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One of the things that they’ve agreed upon is communicating properly with each other. They don’t want another repeat of their misunderstandings, after all. With how different they are from each other, it’s not surprising that they’d run into instances where they’d have different views on things.
Thus, Reo makes sure to clarify things with Nagi first before proceeding to prepare his birthday celebration. Of course, this means that he also asks about what kind of gift Nagi would like.
While Reo has made sure to keep up with Nagi’s games—they have a shared access on Nagi’s game catalogues, and Reo has all the necessary consoles and platforms to play along any game Nagi likes—he doesn’t want to presume on the other’s tastes. What if Nagi has already made plans to buy the sequel for the shooting game that he’s currently playing? Overstepping on Nagi’s toes isn’t something he’d want to do, especially for a special occasion.
Reo considers every day that he spends with his treasure to be something worth celebrating, but birthdays are still special. It’s not every day that a genius is born to this world. It’s something that should be handled well.
Last year, they barely knew each other at the time of Nagi’s birthday. This year, they’re in the midst of preparing for their U-23 matches, but that doesn’t mean that Reo can’t block off time for a proper celebration.
He has already made multiple hints at fellow Blue Lock players to keep their schedules free for May 6. He’s sure that Nagi would prefer a smaller, quieter celebration—but what if Nagi decides to change things up this year? What if Nagi would actually like to go out shopping with him, Zantetsu and Chigiri? What if he’d like to spend time with Isagi, Bachira, Kunigami and Barou, or even Rin? Nagi has changed a lot ever since entering Blue Lock, and respecting that is something that a good partner should do.
(That said, Barou’s reply to his message about possibly going to Nagi’s birthday party is: “you’re fucking blind and crazy”. That arrogant king really didn’t mellow down at all! And Rin’s reply is just “I don’t want to be anywhere near you two”! Reo would have to think of ways to properly get those two to attend if Nagi says that he wants them for his party.)
…But he’s getting ahead of himself.
First things first: he has to actually ask Nagi.
“I’ll handle all the preparation, so you don’t have to worry about anything,” he says, cutting off protests before they could even begin. “So, Nagi, tell me what kind of birthday party you’d like to have!”
As expected, the reply is, “Eh, that sounds troublesome.” Nagi squirms on the couch, like he’s trying to melt into the cushions. “I don’t really want a party.”
“But it’s an important event! It’s the day that marks the day of your birth!” Reo passes several more throw pillows towards Nagi, so he could be as comfortable as possible while they’re playing games together.
…Given how popular Nagi has become due to Blue Lock, his room in the Hakuho Student Dorms isn’t very peaceful nowadays. There’s a lot of their schoolmates who drop by and leave offerings for Nagi, treating it as a shrine of-sorts.
Reo is very happy to see that more people are seeing just how amazing Nagi is. Reo is not so happy that this means that Nagi is unable to sleep and rest well with all the fanfare.
That’s why, whenever they’re not inside a training camp, Reo always brings Nagi back to his place. He has plenty of room anyway, and it’s not as if Nagi brings a lot of things with him. It’s also better this way, since this means that he could help supervise Nagi’s exercise frequency and nutritional intake.
Nagi’s work ethic has improved a lot, alongside his desire to train to become stronger, but he relapses back to his lazy ways sometimes. He’d still complain about being too tired to move and he’d still ask Reo to carry him around.
…Ah, he’s getting distracted.
Nagi shrugs, looking like a happy sloth surrounded by all the pillows. “It’s not really that special.”
“No way! Obviously, it’s a very important day! It’s the day that I’m very thankful of, because it means that someone like you came to this world!” They’ve had their ups-and-downs, but ultimately, Nagi is the first treasure that Reo has found, and he’d always be grateful for that.
“Mm, you sound like you’re talking about an alien lifeform.” A pause. “That, or you sound like a mom.”
“Who the hell are you calling a mom?!” He squishes Nagi’s cheeks as punishment. “Hey, how did you celebrate your birthday before?”
He has already heard from Nagi about the laissez-faire style of his parents. He already knows that Nagi is a single child, and that he’s the sort of hermit who hasn’t made any friends before him.
Even so, Reo is still surprised when Nagi shrugs again and says, “It really isn’t that special, so nothing really happened.”
“No gifts or parties?!”
“None of that,” is the bland confirmation. Nagi doesn’t look like he’s saddened by it though. Then again, Nagi isn’t the sort to be saddened or affected by anything.
“Then we have to make sure that this year is extra-extra special!” He’s more determined than ever to make this one count for all of Nagi’s previous birthdays too! And even if he knows that Nagi really isn’t saddened by the lack of parties, he still consoles him with a, “And some parties are really overrated. It’s much better to spend your time doing things you like, with people you like, than having to smile at random strangers.”
“Your birthday parties were spent socializing?”
“Absolutely!” Reo collapses on the other end of the couch, waving a dismissive hand. “My parents like to throw lavish parties and invite all sorts of business colleagues, so it’s like an extension of an economic summit rather than a birthday celebration.”
Nagi gives him a look, voice soft. “I’m sure Reo looked good wearing suits then. And I’m sure you did well making small-talk with them.”
Reo returns that look. It still feels odd to hear Nagi praise him, but he does know that Nagi rarely does something without a reason, so… “Are you saying that just to distract me from throwing you a party?”
“You could tell?” Nagi looks faintly amused. “But I really don’t want a troublesome and noisy affair.”
“But…”
“Didn’t you say it just now? It’s better to spend time doing the things I like, with the people I like.” Nagi isn’t someone who tends to be talkative or persuasive with his words. So when he speaks seriously, it’s always as if there’s a heavy weight attached to every syllable.
Reo squints. “By ‘doing the things you like’, it means staying inside, sleeping and playing games?”
A noncommittal hum from Nagi.
Reo squints harder. “And by ‘people you like’, does that include Zantetsu, Chigiri and the others…?”
“Things are bound to be noisy with people around.” Nagi idly plays with the edge of one of the throw pillows, and it’s an oddly endearing movement that distracts Reo a bit.
He puffs his cheeks. “Are you saying that you think I’m noisy?”
“Mm, but it’s never boring when I’m with Reo.” It sounds as if Nagi has reached some sort of decision. He straightens his back and faces him properly. “It’s always comfortable when I’m with you.”
“Nagi! You’re really not denying that you think I’m noisy?!” He moves so that he’s scuffling with Nagi again, wrapping an arm around his neck and forcibly rubbing his hair.
Nagi squirms again, but doesn’t try too hard to escape his hold. He even lazily leans back against his chest, and blinks up at him. “Mm, so it’s enough that I spend my birthday with only you.”
Perhaps influenced by his name, looking at Nagi like this—relaxed and calm, unbothered by all the tumultuous events—is like looking at a zen master. He looks too calm and sure of himself, that Reo can’t find it in himself to get mad at him.
“…Not even Isagi?” Months after the Second Selection, and Reo could already say Isagi’s name without wanting to shake someone. He won’t say that he’s grateful to Isagi’s existence, but he is glad that in the end, they all became stronger after their separation.
“Reo, I’m going to get mad if you keep on bringing up other men.” It’s not that convincing, given that Nagi still looks so relaxed, leaning against him.
“Ah? Is that your ego speaking? Or is that your birthday wish?” As far as things are concerned, it’s far from the weirdest wish in the world. Reo knows that Nagi has a tendency to act like a possessive cub sometimes, but that’s probably because he’s just not used to dealing with other people.
(Here, Reo remembers one time he baked some sugar-free cookies while in one of their U-23 training camps. He meant to distribute it to all players, but Nagi was apparently extra-hungry that day and refused to let anybody else grab one. When Reo told Chigiri about getting his help to bake more cookies, Chigiri gave him a look that asked if he was crazy. Chigiri could be really mean sometimes, but at least he didn’t actually tell Reo that, unlike Barou.)
Now, Nagi shakes his head. “It’s not just for my birthday.”
Oh, so he’s just joking then. Reo relaxes and shuffles back to his end of the couch. “Then what kind of birthday gift you’d like? Don’t be shy, I can get you anything you want!”
Nagi’s birthday is tomorrow, giving him only a couple of hours. However, nothing is impossible for one Mikage Reo! He’s sure that even if Nagi makes a request for a limited-edition cookie from the other end of the world, he could have someone fly it to Japan in pristine condition.
Not that he thinks Nagi would request for a limited-edition cookie. Nagi is adamant that he hates chewing and he still finds digesting a pain, and is only eating food for the sake of becoming stronger. That, and how he thinks all other cookies in the world are terrible, unless they’re ones baked by Reo.
…Ha, he really spoils Nagi, doesn’t he?
But it can’t be helped. Reo knows that Nagi can be extremely picky at times, worse than a whiny baby, really. But it’s still really fun being with him, on top of him being Reo’s treasure, so pampering him like this isn’t so bad.
The pampered whiny baby doesn’t look anything like a baby now. In fact, he looks so solemn and serious, that he’s even on a seiza atop the couch.
Nagi looks him square in the eye as he answers, “…I want you, Reo.”
Reo tilts his head and blinks. Knowing how lazy Nagi could be, it’s not surprising that he’d even shorten his sentences. Knowing Nagi, he probably means ‘I’m too lazy to think of an answer, so I want you to think of the gift instead, Reo’, or something similar, but is just too lazy to complete his sentence.
But, it’s alright. Reo understands him well, after all. And because it’s going to be his birthday soon, Reo wouldn’t get mad at him for this kind of laziness.
Instead, he nods and reaches out to pat Nagi’s shoulders. “Fine. I understand, Nagi.”
“…You do?” When Nagi blinks at him, his expression is full of trust and belief in him. It’s the kind of expression that fires Reo up—because how could he let his treasure down? Of course, he’s going to do his best!
“Leave it up to me, Nagi!” He grins and pats those shoulders again.
Another blink, then Nagi’s face softens. It’s not a full-blown smile, but it’s indicative of his happiness and contentment, which is more than enough for Reo. “I believe you,” is also full of softness.
Seeing Nagi like this always manages to pierce through Reo’s defenses and ideas about common sense. That’s why, Reo agrees to play games with Nagi until it’s almost midnight. That’s why, Reo also doesn’t protest when Nagi asks to sleep in the same bed as him tonight.
Reo isn’t a stingy person. He could generously agree to any of Nagi’s requests—because he trusts that Nagi wouldn’t ask him for things that he’s not capable of giving anyway.
“Prepare to be amazed, Nagi. My bed’s so much better than that prize that we got from Blue Lock,” he says, dragging Nagi as soon they’re done with a quick shower.
Perhaps others would be confused as to why two people would need to shower together, but it’s been like that since Blue Lock anyway. Nagi is the sort to fall asleep in the bathroom if not prodded properly, after all. Nagi is also the sort who’d just go directly to bed, even with wet hair.
Reo doesn’t mind sharing his bed with Nagi, but he’s not so keen at the thought of getting his favorite pillows become damp.
“See, it’s very nice, right?” He kneels on the mattress and pats the spot in front of him, so Nagi could sit there, cross-legged, while he takes care of blowing his hair dry. “The mattress has been developed by Mikage Tech, in order to make sure that it’s soft while still maintaining proper support for one’s body in sleep.”
Nagi yawns and leans back against him, tilting his head so that he’s half-muffling his words against Reo’s sleepwear. “Mm, it’s very comfortable.”
Reo systematically combs through Nagi’s fluffy hair while blow-drying. “Right? If you want, I can ask Ba-ya to also place a similar mattress to your room.”
…Ah, is that too much? He’s already assuming that Nagi would continue living here, even after their U-23 duties. But that isn’t so bad, right? Nagi would be fine with it, especially since it means that he wouldn’t be changing his lifestyle much. Reo’s home has more advanced appliances, and Nagi would have less housework to do.
“…Are you going to give me your old mattress?”
“I wouldn’t.” He pinches Nagi’s earlobes. Soft. When Nagi isn’t on the pitch, he really is quite soft. “I’d order a new one for you, obviously!”
Promptly, “Then I don’t want it.”
He continues carding through Nagi’s hair to make sure that it’s properly dry. “I’m not going to make you pay for it though?”
“Mm, but I want it to have Reo’s presence.”
He couldn’t help but laugh at that. “Pfft. You’re making it sound like I’m some sort of, what, a bed mattress ghost?”
“No,” is surprisingly firm. Nagi reaches back to switch off the hairdryer so that there’s no other sound aside from their breathing and the faint hum of the airconditioning. “A Reo-ghost is unacceptable.”
He teases, “What, you’d prefer Sadako or something?”
“No,” remains firm. Nagi shifts so that they’re facing each other. Somehow, Nagi has taken hold of both his wrists. “Have you forgotten, Reo? Anything is fine, but you can’t die before me.”
Too close—but it’s fine.
Nagi’s eyes are large and dark. With this closeness, the only thing that Reo could see is his face reflected upon those dark pools. It’s almost as if he’s the only one in Nagi’s eyes.
“…Don’t just say that ‘anything is fine’, Nagi.” His mouth feels too dry, so he swallows several times. “Only the best is worthy of you. We’re going to continue on winning, on reaching our goals, on reaching our dream.”
“And you’ll be there with me, always, forever, just the way you are.” Nagi lifts his hands, and cups them like he’s cupping an imaginary candleflame. The solid hold on his hands, the probing gaze upon his eyes, juxtaposed with the soft blow of his breath over him, like he’s solemnly making an irreplaceable wish. So soft, and so close, that Reo thinks that Nagi’s lips inadvertently brush over his ring finger. “I used to think that my birthday is not so special. But I’m glad that I was born to this world. Thank you for meeting and finding me, Reo.”
Such an earnest, heartfelt declaration makes Reo’s breath catch in his throat. His fingers are all tingly, and his chest is unbearably tight, like hundreds of butterflies would like to escape from his ribs.
Reo is very, very happy.
“…Nagi, you’re not going to tell me that you’ve been diagnosed with some terrible illness, right?”
Nagi slants him a look. “I’m not.”
Reo heaves a sigh of relief, and he squeezes Nagi’s cheeks with his electrified fingers. “Good! You must always be healthy, and we’re going to show everyone just how formidable the Nagi-Reo partnership is!”
Nagi also sighs, but doesn’t do anything beyond rubbing his fingertips. “Reo, if we’re going to sleep soon, you shouldn’t be fired-up like an anime protagonist at this point, right?”
“…Hey, you’re calling me noisy again, aren’t you?!”
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The next day, Nagi posts on his often-empty social media. It’s a picture of him, Reo and Choki while on a Ferris wheel overlooking a sunset. Amidst the congratulations on his birthday, oddly enough, a lot of the messages include comments about condolences.
Reo looks at the [serves you right, bastard] from Barou, at the [too lukewarm] from Rin and the [what happened to all the practice you did] coming from both Chigiri and Isagi. Reo mentally promises to talk to those four and remind them of proper birthday-message etiquette.
But that would happen later.
For now, Reo makes sure to bring Nagi around places that he has booked to make sure that they can still go out while ensuring that it’s not too noisy as Nagi wished.
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end