Kiss Me if You Can-Chapter 20Vol. 2

Chase remembered that moment too. Embarrassed, but also aware that he could always suspect and hold Joshua back again if need be.

Taking the empty glass from Chase, Joshua asked, “Another?”

Chase shook his head.

"Where am I?"

With a tired voice, Chase asked, and Joshua gave the answer he had anticipated.

"Hospital clinic at the mall. You just passed out, so we moved you here."

Chase paused before asking again.

"How did you know?"

"The head of security contacted me."

Joshua added in a neutral tone.

"He told me to be the first to be contacted if anything happened to you. He’s quick, the team leader. Probably caught on when you came to my house."

After saying this, Joshua casually shifted the topic.

"Your turn to talk now. I’ve explained everything."

Joshua now spoke in a much firmer tone.

"Why did you go in there knowing it was dangerous? You didn’t have to. Your manager even told you to wait in the lounge."

"......"

"Chase, speak."

When Joshua urged him again, Chase reluctantly opened his mouth. But before he spoke, he let out a long sigh.

"Where’s Pete?"

Joshua readily answered in a calm voice.

"He’s in the other room playing. Want me to call him?"

"No," Chase shook his head. He didn't continue speaking right away, unsure if he was thinking or if he had nothing more to say, but Joshua waited in silence. Finally, Chase spoke. His voice came after a prolonged pause.

"I just wanted to do anything Pete wanted. That's all."

"Pete wanted you to pass out surrounded by dogs?" Joshua teased.

Chase didn’t laugh at Joshua’s remark.

"I wanted to buy him a dog because he likes them."

"You don’t like them."

Joshua pointed out, and Chase responded reluctantly.

"I have to do everything Pete wants."

Joshua stared at him quietly as he trailed off, closing his mouth.

"Chase."

Joshua began gently.

"You can't have everything you want. No one can. It's not something you can get, or something I can give."

"But—"

"Instead, you give what you can."

Joshua interrupted.

"Learning what’s lacking is part of growing. Getting it through your own effort is also a form of learning. Chase, just because you give someone everything they want doesn’t guarantee they’ll like you. It’s the same the other way around. So, there’s no need to force what you can’t do."

"But—"

Chase tried to argue again.

"I have to overcome it, the trauma."

"You don’t need to."

Joshua’s tone was firm.

"You can still be happy without a dog. Pete can too. He’ll learn happiness through something else. Likewise, Chase, you don’t need to be scared of dogs. You don’t need to push yourself to the point of losing consciousness."

"Why?"

Chase asked with genuine curiosity, and Joshua’s answer was simple.

"You have bodyguards."

"Heh."

Chase let out an incredulous sound, completely taken aback. But Joshua was serious.

"Your bodyguards will protect you, so why do you have to overcome something you hate? Just let them do it. That’s why you have bodyguards."

Joshua’s words were almost too logical, making it hard to argue. Chase remained silent, and then Joshua added softly.

"He’ll love you even if he’s not perfect. I love you, so..."

The confession Joshua had once been about to make, he now did. With a smile, he raised his hand and brushed Chase’s forehead, then leaned down and kissed him. Just as their lips were about to meet...

Knock knock.

Suddenly, there was a knock at the door, and Joshua turned around in surprise. Beyond the open door stood the head of security with Pete.

"Pete."

Joshua spread his arms wide and called out, and Pete immediately ran into his arms. Joshua gently patted Pete’s back and spoke.

If you are reading this translation anywhere other than Novelight.net or SilkRoadTL, it has been stolen.

"How did you get here? Were you worried about Chase?"

Pete nodded, burying his face in Joshua’s chest. After a moment, Joshua spoke again.

"Well, you should see for yourself. Check if Chase is okay."

"......"

"Yeah?"

Joshua gently urged as he kissed the top of Pete’s head. Only then did Pete turn his head, glancing shyly at Chase. Their eyes met, and Chase, instead of telling him not to worry, tried to smile at him. He thought it might help comfort Pete more, though he wasn’t sure.

Before Chase could get his smile fully in place, Pete suddenly spoke in an unexpectedly firm tone.

"You don’t need a dog."

Chase, and even Joshua, were both taken aback, blinking in surprise.

"Really, Pete?"

"Yeah."

Pete nodded once more, and Joshua asked again.

"But you like dogs, don’t you?"

Pete hesitated for a moment, but then, after furrowing his brow, he sighed deeply.

"If Papa doesn’t like it, then I don’t like it either."

Follow current novels on ƒreewebηoveℓ.com.

"......"

At first, Joshua thought he must have misheard. But it wasn’t just him who heard it.

"What did you just say?"

Chase suddenly shouted in disbelief, and Joshua turned toward him without realizing it. Chase was staring at Pete with wide eyes, looking utterly shocked. His hand, gripping the side table, trembled slightly.

Joshua was just as puzzled. Did Pete even realize what he had said?

"I know."

Pete answered clearly.

"Grandma told me that instead of Mama, I have Papa. That Papa would come to meet me."

"......But how did you know it was Chase?"

Still confused, Joshua asked. Chase was equally curious. Pete thought for a moment, his brow furrowed, before mumbling and then speaking.

"Because he’s just like me."

"Just like you? How?"

Joshua, who had heard countless comparisons of Pete looking like him, was taken aback by this fresh shock. Did Pete actually think he resembled Chase? With some expectation, he waited for the answer, and Pete tapped his head.

"Hair color, same."

Ah.

Only after hearing that did Joshua finally understand. Pete was right. His bright blonde hair was just like Chase’s—exactly like it had been when Chase had dipped that chocolate bar.

Finally, Joshua thought. He had found the proof that Pete and he didn’t reproduce through asexual means.

Suddenly, a laugh burst out of him, and he couldn’t stop laughing, seeing the confused faces of Chase and Pete.

"Good job, Pete. You deserve a prize. What do you want?"

Joshua asked with a smile full of laughter. Pete paused, unsure, and Joshua realized what Pete wanted.

"Pete, how about a sibling instead of a dog?"

"What?"

"Really?"

Chase was the first to react, shouting in surprise. With a knowing look, Joshua shook his head.

"No, Chase. I’m not pregnant yet."

"Ah...."

Chase sighed in visible disappointment. Joshua knew what he was thinking. After all, they’d spent a week together during the rut period, and since he couldn’t even remember clearly, it was easy to think Joshua might have been pregnant.

But it was wrong. Joshua had the same thought and even took a pregnancy test, but there was nothing.

"Steward said it might have been due to your pheromone levels being unusually high back then. He said the exact cause needs more research."

"So?"

"I said no."

Joshua answered quickly, and then, as if the matter was closed, he changed the subject.

"Let’s have a second child."

It seemed like the right time, now that everyone was saying they’d take a break for a year.

"Really, Joshua?"

Chase blinked in disbelief. His voice shook with emotion.

"Really, is this for real?"

"Yes."

Joshua nodded and continued.

"But before that, there’s something we need to do."

"What?"

Chase asked eagerly. Joshua grinned mischievously.

"We need to get married."

At that, Chase let out a short laugh. Joshua, still holding Pete, bent down and kissed him. Still softly pressing their lips together, Joshua asked.

"How about a honeymoon baby for the second one?"