Chapter Text
“Reooo,” his name echoed throughout the tiny living room of Nagi’s apartment, making his barely mustered up voice seem louder than it really was.
The living-kitchen space was open plan. So it was no surprise Nagi’s voice had reached into there as well, especially with how empty it was. Characteristic of Nagi. The pantry mirrored the fridge. No real food to speak of. Empty aside from air tight sealed jars and cans.
What was inside them was something never to be questioned.
Reo hummed, looking down to see what his treasure wanted, eager to fulfill any request. Nagi did the opposite, he tilted his head upwards to meet the other boy’s gaze. His eyes fixed squarely on him.
They laid comfortably on the couch, Nagi a cushion lower than Reo. His head rested evenly with his hips, and shoulders flush with his legs. It was like a soft yet heavy cloud fallen neatly into his lap.
“The game is forcing me to make a decision. Such a pain.” Nagi whined, shutting his eyes as he waved his phone in Reo’s direction, “make it for me, Reo~”
“Huh?” Reo asked between a laugh, “I don’t even know anything about this game.”
That lazy, heavy cloud shifted in place. Moving the phone closer, “you don’t have to, it’s just about the colour. Choose for me, Reo~”
He couldn’t help but smile, caving and taking the phone (as if there were any resistance to begin with.) He looked closely at the screen, unable to really make out what he was looking at. The screen seemed weirdly fuzzy, and he wasn’t even sure if those were real words… At least he could tell they were all different colours.
He let out a sigh, full of fondness, handing the phone back to his dear Nagi. “Why not choose the white one? It matches your hair.”
“Mmkay.” Nagi tapped the white option without a second thought and continued playing, although the way the character reacted to Nagi’s controls seemed odd, not quite moving in line with his thumbs. Reo really knew nothing about this game.
“Reooo.” Nagi called again, “pet my head.” Reo chuckled, how could he forget? He burrowed his fingers into Nagi’s messy white mop, just as requested, Nagi happily leaning into the touch.
“Reooo.” Nagi called one more time, Reo hummed in response, as he awaited his next request. There wasn’t a single one he wouldn’t fulfil for his treasure.
“Kiss me, Reo.”
Reo blinked.
Reo blinked twice.
He stared at the barely illuminated ceiling, lights from the city below nothing but a thin line drawn between the curtains, eyes heavy and burning.
That dream again.
He shifted himself slightly upright onto his elbow, and sighed as he pinched the bridge of his nose.
Having his sleep disturbed threw him off immensely. He needed a perfect 8 hours of sleep from late night to early morning, no interruptions. Otherwise his entire day would be ruined.
It seemed like today wouldn’t be a good day.
Sluggishly, he rolled out of bed, patting the walls to make his way to the bathroom.
Nagi didn’t seem to have that problem, always falling asleep at wildly different times every night, (or should he say morning?) then proceeding to sleep through all his classes, and lunch, and…
Ah.
There he went again.
He turned the knob on the tap and watched the water pool into a cup he’d made with his hands. His head felt about as heavy as his eyes. He let himself fall face first into his hands, a groan escaped from the back of his throat as the cold sensation sunk into his skin. There, that should calm him down.
Really, it was no wonder Nagi always appeared in his dreams.
It’d taken a lot for Reo to convince him to play soccer. He’d traced him all the way to the roof top more times than he could count.
And now that they were friends, he still had to keep him at the forefront of his thoughts. How to keep him happy, keep him comfortable, and keep him entertained. Always. At least enough for him to stick around.
Your dreams tend be what you last thought about before drifting off, after all.
As for the content of those dreams… Well, they were just dreams after all, nothing Nagi needed to hear about.
And besides, Reo knew firsthand that Nagi wasn’t the type to involve himself in something he didn’t care about, and Nagi had no reason to care about Reo’s dreams. If Nagi didn’t ask, then Reo didn’t need to disclose.
He pat his face dry with a towel and brushed away any hairs that may have stuck to his face.
He clicked off the light in his ensuite and stepped back into his bedroom.
Mikage Reo was no fool.
He knew the solution to a can of worms wasn’t a can opener.
He pressed his knee into the mattress and climbed back into bed. Just then his phone lit up with a notification. The contact name and profile picture were immediately familiar. A contact he would receive messages from in class, and when he looked to his side, he’d see a friend with his phone tucked not so subtly under his desk, pretending to be asleep. A text from Nagi.
Nagi: Reo look
Nagi sent a screenshot of his new high score. Reo didn’t know this game or what the score meant, but if Nagi felt the need to share, then it must’ve been impressive.
Nagi: oh
Nagi: it’s 3 am
Reo sent a laughing sticker back.
Reo: Seems like you’ve been hard at work
Reo: But my treasure needs his rest, doesn’t he? Otherwise how will he work hard at practice tomorrow?
Nagi: :x
Nagi: goodnight Reo
Reo: Goodnight ❤︎
Reo snickered to himself, smiling like an idiot. Maybe waking up at 3 am wasn’t so bad after all. Thanks to it he’d gained another moment with Nagi that he could tuck away safely within himself, and smile every time he remembered it. Nagi was a treasure and so was every moment he spent with him.
Ah.
There he went again.
“Why did you reply to me?” Nagi asked. Never breaking eye contact with his phone as he tapped away at it, seemingly trying to shoot a mob of zombies.
Reo froze for a moment. He and Nagi were sat shoulder to shoulder in their usual lunch spot in the stairwell. Reo had fed Nagi his lunch until he’d gotten tired and refused to chew any longer. Which, needless to say, wasn’t very much. He hadn’t even gotten to the pickled radishes yet.
There were two options. Either take matters in his own hands, holding him by the jaw and moving it up and down, helping him chew. Or giving up.
It would’ve been the former if Nagi wasn’t so stubbornly committed to his laziness. Though he wondered if eventually their relationship would somehow cross even more boundaries, and Nagi would ask him to “chew for him.”
Ah.
There he went again.
“Ah… when you texted me last night?” Reo seemed hesitant.
But Nagi nodded all the same. “Reo is never up that late.”
This was easy to play off. There were many normal and casual reasons Reo should’ve been able to conjure the second Nagi had asked. But that dream playing back in his head left him in silence for several seconds, suspicious seconds. The fact that he’d fumbled this was a disgrace to the Mikage name and business negotiation skills that’d be drilled into him since birth.
Speaking of business negotiations, Reo quickly wore a smile befitting for such a meeting, “I just went to the bathroom. I went back to sleep right after.”
“Oh.” Nagi went straight back to his game. Safe!
Nagi then nestled himself into Reo’s lap, expecting head pats, which he of course received. The position Reo almost always found them in when he dreamt.
Sometimes he found himself thankful for how little Nagi spoke. Even though it left most of, if not all of Nagi’s thoughts and feelings as a guessing game for Reo. It also left Reo’s feelings unattended, easy to hide. In a weird way, it was relaxing, it’d become familiar. Reo couldn’t help but relax too, settling in as Nagi’s pillow.
“Reooo,” Nagi shifted slightly. “My neck itches.”
“Here?” Reo asked, grazing his nail just under Nagi’s ear where some hairs had seemed to go astray.
“Mhm.” Nagi hummed in acknowledgment.
Reo scratched it, no questions asked. “Better?” He asked once more, letting his hand linger.
“Mhm.”
Only then did he draw his hand back. Running it through his hair and brushing it away from his neck. He smiled to himself, delighting in taking care of his treasure.
He should polish it well, never smudging it.
—
Reo, Reo, Reo.
The name effortlessly filled his head. Escaped his lips as easily as breathing.
When they first met, one of the first things Reo told him was to call him just that, Reo. A request that seemed common of him. Everyone called him that.
Which just made him confused. Why did he feel the need to ask when he was already going to call him Reo?
He never got the answer to that question. Even though he asked it to himself every time Reo seemed shocked when he’d say his name, as if Reo were the one finding answers.
In the first few days they had known each other, Nagi wouldn’t have enough hands to count how many times he saw that shocked face. Did he say his name that often?
But that shocked expression was gradually replaced by a smile. Reo would smile every time Nagi said his name. He liked that smile. It made him want to say his name all the more.
The same smile he sees now.
Reo, Reo, Reo.
Nothing ever seemed like too much or too little between them. One touch said it all, one look shared all of his thoughts. Nagi loved that. He wouldn’t have to worry about anything as long as he was with Reo.
Maybe if they stayed like this a bit longer, his friend would completely forget about the soccer practice he’d had planned for them.
Oh, but Reo would smile if he did well today, wouldn’t he? Big and wide, like him and Nagi were the only two people in the whole world. Like how he felt right now.
He could see it so clearly. The blades of grass that’d gotten stuck to his shoe and the sun that illuminated Reo’s smile, shining brighter than it already did to him. The ball in the net. Reo would put his full body weight on him, “as expected of my treasure!” He would call.
He guessed he could listen to at least one reminder.
“….gi….”
“…a…gi…”
“Naaaaaagi!”
He scrunched his nose. His eyes closed tighter. Reo was calling him?
“Come on~”, Reo was shaking him too. Nagi opened his eyes, just about as lightly as Reo was shaking him.
He fell asleep? When? He doesn’t remember. How much of that was a dream? It probably started as soon as Reo’s voice had started to fade out, thoughts of smiles framed by purple hair blooming in its absence.
This happened almost every time he had lunch with Reo, which was every day. It was some of the best sleep he ever got.
“There you are~” Reo grinned. It made Nagi’s eyes open wider. “It’s almost time for class.” Never mind, he wanted to go back to sleep. He sunk himself deeper into his lap in protest. But he had barely a moment before his eyes fluttered open again. The sound of Reo’s laugh was enveloping him, it almost reminded him of being crushed by Reo every time he scored a goal. In a good way.
He slowly rolled over. Much like a hibernating bear, not quite ready for winter to end. “Reooo. Piggyback.”
“You can’t be that tired, can you?”
“I ammm… Nagi of the dead.”
Reo laughed again, the sound was so pretty. For a moment he wondered if sounds could even be pretty. But the answer didn’t matter, because this one definitely was.
Class went by in a flash, sleeping through the entirety of it will do that.
“Naaagi.” Reo’s voice softly rang out, gently trying to wake him.
Nagi had already been awake for a few minutes. But pretending to still be asleep might get Reo to spoil him even more. He barely opened his eyes, like he was on the brink of falling back asleep, “Reo…” He mustered up in his best ‘I’m barely even alive’ voice.
Reo chuckled in response. “Come on, sleepyhead~ we still have to practice.”
Oh.
Well, he did say he’d listen to at least one reminder… Breaking his promise would probably be a pain.
Nagi let out a monster of a yawn, but Reo wanted him to be a monster of a soccer player right about now.
“I know you can do better than that, Nagi!” Reo passed him the ball.
Nagi caught it under his foot, even with his eyes closed and more focused on rubbing away the sleep. He’d caught that pass hundreds of times. “Too tired.”
Suddenly his cheeks were being squished. He thought Reo was further away than that. “You’ve done better than that while tireder, no excuse.” Reo teased.
Nagi could only whine in response.
“Try kicking it over here!” Reo was already running to the goalpost.
Nagi couldn’t help but open his eyes at the sound of movement. His eyes bore into the way purple hair bounced with each step. Strands that clung to his cheek were quickly banished by a flick of the head.
Waves gently cascading onto the shore, a conch shell emerging from the sand.
“Here!” Reo called. Nagi lifted his leg to kick, with much more force than before. Reo barely had time to react before the ball came surging into the net. He looked at the goal, then at Nagi. He smiled widely. “See!” Reo exclaimed. He crouched to retrieve the ball, “and I didn’t even have to bribe you with gacha pulls~”
Nagi’s ears perked up. His eyes widened.
Suddenly he became incredibly sluggish. Slouching over with dangling arms about to touch the ground. “Ehhh… Reo, I’m dead. I can’t play anymore.”
Reo burst into laughter, “oh? Need a bribe to revive you?” Nagi nodded. “How about 5 goals for 500 pulls? Sound good?” Nagi nodded once more, Reo passed with ball with a grin.
Reo was the best, Nagi thought.
Wind blew Nagi’s hair into his eyes. What a pain, he would’ve thought. Only if thoughts of Reo’s laugh, as his fingers tried to fight his hair back from the clutches of the wind, hadn’t been so distracting. He wanted to turn his head and rest his other cheek on Reo’s back. But then the sunset would be beaming straight into his eyes. Not even his eyelids would be enough of a shield. The wind was the lesser of two evils.
Although Reo drove the bike steadily, each pebble along the road forced Nagi’s grip around his waist to tighten, then stirred him from his almost sleep. He wanted nothing more than to sink into Reo’s back and drift away. Pebbles were such a pain. The true evil.
“Where am I taking you? Your place or mine?” Reo asked from the front seat.
Nagi had to grumble a bit before being able to speak, however still not opening his eyes. Opening his mouth was enough effort. “If we go to yours, Reo will force me to eat fancy food...”
Reo gawked at his answer. He shook his head but didn’t take his eyes off the road ahead, “athletes need their protein, Nagi!” There was still a fondness in his voice, despite the confrontation with one of Nagi’s worse habits.
“Protein is a such a pain~” Nagi whined.
—
Five steps into a ten step skin care routine, Reo fanned his face dry. He waited a moment before unscrewing the top of the next solid glass bottle. Taking the chance to readjust the headband holding his hair back.
Each individual product cost more than most people’s grocery bill. Even the spool he used to comb his eyebrows was at least 20,000 yen, and the price of the 100% silk pyjamas he usually wore was more than quadruple that. The same set he had a spare of, one size bigger, stashed away for Nagi’s visits.
But he wasn’t wearing those today.
Instead he wore a cotton long sleeve, mismatched with the pants. One size bigger. Some threads had started to come loose at the edges and the fabric had started to pill. As if they’d been tossed into the machine with the tag’s washing instructions left ignored.
Much cosier than his usual.
As he went to put everything away, he gave pause to the open cap of toothpaste sprawled on the laminate counter. And the still wet toothbrush lazily thrown into its holder, about to fall out any second.
He tipped the toothbrush into the right position and closed the toothpaste tube. He put it away with the rest of the products that were filling the bench.
It’d become a familiar sight by now, but it was still one that made him smile.
The first time he saw this bathroom cabinet it was mostly empty. But with each stay over, the empty space grew smaller and smaller.
At first he’d assigned a section to himself so there would be no mix ups, but Nagi’s stuff was just toothpaste and deodorant.
Now the system would be completely indiscernible to someone who wasn’t them.
Unlike Reo, Nagi had headed straight for bed as soon as the hair dryer went silent. Unlike Reo, he didn’t own a single skin care product. He could wake up after a day of sweating where he hadn’t washed his face with completely clear skin. He really was one of the chosen few.
Ah.
There he went again.
He clicked open the door of Nagi’s room. As expected, he was dead asleep.
He sat lightly on the bed, being careful not to disturb his precious treasure’s sleep. As he watched the slow steady breaths he took, he couldn’t help the smile that tugged at his lips.
With a fond sigh, he turned around to let his hair out of the plush headband. He still had to comb it. But he was stopped in his tracks when he went to put it down. His grip tightened instead as a chill ran up his spine.
“Reooo…” Nagi whispered as his fingers slid around his waist.
“Yeah?” Reo replied, as if he hadn’t nearly just scared him to death.
Nagi stared up at him with half lidded eyes. Silent for a moment. Reo stared back, still antsy. “How much longer are you gonna take?” He finally said, not able to keep his eyes open anymore.
Reo laughed softly. Both with relief and general fondness, “I’m almost done~”
Nagi just curled further into himself in response. Reo took that as a go ahead to get up and comb his hair. But he was pulled back again by the hand that hadn’t left.
“Nagi…” he couldn’t muster even a sliver of sternness to his voice. He was just too weak.
“Reooo… Come lay here.” He pat his hand against his chest. Eyes still closed.
Aaaah, he was just so weak. He was laying there before he could even think. “Here?”
Nagi shook his head. “More.”
Reo had his hands rested on Nagi’s chest, while his chin was on the back of his hands. He could only express his confusion with a smile. “Huh? What’s more supposed to mean?” His smile was still filled with so much adoration. Nagi’s eyes seemed to open for a moment.
“Your whole body…” Despite the trailing off, he had nothing more to say. Those really seemed like the only words necessary to him. Reo just sighed, smile not breaking for a second.
“Like this?” He swept his legs over so their bodies were flush. Nagi on his back and Reo on his stomach. Like the sheets laid over the mattress, perfectly fitted.
“Mhm…” Nagi seemed exceptionally relaxed. Wait, was he already asleep? Reo couldn’t deny that he too felt exceptionally relaxed, as he reached to pull the quilt over them both and settled in.
Despite how out of it he’d felt this morning, today wasn’t as bad as he thought it’d be.
It was Nagi. It was Nagi that brought him to life. Even though he was the reason for his poor sleep, he was also the one to wake him up. He’d almost forgotten about that dream.
Actually, wasn’t there something else he’d forgotten? By the time he would’ve realised, he’d already fallen asleep.
“Reooo.” his name echoed throughout the tiny kitchen of Nagi’s apartment, making his barely mustered up voice seem louder than it really was.
Reo hummed and placed his hands on the counter from behind to see what his treasure wanted, eager to fulfill any request.
“I can’t open this.” Nagi held out a jar of pickled radishes. Reo looked down at the jar, then back to Nagi, smiling softly. He knew he was perfectly capable of opening that jar on his own. But that’d never stopped Nagi from asking for things before, and it’d never stopped Reo from complying. He swiftly took the jar from him. A firm grip and twist was all it needed.
That’s exactly what he did.
It didn’t open.
That’s weird.
He tried to plant his feet more firmly to the ground, hoping to get a better grip. But the floor felt oddly unstable, every attempt to balance himself gave nothing but a wobble in return.
Why wouldn’t it open?
Did he need to break it open? He turned around to scan the kitchen for something to crack the glass with, only to see Nagi now standing much further away. He wouldn’t look at him.
Why? Because this is the first request he couldn’t fulfill?
He could! He just needed to break the glass.
He turned back to look at the jar.
The radishes started to look a lot like worms.
Reo stretched his leg across the locker room bench, while Nagi had his cheek pressed against his back, tapping away at his phone. Reo was off his game today. These dreams were really throwing him off, and it didn’t help knowing that his father would have some… choice words about him not coming home last night. They’d won anyway though. It was him and Nagi, after all. But he still couldn’t accept such a poor performance from himself.
He tried to not let it show on his face, since no one else on the team had seemed to notice.
He stood up to stretch his whole body. Nagi slid down and ended up laying on the bench, still tapping away at his phone.
Reo touched his toes, “Nagi, after this, let’s practice more.”
Nagi grumbled, “ehhh? But we already played today.” He paused for a moment, like there was a combo in his game that needed his attention, “and we won, isn’t that enough?”
Reo stood up straight, threading his arm through the other, twisting his torso to stretch his back. “Nope! Not enough!” He switched to the other arm, “we need to get stronger than that if we’re gonna win the World Cup!”
Nagi could only respond with a despondent, “ehhh…”
That was fine, Reo had his ways.
He crouched down, presenting his back for Nagi to drape himself over, “come on, I’ll carry you.” Before he knew it, Nagi’s phone was clicked off and he was clinging to him like a koala. Too easy.
—
This morning, Nagi received a letter. The smooth, white envelope read that the sender was the Japan Football Union, addressed to Nagi Seishiro. Just those words were enough for him to toss it aside and not give it even a second glance. Sounded like a pain. And besides, it made no sense for him to receive something like that and not Reo. If it had nothing to do with Reo, it wasn’t important.
That was until Ba-Ya approached them during a lull in their practice. Nagi was tired, trying to convince Reo to let their practice end there and take them home. Reo was having none of it. He started going on about his dream and how it was all planned out. Nagi didn’t know why he did, Reo had told him this so many times already. Maybe he should try to convince him by saying he’s hungry? That always worked.
“A letter came for you, Young Master Reo.” She bowed as she presented it. Revealing a glint in her eye as she looked up, “from the Football Union.”
Huh, Reo seemed excited. Oh, wait, isn’t this the letter he also received? He’d tossed it in his bag, right? He’d completely forgotten about it.
They opened the letter.
Reo was definitely excited.
It sounded like some kind of training camp? Which is to say, it sounded like a pain. Nagi didn’t want to go.
Oh, now Reo was definitely mad.
Reo can go on his own, can’t he? It’s not like he won’t be back. Nagi can just play games and take naps while he waits for him. No more having to play soccer every day.
But, no more soccer means no more Reo. He’d definitely pass this training camp, right? And immediately join the U-20s? Of course he would, it’s Reo.
So it’s possible he wouldn’t come back?
Hm.
Nagi guessed he could go.
Reo confirmed the address with Ba-Ya before he shuffled Nagi into the limo. However his game had his full attention. He didn’t know if training camps had internet, so he was getting his dailies done just in case. If he asked Reo to buy him enough gems to make up for every day he missed, he’d probably agree, but he still wanted to get his weekly EXP in at least. Money couldn’t make up for that.
Unless it could… Reo would probably agree to spend more money. He should ask later.
Later, because right now Reo was preoccupied.
Preoccupied with his arm around Nagi’s shoulder, and presenting a grand vision of what their time at this training camp would be. Probably, Nagi wasn’t listening.
Ooh, headshot. Nice.
Reo offered him some non-alcoholic champagne. Probably, Nagi wasn’t listening.
Ooh, rare achievement. Nice.
Reo was laughing about something. He didn’t know what that something was. Nagi wasn’t listening.
Reo’s laugh. Reo’s voice.
It was getting quieter.
Ooh, level clear. Weekly EXP maxed out.
He yawned.
Reo’s shoulder was warm. Nice.
Reo, Reo, Reo.
The name that filled his head, the weight on his chest, the heartbeat that synced with his own.
“As expected of my treasure!” He had called, moments before sending them both crashing to the ground, his laugh was as warm as the grass they laid on, bathed in the sun.
His hair still hadn’t fully fallen. Like in slow motion, he watched it cascade into his face. It framed his perfect smile.
So warm, so bright. The sun had put its full body weight on him.
Grass was itchy, he wanted to lay in bed instead. Just like this. Still warm, but more comfy.
Reo’s voice would be the background noise to his game, and although he wasn’t listening, he would turn the volume on his phone all the way to 0.
His voice would be right next to his ear. His hair would intertwine with his own.
Reo, Reo Reo.
“Naaaagi.”
Oh, Reo was already waking him… But he didn’t want to wake up yet.
Unfortunately he didn’t have a choice. Reo had already dragged him out of the car.
“Come on! It’s right over there!” Reo pointed somewhere, but Nagi still had his eyes closed.
Ba-Ya had also already gotten out of the car. She seemed to be sending Reo off, but he couldn’t focus on their conversation. He couldn’t shake the feeling that there was something he needed to tell her.
Right, Choki. He was still in his bag.
“If I don’t come back for a while, just water Choki for me.” He held the bunny eared cactus out for Ba-Ya to take.
She deftly took Choki into her hands. She held the pot much more securely than Nagi had. “Certainly, Seishiro-sama.” She bowed.
“He only needs to be watered every 2-3 weeks-ish, you can basically just leave him alone.” He waved his hand which was holding up three fingers. Meanwhile Reo had started walking closer to their destination.
“…I see.” Ba-Ya responded. “Be careful not to give it too much love. Can the same be said for you, Seishiro-sama?”
Nagi just looked confused. There was silence between them.
“Sorry, what does that mean?” He squinted at her as he leaned forward a bit.
She shook her head with a light chuckle. Barely audible. “It’s nothing, please forget about it.” She then gave him one last bow, “likewise, please take care of Young Master Reo for me.”
Reo was the one who took care of him, more like. But he doesn’t say that, instead he agrees with little hesitation. “Uh… I mean, I’ll do what I can, I guess.” He waves to her as he went to catch up with Reo.
Do what I can. That felt like a new phrase for him.
Reo was already far ahead of him. Nagi didn’t have to run though, Reo would wait.
“Reo, do you know what she meant?” Nagi asked once he caught up.
Reo looked behind him. “Hm? Did Ba-Ya say something?”
Nagi shook his head. “No. Nevermind.” He was too tired to repeat everything. He couldn’t really remember all of it now anyway.
Did she mean he was also like a cactus? Maybe that was true. Was, though. He felt like it wasn’t so much now.
But it was just a feeling. He was too tired to think.
They entered the building. Yikes, so many people. At least 300. This was definitely going to be a pain.
Reo was excited, though. He recognised all kinds of people.
Nagi didn’t get it. No one here seemed interesting.
He’d already booted up his game. A corner to curl up in had already been secured.
“…They say he’s already been scouted for the U-18s!” That’s the only thing Nagi heard Reo say after he sat down. It was probably about those two guys who’d walked in shortly after him and Reo.
“Huh? The shorty?” Nagi remarked. More than one glance away from his game was not spared.
“Not him! The tall, good looking one!” Reo squished his cheeks. He tried to push him into the right direction, but Nagi didn’t feel the need to look again. All he needed to look at was his game and Reo.
Apparently one of those guys was good looking, but they both looked unremarkable to Nagi. As far as Nagi was concerned, Reo was the only guy here who could be considered good looking.
Was that the kind of guy Reo liked? Unremarkable? It’d explain a lot of things.
Or… Nagi was just bad at noticing looks. It was definitely true.
Everyone always mentioned Reo’s looks. Their classmates, cashiers they’d have to speak to while buying candy, everyone.
Despite that, it took Nagi some time to realise that- huh, Reo is pretty.
He didn’t really get what people meant when they said things like ‘good looking’. He didn’t understand why certain traits were considered ‘desirable’ while others weren’t.
It required too much thought, and thought was troublesome.
But it didn’t take much thought. Just one. Reo is pretty. It was a good fact to know, probably. Even if he didn’t know what to do with that fact.
-
Nagi wasn’t paying attention at all, was he? He’d been squishing his face for a solid minute with no reaction.
He was about to call out to him, but his eyes suddenly had to readjust. The lights were shut off in favour of light from a massive screen.
A long shadow casted down on the crowd as a man stood in front. A man, who even with brightness glaring in his glasses, had dark circles clear as could be. And his slouching shoulders made for an unmistakable silhouette.
His following speech seemed to draw everyone in. Wether it was by confusion or intrigue, it didn’t seem to matter.
Just as Reo was about to soak in the information and mull it over. That kid who’d walked in with Kira Ryosuke, ‘The Shorty’, as Nagi had so eloquently called him, was starting a mad dash towards the wide open doors. The rest of the room followed suit.
It was just him, Nagi and a sinister smile left.
“What’s wrong? You’re not coming?” Concern was hardly a word to describe his tone.
They could only respond with a beat of silence as Reo considered his answer. A furrow deepening between his brows. “I’ll go! Come on, Nagi-“
“Nah, I’m good.” Nagi cut him off. “It sounds like a pain. And I’ll probably just get bored and leave right away.”
“Oh?” The man pushed up his glasses, “you thought my speech was boring?”
“Yep. And I mean, it was too easy to imagine myself scoring the winning goal at the World Cup.”
That alone sent shivers up Reo’s spine. However the next words spoken left him frozen in place, words that Nagi accepted all to easily, already turning to head back the way they had came.
“It’s impossible for you.”
“There are countless self-proclaimed prodigies like you in the world.”
“Bullshit!” Reo’s hands balled into fits by his side as he yelled, “Nagi isn’t like those other wannabe prodigies!”
Nagi looked behind his shoulder, “Reo..?” He paused before the exit.
Reo continued before he could realise what he was doing. “If it’s me and him… Then we can do it!”
The man scoffed. “You and him? Only one person can be the best in the world.”
“Then, I’ll make him the best striker in the world! That’s my ego!” Reo retorted. Unlike Nagi, who’d just described shooting the winning goal for World Cup, Reo had no image to accompany his words. All he could see was himself by Nagi’s side until the very end.
But much like how he could convince Nagi into anything, he too, could talk himself into anything. He’d say it was a gift, but it was rather a well honed skill, a skill befitting of any Mikage.
-
Suddenly, Nagi’s hoodie was bunched into Reo’s fist. He pulled him close. Woah. Really close.
Their foreheads were touching. He felt his quickened breath on his skin. Their gazes met and didn’t break apart. “I’ll show you a world more exciting than any nap or video game.” The look in his eyes was so intense he felt it could swallow him whole. “I’ll never let you get bored.”
Reo was always intense, but this was different. It was all focused on him, like he was the entire world. Like he alone was the dream Reo always harped on about.
Being someone’s world… Sounded troublesome.
But this was being Reo’s world.
“Wah…” Nagi clicked off his phone. He guessed he could go. “Okay, but promise me one thing…” They both headed toward the doors. It was too bright. So Nagi decided to look at Reo instead. “Stay with me until the end.”
Nagi was met with Reo’s usual smile. His reassuring presence. “Yeah, it’s a promise, Nagi.”