L*ck Me If You Can-Chapter 70

“Team... bonding?”

Koi stammered in the midst of the cheers that followed Ariel’s announcement like it was the most natural thing in the world. While the rest of the team scattered to gather their things, Ariel looked back at him with a frown.

“Yeah. Is there a problem?”

“Um, well... it’s just...”

Koi couldn’t bring himself to finish. He looked away, squirming. He really had no money today. With his part-time job limited to weekends, his income had dropped dramatically—and even then, he often missed shifts because of practice. At this rate, he was worried he might get fired. Every penny mattered.

And now they were talking about Green Bell.

If it had been a cheap fast-food place, maybe he could’ve managed. But Green Bell was way out of his budget. He’d have to decline.

Though, truthfully, he wanted to go. He was only just starting to open up with the others, beginning to find his rhythm. This would’ve been a perfect opportunity to talk and bond. He wanted to have a group, like Ashley and his friends, but reality wouldn’t let him.

And on top of that, he still had to buy a cheer uniform. He didn’t have a cent to spare.

He was still torn between wanting to go and facing reality when Ariel, who had just let her ponytail down, shook out her thick hair and spoke.

“You really should come. It’s a team bonding moment.”

Just then, the vice-captain popped up behind her.

“You’ll regret it if you don’t. We’re picking out the new cheer uniform design tonight.”

That made Koi cautiously ask,

“Um, even with the new uniforms... I still have to wear a skirt, right?”

“Oh, of course!”

The vice-captain answered in an exaggerated singsong voice like a Disney character, then turned away to finish packing up. Yeah... there’s no way I can go. Koi swallowed his disappointment. He didn’t even have money for a soda. There would be other chances. He just had to wait.

“Um...”

“Are you skipping because you don’t want to wear a skirt?”

Ariel cut in with a scowl. Koi jumped and quickly shook his head.

“N-No! It’s not that. I mean, I do want to go, it’s just...”

“Then go. You’re not a guy to us anyway. Well, you’re not a girl either, but you’re... something else.”

Is that better than ‘jalapeño’? Koi wondered, then quickly snapped back to reality.

“I mean, I know you guys don’t see me as a guy, and yeah, I’m not a girl either, but still...”

He trailed off, unable to {N•o•v•e•l•i•g•h•t} say what he really meant. Ariel interrupted again.

“I sold your hunk of junk.”

“...What?”

Blinking at the sudden change in subject, Koi stared at her as she continued.

“Your rusty old bike. My dad sold it.”

“He sold it? That thing?”

Updat𝓮d fr𝙤m ƒгeeweɓn૦vel.com.

He echoed dumbly, still confused. Ariel nodded without hesitation.

“Yep. Turns out even junk’s worth something—twelve bucks, to be exact.”

“Uh... I mean, yeah, but...”

Where was this going?

He was still reeling from the news that the bike had actually been sold—why bring it up now? Seeing his confusion, Ariel elaborated.

“It was so busted he barely got twelve dollars. Anyway, here.”

“Huh?”

Ariel pulled a crumpled bill from her wallet and held it out to him. Koi just stood there, mind blank. She waved it again like she was telling him to hurry up, but he couldn’t bring himself to take it.

“Why are you giving me this?”

“It’s the money from your bike.”

“Right, but... you gave me your bike.”

Ariel tilted her head back and sighed dramatically toward the ceiling.

“Just take it. Why do you talk so much?”

“I’m just saying...”

“Ugh, seriously.”

She stuffed the bill straight into his damp shirt. The money slipped between the sweaty fabric and stuck to his skin. Before he could react, Ariel turned and walked away.

“Don’t skip out! We’ve got an important meeting!”

She shouted as she disappeared toward her car. Koi carefully peeled the damp bill from his shirt and just stood there, staring in the direction she’d gone.

*

Everyone else had already arrived at Green Bell and was waiting for Koi. He was the only one who’d ridden a bike—everyone else had driven or carpooled. In truth, that had been their way of giving him an easy out. As a temporary member, he could’ve just gone home, and they wouldn’t have held it against him. But Koi, of course, didn’t realize that.

“Koi! Over here!”

One of the girls waved from the entrance, having spotted him looking around. They were already holding menus and picking what to order. Koi walked over with an awkward shuffle.

Cheerleaders were popular at every school. Naturally, their members drew attention. Even now, other teens in Green Bell were sneaking glances at the group. When Koi joined the table, he noticed the looks shift, and people began to whisper. Embarrassed, he slid into the seat at the very end.

“We’ve already picked ours. What do you want?”

The vice-captain handed him a menu. But Koi only had one option.

“Uh... cola. No ice.”

“And?”

“That’s it.”

He shook his head. Even though Ariel had given him some money, he still needed to buy a uniform. Every cent still counted.

But he couldn’t ignore Ariel’s kindness. And he really did want to be part of something like this, even if he was just tagging along with the girls.

“You won’t build muscle like that.”

This translation is the intellectual property of Novelight.

Ariel teased him, but Koi could only give a sheepish smile. The orders went in, and the girls launched into chatter. Boyfriends, makeup, favorite pop stars—just silly things, but Koi loved it. Sitting there in the corner, red-faced, he listened with glowing admiration.

Then a bell rang.

The atmosphere in the room shifted. Koi glanced toward the entrance—and froze.

With the usual commotion, the Buffalo High ice hockey team had arrived, flooding in through the doors.

“Ah—”

“Oh!”

They spotted each other at the same time. The hockey players saw the cheerleaders and immediately made their way over.

“Whoa, you guys are here too?”

“What’s going on? Why’re you here?”

“Dumbass, obviously for dinner. What else do you come to a restaurant for? What about you guys?”

“These overgrown gorillas are just here to eat the whole place out of business.”

Even with the teasing, both groups were smiling. It was obvious they got along.

...Ashley’s not here?

He’d said he’d get the final word today about whether he could rejoin the team. Maybe he just stopped by for the result and went home early? Koi scanned the crowd, searching. As if reading his mind, someone asked aloud,

“Where’s Ash? He skipping practice again?”

“Nah, he had to park far away. He’ll be here soon.”

Hearing that, Koi felt relieved—but also curious. Did things go well? Was that why they were all here?

Then someone from the hockey team suggested merging tables.

“Hey, should we move over? It’s cramped here.”

Bill made the suggestion, and no one objected. The girls picked up their glasses and stood, while the guys went ahead to pull out chairs for them.

Ariel also stood to move with the others, and Koi rushed to her side.

“Um, hey... Elle.”

She turned, and Koi awkwardly found the courage to speak.

“About earlier—I didn’t get a chance to say this, but... thanks. For the bike, and... everything.”

“It’s fine. And let’s not talk about it anymore. I did it because I wanted to. As long as you weren’t uncomfortable, that’s enough.”

“Uncomfortable? Of course not, why would I be?”

He looked surprised, and Ariel glanced at him before turning away.

“I might’ve crossed a line a little. If I didn’t, that’s good.”

Her cheeks were slightly red as she walked toward the table. Koi stood frozen, stunned. Ariel? Embarrassed? After showing him that much kindness, he never expected her to be the shy one. He felt overwhelmed by gratitude and affection.

“Elle...”

He murmured her name and started to follow—just as the bell rang again and the door opened.

Ashley walked in.

He stepped inside, looked around once, and immediately spotted Koi. A bright smile lit up his face—but then froze. Ashley’s gaze shifted from Koi to Ariel, who was standing just a little too close to him, then back to Koi.

What are you doing?

It almost felt like Ashley had spoken the words aloud. At the same moment, the cheerleaders started whispering. Then they split into two groups and rushed to both Ashley and Ariel.

“Come on, sit here.”

“What are you doing? Let’s get started!”

They chattered as they pulled the two over, seating them side by side. Then they quickly filled in the seats around them with alternating cheer and hockey members.

Koi, who’d been standing there watching, ended up with the seat farthest from Ashley.