Chapter 53
“Thanks again for today, Ash.”
Koi stood by the roadside, his face flushed red as he spoke. Ashley pulled shopping bags filled with several new outfits from the trunk and frowned.
“Are you sure I don’t need to walk you home?”
“Yeah, I’m sure. It’s just right over there. Really close.”
Koi quickly added,
“It’s a narrow alley. Cars can’t really get through. It’s better to say goodbye here.”
He could’ve asked Ashley to walk with him the rest of the way—but he didn’t. Not once. Since Koi was clearly determined to say goodbye here, Ashley didn’t press further.
I’m not Koi’s boyfriend.
Ashley whispered to himself. He was still just a friend. For now. So he decided to let Koi have it his way.
“...Alright.”
Whew.
Koi let out an unconscious sigh of relief, then looked up at Ashley, gripping the heavy shopping bags with both hands. It was nearly midnight, and the world around them was cloaked in deep darkness.