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At some point after arriving back home, on the first day of the two-week break after Blue Lock’s match against Japan’s U-20 team, Nagi realised it would be Reo’s birthday soon.
August 12th — he remembered Reo had mentioned the date in passing once, while complaining about the grandiose birthday parties his parents would throw him. Always grand, always luxurious, always filled with businessmen and politicians, and always an important networking event for his father disguised as party for his son.
He didn’t know if it would be the same for this year (if it would, he also realised, he hadn’t actually been invited this time), but he should still do something for Reo. He was Nagi’s first and best friend, his partner, the light of his life and probably even more, judging by the feelings he’d only recently discovered he had for the boy — the least he could do was to get him a birthday gift.
But what do you get for someone who already has everything?
He couldn’t throw him a surprise birthday party — even if his parents wouldn’t throw one, Nagi had no idea how to do it and how to plan it. He couldn’t bake him a birthday cake — Nagi’s cooking skills were nonexistent at best, and he’s pretty sure he never baked anything in his life. He couldn’t even take him somewhere nice for a birthday lunch or dinner, because while Nagi wasn’t poor, the meagre allowance his parents sent him every month didn’t leave much room for extra spending, and especially not on high-end restaurants.
But he could still get him a gift, though. He just couldn’t let the date go by and make Reo think he’d forgotten it. Nagi had hurt him too much already, and he’d sworn to never do it again.
So Nagi picked up his phone from his bag and threw himself on his bed, ready to find the perfect gift that Reo deserved.
His first search attempts were unfortunately useless — googling “billionaire presents”, “rich guy birthday” and “birthday gifts for rich people” resulted in a myriad of articles about huge parties involving countryside mansions, luxury fashion, limited-edition drinks and rare art, none of which were even remotely close to Nagi’s reality.
Maybe he should ask some real life people, then. It was a pain, but it was for Reo — so it was worth doing.
***
Nagi Seishiro:
Hey Isagi, what should I get Reo for his birthday?
Isagi:
When is his birthday??
Oh, you could get him new cleats!
That way he can already wear them when we get back to blue lock!
Nagi still remembered the day in Harajuku when they’d bought their cleats. Well, when Reo had bought them their cleats.
It felt like a lifetime ago now, considering how naive they were how far they’d come. Honestly, Nagi held such fondness and affection for the very beginning of their relationship, that he often found himself missing those slow, sunny days when all they would do was play soccer and hang out together.
He wondered if Reo still remembered that day. If he also cherished the memory every time he laced his cleats before a game. If he smiled while taking them off, thinking about how the two of them would always be partners, whether it was with passes and goals on the field or with matching silver and gold pairs of shoes. Nagi hoped he did.
No, he could never get Reo new cleats. Not if it risked having Reo forget that day, replacing the memory with a new one, one of a much more complicated and hurtful time. One that maybe wouldn’t hold as much sweetness.
That moment — like any of the moments when they were together, really — was a treasure too precious to be replaced by anything else.
***
Nagi Seishiro:
Hey Bachira, do you have any ideas for a birthday present for Reo?
Bachira:
Ooooh lemme think
You should go somewhere fun
Like travel somewhere
It would be like an adventure!!!!!!!
OH WAIT
I saw something about a forest that might be haunted
That sounds cooooooool
Nagi Seishiro:
But I don’t know if we can do that…
What about his parents, maybe he has plans?
Bachira:
Kidnap him lol
Reo was a Mikage. If Nagi tried to kidnap him, he’d probably be arrested. Or shot by the Mikage’s security on the spot.
***
Nagi Seishiro:
Princess, I’m trying to think of a birthday present for Reo…any ideas?
Chigiri:
Hm, that one’s hard
Nagi Seishiro:
I know, he already has everything
And he can just buy anything he wants
Chigiri:
It doesn’t have to be something impressive, you know
Get him something meaningful
Nagi Seishiro:
Meaningful how?
Chigiri:
Something from your *heart* man
That means something for both of you
Can’t you think of anything? Like an inside joke or something?
Nagi Seishiro:
I guess
He could. He obviously could. It was all he could think about, Reo was with him everywhere, all the time.
The problem wasn’t thinking about something. The problem was finding a gift that represented all that he thought about, the depth of his feelings, everything that Reo meant to him.
Nagi was starting to think that wasn’t even possible.
***
Nagi Seishiro:
King Barou, what do you think should I get Reo for his birthday?
Read - 11:35
***
Nagi Seishiro:
Hey Zantetsu, do you know what I could get for Reo’s birthday?
Zantetsu:
I don’t
Nagi Seishiro:
What?
Zantetsu:
Know
Nagi Seishiro:
??
Zantetsu:
You asked me if I know what you can get
I don’t know
You can get a lot of things, it’s impossible to know all of them
Nagi Seishiro:
Oh
Nagi sighed, leaving his phone face down on his bed and pressing his face onto his pillow. He supposed he could try walking around to find something.
***
Nagi was exhausted.
He couldn’t remember the last time he felt so tired, not after the U-20 match, not even when he’d started playing soccer and Reo had to give him piggyback rides back home because his legs were giving out after practice. He’d walked for about an hour around his own neighbourhood until he decided that there were no interesting stores around. Then he took the train to Shibuya because maybe he would have some better luck there.
He didn’t.
Clothing, accessories, jewellery, sporting goods, electronics; department stores, bookshops, small shops and kiosks, Nagi tried them all. Scoured each one from top to bottom, and yet…nothing.
Nothing seemed good enough for Reo. He kept thinking about Chigiri’s advice, he actually tried to find something meaningful, but that made it all even worse — how could he find something readily available and within his budget that meant “you are the best thing that ever happened to me and the most important person in my entire life”?
Since he wasn’t getting anywhere anyway, Nagi decided he might as well take a break and from all the walking. So he headed to the arcade.
It was the same place he’d visit pretty much every day before he started playing soccer with Reo, and even afterwards he kept visiting it whenever he could (when he and Reo didn’t have any other plans, basically). He was greeted by the familiar cacophony of video game music and excited shouting, ready to make his way to his favourite fighting game while basking in the multicoloured neon lights.
Nagi let his eyes wander around the place, noticing all the minor changes in the familiar environment — a few new games, a couple of broken machines, a new special offer in the snack bar. Out of simple curiosity, he allowed himself a quick detour to the prize wall, which he usually ignored, since he only really cared about his in-game ranking.
And that’s when he found it.
Set aside from the usual toys and plushies, there was a closed glass cabinet with a large size that read “Premium Prizes”. Each of the items looked beautiful and well-made, but Nagi’s gaze was laser-focus on one particular piece.
That was it. It had meaning. It was perfect.
“Excuse me, sir,” he called the attendant on the other side of the counter and pointed at the cabinet, “how much does this one cost?”
“That’s 1,000 tickets. And please don’t touch the glass.”
Nagi’s eyes widened in shock and his hand dropped down immediately.
“One…thousand?”
“Yeah.”
“Is it for sale?”
“Nope.”
“Can you place it on hold for me, please?”
The attendant simply frowned, turned his back at and walked away.
Nagi turned back to the prize cabinet to look at Reo’s gift again. A thousand tickets was a lot, he’d certainly never won that many, but he had to try. No, he had to succeed. Because this was for Reo, and he’d be damned if he ever failed Reo.
With a goal in his mind and fire in his eyes, Nagi marched back to the game machines. He had a lot to get done.
***
On the morning of the 12th, Reo woke up a few hours earlier than he normally would. It would allow him a moment of reprieve, of peace, quiet and self-reflection, before the day actually began.
After 18 years, he knew exactly what to expect of his birthday celebrations in the Mikage household.
He’d have a large breakfast with his parents in the dining room two floors down from his, the one used for hosting brunches. Breakfast would exceptionally start at 8 a.m. sharp, as it wasn’t a school day, so that Reo could sleep in a bit more. The three of them would be finished at around 10 a.m., which would allow them some quiet family time. It was important, after all, even more son on the day of their son’s birthday.
After breakfast, they would move to the sitting room on their parents’ apartment — the one reserved for the family’s use only — and Reo would open his presents. Hugs and thanks would be exchanged and then Reo would be free to carry on with his day. Until it was time to get ready and leave for whatever celebrations his parents had arranged for him, that is.
So, he woke up earlier. Watched the sun rising from behind the Tokyo skyline in his windows. Took a long, warm bath and changed into comfortable loungewear. Made himself an espresso and sat down on his couch to watch the morning news and read a book.
With a few moments to spare before he had to head down, Reo began scrolling through his messages to star replying to all the happy birthday whishes before he got too busy to do it. Family, classmates, and even some of his friends from Blue Lock — nearly everyone had already sent him their well wishes. He alternated between replying and scrolling his inbox again and again, looking for the one text he cared about the most, but that hadn't come.
It's fine, he thought, it's way too early for Nagi to be up anyway.
Besides, it's not as if they had gone back to the way they used to be. They had patched things up betweem them, ending the second selection feud in a casual, unspoken way, but their relationship was stil...strained. Distant. They were already one week into their break from Blue Lock, and yet the only time he'd seen Nagi was the day when they had run into him at the arcade in Shibuya — and even then Nagi had been more apathetic than normal, always looking mildly annoyed at hanging out with them. No wonder he left early.
Will he even remember…?
Reo dropped his phone on the couch, closed his eyes and took a deep breath. No use in going down that particular road now.
With another deep breath, he rose and began making his way downstairs.
***
As expected, breakfast had been exhausting.
So, you’re still set on pursuing soccer?
You have to think about your future more seriously, dear, don’t throw it away.
You should be focusing on your studies, what about college?
Your father and I are just worried about you.
It’s been enough time already, you should quit Blue Lock.
Reo threw himself onto his couch and groaned audibly into the pillow. Today, as it always was with his birthdays, would be a long day.
He was startled by his phone pinging, reminding him that he would keep receiving happy birthday texts all day long. Reo scrolled through his inbox, now with twice as many unread messages than when he’d last checked, and couldn’t bring himself to reply to anyone. The one text he wanted, from the one person he wanted, was still missing.
Which should be fine. Really, it should be fine. Nagi had probably just woken up, and he knew very well how long his treasure took to actually start functioning in the morning.
Was he still his treasure, though? Did he still want to be?
Reo got back up, phone tucked into the pocket of his trousers, and decided to go for a short run on his treadmill. Maybe he’d do some strength training too. Exercising would be just the right thing to get his mind away from Nagi, with the added bonus of actually helping his performance when it was time to go back to Blue Lock. He could do that for the rest of the morning, really, then get a quick lunch, and maybe do yoga or pilates afterwards, for stretching and recovering. Then it would be about time to get ready. At least this time his parents actually listened to him and decided to throw him a smaller late-afternoon cocktail party with only their closest acquaintances, instead of the crowded formal dinner they would prefer.
Reo was startled again — only by the intercom this time. He rushed to the small screen by his door and answered.
“Yes?”
“Good morning, Master Reo.” The receptionist said, appearing on one half of the screen, slightly more pixelated than Reo’s video on the other side. “Mr. Seishiro Nagi is here to see you. Should I let him in?”
Reo gasped as his eyes shot open.
Mr. Seishiro Nagi is here to see you.
Nagi was here to see him. Nagi, who hadn’t texted, hadn’t called, hadn’t given him any signs of life whatsoever, was currently sitting on the lobby of his building waiting to see him. He couldn’t believe it. He didn’t imagine they’d ever go back to doing that, to casually dropping by each other’s houses on a whim just because they felt like it.
God, he’d missed it.
“Master Reo…? Should I ask him to go?”
The receptionist’s question broke trough Reo’s reverie and he replied frantically:
“No! No, I mean…you can let him. Please. I’m in my room, top floor,” Reo pinched his nose as he realised the receptionist knew which intercom he’d called. “Nagi knows how to get here.”
“Of course, sir. And happy birthday to you.”
Reo mumbled a half-assed “thank you” and immediately disconnected the call.
His heart was racing and his knees were almost giving out. He should get moving, though, and actually do something — change into nicer clothes, set up the console if Nagi wanted to play something, order something for them to eat, knowing Nagi he probably hadn't eaten anything, and wasn't there a bakery around that had some nice melon bread...?
Three knocks on his door.
"Reo...?"
Nagi's voice. Reo hadn't realised how much he'd missed it.
Three more knocks.
"Reo, are you there?"
Oh. Right.
"Y-Yeah!"
Reo typed in his access code into the lock and opened the door. And there he was. Standing on the landing in his oversized t-shirt, cardigan and jeans, with the same old blank expression on his face.
"Oh, uh... hey, Nagi. Come on in."
"Thanks."
Nagi had barely entered the apartment when he stopped walking and just...stood there. His back turned to Reo. Immobile.
That was unusal for him — Nagi would normally beeline to Reo's couch, lay down, and then ask Reo for whatever it was that he wanted. Of course, he knew that things were still tense between the two of them, but to see it so clearly in front of him, having Nagi feel so awkward around him, it broke Reo's heart. But he knew he couldn't show it.
"So, what are you doing here, Nagi?" He asked with a deep breath and a plastic smile.
Nagi turned to him, but said nothing. Just stared straight at him, eyes wide, lips slightly parted, one hand in his pocket and the other closed into a white-knuckle fist.
Was he...nervous?
"Do you...need anything?" Reo kept his smile in place, for both their sakes.
Nagi averted his eyes, shifted his weight from one leg to another, took a deep breath, and said —
"Happy birthday, Reo."
He'd taken his hand out of his pocket and stretched his arm towards Reo. Clutched in his hand, held so tightly, was a small rectangular box wrapped neatly in bright purple paper.
Oh.
Oh.
He’d remembered.
“Oh, thank you, Nagi!” Reo picked up the package, holding it gently as if it was the most precious thing in the world. And maybe it really was. “You shouldn’t have!”
Reo’s smile was real now.
Nagi had remembered his birthday. Not only that, he’d made the effort to get him a gift, wrap it, and come all the way to Reo’s house to give it to him in person.
Reo had to fight the urge to wrap him in a hug and never let go.
“Of course I should have, it’s Reo’s birthday.” Nagi mumbled, still not meeting Reo’s eyes, “Won’t you open it?”
“Right, of course!”
Reo turned the package around in his hands, quickly tearing the invisible tape on the folds of the wrapping paper. While Reo had no idea of what Nagi would’ve chosen to give him, he could never have expected the gift that he currently hand in his hands — a solid black velvet box. A jewelery box.
“Nagi! You got me jewelery?”
“Well...no. Not exactly. I think.” He was scratching his nape now, which Reo knew was something Nagi did when he was feeling shy or nervous. He’d always thought it was cute. “Just open it, Reo...”.
He did. And he immediately let out a gasp.
Inside the box there were a pair of matching silver necklaces, with each dainty chain carefully tucked behind one side of the box cushioning. They met in the middle, however, with joined matching pendants — two shiny halves of a heart, each side carrying a syllable: lo-ve, written in a delicate cursive font.
Reo let the crumpled wrapping paper fall to floor as he used both hands to cradle the box in his palms. He could feel his throat tightening and his eyes welling up, but he was unable to stop the tears from falling, only able to breathe through quick short sobs.
“Reo?” Nagi’s anxiety had quickly morphed into fear, as he finally turned his eyes back to Reo in shock, “Did you...hate it?”
He couldn’t speak — any words turned into sobs within his throat and the tears flowed freely. He couldn’t even think — his mind was merely a cacophony of thoughts trying to take everything in: Nagi’s presence, the gift he’d brought, what it was, and what it said.
His body, on the other hand, moved on its own accord — giving into the urge, Reo stepped closer to Nagi and, without uttering a single word, wrapped his arms around the boy and squeezed his face against his shoulder, his body shaking with sobs.
“Reo, what’s going on?” Nagi held him back gently, with featherlight touches, as if anything stronger would cause Reo to shatter, “Just...talk to me. Please. I’m sorry.”
'Sorry'? Oh, Nagi.
"You don't have to be sorry. There's nothing to be sorry about." Reo said, his voice muffled by the fabric of Nagi's t-shirt.
"But...you're crying." The concern in his voice caused Reo to let out a soft sniffle "What was wrong with the gift?"
He squeezed Nagi a little harder and took a few slow breaths to force himself to calm down. He had to explain it to him, he couldn't have Nagi believing he'd done something wrong, when in reality it was the exact opposite.
"There was nothing wrong with it," Reo answerd softly, "I just...got emotional. Because I loved it too much. I'm sorry I startled you."
"It's okay." Nagi finally hugged him back properly, and Reo couldn't quite remember the last time his heart had felt so warm.
"I'm glad you liked it, Reo."
They stood still, silent, holding on to each other, as Reo’s crying subsided. He stepped out of the hug first, to dry his tears with the back of his sleeve, and suggested they moved to the couch. Reo’s body felt sluggish as he walked across the room, his mind was hazy — but his heart felt light.
“It’s really beautiful, Nagi,” Reo hadn’t taken the necklaces out of the box yet, and was instead contouring it slowly, reverently, with his fingertips, “Thank you so much. Where did you even find it?”
They were sitting closely, facing each other, so Reo notice the faint blush that began appearing on Nagi’s cheeks.
“The arcade…” He averted his eyes and scratched his nape again, and god, it was cute.
“I went out looking for a gift, and nothing seemed right, but when I went to the arcade to rest, I saw this on the prize counter. Then I spent the rest of the week trying to win it, because Chigiri said I should give you something meaningful when I asked him for help, so…I thought this was perfect.”
The arcade. So, when Nagi went radio-silent, and his only proof of life was when they ran into him that one time in Shibuya…he was thinking about Reo’s birthday gift. Working to win it, in fact.
Reo allowed himself only a sharp intake of breath — he would not start crying again.
“Nagi…”
“Because, you see, it’s us,” Nagi continued, “We’re best friends, we’re partners…you showed me so many new sides of myself that I had never even realised I was missing. I know I said lots of mean things to you, but you were never a pain, and I never actually wanted us to be apart. We should never be apart, really. I always knew we would find each other again, and still…I started to miss you when you weren’t around.”
He couldn’t fight the tears anymore, not after that — the necklace box slipped from Reo’s hands and fell to couch, only for Nagi do pick it up, take one of the necklaces out, and start fiddling with the clasp.
“I didn’t think I could get excited about anything, but I was always happy with you. Even when you were nervous, or selfish, or forceful…I was happy, because I was with you. Reo…life was just a pain for me, and you gave me light. Everything that’s happened since I met you has been the treasure of my life.” Nagi raised his eyes to meet Reo’s, holding the open necklace in front of him, “May I?”
Reo simply nodded, dried the new tears on his sleeve again, and turned around.
With the gentlest of touches, Nagi let his hands slide over Reo’s collarbones, going around his neck, until they met in the back to close the chain clasp. The pendant rested at about the middle of his sternum and Reo touched it softly, feeling the cold metal against his fingertips.
Nagi, however, didn’t stop touching him.
The boy's hands slid down, all the way to Reo's biceps, then went back up again, stopping at his shoulders. Leaning all his weight on Reo — he was used to it by now, even if they hadn't been this close in a while — Nagi nuzzled his nape and his hair, inhaling deeply.
"Ah, Reo smells good..."
A full-body shiver struck Reo like lightning.
"Hey, Nagi..." the quiet 'hmm' again Reo's neck made him shiver again "Let me put yours on you too."
"Okay."
"You'll have to let me go and turn around, you know?"
Nagi turned around with a little grunt but tilted himself backwards until he was sat between Reo’s legs, with his back flush against the boy’s chest, clearly unwilling to fully part from the warmth. Reo mimicked Nagi’s earlier movements — soft hands over collarbones, chain around his neck, fingertips dragging down shoulders and arms — while the other boy sighed and tried to bury himself even further against his chest.
In the comfortable silence, with the familiar closeness, Reo felt the urge to continue just as Nagi had done: nuzzling into his neck, breathing in the scent of neutral laundry detergent and something that was inexplicably Nagi.
The boy simply sighed again, letting out a little pleased hum.
If he was asked, Reo wouldn’t know how to explain the reason behind how he acted next. Maybe he was emboldened by Nagi’s positive reactions to his touches, maybe it was the lingering elation from receiving an inherently romantic gift, maybe it was the fear that this was all a dream and Nagi would disappear again, maybe it was recklessness from knowing he’d lost Nagi once already, so he really had nothing else to lose now.
Still nuzzling Nagi’s neck, Reo pressed his lips against the soft skin and placed a delicate, gentle kiss on the crease between his neck and collarbone.
Nagi turned around immediately. Immediately, Reo started to panic.
“O-oh, erm, I…I’m sorry, I…don’t know what I was thinking, don’t why I did that…”
Reo trailed off as he took in Nagi’s expression. He’d had a quick reaction to the kiss, sure, but he wasn’t looking startled. Or surprised. Or disgusted. Based on the way his half lidded eyes were locked onto Reo’s lips and his cheeks were flushed, Nagi looked almost…smitten.
“It’s okay,” he answered with a sigh, “it felt nice. I liked it.”
Holding on to every ounce of courage he had left, Reo closed the distance between them, capturing his lips in another gentle kiss. They’re supple and softer than he expected, warmer too, and so much better than the fantasies he’d conjure up whenever he dared to imagine the both of them doing exactly this.
And Nagi, always the genius, always surprising him, kissed him back with a fervor Reo had only seen in his soccer so far; crushing their lips together, one hand holding tightly onto his waist, the other treading fingers through Reo’s hair.
Reo parted his lips, welcoming Nagi in, tasting the hints of lemon tea on his tongue. The kiss became messier, sloppier, their tongues sliding across each other and their teeth clacking as Nagi became more frantic, chasing him, kissing as if to stake a claim — as if Reo wasn’t entirely bound to him already.
Nagi sucked on Reo’s bottom lip as they eventually parted for air, panting, their mouths merely inches apart as they shared the hot air coming out of their heavy breaths. Reo felt dizzy and his arms — which had been supporting both of their weights until now — began to tremble. With a little push forward, Nagi sent them both tumbling backwards onto the couch.
“Nagi!” Reo giggles, “What the hell was that?!”
“I thought Reo liked it…?” Nagi lifted himself halfway up from where he’d landed on Reo’s chest and, oh, the wide-eyed confusion on his face was adorable.
“I did,” Reo pushed Nagi’s bangs off his eyes, making him blush, “I really did. It just surprised me to see you so…eager, that’s all.”
“Oh…” the blush deepened, “I kind of…wanted to do something like that for a while. I guess.”
The wide-eyed confusion was Reo’s now.
“You mean…kissing?”
“Yeah.”
“But you never said anything...”
Nagi lowered himself again, nuzzling into Reo’s chest, hiding his face. He’s just like a big cat, Reo thought to himself, circling Nagi with his arms. It had been a while since they’d cuddled like this, probably not since their early Blue Lock days. Hugging him had always felt right, but now, after seeing the depth of Nagi’s feelings (that Nagi had any feelings for him at all!), it felt like home. Reo held him even tighter, silently promising to never let him go.
“I was waiting for Reo…” Nagi’s voice was muffled from his face being pressed against Reo’s chest, “but you never did anything. I thought you didn’t want it. So I was waiting until you did.”
What?
“Nagi…for how long have you wanted this?”
“Dunno. Probably ever since being with you didn’t feel like a pain anymore. But I think I was sure when we got separated in Blue Lock, and I realised how bad missing you felt like.”
“Oh, treasure,” Reo almost held back from kissing the top of Nagi’s head — but he didn’t have to anymore, did he? “All this time…I had no idea.”
“Yay, I’m Reo’s treasure again.” Nagi nuzzled into him even further.
Definitely a cat.
“You’ve never stopped being my treasure, Nagi. Never.”
“Hey, Reo?”
Nagi lifted his head up again — there was a new twinkle in his eyes and a hint of a smile on his lips.
“Yeah?”
“Can we kiss again?”
“Sure, treasure.” Reo giggled and let Nagi pull him into a kiss.
It was different this time around. Gone was the desperation of their first kiss — this one was lazy, unhurried, calm in the way that only the certainty of knowing they would have this again could allow.
Nagi had rolled off of Reo, so they were both side by side facing each other. He kept one hand on Reo’s waist and the other cupping his face, with a thumb drawing slow circles on the boy’s cheek, while Reo had looped his arms around Nagi’s neck. They exchanged slow, wet kisses, exploring each other's mouths as their tongues danced around each other in a perfect rhythm.
This, this is how they were really supposed to be, Reo thought. Two sets of arms wrapped around each other, open-mouth kisses exchanged in a slow tempo, breathing the same hot and heavy air, leaving both of them equally dizzy and panting.
A perfect duo, always in sync.
They lost track of time like that; minutes, hours, half a day — Reo didn’t know for how long they’d been kissing and, quite honestly, he didn’t really care. If he could, he'd forgo his own birthday celebration to stay home with Nagi for the rest of the day. However, he knew very well that being a Mikage meant having to be responsible.
"Hey, Nagi...?" Reo asked, breaking the kiss.
"Hm?"
“My parents organised a cocktail for my birthday later today, and…would you like to come?” Nagi remained with the same neutral expression as always (albeit with redder lips and flushed cheeks), which made Reo nervous.
“I know you probably find these things to be a pain, but I…I’d like it if you could come.”
“Okay. But Reo will have time dress me, I don’t really have a suit or anything.”
“Of course! I might have something that fits you, but we could just go shopping instead.” Reo beamed, equally elated and surprised. “Do you wanna go right now? Then we’ll have the rest of the afternoon to get ready.”
“Oh,” there was a minute change in Nagi’s expression. He looked almost…frustrated. “I was thinking we could practice soccer together this afternoon.”
Was Nagi really asking him to play soccer?
“W-wait, really? Wouldn’t that be a hassle for you? We don’t have to practice during the break, you know?”
“I know. But I want to.” Nagi gave Reo’s waist a minor squeeze — maybe as a way to show his resolve, maybe because he just felt like it. “I don’t mind it anymore, not if it’s with you. Besides, Reo likes it, right? It’s your birthday, so I want us to do something you like.”
Reo’s cheeks were suddenly bright red, and he felt that he might swoon like a maiden in a cheesy romance novel.
“Oh. O-okay. We’ll have soccer practice, then we’ll get you a suit.”
“Yay. But can we go back to kissing now?”
“Heh. Sure, treasure.”
Reo giggled and pulled Nagi close, slotting their lips together again.
And if they ended up losing track of time again, well — Reo was just enjoying the best birthday he’d ever had.