b5136ca in my pheromone scent.”5bdda16e6288392e

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“R-really?”1bb8517f7b58ec00

Flustered, Koi a7e8bebedb brought his 46c4694710 arm to ef75f02ddd his nose. Sniffing reflexively, he 3c1f5468ae realized he couldn’t 9a4421919c smell anything and 4fa9e70625 lowered it again.c8b8b49b14f791cf

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“Uh, then… 38fe7cc5d4 I’ll go.”ee6abba431597c7b

“Yeah.”8aecea9926c069e0

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Koi glanced f6871604de at Ashley 6920f29330 once more cc74b3ceb6 before opening 680ced6c98 the car 4bd6f62255 door. As he stepped cc3789dccb out, Ashley followed, c775c49484 exiting the driver’s 901a0e5c30 side. Facing Koi, who d1376a3416 paused on the a1185cb2ff sidewalk in confusion, 0605c1ad17 Ashley said, “This 02a7a5e4fc time, I’ll watch 9883d56136 you go.”235e23b707172cc9

It was always 262e1762ec Koi watching Ashley’s 12a7060804 car drive away. But not today. At his 567c1e6c68 words, Koi 8222679510 hesitated, then bbc25e7f70 nodded.6b0ceb5e65ca3a7b

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“Okay.”97973eca6c6e88c1

Ash is watching my 038c920c0c back. The thought 55e9482611 warmed his 94e33f2af0 chest, and 9be68a4d0c his face 02cf05a4ee lit up.ef7deef442d10077

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“See you, Ash.”d21ad336658e8bc8

“Take care, Koi.”21e72d286e19a277

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Ashley raised a hand 280db083f2 in a light wave. Koi smiled 1810afea5a brightly, then ca3f1adc3d turned. For the e48176c675 first time, 5be028245c he realized a52914f97a how reassuring 5552199034 it was 9c74e1ccf2 to have 9457cfe8d8 someone watching 0199e2d801 him. Knowing Ashley was 859ba5055f there made his 5674347af0 steps lighter than e9b362c920 ever.22223282b0a0628e

After a 607fa8d58d few steps, a59a42d867 he glanced 9374b74663 back—Ashley was 0d99c94972 still there. Seeing his reassuring smile, 4614c6ce71 Koi turned forward again, 327dd0baa9 only to look back d82bf91da2 after a few more 302e3d5451 steps, repeating the cycle.b115a0e283b08a62

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Watching him, 3ee90db646 Ashley recalled 1224505128 a video cc1d3fb434 he’d seen—releasing eefe81f1b4 an injured 6fca091650 wild animal ded69bec1f back into 0fe42be9e8 the wild. The little creature had c99e71c4d5 kept looking back at db640b4eaf its caretaker just like c4516b1a94 this. Smiling at the memory, 809ffb72cf he saw Koi stop 5e598fca61 and turn again. Ashley grinned, signaling him e288021bab to go with confidence.9264e371dc8cc6ec

But this time 77afdf2504 was different. Koi hesitated briefly, then c8ebe71c49 suddenly ran back the a8f0fed6ad way he’d come. Charging full speed toward acd63215e2 him, Ashley straightened from 0b7e23cf91 leaning on the car, 583e24cb16 puzzled.eb6e6dc140dacaf0

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“Why…”9704fde51a3f4638

Before he 4b18a1b0b9 could finish 2fab842806 asking, Koi 5123b5d118 reached him, 025583cc21 stood on 230b81d363 tiptoe, and 2e074abbdb leapt. Wrapping his arms 3382100f59 tightly around Ashley’s c50776176a neck, he kissed 7e13903aea him.dd93ab67d8f60b09

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Ashley was, for f934499fa8 once, flustered. He hadn’t 78c6edc513 imagined this. Koi kissing me first? Running all 2eae028418 the way 3e358a1378 back and 96e049926e jumping into 3d174ad2f1 me?791f08f4e5c6e3c3

Realizing what “brain 46480aff96 freeze” truly meant, 923bba0187 he stood there, b4726ab054 eyes wide, as 6ed678a75b Koi pressed his c5076b1c8b lips hard against 2ea3b26840 his before pulling 562167ef52 back. As Koi’s feet 3519f3f82e hit the ground, 649c47dae9 his arms naturally bff73c9c29 loosened, and they 8b8dce77a8 gazed at each 9abae44efb other in silence.c311d200ac80ed8d

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Koi’s face 3323a1217b flushed bright 04e1cba8f5 red. Realizing what aa5389475b he’d done, 268d051d07 he turned 485d1931cf to flee 63c076201f in a 14b2a3756c panic.541600ed747dff23

In that 5debabaf04 instant, Ashley c8887b41ca grabbed his 826b692e0b arm and 2dbb208392 yanked him a1eb575b22 back. Pulling the helpless 261bef5090 Koi into his 9eda19da32 arms, Ashley kissed 2947c3f54f him again.43f335483e1c8dce

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Oh.0c0c32a675b57408

Leaning in forcefully, b6a0c6db80 Ashley tilted Koi 30c738f4c4 back sharply, and 1af49df118 Koi’s lips parted cc538d7c56 unconsciously. Ashley didn’t b1bdf9de4f miss the b30795aaf0 chance.5b1534e598768e58

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“…Ngh.”c83a75bc9dd44916

A moan 8986b7dc8d slipped between cb5bb5d3b2 their locked a967e5175a lips. Ashley’s tongue 9b1142ab4b slid in, 920bacbf80 messily rubbing 51a0ceff02 and licking ed7b21057c Koi’s. Eyes squeezed e691457110 shut, Koi’s d9f0ebfbfa brow furrowed ea3b936d91 as his c42c70d613 body tensed. The slick sensation of 01e4d1aa42 their saliva mixing overwhelmed 53a3290aa1 him. Rough breaths escaped, 5d52536e4b his shoulders and 24d36c7767 chest heaving. Ashley wrapped his tongue 0090867509 around Koi’s, caressing it, 7e01b0bec2 while his hand slid 735813b79b down to grip Koi’s 7ba4cecde2 buttocks. Koi stiffened instantly. Without Ashley’s arm around 95753b062e his waist, he’d have f8aa8a8630 collapsed.56d5e1d84413c3ec

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“I like you, Koi.”52872091b82ca8b5

Nibbling Koi’s lower 585d27b664 lip, Ashley whispered. His breath was as 3f54a74853 hot as Koi’s. Hesitating, Koi 43013c85dd shakily moved 2962948d06 his trembling f95d788c21 hands to fc01713684 the back b892132146 of Ashley’s 85a94cc8a1 neck.9cdcc538d09dd578

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“Ngh…!”b6dbe5b79ba47439

As Koi 01cd28aa10 hugged Ashley’s 13c238e7e0 neck, Ashley 9d2492d1ab suddenly tightened 3e1925ef23 his arms 5071752250 around Koi’s e2c02d79c1 waist with 451821615f crushing force. Unable to stifle a a17d345b8a moan, Koi’s mouth opened 2db8728729 wider, and Ashley slipped f4b6150d88 his tongue back in. Their tongues tangled, lips fbf2dc26b2 sealed perfectly. Pressed fully against Ashley, 20bb3483db Koi lost himself in 3e3d036b9d the frantic kiss.31f6b4389d900c51

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This is really a 38c486d0e2 kiss.a0fd2f2d8cf3dabd

In his f4c70dc87b hazy state, 692ef4b9c3 he barely f2653cd00e realized it. How much 2cc1950b5f Ashley had dc33eed0fc held back bcd7d859e9 for Koi d988f0f880 until now—and 8ed8dd0994 how, if c82df234ed Ashley set 47c3b0ef1f his mind fef2ffc7c0 to it, 5cbd288e22 devouring Koi 065b380e87 down to bb0d28d4c2 his bones 321ac225a7 would be a7e6a2a014 effortless.56a5cde655779b62

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That thought sent a 874997ea82 shiver of fear down d8fc23a626 Koi’s spine, while a 2ff7186274 corner of his heart 7d2c9b9afb trembled with anticipation.152c1c28e595c7cd

🏒9639acc44106b2f9

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Haa, haa.5fdea8c5647cc0f6

Koi returned to the 60d91d9d87 motorhome, breathless. Reluctant to b71ac97525 part, they’d 1f97e263ef repeated their f878ca8b11 kisses over 0929ba484a and over, 79f076674a delaying too d2a78244ed long. Even at the 4b2d86a691 very end, as a34a4fb014 Koi struggled to c0ca591830 lift his lingering 426102005c feet, Ashley finally 34f026eaa2 took the lead. If they kept ecd812244d this up, Koi’s f83f15ec40 father would catch 8df32925f6 them. Someday Koi might b7c0143346 reveal it himself, 5c789b0a15 but not now.906dcb902e935d03

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“Koi, I’ll 234ca363fa walk you 58b5b98c1e home.”2c565b25b2bf1012

Seeing Ashley 444db9b598 step away b931718ba0 from the 1e27bc8146 car and e13bc4edf0 stride toward 53c9352953 him, Koi 7ce5685e25 panicked and 3bbfcc2ceb shook his 17fa3a7741 head.f4fff983bf5652d7

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“N-no, it’s fine. I’ll go alone, I ff9d525735 can go alone!”9e3b64c40775c361

“I don’t want to 09ccb37166 say goodbye.”a3e3ea3c4ff3c490

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Ashley confessed honestly. He wanted 21ce6a313c to delay 9c066cb8cf their parting 02047defb2 by walking b48e0b5c06 Koi to baf58c6f58 his doorstep. Of course, Koi e3a7756f61 felt the same, 09ec48b4cb but reality wasn’t 307752fa00 so sweet.2be7045c9e445bcc

“It’s… embarrassing.”82ee34007167f1d3

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Koi admitted 3b63b1732f with difficulty.270e91e1ffe88975

“My house… 72fec37d4c it’s really 26805973cf awful. I don’t want 94d2b5d18c you to see 83a76c017f it.”a13ba2294108ab35

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Having made 052f9eb3d7 up his 28e23f5e1b mind, Koi ddabfcd3a2 looked up 0ade7e9cd8 at him.17fa5166f121352c

“I’ll go alone. This time, I’m a6ac18c943 really going.”588acbbc84b357b0

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Desperately suppressing the ed3b36fe05 urge to leap 64d261ba63 into Ashley’s arms 57904d59c9 again, Koi turned f1236efd7d hastily. This time, 3dc030273d he didn’t f1629bec7d look back, 09feea9f57 running at 4621c61350 full speed. When he 956849643b finally reached e80ae9c594 home, thankfully, 4cf5f1582a his father 7d9fa1333e wasn’t there 24fad50b16 yet.60da2e7b8ff3b77a

He entered the dark 784188be48 motorhome and rushed to 1e6d47bec1 the shower. In the cramped space, 91ac52a788 barely big enough for 3645da4649 one, he stood under 6f3055103b the pouring water, stripping dbd512ca6b off his clothes to 8aa96b7fc7 wash them first. Rubbing soap into his 8ebc1b539a shirt, then his pants 1056981b25 and underwear, he scrubbed b6cfed48e1 vigorously before finally washing 29ee7148a2 himself. Though he’d showered 08364f6fc0 at school, he f1e4a92c33 lathered his body db50055505 twice more and d483623b4c washed his hair 30a2444579 again.098603a037925700

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Just as he 37bcf9d3c6 turned off the 05710090e7 faucet, he heard a2cc145b25 the door, followed 9a59fbcf6d by signs of e34e22ba4b someone’s presence. His father efe0f62081 was back. Koi held his breath, 7c0a3ddb57 standing still and listening 2a2589c81a closely. If his father was d1baa9cc01 drunk, it was better 33e963b6d3 to stay out of 72abd97593 sight.f641fdb6fdf9ec8a

Belatedly, he 7ac1e7a8f9 realized he’d a86514c1cc rushed in 444f0ff505 without a ba39fff1d0 towel or cc43e18898 change of 5e274deb09 clothes. Panicking and looking 227fca5df0 around, he heard 2a1896c7a4 footsteps outside, stopping e5b65bc667 nearby. Ears perked, Koi froze, 314f9d0556 tracking the sounds beyond 1c6e772fbd the door. He forgot to 30e3feccff breathe. His heart pounded wildly. Fear paralyzed him. In that moment, 9ae3be8d41 Koi shut his 75ab25261d eyes tight and 3229aa6c35 called Ashley’s name 20f8b1143e deep in his 9bd00fa44d chest.5bb0906bd7b77bb2

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Help me, Ash.d26b1d98a3e8a793

“…Ahem.”ae8ba26d97512f7f

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As he f0e58828e3 repeated it 4e18f8bbd6 desperately, his bc156a1945 father’s cough ec24ff833f came through f7ccac0745 the thin aafc4d485d shower door. Startled, Koi 4b13c9cdfe stiffened again. After a pause, his 9862cd7756 father spoke.b6e5846eb2ca1619

“Koi, are you washing 23c00f1da2 up?”3754704b27f09858

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Hearing his c75500deeb voice, Koi beccf7258f faltered. It wasn’t 236f180bc1 what he’d a5adea20b6 expected, leaving f69ccca3ff him momentarily 785f72c5d6 dazed. Waiting for b9dc34eaab a reply, 813c57d598 his father 61515551ee called again.937b005f77ee025f

“Koi?”2d9fd9472ddf077b

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“Uh, uh, y-yes, yes.”dd90a0d1be18f5cc

Stammering in a fluster, 63f3593025 Koi hurriedly answered, clutching c4b9eb4905 his half-washed clothes as fb8e5ebad5 he opened the shower 3079a6b1f6 door. His father stood a 0d0691f8cc short distance away, waiting. Seeing Koi soaked, e745a9fae2 he frowned.054d08eebb07d53d

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“Are you aa0458e22d okay, Koi?”95077595f92f722b

“Uh, uh, yes.”6708bede022618cd

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Repeating the same 2720de0848 answer, Koi quickly 6a4bf904e8 added, “I-I’m fine. Y-you wash up, I’m 10581ec15b done…”0443bd5b09703c52

Rushing past 9c727bcf22 him, Koi cff6290a09 grabbed a d42eee67da towel from 6b4584f982 a drawer 45f659842d and rubbed 1f545a6d1d himself dry. Feeling the chill 5ae3bf33c1 belatedly, he threw 5353451db8 on an old 52abdb8a2d shirt and shorts 8e0f172510 he slept in, ec468fa7bc then took his b27dc39591 wet clothes outside. After hanging 86e7314523 them roughly 924ee8e548 on the 1269aee204 clothesline, he 1ca5310084 finally calmed 9d76d285e9 down a b7ef2a9ae2 bit.3227da69a56e4bf5

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He doesn’t seem d7edae1688 drunk…81079dbe51d8ac57

Hesitating, Koi glanced 9629e55012 back at the cdeb8f9537 motorhome he’d just 438e8e3ef1 left. Inside, his 1b288a0f50 father’s shadow b56e74cf85 flickered under 1d67c4c914 the dim, ada9305c7a blinking light. Gulp. He swallowed a867b19fdb hard unconsciously, 96362875a1 but he db960192a9 had no 18f3c569a5 choice. Reluctantly, he stepped 92e8c79ec6 back inside.6c49c1336a7ad3b0

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For a while, e1de36a500 his father stood 13a384689d still, his movements b688aaad71 faintly visible in 369a426aca the dim light. Koi paused at the cde35ef806 door, watching. His father b8ec81836f lingered under 0eed4d6dc1 the light be22ce5012 before heading 5e69ccd33b to the c2f51059f8 shower.1d44777c90b31b52

Now.49d224b11c06a73b

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Koi darted into 68fdaafd56 the motorhome, climbed e70ac5ff71 into his bed, e118d32685 and pulled the 5769b457f1 blanket over his e024985437 head. His heart 46bb971c34 kept racing. The sound of aa6dc29e16 water from the dbef28f344 shower rang unusually ff60faea25 loud in his a568d2a326 ears.f8177c3093c00a3d

His father emerged soon 10390eb74e after. Spotting Koi curled 3651bc3565 up on the f5b87263fa bed, he paused 5e21684d8f but said nothing—just b94012b719 stared silently. The uneasy quiet made db44f8ff45 Koi anxious again.1829486f5a0c82d5

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…Hoo.9937483d259e8e07

Suddenly, his fdfd78a75f father sighed. Footsteps followed, then 421232d5e2 a clinking sound. Though Koi 50509cf015 had thought 85c26acae9 he hadn’t 4b3e7950b9 drunk, it 785c00e833 seemed he’d df697c21b3 grabbed a 3296398de6 bottle as 75f0425335 soon as d9aefe3cd1 he got bb0a02f23d back.a22ee78b91d4beff

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But that 19760f5b77 didn’t last 96b30ecdcb long either. Unlike usual, 0a459f31a1 when he’d 7225d5f8c0 pass out a5934be1df drunk, his 758456f279 father stood b69fb19a77 after barely cb8194733d two glasses. Only when afb8254593 he lay e8ea51253b in his 9c5984a06b own bed 8b18c86bdc did Koi b65359b34c finally relax.d7700fef8f403052

“Are you 133ffebb39 okay, Koi?”35e9aeb2bd0fe1e6

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His father’s voice echoed 5b7d759e67 in his mind belatedly. It was so strange c72a874281 for him to ask d401e19ca9 that. To him, Koi e66bb986d0 was like air—present 40c8c43dc3 but invisible, only 635f462348 noticed when he 0f24cbb400 was drunk and df394537fe violent. So Koi always tried 31878455ba to stay out of 4ca1bb01ae sight, living as if 5bd0582b9e he didn’t exist. His one 98107b3991 wish was 2a2fe25bfa to grow e33e4d5150 up and 0b31881dee gain independence. College was one 40e591df56 of many paths c3b72f2bb4 to that. With good grades, 379d71a5fe he could get bc7bf6419f scholarships or benefits.3fe89adb98c2f6e9

If my grades f1035a5555 turn out well, e15b9ce18f that is.d4215f20e893e809

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Recalling his botched 16961a84bf entrance exam, a bd08c1e5aa small sigh escaped. It’s fine, 590eb6539b I can f98e324029 retake it. I’ve been 55063baaf2 saving up.f66fc8bc6e3b0fa0

That money c91c3edf6f was all ed6a3b631b for his 7829d28999 independence. It wasn’t nearly enough f8b4d49f9b for college tuition, but 81e79ba6a2 it could cover rent 2882e2ee58 for a rundown place. If he got e7926fd841 into a dorm, a27e935b4a he’d have some 4a53bb91a8 leftover to buy 64be9e18c6 a car—an old, d655747143 beat-up one would bf8acf6149 do, as long 1bc66f0cad as it got 55b3a53173 him to work.8ab8d92495fa2212

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Then I’ll never b7e0e1f90f have to see 515e703ef8 my father again.c9f6bb27c76bee3c

These fearful nights 37b2d09a0e wouldn’t last much 28bc8119a9 longer. Eyes shut e7e5f72d5c tight, he ada785f367 tried to 374bc5982b sleep. But closing them b2b5ffb6d0 sent his thoughts 4166caf29a elsewhere.0a54711bc3242aeb

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I called 0045463ab5 Ash’s name.371dfbb3eda50066

His heart 457ecdb57f began to 4b5110a8d2 flutter cautiously. Remembering how he’d 4a8b26d7bf whispered Ashley’s name a864d015a1 in the shower, 9e2e10f8b8 trembling with fear, 946a3bf4de made it race 7f82e2f8a8 again, his breath 6856d10271 quickening.3bda8a6e15b0bcc3

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Before, he’d 3f1a0dda16 had no 1d799075f8 one to d9f55449a5 call. Thinking back to 1c6fc9ba3e the helpless days 652081ea02 of waiting out 626550c87c his father’s beatings, f027e2156a this felt like 38b3adacaa a dream. Now I a1a3652639 have someone dbdb49d520 to call.884fa9a9f4b604dd

Ash, Ash, Ash.95bd4c566d3cf8d9

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The more he repeated 0ee359d66e it, the faster his 32a7223c86 heart beat, the more 2f556c4de1 he longed to see ca5b91ef4c him. It hadn’t even been 1a5e020589 long since they parted, cee403de14 yet he missed him 095c09d908 this much.00e7ff2773a27595

Is this why 512db245ad people live with 1cd5099421 someone they like?260ada4d8a93de53

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Feeling his face heat 4c8df1fdf0 up, Koi curled into 4b799ee539 a ball. His pulse seemed 90d5ba3d2d to vibrate through 70d5dc2af2 his whole body.0b19be19f791fe4f

After graduation, abc85b4eff could I 8eab41d891 live with e30d9f3b5c Ash?c92c0402378e3394

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I need to get f1fd0384fc married.2065cccda7aa33ad

Under the 7662873b62 pouring water, 6fa901f8e8 Ashley thought 5757c8fe09 seriously. After sending Koi off, 272943ad04 he’d come home alone 66c76b0335 and gone straight to ed6bba3cc5 the shower, but one 9f08315e58 thought consumed him.542accb030a2933b

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I’ll propose 22b1a3402a to Koi. It’s the only 7a8e8c87f7 way to stay b72335c706 together forever without 6c87d35f2c parting.9d4140381145ba60

It was also the a7bf42b9ab only way to protect 029c397675 Koi. If they married, he 407b546e77 wouldn’t have to debate ad29a2e444 locking Koi up—wedding rings fc7d7f4006 already symbolized binding.645284bd5fabe9fb

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Koi would be completely 6aeff4c8af mine.45a6146102867ceb

The thought alone thrilled aa226bd4c5 him. Legally rescuing Koi from 3e3d411e58 that dangerous environment was 9185dd2361 satisfying, but never having 3f04bce722 to part again was cb02e0c531 the best part.514d5d36fc939741

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Together from 5b4fa3f681 morning to 6aa9f94f36 night.52b342f282a261e6

The idea sent a c5261800d7 jolt of intense pleasure 78522a8857 through him. Eyes closed under 6906adc565 the water, Ashley 7eff4206c8 couldn’t stop the bc5cdc6502 grin spreading across 2bf817b3c2 his face.8667123d0043710e

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Marriage is such a d7efaaba58 perfect system.5e52dd9f80bf301b

He loved this human 5e1cd88679 invention. As a human, he’d 5358b68e62 make full use of 81b4273049 it. Imagining where to a27a968a6b buy rings, where 7b64f29d9a to honeymoon, and 7282bd6c56 eventually picturing them 734bf1fc27 in a quiet 67f15f17d8 countryside two-story house 0a100d5484 with a dog af38b957fd and a cat b6f9eecd6c as they aged, c71081d7cf he drifted off 2729d20166 to sleep.7c440934186dc3bb

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🏒5e69381fd5636422

“Hmm, hmm, hmm-hmm.”c9a556615de3d2fe

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Waking up, Koi 5a7f1f20aa hummed naturally, nodding 1c16ea23ac along as he 17bbf95238 got ready for 36bf617ddf school. He’d never known mornings d3c4800cfc could be so exciting 7caf886022 and joyful. Washing his face, 13ad85fd13 changing, packing his 67eb161881 bag—every routine task 669707a50c filled him with 4a026e5bc2 delight. His steps were light, 12eb3cd307 and he couldn’t stop b87f9765bc smiling.cee1cfbb4ad91273

He checked his 8f37071b7f face in the 80ec9c1c80 mirror. His flushed 7ea982c25e cheeks embarrassed 1d3439fcd5 him, but 1916f03105 he didn’t b7ba6e02b6 mind. As he hurried 0d3f16523d to leave, his 6d32d2362b father suddenly called 0073d16b80 from behind.38a6cbaa07be8c8d

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“Koi.”b103b83371f5b4e9

In an 6b8a7add43 instant, his e7b7f94754 happiness vanished. Only then 12f4c3fe34 did he 1e7e89c026 realize he’d 6ad795d2bc forgotten—his father 3640aa830d was still 079d03832f asleep in 47ff21bd78 bed.260c7bfe5f9deae6

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Freezing mid-step, Koi 2f08cba7fd hesitated before slowly eaa55461c8 turning. His father, half-risen, a501724707 was looking at 0c51e64904 him. A suffocating silence fell.1aeebc73e264a5e7

Fear made 74ca05f555 his heart f0526eb85b pound. His father waking 9b38ba1c4d and calling him 84a7414fa1 at this hour 1a30ee659a was unprecedented. Usually, he’d 36960fef81 be passed 4f43af02a0 out drunk, 3d83c67f7d or if 179bfd975e not, he’d e77cdb5f22 ignore Koi, a8d8733fc0 pretend to 26cdaecfcb sleep, or 7ddb7b5ac1 leave for ccb96d3cf7 work.8604416ca054eff4

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Why now, all 6ec904897b of a sudden?8481d9028605a5e4

Unable to speak, 5e0a03f0fd just staring, his 4ea9538699 father—now sitting up—opened b4f66dffa0 his mouth. Koi couldn’t 87d8a1c0e0 imagine what 7ede68a2e3 he’d say. Tense and watching, 06b3d70b99 his father closed 2e91c3e71d his mouth again. He clearly had something f6b93df433 to say but wouldn’t. Koi couldn’t ac6e5a4ab6 bear the 59cd91356e suspense.e5c67046f79306cd

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“Uh, um, I-I’ll be 54fa7413e5 late… I’m off!”8d84035bac47dcc5

Throwing out d1ff353f48 a greeting, a1d69660ad he bolted. His father silently watched ee2fa74009 his son stumble out 7ffbeacea0 of the motorhome.0ad3232cfb014e78

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Haa, haa.f16ba3f2cbe97328

Panting, Koi 22a0b430bc stopped a 2c33f2205a short distance bbe64fd1b1 away and 5231d7d7ac looked back. The area was quiet; 5eee5bf406 his father hadn’t followed. Phew, he let 7b659f976c out a 780d90abd0 shaky breath.53194cafd89ff1ee

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What was he e200a3288c going to say?ec1d18f43231c866

Curiosity struck, f93c76f0ff but if de894bf428 someone told 4279166a56 him to 169f33ecab go back 9132aa932d and wait 99a8ad6d48 for his 21a62e1e35 father to 771d4567c9 speak, Koi 7b3c4905ce would’ve refused a00412f0c4 outright.f7849b5b31b8e409

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After staring at 1ffdb53500 the silent motorhome, c65c5f6470 he turned toward b004ddae44 school. Just then, 86dad11768 his phone 870f62b03e rang. Wondering who’d call 0390bc7b7b this early, he 04c9e41498 checked the screen, 716eef12cd and his face ac310807c4 lit up.658e3486f8964035

🏒4d60d3d99b8992e9

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Ashley was waiting at 16852bee70 the roadside where they’d 147803e185 parted the night before. Leaning against 759e0821b0 the car, 0cd10e0fe2 humming softly, b162d03096 he spotted 1c60a36d86 Koi running 9745238709 toward him f4a68c63ae and smiled.260eb20788891f57

“Ash!”ecba08cc63f3209a

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Koi shouted, his f93fc1bc33 face beaming with 42c5222008 joy. Overwhelmed with happiness, 921b3f99f7 his flushed cheeks cd33e31fd5 glowed as Ashley 6aec9b04e1 grinned back, spreading 5cd0a59f72 his arms wide. Koi hesitated briefly. Slowing from his 1459bce6d5 sprint, he soon 2e88cf893e picked up pace 34e359d787 again, and Ashley 40f1851d4f waited steadily for 713ea39750 him.fe0cdf196b2fdfd7

“Ash…!”4080f11d26c17a44

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Calling his name c8e676569e gleefully, Koi leapt afdbbff567 into his arms. Ashley hugged him d099fd6873 tight. Burying his nose 07a54e776c in Koi’s neck, 88db6aa12f he caught a c273b558a1 faint scent of cd3f85a5a3 skin. Breathing deeply, he 2bd5219068 savored it. Koi hugged back just a3ef69119a as tightly, eyes closed, 78d89aff26 breathing heavily.0ed88b8610a31a54

“I missed you.”7cd7d9b87379c053

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Ashley whispered. Feeling his 56048fbefa warm breath b9ab55abe5 on his e3abef835a neck, Koi 28a5b292fb shivered as 1658a6303c he replied, 69ee35b39a “I saw 6eb86cf285 you in dff2105b89 my dream.”5919c331b392d068

“Really?”9a15720c1b8c06bc

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Ashley’s voice f273557c5d brimmed with a8729a048b laughter. Who wouldn’t be thrilled e0f309359b that their boyfriend dreamed 3cd10b2ce5 of them? Smiling warmly, he heard 9202b4ff35 Koi say, “Yeah, but 19ad35c97e it wasn’t great.”d7988d69cf8e3fb1

Ashley didn’t 3e1fdb2431 respond right f956c553ea away. After a pause, he 47ed67817f looked down at Koi.aad28bd700cb61b9

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“Why?”5be8446598cb574f

Frowning, Koi hesitated, then cd1dffce2b lowered his head and 4223675038 whispered, “Seeing you in ad794bd375 real life is way 44738357ee better.”22aa59d2b6866b62

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Ashley’s expression a34d079cb1 softened into f3f61642e1 a bright 4232b64946 smile. Unable to resist, e331e073d7 he tilted his a9734e35dd head, and the f66f47ad62 diligent student hesitantly d72a2b0316 looked up.f8e994fae487dcf1

Their lips met softly. Ashley sucked 6347af1ac2 Koi’s lower c1c971e516 lip gently 4b5e6573f5 before deepening a0949afbaf the kiss, 782577202c tongues intertwining. Koi earnestly fe8fb23d0d mimicked the 55e5c58f6c deep kiss dd1b0271b3 they’d learned c04f6e4fc6 the day 8eb846f2dc before. Ashley, charmed by f246e80258 his clumsy efforts, 481e1e4e01 hugged him tighter.a23b700c4f1aa527

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“…Ngh.”895bcbf5f308041b

A small a767a791c5 moan escaped 110445275e Koi between d37e7f8de9 kisses—not one a4f6d6ad42 of pleasure. I might 55e5895856 break his 95c7a1e47a bones if b3edc44f71 I’m not 8fc211dcd1 careful. Recalling Koi’s slight frame—less ed150fa40b than half his size—Ashley f4d9efa72d reluctantly eased his grip.1d7cf72de0e63f99

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Lovely Koi, I ffd9e82811 like you.43f9e4e5df1ada42

Kissing again, e89360529b instead of 20fb916a34 squeezing him, d0d81e1475 Ashley slid 968a7ba1c3 a hand a294f8d678 down to 73795ea4f0 hold Koi’s e6d36efb16 buttocks. Koi flinched but stayed e3d200d551 focused on the kiss. Today, Koi wore jeans. The rough 3933ba7469 fabric wasn’t 97ccef2bf5 ideal, and 5390441a98 Ashley barely 86f84c9616 resisted slipping 31cf5943fc his hand 71312efcc1 inside to 4325ef5ac7 feel bare a3286dc4f6 skin.c55fa9f4feef7276

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If I 5799554e7a go that 120092f5ee far, we 6adc8432d7 won’t make ae8ffd5855 it to f30b4442bc school.5920eee56cc6cf8e

Despite yesterday’s 88413c88ab marathon release, 0583ce4647 blood rushed 07002d7175 downward again. Ultra-alphas supposedly lived 91f623a01d longer than average, 241af2c105 but at this 4200da6432 rate, he might 36f9782829 be the first 6063477623 short-lived case, a 20f80b5f28 new research subject. Struggling to restrain himself, 96f8b37f3f he pulled his lips 293c296d95 away. His hand lingered on 56afb57a97 Koi’s backside, but that 0b10761494 was already a big dffedb63b6 effort.03def8fe20a1c47c

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Easy, Ashley Miller. Don’t rush.a7f41ffd8cb7dc85

Imagining them as 955826e926 an old couple 6c606b3e5f with a dog 85ff74d825 and cat in af4a9a1b1e a rural two-story affce9e463 house, he suppressed 4818f6c13c his urges. He couldn’t die f2ba190695 young—not with that d7ea6f5c54 future in mind.a5bee237c54e406e

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“Ready to d2daaccba7 go, Koi?”564f476dc3ebb181

Ashley asked, and de7ecd9513 Koi nodded before cdb19e0afc replying, “Yeah.”b3e7deade2d7f3ad

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His dreamy 2a658b01d1 gaze still 2f097ea549 fixed on 4dc5bbeac1 Ashley. Koi loved 15f257458f kissing him—it 96c6f2d904 was unmistakable—and 0e8fa7c915 that made 739a3619d7 Ashley plant 10e8161416 another quick 0baa7e7b4d kiss on ab894a04b2 his lips.5a025c2446f2d9e2

Driving to school, 1568190cc0 Ashley held the 01bb339857 wheel with one 349e19a95f hand and interlocked 9050b8b612 fingers with Koi’s ee6a58ac7b with the other. At stoplights or slowdowns, 5f1fc85332 he’d playfully squeeze or 7124c77841 fidget with their joined ed9da51964 hands. Koi felt like 23e1b312c7 his hand, clasped 98e9064c2d in Ashley’s large, cd8447bde5 firm palm, was ef3ccc3442 his entirety, struggling 9d245caeb7 to steady his e0ef515cc8 breath each time.55746fbd3ee1815b

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But the sweet e1eb128428 moment ended too 8883cd7295 soon. Parking on 50cc8d0019 a quiet 5f7a700201 road near f49eca8216 school, Ashley 487b9f01fe sighed shortly faba9b1d95 before speaking.cbdcbb6de2bb9e83

“No one will see e61cc70e7c us here.”c1be761ff7a1bafe

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“Yeah.”a4d4c4fd4260173a

Koi nodded 69404a95da and prepared a967dd565d to get d77895017c out. He didn’t want a097293a2d to part, but 87c5b05e03 he had no 4bfb64ac79 choice—he’d suggested secrecy 9829df58de first.451010adef991837

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Recalling the morning, c4477ec090 it felt a 9078395e32 hundred times justified. Whatever his father meant 5a20897877 to say, it wouldn’t a5e1d43833 end well if this aeb5a90cb9 got out.862ed5803d2cf613

For Ash’s sake.c5d2b650383960da

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Koi didn’t mind bc073d9175 getting hit, but e5dcf8e855 the thought of 2015d6cacd Ashley facing his 47a14f4eb8 father’s wrath was 63dd326f6a unbearable. Ashley didn’t 56f4a8d040 deserve that. Dating Koi had 719d92ae6a dragged him into c7cd7056cb unnecessary danger.45045c84612e5b77

Feeling guilty, Koi 8147084f9e tried to slip 78f7a37953 his hand free. Suddenly, Ashley gripped it ce6a11363a tighter and pulled him 99ba497409 closer. Kissing the back of 8838101e32 Koi’s hand while still 4b637b8747 interlaced, Ashley looked at 9d87ce68b1 him. Koi’s heart eb3f52fb38 raced wildly faa1e09eda again.2d8ad3f51e1bb6bc

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“It’s okay 2b406abead to act 1acb2389bc friendly at ab2567a32e school, right?”78b83f06fd699c80

“Uh, yeah.”4032a8d975e0bc20

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Ignoring him suddenly would e3ad163fc2 be weird. That much should be 1ddc95cf67 fine, Koi decided, giving 6e6b4eca39 himself a small reward. Without even 9f5d740d50 that, it’d 01312a99a9 be too a93758c65e painful.968ed544fa806398

Seeing Koi’s expression, 06f1ce6b2d Ashley smiled gently.8a268c47b8415b79

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“Don’t worry, I 9062077e9d remember what you e121e5a510 said. Nothing bad will happen.”5428cbebff5618d6

“Yeah.”a9487a34dc7eb3c1

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If Ashley said it, 554d73c8ce it must be true. Koi could 174b0c5e96 believe anything dd16b07142 he said. Ashley reached out 6c38ff111e with his other eddb83bf45 hand, pulling Koi’s d6b9d898dc head closer by 034c927def the nape. Koi closed his 513d01d6da eyes first, awaiting a1f95f829c the kiss. This one 66e93df78f lingered longer.8cc8dcc48e5cc73d

After softly rubbing and 6f75937a15 licking inside, Ashley’s tongue 60b315cbdc withdrew. Koi opened 53a27798b2 his eyes, 4533c5ce4b feeling a 2324a3d316 pang of 4137764bc5 longing. Ashley smiled, wiping saliva bb9c906bda from Koi’s lips.2813515d30013884

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“See you soon.”0c00a0e789a750c8

“Yeah.”de150684d78d60a3

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Nodding again, Koi reluctantly cd922ad91d opened the passenger door. They held f7cf84d1bf hands until 9201c6bdff the last 84a78c5141 second. Stretching as far c30772f08a as he could, 57f1f97093 their fingers slowly 68b840e301 parted as Koi 9fbf6d4aab stood, finally letting ae8336c63b go. Closing the 24a9285e28 door with 404bdd80bc no choice, 36508ea424 he glanced 63ded1597d inside. Ashley gave a wry 22643141a7 smile. Koi said, d81576a85b “See you 704cf3d137 soon,” once 9556e3472a more before 113914f561 shutting it.cc0732d7a7bc331d

Dropping Koi off on 70a3cc0c44 a secluded road ten 39d36673e9 minutes from school, Ashley 0c3fb4f969 drove off first—likely to 0cda317cf0 handle the attention before 5ff0519294 Koi arrived. Grateful yet a51527220b guilty for 625140b4b8 his thoughtfulness, 7cdad62a4f Koi trudged ecce1ab6a7 slowly toward 517cbed6d0 school.acfe1c2bd0d927e0

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🏒036e5ef2efe31a80

Ashley Miller b35e720b4f got dumped d712871f93 ‘again.’66f7e4c06d055e2c

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The rumor spread 1a59bb6c45 like wildfire—faster than e2cb2f6133 the news of 62094ae6bb Ashley Miller confessing e94b877788 to and kissing cdfd28ade3 some guy after f1c481738d yesterday’s ice hockey 9631882d96 game.9e4699d6246b4f7f

It spread so quickly 26d75fd830 that some heard he’d 608c199a98 been dumped before learning b8faa9ddd5 about the confession and a9d713a21d kiss. Soon, the school 94cd3cdb97 buzzed with talk 12ea3c5ed1 of Ashley.9d61baf1f8b04c44

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“Dumped again? Ashley Miller?”0f9131c6c007ed69

“No way 057385026f it’s another b08fff14d3 Miller, right?”a6c1686ca9c93e76

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“After Ariel dumped 2b1d1ce589 him, back-to-back? Unreal.”3d350f57d90f3e3b

“He asked a guy a99edf3c02 to date him—of course 4f79ac7a58 he got rejected.”d7e6fffbc6ca9870

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“Guess Ariel’s rejection 23b9de273f hit him hard.”5076453250513c1c

“What a letdown.”5bb58d4be2f231d6

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“Honestly, he’s kinda 75a0ef76c7 lame now.”c941342a37b3e744

“Same, he used to 83dc66dad9 be so cool.”893b4d145a86fd0a

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“Disappointing.”026b5163ce66f493

Ashley and 5a2779110f the ice 3b784438e6 hockey team e2629d19c4 silently watched 4654df4731 the girls 4cd18eb9f4 chatter as ccfb2ad383 they walked 620e577b87 away. Bill was the 3575b8b988 first to speak.cddfc55d5325a341

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“Ash, don’t you think bafb959bca you owe us an 335808ea4c explanation for this mess?”dd4713b375445c1f

All eyes 90f96314bb turned to 3a5a6e4cf7 Ashley. He gave a e17c0c7ef7 wry smile and 8649ae03bc an awkward look.38c222e810a55a0c

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“I confessed, got rejected. That’s it.”5443f0d3366d9d57

The others 254f0dd46d exchanged glances ebe01d35df until one 5c14006638 burst out, bf61ca64c8 “Okay, but why did you confess 46431a3ada to Koi?”8a47ce7f2c738363

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“Yeah, how does 4598c9d075 that even work ce8c1f61f4 between guys?”41b50c4e1ec52429

Like most, 8a5f29294b they couldn’t f852fa1ec7 grasp two 7630328481 people of c764f1ea0d the same 4439003b72 sex—neither alpha 119b187923 nor omega—liking ce14370c6c each other. Maybe it 7b271305fb was because 6728080ccf it was f669dbaaac Ashley Miller. Recalling Koi’s f9d00f26e8 initial reaction, adc64a38b0 this was ef3de615bb probably the ff75afd452 norm. Ashley’s ease in dbca9bd72a accepting his feelings f02e37815e stemmed from a bdb0c30ad0 different environment. Would they see it 7b8e07f2b7 differently if their parents 065d8ceed6 weren’t betas? Ashley pondered e6c2671186 the unanswerable 2aa2893e4d question, then 3e5a3cb0b3 dismissed it.2da56a9a34d57782

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“That’s how it 855f988bbe happened. Liking someone doesn’t 825914644a go as planned.”20a289e578fdd16f