L*ck Me If You Can-Chapter 21

Ashley’s car pulled up in front of the school, arriving fifteen minutes earlier than the scheduled time.

Koi, still pale from the harrowing drive, sat in the passenger seat, gasping for breath.

Only when Ashley snapped his fingers in front of his face did he finally come back to his senses.

“We’re here.”

“Huh? Oh—oh.”

Koi blinked rapidly before blurting out,

Visit fгee𝑤ebɳoveɭ.cøm for the best novel reading experi𝒆nce.

“Th-thanks. We really made it on time...”

Awe filled his voice—but so did concern.

“...Are you okay? I mean...”

He hesitated, worried that Ashley had pushed himself too hard because of him.

As if reading his thoughts, Ashley smirked.

“My body? Or the car?”

“Both.”

Koi answered seriously.

Ashley shrugged lazily.

“Might have racked up a few tickets.”

“...What about you? Your fever hasn’t completely gone down, has it?”

Koi reached out, intending to check his forehead, but Ashley smoothly avoided his touch.

“Just go inside. I’ll wait here.”

“You’ll wait?”

“Yeah.”

Ashley said it like it was no big deal.

“Don’t worry about me. I’ll just kill some time.”

“...Okay.”

Koi hesitated before finally stepping out of the car.

He left his phone with Ashley.

“Um... I’ll see you here after?”

“Yeah. See you when it’s over.”

“...Okay.”

Reassured, Koi quickly turned and ran toward the exam hall.

The sound of a car horn echoed behind him as Ashley pulled away.

...The fever’s coming back.

The moment he was alone, exhaustion crashed down on him.

The medicine had worn off.

Of course, it had—Koi had given it to him over twelve hours ago.

Sluggishly, Ashley drove through the area, looking for a pharmacy.

He needed to take something and get some rest.

That was his plan—until he glanced down and realized something.

He was still wearing his pajamas.

“...Haah.”

With a deep sigh, he changed course.

First, he needed to go home and change.

As he drove, his to-do list kept growing.

Shower. Change clothes. Eat something. Check if he had any medicine at home...

The more things he added, the heavier his body felt.

At times like this, it would be nice to have someone around.

Not to do anything for him.

Just to be there.

Koi’s face suddenly flashed through his mind, and he quickly shook his head.

It’s just because he took care of me yesterday.

It doesn’t mean anything.

Turning the steering wheel, he silently told himself—

Absolutely not.

*

Koi was doomed.

His mind was completely blank as he trudged out of the exam hall.

He didn’t even remember what he had just written.

The only thing that had filled his head during the entire test—

Was Ashley.

Is he okay?

This translation is the intellectual property of Novelight.

His face was flushed. The fever must still be there.

Now that I think about it, his eyes were a little unfocused too...

I should’ve just told him to go home and rest. I could’ve walked afterward.

No! Focus! This isn’t the time to think about that! He pushed himself to drive me here. I can’t let that go to waste!

Focus, Koi!

...But what if he’s still waiting outside?

Focus, Connor Niles!

What if he collapsed?

Connor Niles, take the damn test first!

Ashley, just go home and rest...

Connor Niles!

All day, his thoughts had been at war with each other.

And before he knew it, the exam was over.

He left the hall feeling like a pile of ash.

The parking lot was packed with cars.

Parents had come to pick up their kids.

Normally, Koi would pass by them and ride his bike home.

Like always.

Alone.

But today was different.

His heart was a tangled mess of nerves and anticipation as he scanned the rows of cars.

Is Ashley here?

Disappointment crept in.

It’s better if he’s resting.

Relief followed.

It’s fine. I’ve always been alone.

Loneliness settled in.

But when I [N O V E L I G H T] get home, Ash will be there, right?

And with that thought—

Warmth bloomed in his chest.

His emotions swung wildly, like a rollercoaster.

It was the first time he had ever felt so many different things all at once.

But that unfamiliar sensation was nothing compared to what came next.

The moment Koi spotted the familiar Cayenne among the rows of parked cars, his chest swelled with something indescribable.

Ah.

The disappointment of possibly failing his exam vanished.

His mind was consumed with only one thought—

Ashley, Ashley, Ashley.

He muttered the name over and over under his breath as he hurried forward.

His quick steps turned into a run.

His heart pounded madly in his chest at the thought of seeing Ashley.

Excitement overwhelmed him, making it impossible to stop.

The distance wasn’t far, but impatience gnawed at him.

Panting, Koi finally reached the car—but he hesitated before opening the door.

What if it was the wrong car?

He fidgeted anxiously before cautiously peering through the window—

And then he froze.

He hadn’t been wrong.

It was Ashley’s car.

And Ashley was inside, asleep in the driver’s seat, his head resting against the headrest.

Koi stood there, staring at him.

A strange mix of emotions stirred inside him.

He felt sorry for him.

He felt guilty.

He felt grateful.

And—

...He felt something else.

Wait.

What was that last thought?

Before he could process it, Ashley stirred, shifting slightly before exhaling a tired sigh and rubbing the back of his neck.

Then, he turned his head—

And their eyes met through the glass.

For a moment, they simply stared at each other.

Ashley blinked sluggishly, as if still lost in a dream.

It took him a few seconds to register reality.

“...Ah.”

A quiet sound of recognition left his lips.

Then, he reached out and unlocked the passenger door.

Finally snapping out of his daze, Koi quickly climbed in.

“Did you wait long?”

The first thing he asked after getting in.

Ashley answered casually,

“A little.”

Koi glanced at him and smiled.

“You went home?”

Ashley started the engine, preparing to drive off.

“I realized I showed up in pajamas.”

“That’s fine. You still look cool, anyway.”

Koi said it sincerely.

Ashley chuckled.

“You’re way too into me.”

Koi flushed but didn’t deny it.

Ashley always looked good—but somehow, even in just a simple t-shirt and jeans, he looked effortlessly stunning.

Maybe it was because he was still recovering, but his usually sleek, waxed-back hair was a mess, falling naturally over his forehead.

But Koi liked him either way.

“How was the test? Did it go well?”

Ashley asked as they pulled onto the road.

Koi gave a vague response.

“Uh... just so-so.”

And then quickly changed the subject.

“But what about you? How are you feeling? Did your fever go down?”

Ashley smirked.

“Uh... just so-so.”

He repeated Koi’s words exactly.

Koi couldn’t help but laugh.

“Why do you always copy me?”

“Do I?”

“Yes.”

Hearing Koi laugh, Ashley laughed, too.

His cheeks were still a little flushed, but he definitely looked better than yesterday.

Thank god.

Koi let out a silent breath of relief.

Before long, they arrived at the estate.

If Koi had come alone, he would have had to wait forever in the visitor lane, go through security, and probably call Ashley to confirm he was allowed in.

But since he was with Ashley, getting through was laughably easy.

They bypassed the line of parked cars and drove straight through the resident gate.

Koi let out an awed,

“Wow. That was fast.”

“I live here.”

Ashley responded nonchalantly as he kept driving.

The last time he had come here, he had been too distracted to take in the surroundings properly.

And this morning, he had been too nervous about the exam to pay attention.

But now, riding in Ashley’s car at a slow pace, he finally had the chance to look around.

The mansions were massive, each uniquely designed and grand.

They were so enormous that when he spotted a slightly smaller one, it almost seemed “cozy” in comparison.

But no matter what, the biggest one was still Ashley’s.

Koi couldn’t understand why someone who lived alone would need such a gigantic house.

It made him think—Ashley’s parents must really care about him.