Chapter 137
From the moment he set foot in the airport, Koi felt like he was halfway out of his mind. The East Coast was entirely different from the West Coast where he had lived until now—even the air was different. The blazing sunlight and the cool yet gentle breeze that contrasted with it—none of that could be felt here. There weren’t even the relaxed smiles of the people he was used to.
Startled by the rush of people briskly brushing past him with expressionless faces, he hunched his shoulders and walked on. The gray sky stretching overhead instead of the clear blue sky he knew felt strange. Koi carefully pulled his luggage along, avoiding the people charging forward like racehorses, eyes fixed only ahead.
After finally arriving at the motel he had reserved in advance and unpacking his things, the very first thing he did was search for a place to live. Even riding the subway, seeing people bump into one another and just keep walking without a glance—it was all unfamiliar. He felt like he had arrived in another dimension and let the hours slip by in a daze.
“Koi, welcome!”
The moment she opened the door and saw him, his former classmate greeted him with a warm hug, and only then did Koi feel himself relax as he embraced her back.
“It’s been a while, Elle. How have you been?”
“Of course, I’ve been good. Come in.”
Elle stepped aside without hesitation and let him inside. Koi handed her the bouquet of flowers he brought at the entrance, then paused when he saw a man he didn’t recognize inside the house. The man smiled and held out a hand.
“Hello, I’ve heard a lot about you. I’m Garrett White. Elle’s boyfriend.”
“Ah, nice to meet you. I’m Connor Niles, Elle’s former classmate. You can call me Koi.”
After they lightly shook hands, Ariel chimed in.
“Hungry? It’s almost ready. Want to start with a drink? I’ve got wine prepared.”