Chapter Text
Reo was bored.
Reo’s dad said preschool was important. That he had to learn to make friends and play. But Reo didn’t need to learn. Grown-ups already liked him, and other kids were just…meh.
He walked into the classroom with a bright smile, looking around, hoping today would be exciting. Everything was colorful. The floor was soft. There were tiny chairs and tiny tables and a big box of crayons.
There were no classmates, as Reo was the first one there. What should he do?
And then he saw it.
A huge pile of stuffed animals.
Reo’s eyes got all big and shiny. He loved plushies. They were soft and cute and fun to hug. He needed to see them all.
So he marched right over and stuck his hands into the pile, squeezing everything he could reach. There were bunnies, bears, puppies, but then-
Oh.
Something was extra soft.
Reo gasped. It was even squishier than his favorite lion plushie at home! He grabbed onto it and pulled
And out popped…
A boy ?
Reo blinked. The boy blinked back, all sleepy and slow.
He was smaller than Reo, with messy white hair and big, droopy brown eyes. His cheeks were round and squishy, and he had on the softest seal onesie. He rubbed his eyes with tiny fists and made a little humming noise.
“…Huh?” Reo was confused. This seal was alive!
The boy yawned cutely, “Mmm.”
Reo stared at him. Then he gasped again.
“You’re so soft!” he said, eyes sparkling.
The boy pouted, “...You woke me up.”
A toothy smile found Reo “You were in the plushie pile.”
The boy tilted his head. Then he flopped back into the plushies and whines“’Cause it’s comfyyyyy.”
Reo’s mouth fell open. That was the smartest thing he had ever heard.
He loved this seal.
I want him for my own!
Without thinking, Reo plopped down next to him. “I’m sitting here too!” he declared happily.
The boy didn’t say anything, just snuggled into the plushies again and closed his eyes.
Reo hugged a miffy bunny plushie (miffy also reminded him of the boy, now that he looks at it) and grinned at the seal.
This is my treasure! He’s mine now!
Reo notices the teacher worriedly walking around the classroom. Is she trying to find something? Is she also trying to find a treasure like me? Too bad, this seal is mine!
The teacher looked under the tables, behind the toy shelves, even inside the cubbies.
“Oh my goodness!”
She sounds relieved, looking directly at Reo’s treasure.
Right there, nestled in the giant plushie pile like he belonged there, was the tiny squishy boy who was completely wrapped up in a soft, full-body seal outfit. Only his sleepy little face peeked out, his cheeks pink and puffy from sleep.
The teacher gasped, then scooped him up in her arms.
“Nagi! Oh, you little baby!” she cooed, spinning him around.
Reo likes this teacher. Not only does she appreciate his treasure, Nagi was his name? But she’s the only teacher that isn’t odd with him. Reo doesn’t understand why every adult and some kids swarm him.
It’s all so boring.
But now, he’s actually happy!
Nagi let out a small, slow, “Mmm?” as if he had just now realized he had been found. His big eyes blinked up at her, all lazy and confused, his mouth forming a tiny pout.
The teacher hugged him close. “Where were you, sweetheart? I was so worried!”
“eepy” Nagi mumbled.
Reo, still sitting in the plushie pile, puffed out his chest proudly. “I found him first!”
The teacher giggled and ruffled Reo’s hair. “Well, thank you for helping, Reo! You’re such a smart boy!”
Reo beamed.
Then the teacher turned back to Nagi, inspecting his outfit. “Oh, dear… your parents just left you here without telling anyone?” She sighed. “And what is this? A whole fuzzy seal suit? No wonder you couldn’t move!”
Reo gasped dramatically. “He can’t walk?!”
Nagi yawned. “Didn’t wannaaa”
The teacher sighed again but smiled, shaking her head. “You are the cutest thing I’ve ever seen.” She hugged him one more time, then gently set him down. “Alright, Nagi, let’s get you settled, okay?”
Reo immediately grabbed Nagi’s flipper and held onto it tightly, “He’s my treasure!” he announced happily
The teacher chuckled, “Oh? You’ve already claimed him, huh?”
Reo nodded. He had never been more sure of anything in his life.
Nagi just blinked sleepily. “…M’kay.”
Nagi’s voice was soft, Reo thinks.
And just like that, Reo had his very first best friend.
Reo made grabby hands towards Nagi, inciting soft laughter from the teacher. She praised Reo for being a good friend and gently returned the mini seal back to him.
His new best friend -his treasure- was trapped! Well, not completely trapped. Nagi could move his arms just fine, and he used them to rub his sleepy little eyes, but his legs? Gone. Completely swallowed by the soft, round seal outfit. He looked like a tiny, fluffy beanbag with a face.
Reo was obsessed.
“I’ll carry you,” Reo announced, crouching down.
Nagi blinked at him, head tilting slightly. “Huh?”
“Piggyback!” Reo turned his back to him. “C’mon! I’ll take you everywhere.”
Nagi stared for a second. Then, with a slow, lazy little nod, he mumbled, “M’kay,” and lifted his arms, wrapping them around Reo’s shoulders.
Reo beamed. He hooked his arms under Nagi’s, heaved him up, and-
“Whoa! You’re so soft! Like a big dumpling!”
Nagi hummed. “Mmm. Warm.”
Reo could’ve exploded from happiness.
From that moment on, Nagi didn’t touch the ground.
During playtime, the other kids kept coming up to Reo.
“Reo! Wanna build a tower?”
“Reo, let’s play house!”
“Reo, wanna color with us?”
But Reo just shook his head firmly, adjusting his grip on his sleepy baby bundle.
“Nah, I’m busy.”
“Busy with what?”
He beamed, bouncing Nagi slightly on his back. “Taking care of my Nagi!”
Nagi, still snuggled up, mumbled, “yeah”
And that was that.
They played together- well, Reo played, running around the classroom, making spaceship noises as he zoomed Nagi through the air like he was a flying seal. They stacked blocks (Reo built them, and Nagi knocked them down with sleepy little pats). They colored together (Nagi held the crayons but mostly just let Reo guide his hand).
Even at snack time, Reo sat extra close, handing Nagi tiny bites of fruit like he was feeding a very rare, very sleepy baby seal.
By the time nap time rolled around, Reo flopped onto a mat, exhausted but very pleased with himself. He expected Nagi to just curl up somewhere nearby, but instead-
Plop.
Nagi flopped right on top of him, using Reo’s tummy as a pillow.
Reo’s breath caught.
Then, with a sleepy little sigh, Nagi mumbled, “Mmm. Leo is so comfyyyy.”
Reo’s heart melted.
He carefully, very carefully, wrapped his little arms around his soft, squishy best friend.
“I told you,” he whispered proudly. “I’ll take care of you forever.”
And in the sleepiest, softest little voice, Nagi whispered back,
“…kay.”
When naptime ended, the classroom was filled with the gentle rustling of blankets, tiny yawns, and the soft crinkle of juice boxes being passed around.
Reo blinked awake slowly, his arms still wrapped protectively around a warm, squishy bundle in a seal suit. Nagi was still curled into his chest like he owns the spot, rising and falling with each breath.
Reo smiled. His heart felt full and warm and happy.
“Nagi,” he whispered, gently brushing a bit of white hair from his friend’s forehead. “Wanna color with me?”
Nagi’s eyes fluttered open. He yawned, long and slow, before sitting up like a very tired marshmallow. “Mmm... okay.”
Reo giggled, stood up, and tugged Nagi’s flipper, “I saved the blue crayon for you! Let’s draw a big ocean. You can be the seal, and I’ll be a lion! A blue, ocean lion”
But just as he turned toward their usual spot by the art shelf, he heard shuffling behind him.
He turned around
And saw Nagi rolling on the carpet over to another table.
To where Isagi and Bachira were already coloring.
Bachira had a big grin on his face, waving a green crayon like it was a magic wand. “Hey, sleepy seal! Wanna help me make a koala-panda mixed with sleepy eyes like yours?”
Nagi pouted, “mean”
Bachira laughed and pet him
And just like that, he plopped down between them and picked up a crayon.
Reo stopped in his tracks. His tiny hands dropped the paper he had bought for them.
He stood there, watching as Nagi slowly started coloring with the others, his head tilted gently, his soft brown eyes following Bachira’s giggles and Isagi’s steady coloring.
Nagi didn’t even look back.
Reo’s chest felt tight. Like someone had gently taken the crayons out of his hand and whispered, “Not today.”
He walked back to their plushie mountain - alone - and sat down slowly.
The blue crayon was still waiting. The ocean paper still blank.
He rested his chin on his knees and curled into himself, watching Nagi from across the room.
It wasn’t like Nagi was his. Not really. But it still stung.
He had carried him, played with him, shared his snacks, hugged him all nap long...and now Nagi was with someone else.
Reo didn’t cry. He was a big boy.
But he did press the blue crayon a little too hard on the paper.
A small, sad swirl where the ocean was supposed to go.
Reo was sad. Like, really, really sad.
He was sitting all smushed up in the corner, hugging his knees, his cheeks puffed out like an angry chipmunk. His sparkly shoes didn’t even sparkle the way he wanted them to anymore. Everything was ruined.
His treasure - his seal - was playing with other people.
Reo peeked over his shoulder again. There was Nagi, still squishy in his seal outfit, coloring with Bachira and Isagi. Nagi was holding a purple crayon with both hands like it was heavy, and he patted Bachira when he made a silly face.
Reo turned back around and stuffed his face in his knees. He felt like a forgotten sticker sheet.
That’s when he heard a clomp clomp clomp.
Tiny feet stomping over.
Then-
“Why you makin’ that face?”
Reo peeked up through his fluffy bangs.
It was Chigiri. Red hair in a shiny ponytail. Hands on his hips like a Very Important Princess.
Reo sniffled. “M’not makin’ a face.”
Chigiri leaned in closer, squinting. “You look like a squished tomato.”
Reo scowled. “Go ‘way.”
But Chigiri just plopped down beside him, folding his legs all fancy. “You cryin’ ’cause your pet seal ran away?”
Reo’s eyes went big. “He’s not a pet!!”
Chigiri gasped and held up his hands all dramatic. “Okay okay! Not a pet. Just your... sleepy fish thing?”
“He’s a boy! He’s Nagi! And he’s mine!” Reo’s cheeks were puffed up now. Full pufferfish mode.
Chigiri tilted his head and wiggled a finger in the air. “You carried him like this- ” he mimed lifting a potato, “-fed him your juice box, let him nap on you like this-” he flopped sideways like a sleepy noodle, “-and now he’s colorin’ with other kids.”
Reo’s lip wobbled. “He forgot me…”
Chigiri picked up a crayon off the floor and started doodling a very bad horse. “So go get him back.”
Reo frowned. “What if he doesn't wanna…”
Chigiri didn’t look up. “Then you cry. Loudly. That always works.”
Reo blinked. That... actually did sound like a good plan.
But Reo was taught to be better than that.
Chigiri stood up with a flourish, ponytail swinging. “C’mon, Prince. Go get your sleepy dumpling.”
Reo stood up slowly, wiping his face on his sleeve.
And with tiny steps and a very big pout, he marched back to get his treasure.
As Reo took his first tiny steps toward the table, determined but still a little pouty, something magical happened.
Nagi looked up from where he’d been coloring with Isagi and Bachira. His sleepy brown eyes blinked once. Then twice.
And then, without a word, Nagi slowly started… rolling.
“Ah-!” Isagi tried to catch him.
“Wait, where ya goin’?” Bachira giggled.
But Nagi kept rolling.
Soft and round in his seal outfit, he gently wiggled side to side, arms tucked in, a piece of paper clutched tight in his little hands. Like a very determined, very sleepy baby seal on a mission.
Reo froze in place, watching with wide, sparkly eyes.
“N-Nagi…?”
Nagi rolled right up to him, bumping lightly into Reo’s legs.
He sat up slowly, hair messy, cheeks pink from the effort. Then, lazily, he held up the drawing in both hands.
It was a crayon picture of a baby seal and a lion sitting together at the beach. The lion had sparkly purple hair, and the seal had sleepy eyes. They were side by side, with a big sun and lots of little waves around them.
Reo gasped so big it made his tiny chest puff out. “You drew me?!”
Nagi nodded, rubbing one eye. “It’s us.”
Reo’s lip trembled. His eyes filled up with shiny little tears. “You didn’t forget me…”
He sniffled once, twice, and then the happy tears spilled out, eyes big and round and so relieved.
Nagi blinked, tilted his head… and then awkwardly patted Reo’s cheeks with his little flipper.
“Don’t cry,” Nagi mumbled sleepily. “I like you.”
Reo let out a giggly sob and wrapped his arms around Nagi in the squishiest, warmest hug.
“I like you toooooo!”
And for the first time since Nagi left him, Reo’s heart felt full again, like he’d found his treasure all over again.
As Reo hugged Nagi tighter, still clutching the crayon drawing against his chest, his tears stopped, replaced by the biggest, brightest smile.
Nagi blinked sleepily against Reo’s shoulder, arms wrapped loosely around him. “Mmm… warm…”
At the other table, Isagi and Bachira watched the scene unfold.
“They’re really cute, huh?” Isagi said softly, watching Reo bounce Nagi gently like he was holding a doll.
Bachira grinned, resting his chin in his hands. “Reo’s like, a shiny prince. And Nagi’s his little seal friend he found on the beach!”
“Yeah,” Isagi chuckled, “but I think the seal’s in charge.”
Bachira giggled harder. “Yeah! Reo’s all ‘my treasure’ and Nagi’s like ‘m’kay’ .”
Meanwhile, Chigiri walked over with a swing of his red ponytail, arms crossed, lips curled into a playful smirk.
“Well, well,” he teased, standing over them. “Look who got his seal back.”
Reo beamed up at him, proud and happy and still a little puffy from crying. “I did! He came to me! He rolled like a real seal!”
Chigiri crouched down next to them, his bright red hair shining in the sunlight streaming through the window. Then, gently, he reached out and pats Nagi’s fluffy hair.
“Good seal,” Chigiri coos, giving Nagi’s head a gentle pat.
Nagi leaned into it, closing his eyes. “Mmm.”
Reo giggled and held Nagi closer, wrapping an arm around his tiny shoulders. “He’s the best seal.”
Chigiri sat back on his heels, watching them quietly for a moment. Then he smiled a tiny smile. “Yeah. I like him too.”
And for the rest of playtime, Reo and Nagi stayed side by side; coloring, stacking blocks, and snuggling in their own little world, surrounded by friends who smiled from a distance, happy to see their prince and his baby seal exactly where they belonged.
As the sun dipped lower and the classroom lights turned soft and warm, the sound of laughter and play faded into happy goodbyes. Parents trickled in, one by one, scooping up their noisy little ones, backpacks swinging and shoes getting tied.
“Young master Reo” a gentle voice called from the doorway.
It was Ba-ya, standing tall and graceful in her pretty scarf, holding Reo’s tiny jacket. “Time to go.”
But Reo shook his head.
“No.”
Ba-ya tilted her head, surprised. “No?”
Reo sat stubbornly on the mat, arms wrapped tight around Nagi.
“Not leaving him.” Reo’s voice was small but serious. “His mama and papa didn’t come yet.”
Ba-ya stepped closer, crouching gently beside them. “Aw, young master, I’m sure they’re on their way.”
But Reo hugged Nagi tighter, shaking his head. “I’m not gonna leave him alone.”
Behind them, the last few kids were being picked up.
“Bye, Nag! Bye Reo!” Bachira waved, skipping out the door.
“See ya tomorrow!” Isagi called.
Chigiri passed by with a grin. “Good job, prince.”
One by one, the room emptied. The blocks were cleaned up. The crayons put away. Chairs pushed in.
But Reo stayed.
He rocked Nagi gently in his arms, humming the little tune Ba-ya always sang when he couldn’t sleep.
Ba-ya watched quietly, her heart soft and full. She sighed, then sat down on the mat beside them. “Okay,” she murmured, brushing Reo’s purple bob. “We’ll wait together.”
And so they waited.
The classroom grew quiet. The sun dipped down, painting the floor in golden stripes.
And Reo, with his treasure safe and warm in his arms, didn’t let go.
Not even once.
The teacher paced by the door, worry deep in her eyes. Everyone else had gone home. The room was quiet now- only Reo, Ba-ya, and Nagi still there, Nagi snuggled soft and sleepy in Reo’s lap.
“Still no answer from his parents…” the teacher sighed, glancing at her phone. “I don’t know what’s taking them so long.”
Reo hugged Nagi tighter. “It’s okay. I’ll wait.”
Just then, the classroom door creaked open.
A woman stepped inside.
She was the most beautiful person he'd ever seen. So beautiful Reo’s mouth fell open a little.
She looked exactly like Nagi. She had long, snowy white hair that flowed down her back, soft sleepy brown eyes, pale skin glowing like moonlight. She wore fancy clothes and shiny shoes, and she smelled like lemons and clouds and something Reo couldn’t name.
“Ah, there you are,” she said lazily, glancing down at her phone before looking at Nagi. “Come on, Seishiro.”
Nagi blinked slowly, lifting his head from Reo’s chest. “Mama…” he mumbled.
She smiled faintly but didn’t kneel down or hold out her arms. “Let’s go, sweetie”
Reo’s heart squeezed.
The teacher stood up, relieved. “Oh! Thank goodness. We were so worried-”
“Sorry, I had… things,” Nagi’s mom waved dismissively, already checking her messages again. “He’s fine.”
Reo’s chest burned. He watched as she barely glanced at Nagi, didn’t even notice the way he clung to Reo, the tiny yawn, the sleepy eyes full of trust.
She didn’t even see how soft and perfect he was.
She just...expected him to follow.
Reo felt his fists clench at Nagi’s back.
“No.”
Nagi’s mom paused, blinking down at him. “What?”
Reo stood up, arms still wrapped around Nagi protectively. “He’s coming home with me.”
The room went quiet.
Ba-ya let out a tiny gasp. The teacher’s eyes widened.
Nagi blinked up at him, his face soft and surprised. “Leo…?”
Reo puffed his chest, standing tall even though he was still tiny. “You didn’t come for him! You left him! You didn’t hug him, or carry him, or feed him juice, or pat his head when he was sad!”
His cheeks turned pink with determination. “He’s my treasure! I’ll take care of him!”
Nagi’s mom stared for a long moment. Then, softly, tiredly, she smiled. “That’s very sweet, little one. But he’s my son.”
Reo frowned, hugging Nagi closer. “Then why didn’t you come for him?”
Silence again.
Nagi leaned his cheek against Reo’s shoulder, arms looped loosely around Reo’s neck. “Mmm…I like Reo.”
Reo felt his heart swell at that tiny sleepy mumble.
He turned back to Nagi’s mom, gaze fierce. “He’s coming with me.”
Ba-ya gently stepped forward, kneeling beside Reo. “Maybe we can invite Nagi over sometime, hmm?” she said kindly. “You two are very good friends.”
Reo looked up at her, lip wobbling. Then he looked down at Nagi, who blinked at him sleepily, still tucked close, still trusting him completely.
Reo hugged him tighter. “Okay. But… but just for now he’s mine”
Nagi’s mom sighed again, brushing her hair over her shoulder. “Fine. One playdate.”
And as Ba-ya led them out, Reo’s heart felt light again, because even if it wasn’t forever, his treasure was still safe in his arms.
And for now, that was enough.
That night, the house was filled with the soft sound of giggles and the rustle of blankets.
Reo’s big bedroom had turned into a fortress of pillows and plushies. Fairy lights twinkled overhead like tiny stars. Nagi sat curled up in the middle of it all, still wearing his seal outfit, hugging a stuffed lion Reo had given him. Reo's favorite plushie!
They’d played all afternoon; coloring, building block castles, eating little sandwiches Ba-ya made, watching cartoons under a big blanket. Nagi followed Reo everywhere, quiet and sleepy and soft, always staying close.
And now, as night wrapped around them, Reo’s phone lay silent on the nightstand.
No messages. No calls.
Ba-ya had tried all afternoon. The teacher too. But no one had answered.
Reo sat beside Nagi, watching him snuggle the lion. “They still didn’t call…”
Nagi blinked up at him slowly. “Mmm.”
Reo frowned, puffing out his cheeks. “That’s it.” He stood up on the bed dramatically, fists clenched at his sides. “I’m keeping you!”
Nagi tilted his head, sleepy eyes shining in the fairy lights. “Keep me?”
“Yes!” Reo declared. “I’ll take care of you. Forever. You’ll stay here, with me! You’re my treasure, and I’m never giving you back.”
Nagi stared at him for a long moment. Then, slowly, he sat up, holding the lion close.
“…Promise?” he whispered.
Reo blinked. “Promise?”
Nagi’s voice was small and soft. “You’ll stay with me…till the end?”
Reo’s chest swelled up so big it almost hurt.
He knelt down in front of Nagi, took both of his little hands in his own, and nodded fiercely.
“I promise,” he said. “I’ll stay with you. Forever and ever and ever.”
Nagi’s lips curved into the tiniest, sleepiest smile.
“Okay,” he murmured.
And then he leaned forward, resting his head against Reo’s chest, hugging him quietly, the lion squished between them.
Reo wrapped his arms around him tight, holding his treasure close as the fairy lights twinkled above them.
His heart is full, the last thing he sees before sleeping is the framed drawing on his wall that his Nagi made today.
Reo meant it.
Forever.