L*ck Me If You Can-Chapter 2

"Haaah."

With a deep sigh, Koi stretched his back after tossing out the last bag of trash. He took one last glance around the shop, making sure everything was in order, then switched off all the lights. Locking up from the outside, he finally let himself acknowledge it—the day was over.

Without wasting a second, he all but sprinted to his bike and took off. He had skimmed over the assignment earlier, but actually finishing it was going to take time. A lot of time. Maybe even an all-nighter. That thought made his legs push harder against the pedals. The cool night air sliced against his cheeks as he sped down the empty streets.

His part-time job, which he had started a few months ago, was a simple one. Working alone in a small store, handling the register, restocking shelves, cleaning up at closing. Technically, the time spent sweeping up and taking out the trash should have been counted toward his pay. But his boss never accounted for it. Not once. And Koi, who didn’t have the luxury of switching jobs, had no choice but to just go along with it.

By the time he actually finished everything and left for home, it was always close to midnight. Which left him with next to no time for schoolwork. His chest tightened with frustration. He gritted his teeth and pedaled faster. The wind howled in his ears as he raced through the night.

*

Koi skidded to a stop in front of the truck-turned-home, ditching his bike without a second thought. He practically leapt inside. A quick, half-assed rinse. Then straight to his desk. As his computer booted up, he took a moment to double-check the assignment details.

A sigh escaped him.

Read a preassigned Latin literature piece and write an analytical essay on it. At least he had already finished reading the book. Now, all that was left was writing.

And writing.

And more writing.

He lost track of time. Professor Martinez was notorious for being strict about deadlines. Even more than the actual quality of the paper. And with his scholarship and college applications on the line, Koi couldn’t afford to slip up. His fingers moved across the keyboard, determined, even as his vision blurred from exhaustion.

Then, suddenly—

The low rumble of an engine outside.

Koi’s entire body tensed. His father’s truck.

Shit.

Panic surged through him as he slapped the power button on his monitor and flicked off his desk lamp. He dove into bed, yanking the covers over his head just as—

Bang!

The door slammed open. His father stumbled inside. The air in the cramped motorhome instantly filled with the stench of alcohol.

Koi clenched his hands into fists, his palms damp with sweat. His heart pounded violently in his chest, but he kept his eyes shut, his breathing even.

He could hear every single movement. The unsteady shuffle of boots. A muttered curse. A loud crash as something was knocked over. More cursing. Then—the creak of the fridge door. Glass clinking. As expected, his father was reaching for more alcohol.

“...Ngh...”

A low groan. Then a thud as he collapsed onto a chair. Followed by the familiar glug of beer being downed. He was already wasted. And yet, still drinking.

Good.

That meant he wouldn’t be looking for trouble tonight. A few more bottles and he’d be out cold. Then Koi could turn his computer back on and finish his paper. It was a routine he knew all too well. All he had to do was wait.

“Ughhh...”

His father groaned, then—silence. Then—snoring.

Koi hesitated. Slowly, cautiously, he peeked out from under the covers. At the small kitchen table, his father was slumped over, face down, fast asleep. A couple of empty bottles rolled across the floor. Koi exhaled quietly. Then, just as carefully, he slid out of bed.

He sat back down at his desk. Checked the time. 3 a.m. If he could finish in the next two hours, he’d at least get some sleep. He forced his drooping eyes open and got back to work.

A sudden noise made Koi freeze. His head snapped up. His father was still asleep. He let out a shaky breath.

Then—

“Miranda...”

Koi’s blood ran cold.

For a moment, he couldn’t move.

A sniffle. Then, silence. His father remained hunched over at the table, unmoving. The name lingered in the air.

Miranda.

This translation is the intellectual property of Novelight.

It was a name neither of them spoke. A name neither of them were allowed to speak. It was a wound. A scar. A ghost that haunted them both.

But his father—drunk, unconscious—had let it slip.

What was it? A longing? A regret? A grudge?

The memory surfaced—one of the rare times his father had gotten too drunk. And had said,

"If only you didn’t look so much like her..."

A lump formed in Koi’s throat. He gritted his teeth and shook his head violently. No. Not now. His assignment came first. He shoved down the emotions clawing at his chest and forced himself to focus on the screen.

He had work to do.

*

Haa, haa.

Koi had pulled an all-nighter to finish his assignment, but in the end, he overslept.

By the time he opened his eyes, the sun was already high in the sky. His father was still slumped over the kitchen table, exactly where he had passed out the night before.

Panic jolted him awake. He jumped out of bed, barely splashed some water on his face, grabbed his bag, and bolted out the door.

As he pedaled with all his strength, he noticed something off—there were far fewer cars lined up than usual.

He was screwed.

Legs burning, he raced across campus like a madman. Of course, the building for his first class had to be the farthest one. The only silver lining was that he didn't need to stop by his locker—he had all his materials in his bag.

He threw the door open, panting.

Professor Martinez turned to face him immediately.

Koi hesitated, scanning the room. He started toward his usual seat but froze.

Someone else was sitting there.

This chapt𝙚r is updated by freeωebnovēl.c૦m.

This had happened before, but today of all days?

As he anxiously looked around for another open spot, his eyes met Ashley Miller’s.

The guy smiled at him.

Koi’s stomach twisted.

There was only one open seat left—directly behind Ashley.

Ashley looked as cheerful as ever, flashing his usual bright, effortless smile, but Koi was in no state to return it.

He glanced around once more, just in case, but there was no escaping it.

"Are you going to stand there all day? Take your seat."

Professor Martinez’s voice left no room for argument.

Koi hesitated for only a moment longer before trudging toward the empty chair. He at least remembered to grab the handout from the professor before sitting down and placing his bag on the floor.

Class resumed immediately.

With a resigned sigh, Koi unzipped his bag, pulled out his pen, and finally looked ahead—

Only to be met with an enormous, immovable wall.

Ashley Miller’s back.

Why? How? For what reason?

No matter how much he craned his neck, he couldn’t see past him.

Maybe it was just in his head, but even the professor’s voice sounded muffled, like it was struggling to reach him beyond this impenetrable barrier.

So now even the path of a mere civilian like me gets blocked by the mighty Ashley Miller?

Koi spent the entire lecture fuming, glaring at the broad expanse of Ashley’s back.

Of course, Ashley never noticed.

*

"Connor Niles, stay behind for a moment."

The class ended, and students filed out. Koi was just about to slip away when Professor Martinez called his name.

He stopped, glancing at the departing students before slowly approaching the ✧ NоvеIight ✧ (Original source) podium where she stood waiting.

She looked him over with a concerned expression before speaking.

"Do you know why I called you?"

Koi hesitated, then shook his head.

"Uh... because I was late?"

If she was about to scold him for being late, he planned to explain that he had been up all night working on his assignment. Maybe—just maybe—she’d let him off the hook.

But Martinez’s expression only grew more serious.

"You didn’t turn in your assignment."

"What?"

Koi’s eyes widened in shock.

The professor nodded.

"Surely, you didn’t forget the deadline? You must have checked the date when reviewing the assignment."

"I—I did! I swear, I turned it in!"

A dizzying wave of panic washed over him.

All those sleepless hours—gone?