Chapter 81
Ashley asked with a frown. Koi silently held it out and waited. Ashley looked at it with clear skepticism but eventually accepted it, albeit reluctantly.
When he opened what he held, it turned out to be a small, folded two-dollar bill. Koi always carried it with him. It looked so old—creased, worn down, and nearly falling apart.
Ashley stared at it for a moment, then handed it back to Koi.
“I have two dollars too.”
The idea that Koi would give away what was clearly his lucky bill—something he’d likely treasured for years—just to help win a homecoming game seemed absurd. But instead of taking it back, Koi clasped his hands behind his back and said,
“You don’t have this two dollars.”
A small, almost painful smile pulled at the corners of his mouth. Ashley realized Koi was trying, in his own way, to lighten the mood. That effort helped soothe Ashley’s wrecked feelings, and he couldn’t help but chuckle. When Koi let out a relieved sigh, Ashley offered the bill back again.
“It’s okay. This means something to you.”
Koi nearly teared up at his kind words, but he held it back, smiled, and gently pushed Ashley’s hand away.
“I already got my wish.”
“Wish?”
“Yeah,” Koi nodded. “I met you.”