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Isagi finds Nagi in the cafeteria, playing on his cell phone. Few boys are there this morning and the place is quiet for the conversation that Isagi needs.
“Hi, Nagi.” Isagi nods, not managing to sound too excited. He sits across from Nagi. “I have a question.”
Nagi doesn't respond, he doesn't even indicate that he's listening to anything, his attention focused on the phone and his fingers moving across the screen.
Isagi decides to speak anyway. “It's kind of stupid, but how do you think I'm supposed to… flirt with Bachira? I like him a lot... In fact, I'm in love and I could even confess my feelings. I noticed that you resumed your relationship...”
The only sound Isagi gets in response is gunfire in a game. Nagi continues to ignore him, starting to annoy the blue-eyed boy, begging to be helped with such an important matter.
“You know, Bachira is my best friend, and you date your best friend. I need any advice and you have experience with Reo—”
“Reo?” Nagi finally looks up, looking around. Isagi frowns. “Where is Reo?”
“Did you hear a word I said?” Isagi arches an eyebrow. “I was having an important moment here!”
“You said something about me and Reo.” Nagi answers before looking back at the phone. Isagi huffs, trying to control the urge to throw Nagi's phone to the ground.
“I was saying that I want to flirt with Bachira. If he likes me back, we can be boyfriends.”
“Good luck.” Nagi responds. Isagi's eyes widen, not expecting how complicated it would be to get help from Nagi. He regretted not going to Reo first.
“Okay, since you don't want to help me.” Isagi complains. “So just tell me how you and Reo got together. What you did or what he did. I just need some examples because I have no relationship experience.”
This makes Nagi more excited, even putting his cell phone aside to answer.
“It all started when Reo kicked me on the stairs at school” Nagi stares at the ceiling with bright eyes, as if he's envisioning the scene. Isagi looks at the same corner, but doesn't see anything.
“He did what ?” Isagi points out, curious about this moment.
“Oh, it wasn't a deliberate kick, he tripped over me and I dropped my cell phone. The way I picked up the phone with my foot made Reo fall in love at first sight and say he wanted me.”
Isagi looks confused, Nagi's ability to pick up anything with his foot is undeniably impressive, but it doesn't seem like something capable of making someone fall in love at first sight. Isagi can't see himself doing this in front of Bachira and winning him over.
“I think at that moment he wanted to say that he wanted me as a partner for football, but then I started to want him to become my partner for life.” Nagi explains.
“Wow .” Isagi sighs in admiration, impressed by how Nagi and Reo's relationship is more intense than he expected.
“I'm glad to know this trick because it caught Reo's attention. After that, my whole life changed...” Nagi continues. Isagi had noticed this before, but it's much easier to get Nagi to talk if it's about Reo. “We had problems, but we are making things work now.”
“You guys are on another level.” Isagi smiles. “I felt something for Bachira from the first time I saw him, but it's hard to put into words. He made quite an impression.”
Isagi remembers Bachira sleeping before the first elimination started and how they had a moment together to eliminate Kira, creating a mutual understanding from that moment. Isagi felt something unique awakening in him for the first time at that moment, and Bachira had a big part in it.
The subsequent friendship that began with Bachira is one of the best things about Blue Lock for Isagi.
“But wait, between the two of you, who started flirting with the other first? How did things work out until you guys started dating?” Isagi can't help but go into his analyst mode, needing more information to come up with a plan.
“I'm not good at flirting, I just stared at Reo hoping he would fall in love with me.” Nagi admits.
Isagi understands, since realizing his feelings for Bachira, it's been harder to know what to say to him without blurting out a few silly phrases like 'I'm hopelessly in love with you' and 'I think you're the love of my life'.
“But maybe the way I act is what made Reo fall in love. If you act like that, you might make Bachira fall in love too.” Nagi says, getting Isagi's attention. Nagi crosses his arms, ready to lecture.
“Speak up” Isagi feels his mind working, yearning for knowledge.
“Be lazy, let him carry you and your stuff, especially if you play dead after football practice. Get plenty of sleep, so you'll wake up with a pat on the head. Be pampered, make him give you a lot of attention during the day. All of this will help create closeness and he will fall in love with you.”
Isagi stares at Nagi for a long time, waiting for the moment when he will say that this was all a joke. Nagi doesn't change his serious face. He really meant every word Isagi heard.
Nagi has to be either the biggest genius or the biggest lucky loser Isagi has ever known.
Isagi feels his shoulders sinking deeper and deeper into the chair, partly surprised at how Nagi got someone like Reo, partly disappointed that he didn't get the help he was hoping for.
“So, let me see if I understand.” Isagi brings a hand to his chin. “You were totally dependent on Reo and that's what made him fall in love?”
“Maybe.” Nagi, surprised, also raises a hand to his chin, as if this was the first time he was reflecting on himself. “I also praised him a lot and did whatever he wanted, even if it was a lot of work. Did that help?”
“Of course, Nagi.” Isagi sighs in relief, finally figuring out that Nagi was doing something for Reo. “But it still surprises me, you act like that and Reo fell in love with you.”
“What’s the matter?” Nagi is offended by Isagi's accusatory tone. “He likes to take care of me and he likes me for who I am. I like Reo for a lot of reasons, but the first thing that got me was how he showed interest in a slacker like me.”
“I'm sorry” Isagi sits back down properly. “I don't think I need to ask how you fell in love with him. He has done so many things for you that it must be hard not to fall in love.”
“You're dumb? It's not just about the things Reo does for me. Don't you realize how handsome, smart, talented, kind, and very hot he is? I would have fallen in love with him even if he never paid attention to me. He is the type of person who is far superior to ordinary people.”
Isagi widens his eyes, surprised at how much Nagi has to say about Reo. Nagi really only looks excited in the heat of the moment on the football field, or when he's talking about Reo.
“Okay, you're right, I understand you.”
Nagi's usually calm countenance changes to a menacing one, with sharp eyes and furrowed brows, making Isagi confused.
“What do you mean by that? Do you think that way about Reo? Don't you dare fall in love with him, I'll finish you off—”
“Nagi! No! I just wanted to say that I understand, but I don't feel anything for Reo, don't worry!” Isagi defends himself, backing up a bit.
“What do you mean you feel anything for him? Do you despise him that much? Something is wrong with you.” Nagi's sharp tone cuts through Isagi with every irrational word.
“Nagi, holy shit. I meant I don't like Reo the way you like him, okay?” Isagi doesn't look away from Nagi's suspicious gaze. “I came to ask for relationship advice because I want Bachira! He's the only one I'm in love with, you fucking idiot.”
Nagi's assessment ends and he looks normal again, no more of the frightening expression that almost sent Isagi running.
“Okay, I'll try to help you then” so that you never fall in love with Reo . Isagi senses that Nagi wanted to end the sentence like that.
Isagi considers the possibilities, and best of all is not to ask Nagi for any more advice.
“I'll think about what I should do and maybe I'll ask for your help.” Isagi says, getting up from his chair. “Thank you, Nagi.” He doesn't really feel grateful.
“Good luck, Isagi.” Nagi says.
Isagi hopes to have better luck talking to Reo, because Nagi's advice wasn't the best.
The way Isagi acts with Bachira is something unique. Not only is Bachira his first best friend, he is also the first boy to win his heart. Isagi is unsure of what everything they do together could possibly indicate. Could they really be more than friends? Was Isagi mixing things up? He'll only know if he's taking a risk.
Just as he knows that Reo and Nagi were best friends before they became lovers, he hopes to have the same luck with Bachira.
Bachira is very special to Isagi, and the thought of losing him if he doesn't feel the same way haunts him. Isagi could accept being rejected by Bachira as long as he could still be friends with him.
Isagi found Reo in the practice room, finishing a squat. He approaches and is greeted by Reo giving a small wave and smiling, still catching his breath after training.
“Hey, Isagi. Good morning."
“Good morning.” Isagi greeted him, stopping beside him. “Reo, I'll get straight to the point. I'm in need of some advice.”
“About what?” Reo used the towel nearby to wipe the sweat off his face, keeping his attention on Isagi.
“About relationships. I like Bachira, but I don't know how to act to make him fall in love.”
“Wow, I thought you two were already dating.” Reo raises his eyebrows in surprise.
“I wish.” Isagi lets out a defeated sigh. “I'm scared to talk about my feelings and push him away.”
“I don't think that will happen. Really, I think you can ask him out now and things will work out.” Reo assures, squeezing Isagi's shoulder.
“I don't know.” Isagi ponders. “I admit, I'm unsure. I don't want things to drastically change between us.”
“I've already noticed how you and Bachira act. Dating your best friend is a very good thing when the feelings are reciprocal. You guys can still act like friends, but it has all the perks of being a couple.” Reo says confidently, almost making Isagi confident as well.
“Really? What changed after you and Nagi started dating?” Isagi asks, just wanting to fill in the information gaps to have some guidance on how to act with Bachira.
“Romantic dates, declarations of love, and you know…” Reo looks away. “Things.”
“What things?”
“Intimate things.”
“What kind of—”
“Aren't we here to talk about you and Bachira?” Reo flashes a forced smile.
“What—” Isagi is about to ask for an explanation when realization hits. He was asking invasive questions. “Sorry.” He murmurs. “Anyway, do you think I should take Bachira out on a date before talking about feelings?” Isagi changes the subject.
“Well, it might work for you. Trust me, I'm sure Bachira feels the same way."
“A date at the movies might be a good idea, right?” Isagi questions. “Bachira and I have similar tastes. We can watch something cool, then talk about the movie, then I start talking about feelings... It's a good idea, right?”
“Yes, it's a good plan. Do it." Reo encourages him. “Be honest about how you feel and he will understand.”
“You helped me a lot more than Nagi. Thank you Reo.” Isagi thanks him honestly, stopping his smile when he notices that Reo's expression is changing, not looking so friendly anymore.
“Where is Nagi? He ran away from training and me!” Reo crosses his arms in annoyance.
“He was in the cafeteria.”
“I bet he was playing on his cell phone like the addict he is! Don't date a boy who cares more about the next level of a stupid game than he does about his own boyfriend.”
Isagi is taken aback, not believing that Nagi is even capable of this. Until Reo himself laughs, raising a hand to his flushed face.
“Ah, this boy… Who am I kidding? No matter what he does, I'm still going to love everything about him. Even if he is lazy and doesn't express himself well, I forgive anything.”
It's easy for Isagi to understand what this means, Reo is in love and can't hide his feelings. Isagi gives a small smile, feeling his chest tighten as he thinks about all the things Bachira makes him feel and how he too wishes he was expressing everything he feels to the boy he likes.
“You two are adorable.” Isagi praises, seeing Reo's smile growing. “I think Bachira also won me over by being himself, even if sometimes he says and does strange things, I don't mind.”
“I understand you! That weird side of these boys is kind of cute.”
“Yes!” Isagi gets excited, thinking of Bachira that way. “And on the field, I love how good a player he is.”
“It's such a beautiful thing to watch, I feel mesmerized watching Nagi.”
“I am grateful to football for making me find Bachira.”
“Yes, my treasure is with me today because of my world cup dream. I love Nagi.”
“I love Bachira.” Isagi sighs in love. “Wait, you call Nagi a treasure?”
“Yes, he is my treasure!” Reo asserts.
“I should think of a nickname for Bachira too.” Isagi brings a hand to his chin. “He talked a lot about a monster... Can I call him my little monster...” Isagi mutters to himself, being interrupted by Reo's laughter.
“Little monster?” Reo scoffs.
“You call Nagi your treasure, you can't judge anyone!” Isagi accuses him, feeling offended.
“Treasure is much cuter than little monster!” Reo responds, still laughing.
“I take back what I said about you and Nagi being an adorable couple!” Isagi pouts. “You both love to make fun of others, right?”
“Sorry.” Reo says, wiping tears from the corners of his eyes. “Anyway, you and Bachira are a great match, I think you two will really make a lovely couple.”
Isagi accepts the compliment and ends up smiling. But that smile doesn't last long, fading the moment the door to the practice room opens and Nagi and Bachira enter.
“You were looking for Bachira to talk about something important, right Isagi?” Nagi speaks normally, but Isagi sees the scene unfold in slow motion, a disaster in the making.
“Fucking hell, Nagi.” Reo curses, not disguising his nervous expression. “Hi, Bachira. Bye, Bachira.” He grabs Nagi's hand, pulling him away.
“Hi Reo. Bye, Reo.” Bachira nods excitedly. “What did you want to talk about, Isagi?”
The only thing Isagi is feeling is fear. Fuck love, he doesn't want to love anymore. He wants to live in a peaceful world without creepy romantic feelings for his best friend. Maybe it's not normal to be shaking at being caught off guard, but he is.
That wasn't what Isagi wanted, he needed to be prepared, on a romantic date and with his words well thought out.
While all that swirls around in Isagi's mind are scenarios of destruction, Bachira displays a cute smile, waiting for Isagi to say something.
Isagi looks around, waiting for some idea to magically appear.
Isagi throws himself to the ground.
“I'm so tired, can you give me a piggyback ride?” Isagi can't believe the only thing that came to his mind was this stupid advice, but he does a perfect imitation of Nagi.
Bachira gives a smile amidst surprise, crouching down so he can grant Isagi's request.
“How unusual of you.” Bachira says, suspicious, but not questioning anything further. With no difficulty, he lets Isagi cling to his back.
“Yeah… Sorry.” Isagi murmurs, resting his face on Bachira's shoulder. He is feeling calmer now.
Bachira firmly grips Isagi's thighs, not seeming to have a problem with the weight on his back. He hums absently, having an energy that seems to shine like the sun, while Isagi feels like the moon, unable to ever shine as bright as he does. But he wants to be noticed by Bachira, he wants an eclipse between the two of them.
The feeling of firm touch on his thighs and the closeness with Bachira turns out to be something really good for Isagi. He stares at Bachira's face closely, admiring every detail, getting more distracted than he should by watching his mouth.
“It tickles.” Bachira tilts his head a little, feeling Isagi's nose brush against his neck. Isagi takes the opportunity to provoke Bachira, this time using his teeth to bite Bachira's neck. “Isagi!” Bachira laughs, almost losing his balance.
“Sorry.”
“You can continue.” Bachira assures, reaffirming with a tight grip on Isagi's thighs.
Isagi is delighted with what he's feeling because of this closeness between them, maybe Nagi's advice wasn't a total disaster after all. Now all he needs to do is follow Reo's advice and feel confident talking about his feelings.
When Bachira opens the door, they are taken aback by Nagi and Reo standing close together, obviously trying to hear what was going on inside the room.
Bachira shoots a sharp, suspicious look at the couple who freeze for a second.
“Hiiii, are you still there, haha.” Reo tries to act, caught off guard. “Did you find that, Nagi?”
“That what?” Nagi asks carelessly. Isagi notices Reo using as much self-control as possible not to yell at his boyfriend.
“What we are looking for here.” He laughs nervously. “You know what, I think you forgot it in the cafeteria. Let's go." Reo tries to run away from the situation, grabbing Nagi's arm.
“Hey!” Bachira draws their attention, leaving them paralyzed. “You guys were making out, right? Don't worry, we didn't see anything.” He winks.
“No—” Nagi mutters, but gets slapped by Reo on the back of the head.
“Yes, you're right. We'll be more careful. Bye.” Reo nods, pulling Nagi along.
“They are cute.” Bachira comments on the way to Isagi's dorm. “I hope to one day have a relationship like that.”
Isagi remembers everything he heard from Nagi and Reo and grimaces, he can't imagine him and Bachira acting like those two.
“You'll find someone who likes you the way you are, it's better that way.” Isagi decides to say, anxious about the words that really wanted to come out of his mouth.
“Of course! That's all I want. I just meant that I also want to have a cute relationship, act like idiots like the two of them.” Bachira sighs. “Whatever. It took me so long to make friends, I think it will take me even longer to date someone.”
Isagi feels his heart racing and hopes Bachira doesn't notice. He hugs Bachira more tightly, unable to give the heartfelt response he really wanted.
Later that same day, Isagi goes to cry in Reo and Nagi's dorm about how he couldn't confess.
“What is wrong with me?” Isagi whimpers, muffling the scream with a pillow to his face. He's sitting on one of the beds, with Reo beside him.
Reo tries to reassure Isagi by patting him on the head. From the other bed, Isagi feels Nagi's death glare and hears the sound of gunfire coming from his game every time Reo's hand hovers over Isagi's head.
“It's all right.” Reo reaffirms. “You can confess when you're ready.”
“Bachira looked so fragile, he was so sad and I had the perfect opportunity but I didn't speak up. I'm a big idiot.” Isagi snorts, leaning back against the wall.
“You did right.” Nagi finally says something. He rises from the other bed, taking the opportunity to remove Reo's hand from Isagi's head.
“What do you mean?” Isagi questions, stopping whimpering for the first time since he walked into that room.
“If you had confessed, Bachira might think it was out of pity.” Nagi responds. “Bachira was complaining about not dating someone, so imagine how weird it would be if you suddenly said you want to date him? He could misinterpret your intentions and you would live in a relationship full of insecurities on both sides, accumulating multiple problems and taking time to recover.”
“Babe.” Reo holds Nagi's hand. “They are not like us.”
“Too bad for them. We are perfect now.” Nagi leans down to kiss Reo's hand.
“You are perfect.” Reo chuckles.
“No, you are.” Nagi leaves more kisses on Reo's hand.
“Nooo, you are.”
“I am going to commit a crime.” Isagi coughs, reminding the couple that they have company. “What Nagi said makes sense. Also, I didn't want to seem rushed and just blurt out about something so important. I need to prepare myself, think carefully about what I want to say.”
“Exactly.” Reo agrees. “Don't feel anxious or anything, after all it's your best friend right there with you, even if he doesn't feel the same way, you two still matter to each other.”
Isagi nods, feeling the pieces fall into place and his confidence rising. He can do it, he just needs to calm down and find the right words. Bachira is very important to him, so nothing can go wrong.
“Thanks, guys.” Isagi says. “Tomorrow I will tell you what happened.”
“Good luck!” Reo wishes, nodding to Isagi.
Even before Isagi completely closes the door, he sees how Nagi lies on top of Reo, kissing him. He can't help but think if he and Bachira will also be able to do things like this soon.
The next day, Isagi wanted to dress up better before asking Bachira out, but he is stuck with the Blue Lock's limitations. He feels a little depressed as he realizes that he looks the same as ever, dressed in the blue clothes and his hair in the same hairstyle.
“Whatever.” Isagi points to the mirror. “You will manage to do this anyway.” He says with as much confidence as possible, heading for the exit while smiling at his own reflection.
Distracted, Isagi ends up bumping into someone on the way out of the bathroom, getting scared when he sees Bachira in front of him.
“Do what?” Bachira questions, hands behind his back.
“Nothing!” Isagi yells, shaking his head. “I mean...” He takes a deep breath, trying to control his nervousness and speak the way he spent the whole night practicing. Isagi tilts his head a little, giving a small smile and a look that should be seductive, he puts a hand on the wall and touches Bachira's shoulder with the other hand, in a pose that should convey confidence. “Bachira, are you free on saturday?” He says in a lower tone.
That sounded better in his head.
“Sure.” Bachira responds excitedly.
“So, do you want to go out with me? We could go to the movies.” Isagi asks, breaking out of that pose and returning to his usual self, excited by Bachira's response.
“Of course I want to.” Bachira opens a wide smile. “Sounds fun.”
“Yes, it will be a lot of fun.” Isagi sighs in relief. He managed to fulfill the first step of his plan.
Everything should go according to Isagi's meticulous plan. First, invite Bachira. Second, pick him up at his house on saturday punctually at the time they choose. Third, go to the movies and buy whatever Bachira wants (tip from Reo). Fourth, they talk about the movie. Fifth, start talking about romance. Sixth-
“Isagi, there's something I want to talk about.” says Bachira, head down. He starts walking and Isagi follows him. “But I don't really know how to talk about it.” Bachira smiles sheepishly.
They walk to a practice field, the first place they've trained together. Isagi is waiting for Bachira to speak, curious about this, but the first thing Bachira does when they get there is run after a ball. Isagi doesn't stay behind, running alongside him.
“You are the one always by my side, Isagi.” Bachira says, dribbling Isagi. “I also hope I can always be the one by your side.” Bachira tries to kick the ball to score a goal but is stopped by Isagi.
“Of course you can.” Isagi responds, managing to steal the ball from Bachira. “You are the best partner I have ever had.”
Things flow naturally between them, playing at the same level and it's hard for either of them to keep the ball for long. Isagi feels complete when playing alongside Bachira, without losing his individuality, as well as having his abilities used to the fullest. Bachira is the one who brings out the best in him, in football and in life.
“Isagi, I'm not just talking about football.” Bachira takes advantage of Isagi's short break to kick the ball away from him. He runs in the direction he kicked and Isagi runs after him.
“Wait, what are you talking about?” Isagi gets close enough to touch the ball as well, making the competition between them fierce.
The ball is stuck between their feet, which means their bodies are also a short distance away. Short enough for Bachira to gently hold Isagi's face with both hands and show a small smile. Isagi senses what is about to happen and his eyes close as he feels Bachira's peck on his lips.
While Isagi is distracted, Bachira moves away, takes control of the ball and scores a goal.
Bachira celebrates with excited screams and a few jumps, being stopped just as Isagi grabs his waist with one hand and the back of his neck with the other, leaning down to return the kiss, locking their lips together until they lose their breath.
“Isagi, do you want to be my partner off the field too?” Bachira asks when they break apart, panting.
“You mean, your boyfriend?” Isagi is panting too, stroking Bachira's face.
“Yes my boyfriend. Please be my boyfriend.”
“Of course I want to be your boyfriend.” Isagi responds, kissing Bachira again amid their smiles. "I had a plan to confess my feelings over the weekend, but I'm happier with how things turned out."
“Oh really? Sorry for messing up your plans.” Bachira says with a pout. “I didn't know what words to use so I just kissed you.”
“I was also a little unsure of what to say, so this way was much better.” Isagi confesses. “I love you so much, Bachira. You're the friend I didn't know I needed so much, and over time I started to dream of you being my boyfriend too."
“You said you were unsure of what to say, but you said it very well.” Bachira's face is flushed and Isagi finds him even more adorable. “I love you too, Isagi. I've been loving you for a long time.” Bachira smiles softly.
Bachira holds Isagi's face gently to kiss him again.
Isagi feels like the luckiest guy in the whole world having Bachira as his boyfriend. All the stress and anxiety he was feeling vanish in one breath. What's left now is to enjoy the feeling of happiness and love.
“I'm excited for our first date on saturday, boyfriend .” Bachira says.
“Me too, boyfriend .” Isagi smiles widely.
When Isagi finds Reo and Nagi in the cafeteria, he runs over to them, taking a seat in front of them.
“Guess what?” Isagi says excitedly, waiting for a response from the couple.
“Bachira confessed his feelings first.” Nagi guesses.
“How did you know?” Isagi is surprised.
“I told you it was obvious he feels the same way, Isagi!” Reo says excitedly. “I am so happy for you.”
Isagi's smile lights up even more when he sees Bachira arriving at the cafeteria. Bachira looks around and quickly spots Isagi, running towards him.
“Hi, couple. We are a couple too now.” Bachira announces to Reo and Nagi. He leans down to plant many kisses all over Isagi's cheek, not caring what the people around him might think. Isagi doesn't care either.
“Are we annoying like that too?” Nagi asks Reo.
“A lot.” Reo admits, watching Bachira and Isagi act like a clingy couple.
Isagi is happy that he finally got the boyfriend of his dreams.