Chapter 158
Ashley simply stared at Koi's face.
The sudden tension made Koi immediately regret saying anything. Why did I bring it up? If Ashley wasn't going to say anything, I could’ve just pretended not to notice. Why stir the air and make things weird?
But if he really had done something to upset Ashley, Koi couldn’t just ignore it and walk away. Ashley was the one who reached out first, even though Koi had been too hesitant to make contact. He had even made time for Koi despite being so busy. If Koi messed up Ashley’s mood and then just brushed it off, wouldn’t that be incredibly rude?
With a serious expression, Koi sat there, enduring the heavy tension and waiting for Ashley’s response. After what felt like forever, Ashley—who had been staring right through him—finally spoke.
“Are you happy, Koi?”
The quiet voice held none of the meaning Koi had expected. Startled by the sudden question, Koi hesitated for a moment. Why would he ask that? He didn’t know Ashley’s intention, but the meaning was clear enough. So he answered honestly.
“Yeah.”
It was the truth. Lately, everything had been going well. It was the first time in his life he’d experienced days like this—so much so that every morning he had to pinch his cheek to be sure it was real. He had become friends with someone he once admired from NASA. Ashley had reached out first and even had a meal with him. Until he noticed something off in Ashley’s mood, Koi had been genuinely happy.
Ashley, confirming the sincerity in Koi’s expression, smiled faintly.
“That’s good.”
Koi paused when he saw him smile. Was that really a smile? The corners of his lips were up, and his eyes were curved—but something felt off. There was an eerie sense of contradiction. Ashley was smiling, but somehow...
“I hope your date tomorrow goes well. I hope it makes you really happy.”