Chapter 60
Ashley didn’t say a single word as he led Koi away. He didn’t greet any classmates who acknowledged him, didn’t offer even the smallest smile. He just kept walking fast, gripping Koi’s shoulder tightly like he was afraid he might bolt at any moment. Because of that, Koi had to practically jog just to keep up, feet barely brushing the ground at times.
Ashley brought Koi behind a remote building, a quiet path that hardly anyone ever passed through. There, Ashley finally stopped and looked down at him. Koi, panting like he was about to die, couldn’t even catch his breath, but Ashley didn’t let go. He released his arm from around Koi’s shoulders only to grab both of Koi’s arms instead, fixing him with a steady gaze.
Haa... haa...
Ashley watched him struggle to breathe, waiting in silence. Only after Koi’s gasping finally calmed did Ashley speak.
“You okay?”
“Y-yeah...”
Koi nodded quickly, eyes locked on the ground, unable to look up. Ashley’s voice came again from above him.
“What happened yesterday?”
Of course.
Koi’s heart, which had only just begun to slow, immediately started pounding again. He stammered.
“W-what do you mean?”
He still couldn’t bring himself to look up. Ashley’s frustration grew the more Koi stubbornly avoided eye contact.