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Video #1
“Ah– wait”
“Reo, a little to the left…”
Numerous mutters followed as the camera Shaked, blurred into the horizon. A little bit to the left, then to the right. Ah- to the left again.
Soon the camera focused. And now two young guys stand before, in an empty changing room. Their teammates long gone after a tiresome practice.
Reo smiled as bright as ever, a sharp contrast to the lazy genius next to him. A tanned arm wrapped around Nagi's shoulders, bringing him closer than ever.
“What now?..”
Nagi murmured, turning around to face Reo. He seemed as uninterested and confused as usual. .
“Hehe~ be patient won't you, Nagi?”
Reo suggested, nuzzling his cheek deep into Nagi's hair as if it smelled any good— not that it stinks. But it definitely does not smell like Reo's expensive perfumes and shampoos.
“Hello! This is Reo speaking.”
He turned to the camera, his smile spreading just a bit more into a professional one— the one Nagi is familiar with when they are at school.
“I decided to record me and Nagi's progress to the world cup! This is after our first match!”
He admired his own achievement brightly, even if it's just the start. Reo thinks it's important to appreciate every small achievement in your life.
“Reoo… Can't we go home already? I'm tired and this is such a hassle..”
Nagi whined, although not trying to get Reo off him— apparently it's too much of a hassle, too. Everything is a hassle for the genius isn't it?! Reo finds that hilarious.
“Nagi, no! We still have to tell everything important!!”
“Eehh… Is that so?..”
Nagi murmured, ever soo uninterested. Reo can swear there is a bit of sarcasm in his tone.
“Well… Uhh… We played against this… Team. I don't remember their name.”
Nagi was… One of his kind! Yeah. He might not be perfect but Reo can see the effort in it, which he would not show since it's ‘too much hassle’ so Reo's happy.
“But we won and Reo was cool.”
That last part definitely caught Reo off guard because he jerked. Eyes wide like a surprised cat.
“Awww~ you're getting soft my treasure”
He teased in hopes to hide his embarrassment, but it was all recorded by the camera anyway.
“Eh… Am I?..”
He pouted, acting as if he doesn't know— Reo can't decide if that's cute or annoying as hell.
“Don’t act like you don't know, you lazy genius!!”
He attacked, ruffling Nagi's hair as a punishment, he knew the albino hated having his hair touched like that, but he was too busy on his phone to stop Reo so who gives a damn?
“I don't know what you're talking about…”
Nagi continued, which only caused Reo to giggle like a fool in love.
“Okay okay, this is enough for today.”
Record ended.
Reo cut it short, even though he wanted to go on and on about stuff he knew these were more than enough for a journey record.
Video #3
This time the camera didn't shake or the two of them didn't have to bother focusing the camera. Everything was set in already, although this time there was no Camera holder or any sort of. It was just Reo's hand.
“Hello! Say hello, Nagi”
Reo entered quickly, jabbing at Nagi's lungs with his elbow. The taller male was busy on his phone again.
“Hi…”
Nagi replied back, not even bothering to look at the camera.
“We are no longer in Hakuho High, as you can see! For the past weeks we have been at this project called ‘Blue Lock’! It aims to make the best striker for Japan.”
Reo explains, his hands in air moving in sync with his words, as fluid as before. Nagi, with the corner of his eye, watches Reo. It's almost like he's admiring the purple head.
“That Ego guy said two isn't possible for that title, so I want to show him he's wrong by making Nagi the best striker. Just watch us!”
He pridefully added, hand over his chest as he vowed. It's almost hilarious, Nagi notes.
“That’s too much of a hassle, Reo…”
Nagi shot, his voice the same whiney tone as always. That oversized seal sounded at least a bit glad to stand next to Reo, at least.
“Well, we have been training a lot and stuff. We also get to play against other Blue-Lockers!! Most of them are boring, it's too easy to defeat them. I wonder if they really are the best 300 in Japan.”
Reo had already started gossiping even though they were in a public place— Blue Lock had the least privacy of every place Reo had been. And he's the Mikage heir.
“Everyone was soo boring… I wanted to sleep.”
Nagi commented, almost rolling his eyes as he enrolled the memory of his opponents. It was only for a moment before he drowned into his phone again.
“Oh- okay your focus is back to your phone, you lazy genius?”
He leaned over, smirking as he, too, shifted his focus to the phone. Watching what Nagi was busy with.
“I wanna beat this boss…”
Nagi explained, his fingers shooting across the screen like a pro while he didn't even tense a shoulder at its hardness.
“Okay then let's finish this record here.”
Record ended.
Reo suggested, giving Nagi a small nuzzle before separating himself from Nagi's warmth and finishing the video. Soon they would visit the cafeteria for food which Nagi probably will only eat half of it.
Video #9
The record started as sharp as usual — even though this is their ninth recording with a stable quality — focused on a distressed Reo and slightly upset Nagi. Which is a rare sight, you would have to move mountains to get this reaction from the both of them.
“We lost today.”
Reo started, rubbing off the under of his eyes, obviously restless. He sounded completely under the weather.
“Uhh… It was our first loss in general. But we'll win next time, right, Nagi?!”
He rose from his moody demeanor, looking at Nagi with a hopeful smile. It's obvious he doesn't want to see Nagi sad— and it was the same for Nagi, too.
“We’ll definitely win, Reo.”
He assured, it was a promise rather than a pep talk. His hand had subconsciously wrapped around the tanned fist resting on Reo's thigh, his pale skin completely covering Reo's hand with no problem.
Reo could swear Nagi's lips twisted into something other than a pout.
“Yeah… We will.”
His shoulders relaxed, nodding lightly at Nagi's exclamation. Soon he ended the record. But they didn't move, they didn't say anything. It was the simplicity of the moment, with Nagi's palm covering Reo's squeezed fist.
Record ended.
Video #19
“Ugh… How does Reo set this up…”
Nagi whined, messing with the camera. Damn it— why is it soo hard to prepare the camera? How did Reo go through this trouble everyday.
After a few minutes later he finally got it— the camera focused on the albino. His hair just a bit more messy than usual and the circle under his eyes just a bit more visible.
“Uhh… I… Left Reo.”
How does one do this? Is he supposed to talk like he's writing in a diary? He doesn't even keep a diary. He has soo much to learn huh.
“It was what it had to be… If… If I'm going to be the world's best I'll have to work hard— right?..”
He was talking, sure, but he had zero idea what he's saying. It's like he's on autopilot, speaking whatever comes to his mind. This would make a good footage for the future…
“It feels… Weird to be away from Reo. Life is a hassle without him. But I want to make our dream come true. And. And I'll do anything for it.”
He admitted, fidgeting with his fingers— wait how long has he been doing that again? He doesn't know. He'll just check the footage for later. (He never did.)
“Ah… Uhmm…”
He paused, looking around the room as if he's trying to remember something. Anything. He wants to keep the footage a bit later because Reo used to yap a lot on here, so their videos were always a few minutes long at the least.
“Isagi… Is the worst. I thought he would help me achieve our dream but all he does is whine lately. He can't seem to do anything without Bachira…”
He commented when his eyes landed on the bed next to him, it was Isagi's. He could comment on his teammates, right?
“I hope he stops doing that… I want to make Reo proud…”
He added, just when he opened his mouth to add onto it Isagi called for dinner. And as much as he would like to skip — eating might be the biggest hassle of them all — he knew he needed protein and stuff like that to get better.
Record ended.
Video #20
“...Nagi left me.”
Reo started off sharp, his voice strained with slight frustration and sorrow at the same time. The camera was shaking, but Reo didn't seem to care about it.
His hair was messy, the circles under his eyes darkened by ten shades at least. He looked like he's been crying for the whole night, and who knows, he might be.
“He teamed up with Isagi. I should have known… He would sooner or later realize I'm just a burden to him. With me… He always slows down doesn't he? It's for the better…”
He seems to be unconscious about what he's saying— he's just letting all his thoughts out.
“I miss Nagi.”
He admitted all of a sudden, breaking the silence of the room. And that gave him shivers straight to his spine. Why did his body do that?
“I need to show him I'm not someone who's dependent on him— I'll show him. I swear he'll regret leaving me. I want to prove that Isagi is nothing next to me.”
The quick mood change doesn't seem to falter Reo at all, lately nothing had mattered for the purple head.
“Ugh… At least there is Chigiri and Kunigami. They are good teammates… I suppose.”
He ran a hand through his purple locks, not smiling like usual but not frowning either. He looks pleased, however.
“That’s enough for today…”
Record ended.
Video #30
“Uh, ah… I saw Reo today.”
The record started off fast, faster than the lazy genius usually would be. He avoided looking at the camera, almost like he would regret looking at his own reflection.
“We were in the bathroom with Isagi and Barou… And uhh Reo's team was there too…”
He continued, playing with his own hair to handle all these confusing feelings stringing inside his stomach. He wanted to learn what they were, but he's too focused on football to learn about his feelings lately.
“He said we were rivals now… My chest hurt when he said that. I don't know why though… Maybe I should ask Isagi about it.”
There was a long pause, Nagi letting the camera capture the confused yet exhausted look on his face— but nothing beats his apathetic nature.
“He looked horrible… Does Reo not enjoy Blue Lock like before?..”
He wondered, dazing off into his thoughts. He has been thinking more and speaking less— more than ever before.
“I want to make it more enjoyable for Reo…”
Record ended.
He admitted before ending the record. He took a deep breath, looking at his phone. He had some free time, and he could use that to scroll on his phone.
Video #31
Reo brushed his hair slick back, watching his reflection copy his movements. He took in the way he looked. He looked… Horrible. Holy, he knew he had been doing bad, but he never thought it was this terrible. Not even the mirrors made him look this tired before.
“I saw Nagi today. He was with Isagi.”
He explained, something aching to spite and jealousy bubbling up in his tone that he has yet to realize.
“He looked like he was having soo much fun. And he didn't even have me beside.”
The thought made his heart ache painfully, but he surpassed it. Instead he pushed his legs together with his free hand, while the other supported his phone.
“I guess it's just easier without me huh…”
He murmured into the inside of his arm, eyes focused on nothing in particular.
“Ugh… I'll show him how bad he needs me!”
Record ended.
He whined before ending the clip. It's enough for today, it's very short but he doesn't care about the length anymore. In the past, he would try to keep it as long as he could to squeeze enough information in. But now, there was nothing else to talk about except Nagi.
Video #38
Nagi looked around, still quiet despite starting the video a long time ago. He wanted to make sure nobody, and absolutely nobody, knew about his little vlog-diary-thingy. He had gotten soo used to it he could hardly contain his excitement.
“We went against the World's top 5… The match was bad… We lost, obviously. But uhh…”
He paused, trying to recall what Loki had said to him.
“Uh… This weirdo said something to me. I couldn't understand English well so Kiyora had to translate it… uhh… It was something like…”
He paused again, hyperfocused on the floor for a solid two minutes before he jerked his head as if he just invented something.
“‘When you learn fear you will break.’”
He quoted, his hand in his vanilla locks. Brushing against them.
“I haven't figured out what that means. But I want to know what I fear…”
And with his last words the camera drowns into black— resting soundly on Nagi's chest. The clip is extra long because the genius has forgotten to end the video… oops.
Record ended…
Video #42
“Reo joined my team.”
Nagi stated suddenly, as soon as the record started— today was unfortunate. He had accidentally started it with the camera turned around and he was too lazy to restart it so he just changed it to selfie mode. Which wasted a long ten seconds of intro.
“We are… Uh at the third selection now.”
He doesn't look like he understands what all this is. He just has been following Reo or ego…
“Im at top six, apparently. Everyone below the top six has to choose a duo and team with them. I'm happy Reo chose me.”
There was a gentleness in his tone you wouldn't usually hear. How could he not sound like that when Reo had finally joined him?
“But… There's Yukimiya too…”
His mood quickly shifted into something much more moody at the mention of his name.
“He’s a good guy but I don't trust him… He's too flirty.”
Wait. Why is Nagi even jealous of that?
Record ended.
He ends the video with tons of questions in his head. The loudest one being why in the good lords garden did Nagi find Yukimiya as a rival?
Video #43
The video starts off quick, with Reo trying to guide Isagi and keep him still. He's pissed at the sprout for stealing Nagi away, and as a pay back he's going to be his phone holder for tonight.
“I told you not to move.”
He hissed, which Isagi complained about but his voice was too quiet to be recorded. Reo will get revenge for that too.
“Hello, Reo is back!”
He reintroduced himself after he was sure Isagi held it still, and backed until the frame captured all his upper torso. He looked healthier.
“We are at third selection right now! To put it simply, the top six are teamed into duos and the rest of Blue-Lockers must join under the duos and go against each other in order to find the suitable ones for the next stage!”
He was getting better, he noticed. His hands are moving again and he doesn't sound like he's at the verge of killing himself. That should be good, really good. But is it really worth it if Nagi is not there to see it? (When he's the one who caused all this in the first place.)
“At the top six we have Rin, Shidou, Karasu, Otoya, Yukimiya and Nagi! The duos go by the same order.”
Isagi — the cameraman of the day — seems to be impressed by Reo's skills. Of course he's good at this, Reo thought.
Is Reo Mikage anything if he's not good at everything?
“I chose to play alongside with Nagi. Isagi helped me choose but I'm still pissed at him for breaking us up in the first place.”
“I told you I'm sorry!! Besides, stop telling it like you two were dating!”
Isagi jumped in, causing Reo to pause.
Did they really act like a couple? Surely not right…
“Okay that's enough for today! See you again next time!”
Record ended.
Reo cut it short, he couldn't continue talking when Isagi opened an unholy gate Reo didn't even dare to pass by in the past. Now, as he has seen the heaven, he can't help but glaze.
Video #57
“I miss seeing Reo smile.”
It was a short video, well rather a voice recording, because Nagi was directly shooting his own mouth while he whispered those words and ended the video. Though there was a peak of number ‘7’ on his jersey.
Record ended.
Video #60
After a long time — they have been more separate than together during this journey to the World Cup by far — Nagi stands next to Reo. They aren't cuddling like usual, though. It's a tad bit awkward between them. Like both of them are holding their itching hands to themselves to not make it weirder.
“Hello! We entered something called ‘Second Phase’ as Ego explained, it'll be us Blue-Lockers joining World Top 5 clubs to survive in ‘Neo Ego League’ and see the most suitable 23 players for the U-20 world cup!”
It was like usual. But it wasn't. Reo's not jabbing his elbow at Nagi like always or Nagi is not leaning over Reo's shoulder because standing up is too much of a hassle.
“I chose Manshine City…”
Nagi cut in, not even waiting for Reo's guide. He's not sure if that's good or bad.
“And so did I! We'll be playing as teammates!”
Again. That goes unsaid.
Record ended.
Video #62
“Reo is dazzling.”
Nagi stated, looking straight at the camera as if this should be a known fact if anything.
Record ended.
Video #75
“Why does Yukimiya visit all the way from Bastard München stadium over to Manshine City just to talk with Reo?”
Nagi complains, not even trying to hide it as he's still in the locker room, people speaking about how tiresome the training was.
Record ended.
Video #77
“Agi pisses me off.”
Reo whispered into the mic. It looks like he's in the bathroom, his favorite spot to visit whenever he's feeling extremely down.
“I don't like him. Who does he think he is? Nagi can do whatever he wants. Ugh… Am I just jealous?”
Record ended.
Video #88
“Hi… It's Nagi speaking…”
Nagi whispered into the mic, pitch black eyes starting into the camera. It's a contrast to Reo's usually bubbly and energetic intro's.
“I didn't want to record but… Reo's training. I wanted to surprise Reo...”
He admitted, eyeing back and forth at a certain purple bun.
Soon, the camera flapped, and now you could see Reo lifting up weights alongside other Blue-Lockers and what not.
“He’s soo focused because we haven't been able to win a match.”
He explained, walking over to Reo, which the chameleon quickly noticed.
“Nagi! Oh wait- you're recording?”
He questioned, dropping the weights before rising from his place.
“That’s a first”
“I just felt like it…”
He didn't know why he got defensive, usually Reo's teasing wouldn't really affect him. Whatever, it's not like he understands what he's feeling lately. Maybe it's a part of hard work.
Record ended.
Video #91
“Hello Nagireo nation!”
“Reo I told you to not use that…”
Nagi bugged, nuzzling his head into Reo's neck as he desperately tried to ignore how oblivious Reo was. He learned the term a few days ago yet it's all over his tongue and the worst part is Reo doesn't even know what it means. It was funny to see Reo misunderstand but now it's concerning.
“C’mon what's there to hate?”
And also, Nagi didn't have the heart to explain.
“It’s just bad Reo…”
So he insists, refusing to explain. What would Reo think if he learned? He has been thinking.
“Alright alright… Okay back to topic! Tomorrow we have our last match against Barcha! We haven't won any matches but we just have to work really hard for this, it's okay if we don't win! We need to shine.”
He explained it like he's presenting something like a businessman. Reo has been like this ever since their first video. Nagi's not sure if he likes it or don't.
“We’ll do good…”
Nagi exclaimed, posing a peace sign from the hand that's wrapped around Reo's waist.
Record ended.
Video #96
“...”
It's been a while since the record started and yet Reo hasn't said anything.
What is he supposed to say?
The video was enchanted by his room, the lights highlighting every luxurious painting and each expensive cushion sitting on his bed. But no matter how much he had around him, and yet Reo still felt empty.
He had seen himself during the second selection, but right now he was worse. He doesn't remember a time where his hair was this unkept, he doesn't remember his eyes hurting even days after crying — it may be because he never stopped crying ever since what happened — he doesn't remember a time where his eyes were this puffy and red.
Even now he was tearing up again. He couldn't help himself, whenever he remembered the look on Nagi's face he felt sick to his stomach. His words were only making things harder for him.
“Uh… Nagi… Nagi got eliminated.”
He sniffed, wiping his cheeks as they once again started — he's surprised his tear gland hasn't dried yet — to water.
“I- He was being soo sweet.”
He murmured to himself, tears starting to slide down even harder upon hearing Nagi's voice echo inside his brain— it's like his own body hates him. Can he catch a break, please?
“Sorry…”
He paused, biting down his lips as he hid his face from the camera's lenses. He doesn't want to be caught crying again. Ego had done enough.
“I don't think this will continue.”
He ended, rising from his place and grabbing the camera.
Record ended.
Video #97
Nagi stands on his bed, Choki by his side. He's quiet, fidgeting with his clothes. Chewing on the lace of his sweatshirt. It brings memories he's fond of, but also ones that hurt. How can something hurt and please you at the same time? Nagi wondered about that, too. He had plenty of free time to think. Just sit and think. Which made him realize things sooner.
“I got eliminated.”
He started off after a long time, he's sure he wasted three minutes just sitting there and playing with things. He wondered if Reo would like that. Would he? Would Reo enjoy watching a depressed Nagi just doing stupid things instead of speaking, with no light in his eyes? He guesses no, Reo wouldn't enjoy that. He probably would feel bad for Nagi, but at the same time he might find his childish behavior adorable. Yeah, maybe that would be his reaction.
“I uhh… I don't know what to say. I'm back home. I don't play football anymore…”
He doesn't mention how he cried. How he had missed Blue Lock. How he missed Reo.
It's better to not speak about things like that.
“I miss Reo…”
He added, looking at Choki. Ba-ya took good care of her, didn't she? He's glad someone in this house is at least happy.
“I… Found I have a crush on Reo— actually… I have had a crush on him since day one, I guess…”
He blurted out, he's far used to using this as a diary of his own. So he might as well pour his heart out.
Maybe in future, when Reo watches this, he too realizes his feelings. Maybe. Maybe if Nagi gives access to it, maybe if Reo decides to roll back these videos and watch them for nostalgia.
“I have been wondering… If things would be different if I realized it sooner.”
He avoided the camera's lenses at all cost, instead starting at the white walls cornering him. His fingers squeezing in his fist uncomfortably.
“I want… To play football with Reo again… with… everyone.”
His confession must have triggered something within Nagi, cause he started tearing up. It's the second time happening— he thought he was doing better, getting better. But of course he couldn't fully understand his emotions.
“Uh…”
He paused, blinking at the camera as his tears slid down his cheeks with inhuman speed— what is he crying soo hard for? He's sad, sure but is he really that sad.
Record ended.
He abandoned his phone somewhere around his bed, he'll find it another time, right now he's quite busy with… well his emotions.
He doesn't understand, but he wants to go back. He wants to go back to what he took for granted soo bad. He wants to stand by Reo's side, and maybe even challenge Isagi. But it's too late, isn't it? He had wasted all of his lives, and now he's dead. He can't respawn or heal himself.
His hands wrapped around his knees, pulling them closer until they hit his flat chest. Squeezing himself into a makeshift ball, trying to waste as small space as he could. He doesn't try to stop his tears, he knows it's useless by now, instead he just lets them flood.
He's alone. He's alone again. He can't watch Reo make fun stuff or listen to Chigiri whine about Reo's shenanigans, he can't annoy Barou and he can no longer play alongside Reo.
It's almost like the times where his parents would leave him on his own. The absence of his mother's warmth and his father's laughs… As a child he missed that warmth dearly. But as he grew he learned how to live without it, as he was forced to. Now he'll just have to relearn it again.