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When Nagi befriended Reo it was a major shock to most Hakuho High students, especially the members of the Reo fanclub.
There were plenty of rumors about the boy, Nagi Seishiro , even before Reo had become so fond of him.
“They call him the “Thousand Year Netaro” because he sleeps through the whole class.”
“I heard you’ll be cursed if you talk to him! He’s the devil's child!”
“Eh?! I rumors that happiness would come your way! He’s a walking good luck charm!”
Nonetheless, Reo still pursued him, and it worked out, the two had regularly been playing soccer ever since.
The two never went unnoticed, whether it was around the school, by their teammates at soccer practice, and even their friends outside of Hakuho.
Reo spoiled Nagi and only Nagi, he’d carry him everywhere as if he was his personal transportation, he would even feed Nagi, change his clothes in the locker room, and not to mention how protective he was of Nagi.
Reo would always say the same thing whenever anyone asked about them, “Nagi’s my treasure!”
“I guess I do spoil him but he is my treasure, after all.”
Nagi had the it boy of Hakuho High whipped and at his every command in an instant, it was honestly shocking how he’d managed this!
Not to mention everything Reo did for him outside of school; buying him new video games without Nagi even asking, giving his massages, doing his laundry, and ordering him food as if he was some sort of house-husband.
Saying Reo would die for Nagi was an understatement. Even in the afterlife Reo would find a way to tend to all of his needs. This fondness was one he only had towards the white-haired boy.
“Good morning Reo! I enjoyed our study session the other day♡!” Said an attractive girl, her long brown hair and bangs swayed as she moved, “If you're free today I’d like to have another one… this time just the two of us.”
“Ah—Sorry! I can’t for a while ‘cause we’re going to play soccer!” Reo beamed, he wrapped an arm around Nagi and walked with him into the school, “We’re going to go all over the country.”
“Huh—Hah?”
Soon after that incident, Nagi would hear plenty of comments in passing about him and Reo like, “Hey who’s that sloppy-looking guy?” and, “I don’t know! Why is Reo so fond of him?!”
None of these comments ever bothered Nagi. He was used to the usual rumors and bad-mouth about him. Although he couldn’t understand the feeling that came over him when he heard someone say unpleasant things about Reo.
Despite—usually—being calm and collected, Nagi wanted to yell and fight the people who would say negative things about Reo.
Reo didn’t do anything wrong. Reo was a good guy.
‘I mean he was the first person to be interested in a slacker like me.’
No one had ever showed Nagi the same attention that Reo had been giving him, and he felt a deep hatred wash him when people would belittle Reo for it.
..
On this day Reo and Nagi had stayed late to practice, they made sure to put all their freetime into practice in order to make it to the World Cup and fulfill their dream. Even if Nagi protested saying it was “too much of a hassle.”
Nagi had collapsed in the grass groaning, “No more Reo. Too tired.” He laid on his back, resembling a corpse.
“Come on Nagi, one more lap!”
“Too much of a pain.”
This time Reo gave him, although he tried not to say yes to everything he said, he couldn’t stop himself from spoiling Nagi.
The sun was setting at this point meaning Ba-ya would be there soon. The sky was painting in a vary of orange, yellow, and purples, making the clouds look so much more than gorgeous.
Once Reo took a seat next to Nagi he couldn’t help himself from admiring the gorgeous sky above him.
“Mm, Reo?”
“Hm?”
Nagi was still laying down on the grass next to him, not a care in the world, his soccer uniform was covered in dirt and grass stains, and his eyes still as disinterested as ever as he admired the sky with Reo.
“Why me?”
“What are you talking about Nagi.” Reo laughed awkwardly, “Why you?”
“Yeah. Why choose me of all people, it’s like you put me on a pedestal , you view me as better than everything else.”
“Is that what you hear people saying about you?”
Nagi nodded, meeting Reo’s gaze.
“They’re wrong. Everything they say is utter bullshit Nagi.” He affectionately ruffled his white hair, “You’re my treasure after all Nagi.”
Although that didn’t exactly answer Nagi’s question. It cured his curiosity, for now at least.
..
“ …yeah that Reo guy he isn’t shit…”
Nagi could hear excerpts of a conversation as he lazily sat at his desk after school. He was waiting for Reo to come get him since they weren’t practicing today Reo told him, “I need to go grab something from the club room. I’ll be quick.”
This is how Nagi found himself listening in to the rather loud conversation only a room over.
“..he’s only popular because his parents are rich. Without the money he would be nothing.”
“ Yeah! It’s not fair that he gets to take popularity, chics, just because he comes from riches.”
Why ?
Why was Nagi overcome with this unknown feeling. Nagi had only felt two feelings in his life; when something is too much of a hassle, and playing a new game,
—well you could say there was a third and even a new fourth feeling, the feelings he had around Reo were different, and the feeling he got when he heard Reo being talked about negatively was also as equally new and confusing as the last.
Nagi felt himself stand up and storm next door. He found the perpetrators—the two people who had been bad mouthing Reo.
Nagi was taller than most Hakuho students. He stood at 190 cm which was not short oncesoever. Definitely making him intimidating if he ever tried to engage in conflict.
He approached one of the guys, put his finger to his chest and asked, “ What were you saying about Reo .”
Not even Nagi had heard such a tone in his voice—well only when he unfairly died in a game of Call of Duty—that is.
“Look it’s Reo’s owner!” The other egged on erupting into laughter, “How’d you turn the son of a rich businessman into your lap dog? It truly amazes me.”
Nagi glared at the other student in the room, “Reo is not my lap dog. I am his partner .”
Nagi continued to glare at both students who were in the room with him.
Footsteps could be heard rapidly approaching in the hallways along with shouts.
“..’agi? Nagi!”
Stood outside of the door was the familiar face with the all so familiar purple hair.
“Nagi what’s going on?”
The guy—who Nagi was confronting—shoved him off, “Come on.” He muttered to the other boy present in the room.
As they left, Reo entered, “Nagi what happened? I’ve never seen you.. angry.”
“Those guys were talking bad about you Reo. It annoyed me.”
“You didn’t have to intervene, Nagi.” Reo sighed, “It’s fine, I don’t care what they say.” Reo chuckled and wrapped his arm around Nagi,
“Let’s go back to your house and play that game I bought you, ‘kay?”
..
Nagi never understood why that king guy was hanging around the group so often. At first he thought he may have gotten lost and found the wrong people, but then he started coming around more and more.
Nagi, Reo, and a large group of there friends were out in Shibuya, they were on break, so what better way to spend it then with other people!
Well that’s what Reo said at least.
Nagi would rather be home sitting at his computer right now.
They were on their second game of bowling, and of course that stupid king showed up. Nagi never liked him, he was a hassle, annoying, he always had to have things go his way— yes maybe Nagi himself was like this sometimes—but it was excusable, well Reo said so at least.
For a king, he acted more as a tyrant, or an idiot? Barou happened to not be paying attention as he made his way back to his seat after his turn bowling. Unluckily he happened to bump into Reo of all people rather harshly.
“Hey King, watch where you’re going.” Nagi complained, “You could’ve hurt Reo.”
Barou stared at him dumbfounded, I mean it was a simple mistake, so why was he so worked up?
“Nagi it’s fine, don’t worry.” Reo got in between the two before an argument could break out, he knew how defensive Barou would get, but he was definitely confused about the new Nagi.
Nagi didn’t do most basic things, like changing his clothes for instance, yet here he was defending Reo on his own accord.
He placed his hand on Nagi’s chest, urging him to stop, “Nagi calm down. I’m fine, see!”
Nagi stopped pestering the King once Reo asked him too, but that didn’t stop Nagi from giving Barou all the glares he could the rest of the day.
Everyone must’ve noticed how strange it was because the reactions of all his friends were rather.. confused.
..
“Was what I did yesterday weird?” Nagi asked, “Everyone looked so shocked, I thought you’re supposed to stand up for friends. ”
“It was surprising because it was you, Nagi.”
“What’s that supposed to mean?”
Isagi sighed, trying to get through to him was like trying to teach a bunch of toddlers algebra. Maybe that is an over exaggeration, but both him and Reo are the most delusional people Isagi has ever met.
“You think everything is a hassle until it comes to Reo. You’re a pacifist until something happens to Reo, you don’t even stick up for yourself but you do for Reo. That’s strange Nagi.”
Isagi hoped that Nagi would take it the way he was intending. There was nothing wrong with what Nagi was doing, it was not strange in a bad way , and Nagi definitely treated Reo differently than everyone else.
“I’m protective of Reo? I guess?”
Isagi sighed.
Nagi was the hassle.
..
On this day Nagi found himself at dinner with Reo and Zantetsu. They sat in a booth, Zantetsu across from the duo.
He had been rambling on about dentists or something while they waited for their food. Nagi had rested his head on the table, he was still exhausted from the soccer practice the three had done together earlier.
“Nagi, you brush your teeth regularly, correct?” Zantetsu inquired, “Brushing your teeth is not a hassle. I would know because I, for one, descend from a long lineage of dentists. I used those words correctly right?” He pushed his glasses further up the bridge of his nose with his middle finger.
“Silly Zantetsu. Of course Nagi brushes his teeth. I help him get ready every morning.” Reo answered for him, he placed his hand in his hair and played with it affectionately.
The waitress came back with their food halting the conversation.
Nagi was ready to go home when the food got there. He wasn’t hungry because chewing was a hassle , nor was he thirsty because it was a hassle to digest.
It wasn’t long untik the waitress was back with the check. Nagi had expected her to leave so Reo could pay and then they could be on there way, but no, she had began to flirt with Reo.
It started with a few questions, then simple compliments, but now she was just hitting on him with no shame.
Nagi had sat up. He was staring daggers at this girl, and yet she wouldn’t leave. Nagi didn’t care about the food, he didn’t like Reo’s attention being drifted away from him.
So without much thinking, Nagi shifted his body weight onto Reo. He leaned his head into the crook of his neck and let his arms lay limply around Reo’s own.
“Let’s go home..”
He didn’t move until he heard the waitress mutter, “Oh—here!” and footsteps leave the table.
When Nagi pulled back he met Reo’s eyes, his eyes were widened, and he looked shocked—confused, his cheeks were also a bright pink.
“Come on.”
Nagi had completely forgotten that Zantetsu was still present. His focus shifted to Reo and Reo only.
He would be lying if he said he didn’t like the reaction he got out of Reo.
“Nagi?” Reo asked. Nagi tilted his head questioningly, “Why’d you do that?”
“Tired. Wanted to go home.”
That was only partially true .
..
Nagi and Reo got a ride back to Reo’s house after dinner. They had said their goodbyes to Zantetsu and made their way to the limo. Nagi was exhausted, he wanted to nap, and play games with Reo the rest of the night.
He’d recently began forcing Reo to learn his favorite games so they could play together, and Reo—of course—didn’t object, his treasure was asking after all.
It was super hot outside and even inside of the car despite the AC.
Reo had his against the car door, he looked out of the open window, his hair flying back with the wind.
“What are you doing, Reo?”
His head was practically stuck out of the window, eyes staring up mesmerized by the sky above him.
“You can see the stars, Nagi.” Reo replied, “We should stargaze when we get back home.”
He took his eyes off of the night sky and met Nagi’s gaze. His eyes were practically pleased with him to say yes.
“Okay, Reo.”
And so that’s what they did.
The two were sprawled out next to each other on the grass, on their backs, and gazes shifted up and towards the sky.
“I love stargazing.” Reo murmured, “It’s so beautiful .”
Nagi didn’t understand what captivated Reo, what he found so fascinating about this, but for some reason he couldn’t let himself decline, “Mhm.” He hummed.
Reo propped himself up on his arm facing himself towards Nagi.
“Can I ask you something?”
Nagi shifted his eyes from the sky and to Reo, nodding his head slowly.
Why did that simple question do so much to him; it was as if he could feel all his emotions at once, old and new ones, his heart was beating out of his chest, going a hundred miles per hour, and all of his limbs felt weak, if he’s try to stand right now he’d collapse.
“Why have you been so protective of me lately?” Reo asked, and suddenly his heart slowed, all his emotions came to a halt, “When we first became friends. All those months ago, people talked negatively of you, you knew yet you never did anything to defend yourself..”
Why did his heart begin to beat once more, why did it begin to pick up speed.
“..,but when it comes to me you fight people even over small things.”
Reo couldn’t look Nagi in the eyes. Nagi had tried to maintain eye contact with Reo the entire time, but his eyes were darting around, always trying to find something else to gaze upon.
Nagi couldn’t explain every emotion that had started rushing through his body simultaneously, he still had a hard time explaining to himself why he was so protective of Reo. That feeling that came through his body everytime he was around Reo.
Nagi sat up. He rested himself on his two arms behind his back. He turned his upper body to face Reo’s. He hadn’t noticed the shake in his hands, the way his arms grew weaker as he struggled to stabilize himself, the heat coursing through his body, the urge to reach out and touch Reo,
And so he did.
One of his hands reached out and cupped Reo’s face. His thumb caressed his cheek softly, rubbing back and forth in a slow, calming rhythm.
“I probably can’t give you the best answer, Reo,” He mumbled, “..but I can tell you what has been on my mind.”
Reo continued to stare at Nagi before his eyes shut gently and he melted into his touch.
Among the sound of the breeze, crickets, and occasional cars driving up and down the nearby road, was a faint , quiet , “please.”
“…When I’m around you it feels like all my emotions are flowing through my body, and I feel so many feelings that I don’t have around anyone else.” Reo’s eyes opened quickly, his eyes were wide and glossy, Nagi could see his lips trembling yet he couldn’t stop himself from continuing, “I know what that means, I know what I’m saying Reo. I am a genius after all..,
and when people say terrible things about you, when they bring you down, especially because of me, it upsets me. I get a frustration, an anger that I need to resolve.”
“I don’t hate these feelings, Reo.” He uncupped Reo’s cheek. He moved his hand to Reo’s lap where he laced their fingers together, “This okay?” He mumbled.
As Reo nodded, Nagi moved himself closer to Reo, shoulders brushing, knees touching.
“ I want to express those feelings I get around you, Reo. Like the feelings I have, right now.”
Nagi moved their interlaced hands to his heart. Reo’s hand against his chest and Nagi’s on top of his.
“ This… is how you make me feel.” He whispered. Their faces were close— too close— Nagi didn’t mind. He liked this proximity.
He moved his forehead against Reo’s slowly, taking all the time to savor this moment because it could be the first—and last time ever.
He felt his hands move to Reo’s face cupping it once more. He swiped his finger over his lips, soft plump and pink, he could make out the feeling of chapstick on his fingers.
“Can I?”
Reo nodded once more.
“Words Reo. I don’t want to make any mistakes.”
Reo laced his arms around Nagi’s neck, “Yes, please.” the two closed the distance between them connecting their lips.
It was a chaste kiss, quick, but filled— fueled— with emotion. Nagi could feel tears streaming down Reo’s cheeks and onto his hands. Their lips fit together perfectly as if they were made for loving each other.
Once they pulled away, Nagi wiped Reo’s tears and pulled him into a hug.
“Nagi..,” Reo whispered, “..I feel the same way.”
They pulled back and met their lips once more for another quick but emotion filled kiss.
“I love you, Nagi.”
“Seishiro,” Nagi cut in, “and I love you too, Reo.”
“I love you too Seishiro.”
“This doesn’t mean you can stop being protective of me.”
“Didn’t plan on it.”
Reo laughed and pulled Nagi into a tight hug, as if he was trying to crush him and break all of his bones.
They laid back on top of the grass once more, and continued to admire the stars.
Maybe stargazing wasn’t so bad.