Chapter 150
This isn’t right.
Koi hastily pulled himself together. Ashley had, at the very least, offered to be his friend. That alone was something to be grateful for. To feel disappointed—how selfish could he be? Get a grip, Connor Niles.
He scolded himself sternly, straightened up, and turned his full attention back to Ashley sitting across from him. Ashley had made time for him despite his busy schedule; he couldn’t sulk his way through the evening.
You’re at a private members-only restaurant—pull yourself together.
Renewing his determination, Koi followed Ashley’s lead, steadying the unfamiliar food on his plate with his fork and carefully slicing into it with his knife. He brought it to his mouth with the herbs on the side, but the texture was different from what he expected. Naturally, he couldn’t smell it, and the taste was just as absent. Still, the texture wasn’t bad, and he slowly rolled it around in his mouth.
Then Ashley spoke.
“It’s steamed scallop. Try it with the sauce.”
Did he forget that I can’t taste things well?
The thought crossed Koi’s mind, but then he realized—of course Ashley wouldn’t remember. It had been over ten years. It would be stranger if he did remember those little details. Resolving himself again, Koi nodded and obediently cut the remaining scallop, dragging it through the sauce on the plate. He was determined to act like he was enjoying it—if only to keep Ashley from worrying. Even if he wasn’t sure he could pull it off.
...Huh?
Koi paused mid-bite. It was clearly different this time. He could taste it. His eyes widened unconsciously. Though the flavor faded after a few chews, the moment it touched his tongue—he had definitely tasted something. A sweet and tangy flavor from the sauce. The scallop itself.
“It’s... good.”