L*ck Me If You Can

Chapter 193

“Koi!”

“El!”

The moment they saw each other, they embraced tightly in joy. After one more firm squeeze, they let each other go. Koi looked down at Ariel with a bright smile and spoke first.

“Have you been well? I’m sorry I didn’t call for so long.”

“It’s fine. I should be the one apologizing for calling you over like this.”

Ariel furrowed her brow apologetically and ushered Koi inside the apartment. He stopped in the living room and waited while she let out a sigh and continued.

“No matter what I tried, I just couldn’t fix it. You’re the only one I could ask.”

“It’s okay. I’m glad I can help.”

Koi smiled readily, and Ariel returned the smile, still looking a little guilty, before heading to the kitchen. Koi looked at the sink she pointed out, turned on the water to check the drainage, and then spoke.

“It’s not too bad. I think I can fix it by taking apart the pipe underneath... but it might get a little messy. Do you have any old towels or clothes you don’t mind ruining?”

“Yeah, just a sec.”

She hurried off and returned with a bundle of cloths in her arms. While Koi knelt and began laying towels around the sink and getting to work, Ariel took a seat at the dining table. Watching him move quietly but efficiently, she couldn’t help but think—

He looks kind of cool right now.

Get a grip. He’s like a little brother to me.

Ariel scolded herself and let out a dry chuckle. She always found herself drawn to men who were professionals in their work. Garrett had been the same. That thought brought a twinge of bitterness.

“Garrett used to do stuff like this. It kind of sucks not having him around.”

“Where’d he go?”

Koi asked casually, wondering if Garrett had gone off on a reporting trip or something. Ariel responded in a calm tone.

“We broke up.”

Koi, surprised, paused mid-motion and looked over at her. Ariel went on, unfazed.

“Living together, you start to see things that don’t work out. He took the last of his things last week. It’s completely over.”

“I-I see.”

Koi didn’t know what to say and could only mumble a weak reply. Ariel smiled, as if to reassure him.

“It’s not a big deal. You date, you break up, then you meet someone new. That’s just how life is. I’ll find someone else.”

And she probably would. Ariel had always had a boyfriend, and now that she was single again, there’d be plenty of guys lining up to date her. Koi nodded in agreement, and Ariel let out a sigh.

“The problem is rent. When I was splitting it with Garrett, it was manageable. But now? No way I can afford this place alone.”

At that, Koi looked around the apartment. Three bedrooms, two bathrooms, in a good location—it had to be expensive. Living here alone would cost a fortune. His concern must’ve shown on his face, because Ariel quickly added:

“Don’t worry, I’ve got options—like house sharing or something. But what about you? You seem to be doing very well with him, huh?”

The sudden topic shift made Koi flinch, his eyes going wide. His face turned bright red as he flailed to look away. Ariel snorted, unimpressed.

“No need to be so shocked. I knew the second I saw you. You reek of his pheromones.”

“R-Really?”

Koi quickly glanced over his body, but of course he couldn’t tell. Ariel teased him with a sly grin.

“How close do you have to be for a beta to smell like a hyper-alpha? If not for your eye color, people would think you’re the hyper-alpha. You sure no omegas reacted to you on the way here?”

“Uh... I was fine. The front desk arranged a taxi for me, so I just took that...”

So you’re basically living with him now, huh?

Ariel frowned, picturing Ashley’s smug face. That fox must’ve used some sneaky trick to sweep Koi off his feet. Everything had progressed way too smoothly.

Well, at least he looks like he’s doing okay...

By then, Koi had finished the repair. After reconnecting the pipes and letting the water run to check for leaks, he gave a satisfied nod. Ariel happily grabbed his hand.

“Thanks, Koi. That was so quick.”

“It wasn’t that bad.”

Koi looked embarrassed, and Ariel smiled as she offered,

“You should stay a bit longer. I’ll make some tea and bring out snacks.”

Then, glancing over him once, she added,

“Wanna wash up? Your clothes got pretty dirty. Garrett left behind a shirt he said I could toss—I'll give you that.”

“Ah, sure. Thanks.”

This translation is the intellectual property of Novelight.

Ariel led him to the bathroom, handed him the shirt, and returned to the kitchen. Left alone, Koi exhaled a small sigh of relief. If Ariel had seen his naked body, she might’ve screamed. He glanced over his skin, still marked by bites and kisses, then quickly washed and changed into the clean shirt.

When he came back out, Ariel was just finishing up the tea. She smiled at him as she poured.

“I’ve been obsessed with this tea lately. Want to try it? Or should I get you something else?”

“This is fine. I’ll try it.”

At his answer, she handed him a cup and finished setting the table. Once the snacks were out and they sat facing each other, Ariel finally got to the point.

“So... tell me. How are things going with him?”

“Huh? Oh...”

Koi’s face flushed bright red almost instantly. Asking a friend how things were going with their partner was perfectly normal. Ariel had just talked about her breakup with Garrett like it was nothing—so naturally she’d be curious about Koi, too. But for him, it was unfamiliar territory, and it showed.

“W-We’re doing well. Really well.”

He kept his eyes on the teacup, speaking softly. His face grew hotter, his heart pounded, and finally, he admitted:

“We... like each other.”

The teacup Ariel had been lifting stopped mid-air. Koi continued, still unable to look up.

“I, um... told him I liked him. Kinda blurted it out. And then Ash... he...”

Too embarrassed to go on, he ducked his head. Ariel slowly set her cup back down. She couldn’t help but imagine what that snake-tongued bastard had said.

“He said... he’s always loved me. That he’ll only ever love me. That he’s only ever loved me.”

You con artist piece of shit.

Ariel’s jaw nearly dropped. Watching Koi fidget in shy happiness across the table made her want to scream. That smug bastard had completely seduced this innocent boy and devoured him whole. It was unbelievable.

But maybe... it had been inevitable. Ariel had introduced Koi to Ashley back when he wasn’t getting paid. If there was blame to be placed, it was hers.

You tried to dodge a fox and ran into a tiger instead.

She had no idea how to deal with this now. Her mind raced with thoughts, but none made it to her mouth. Koi looked so genuinely happy, his face glowing as he smiled bashfully.

Ariel knew how hard Koi had struggled. How lonely he’d been. Was it really right to crush this happiness now?

But Ashley... he had a fiancée. He went to those pheromone parties every week.

Ariel fought not to say it out loud. If Koi found out, how much would it hurt him?

Maybe he’d say it doesn’t matter now... but logic and emotion never walk hand in hand.

It would weigh on him, and nothing would ever feel the same again.

He said he really loves Koi.

Ariel tried to reassure herself. Whatever Ashley’s intentions were, that part at least felt true. Would he really go this far if he didn’t mean it? There was nothing to gain from it.

But still... those ominous things Ashley had once said—she just couldn’t forget them. As Ariel wrestled with her thoughts, Koi spoke up again.

“Um, so... Ash said he’d help me get a job, but since I don’t know when that’ll happen, I’m thinking of getting a part-time job in the meantime.”

“Huh? A part-time job?”

Snapped out of her thoughts, Ariel asked quickly. Koi answered, still shy but looking determined.

“I want to buy a ring.”

“A ring?”

She echoed the word back, stunned. And Koi, still blushing, declared with quiet pride:

“I’m going to propose to Ash.”

At that, Ariel’s jaw nearly hit the floor.