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The textbook definition of burn is to injure, damage, destroy with heat and fire. So someone, anybody, explain why when the only word that could encapsulate the pain in Reo’s throat was burning, searing hurt, the boy could only feel what is described as absolute, bitter cold, as chilly and seemingly empty as the voided gaze of his supposed “partner for life’s” eyes.
“Then…I’ll join Isagi’s team. That solves the problem, right? I want to play football with him.”
When those words leave Nagi’s mouth, Reo feels his entire world, everything he had built up, come crashing down to the ground. All that damage, all the destruction of his dreams, all that pain centered in his throat, dry and quivering.
Wait, his throat?
It is at this moment that Reo takes note of the gradually increasing pain in his windpipe, air seemingly absent. Oh, I’m not breathing. Reo lets out a shallow, trembling breath, but the pain doesn't subside. If anything, it grows the more he gazes at Nagi’s retreating back. The pain reaches its peak, and Reo is about to fall onto his knees on the ground from the overwhelming ache his body is experiencing, when Nagi turns back for a second.
“See you later, Reo.”
How dare he. How fucking dare he?! How dare he turn his back to Reo after abandoning him like nothing, and only give such a casual fucking goodbye to end it off. God, he hated him he hated him he hated him he….Reo falls to the grassy turf of the facility in a heap, curled in a fetal position, vulnerable as he realizes that goddamit, he loves him he loves him hE LOVES HIM. And yet, where did that get him but alone and scarred? He could just hear his father now…
“Mikages are destined to be alone, Reo. We are the elite of society, we use to our own advantage, not get used for someone else’s advantage. This football dream of yours is insignificant. It will be your downfall. And when it does, you will come back crawling to me and the corporation, and you will become the rightful heir you should have been all along. Just wait, your father is always right.”
I guess he is, huh? What fucking bullshit…
It is when Reo picks his utterly pathetic for a Mikage self off the ground and returns to the jail cells bedrooms designated for the losers players not advancing yet, with Kunigami patting his shoulder comfortingly, that he is hit once again with a burning, freezing pain in his throat. He keels over and vaguely hears Kunigami cry out in alarm and hold Reo up by the waist with strong arms, before he coughs. Violently. Very violently. Yet coughing does nothing to ease the discomfort in his throat, as it only adds to the searing pain, but it is the only thing Reo can do. After a few moments of helpless dry heaving, Reo feels a few foreign entities come up his windpipe and escape through his mouth in a disgusting yet beautiful flurry of blood. Elegantly curved, magnificent black petals rain down from Reo’s mouth alongside the droplets of blood and drop onto the cold, metal ground of the Blue Lock facility. Silence. Utter silence, as both Kunigami and Reo look down on the black petals, one in horror and the other in reminiscence. Black Dahlias. Mother used to grow them in our greenhouse, said they were a parting gift from an acquaintance not friend, never friend that she had cut ties with.
“Mother, what are you working on?”
“Ah, hello, my little aster, when did you get here? Shouldn’t you be working on your studies?”
“I have completed them early, Mother. They proved little to no difficulty.”
“I am not surprised to hear that, my dear. After all, you are an exceptional Mikage.”
“Thank you, mother. Back to my question, please.”
“Ah, of course, iris. These are some flowers that an acquaintance of mine left me at the office after she was fired. Such a talented young lady, but she should have known better than to underestimate my ability to detect a hidden snake.”
“Of course, Mother.”
“These, my child, are Black Dahlias. They represent betrayal and sadness. You can see why they were given to me, no?”
“Yes, Mother. Although, I have heard that Black Dahlias are not to be taken lightly when gifted, as they have rather dark implications. Why are you taking care of them?”
“Oh, aster, I am a Mikage. Lowlife attempts to tarnish me do not deter me. Taking care of these flowers shows how I could care less about the fact that someone below me views me as a traitor. Regular folk are disposable, but us Mikages are not. We refuse to be. Remember, my child, a Mikage uses others to their advantage, not the other way around. Take pride in that, nurture that skill. Do not try to deny it, or you will fall in the end. That is the world we live in.”
“Yes, mother.”
Guess I should have listened to my parents. Who did I think I was, acting like I knew more about life when they lived through it longer, harder, and worse than I did? They went from rock bottom to the top of the food chain, and their disgrace of a son did the exact opposite.
Reo continues to cough, Kunigami continues to worry, and black petals, the blood they are doused in not even visible at this point, continue to fall slowly, gracefully to the ground.
Reo is alone in the bathroom after thanking Kunigami for his support and assuring him he can take care of himself just fine. He cups his hands and lets the cool, refreshing water splash into his palms, a cool contrast to the burning temperature of his exhausted body. Reo barely realizes that the water is overflowing from his hands before he splashes all of it onto his face and takes a hard look at himself in the mirror. Ha, what a sad sight this is. I can’t even tell if those are my tears running down my face or just the sink water. This is unbecoming of a Mikage. Get your shit together, Reo. Reo is startled out of his self-pitying trance by a monotone voice ringing out from the bathroom’s installed speakers.
“I see you have yourself a hanahaki problem there, Mikage Reo.”
“Fuck off, Ego. I can deal with this myself.”
“Oh, no need, Reo…”
Reo feels for a moment like death walked over his grave, trampling on his short-lived tranquility, and overwhelming feelings of dread wash over him. He barely has time to brace himself for the inevitable before Ego goes,
“Mikage Reo, you are disqualified from the Blue Lock program.”
For a moment, there is silence. That’s becoming quite common lately. Reo stares, eyes wide open in horror and disbelief, at the speaker in the corner of the bathroom, before letting out a,
“NO! Please, Ego, I can fix this! This won’t deter my performance at Blue Lock, I promise. Just give me a little time and this issue will be resolved! Please!”
“Oh, but Reo, it has already screwed you over. You will never get better at football with your broken mental state. My job here is to forge the world’s best striker, not babysit and solve the love quarrels of an obsessed teenager who can’t understand his own self-worth.”
“But-”
“No objections. This lack of acceptance and understanding of the situation is unusual for you, Reo. This just goes to show how far down you’ve fallen. I’m afraid you’ll never rise back up if this continues, and I have no use for someone like that in my mission.”
“Ego, please, I-”
“I’m sorry, Reo. I can understand your pain, but I can not fix it, and quite frankly, neither can you if you stay here. Your disqualification is for your own good, if you think about it. This decision is final. You have two hours to pack your things, say your goodbyes, and leave this facility. This is mercy, Reo, don’t waste it.”
The speaker goes silent, and Mikage Reo breaks.
…
When Kunigami and Chigiri wake up from their slumber, they automatically send pitying looks to the far left side of the room, only to realize that Reo Mikage is gone. No traces left, only a sheet of paper with neat, cursive handwriting left on the desk. The two football players pick up the sheet of paper to read its contents. Chigiri is the first to hang his head low when he finishes, Kunigami joining him shortly after, before both of them quietly fold up the paper and toss it into the trash bin.
When the final teams of the second selection emerge from the metal doors and Mikage Reo is nowhere to be found, Nagi Seishirou’s eyes widen and he turns to demand answers from Kunigami. Kunigami’s head hangs low, and he shakes it slowly. Nagi stumbles back and falls to the ground ungracefully, but his seemingly permanent poker face remains, displaying no emotion. At least, not to the strangers who don’t know how to read him, not to the strangers that will never be Mikage Reo.
Eventually, though, Nagi Seishirou picks himself back up, a new determination in his eyes, and he continues on. It’s okay, Reo. I will win the World Cup for both of us, just wait for me. Everything has always been for you, and it will stay that way until I find you again.
…
A handsome brunette in his 30s and his beautiful wife are peacefully eating dinner on their large kitchen island when they hear their mansion’s doorbell sound. The man looks up in curiosity while his wife neatly wipes her mouth clean with a handkerchief.
“Ba-ya, get the door.” he commands.
“Yes, Mr. Mikage.” replies the family’s head servant.
The couple watches as she heads down the white spiral staircase, before the telltale sound of their massive marble doors opening sounds throughout the relatively peaceful home. That peace, however, is broken when the wife and her husband gasp simultaneously after hearing a,
“Ah, welcome back, young master Reo.”
“Thank you, Ba-ya. It is nice to see you again. Are my parents home?”
“Yes, young master. They are just upstairs eating dinner.”
Two pairs of footsteps get closer to the couple, and soon, the head maid and their beloved son emerge from the top of the stairwell. The couple gets up from their seats, the man standing with his arms crossed, silently peering at his child. Meanwhile, the woman gets up and rushes to her son, her high heels clacking loudly before she reaches Reo. Warm arms surround Reo’s figure as both his parents send him condescending loving gazes from where they are stationed.
“Welcome home, son.” the couple says together, and Reo closes his eyes, unwilling to look into his parents’ eyes because he knows…
Their I told you so goes unsaid, but not unheard.
2 months later…
Reo finds himself at another business party hosted by his family in one of their many mansions. He has his Mikage face on, a polite smile, seemingly kind eyes, and a charming personality. Please others, not yourself. That is Mikage. Reo died a while ago, and no one bothered to try and stop him. Mikage was what they wanted, and Mikage is what they would get. Reo is chatting casually, as casual as business could be, with an older couple regarding the stock market. The older couple had just finished sharing a rather ignorant joke before a hand gripped Reo’s shoulder. The older couple takes the hint and walks away with dismissive nods, which Reo returns.
“Reo, son, I’d like you to meet Yukimiya Kenyu. He is the son of Yukimiya Raijou and Yukimiya Haruka, the owners of the modeling company we are partnering with soon. You two get to know each other, I have some other clients to discuss matters with.”
That is the only warning Reo gets before his father departs and leaves him alone with Yukimiya. Reo looks away from his father and takes his first close glance at Yukimiya Kenyu.
Damn, he’s hot, what the hell.
It is only when Yukimiya’s eyes widen exponentially and his face turns a lovely shade of pink that Reo realizes
“Shit, did I say that out loud?”
Yukimiya looks surprised for a moment longer before he bursts into unbridled, genuine laughter, before replying
“Yes, yes you did.”
“AGH, I’M SO SORRY! IT JUST SLIPPED OUT!” exclaims Reo, desperately covering his burning red face with his hands and cowering into himself in embarrassment.
“Aw, come on now, don’t be like that. Why waste such a beautiful face by covering it up?” chuckles Yukimiya, before gently taking one of Reo’s hands that are covering his face into his own.
Reo barely has time to process what happened before Yukimiya lays a gentle kiss on the knuckles of Reo’s hand.
“Yukimiya Kenyu, nice to make your acquaintance. Wanna introduce yourself, lovely?” he smirks playfully.
Reo’s cheeks turn an impossibly darker shade of red, and he slowly lowers his other hand from his face before quietly replying with
“Mikage Reo, nice to meet you as well.”
…
It turns out, conversing with Yukimiya is a lot more carefree and fun than anything Reo had ever experienced in the past with business partners.
“Really, Reo, you’re going to be all businessy and polite after we just flirted with each other?”
“L-listen, you! I’m just used to it, not everyone is as unprofessional and playful as you are, okay, you dumbass!”
“Oh, I’m unprofessional AND a dumbass? You wound me, Reo! Whatever shall I do to make up for the sin of not being a posh, stuck-up asshole like everyone else in that ballroom?!” laments Yukimiya, who dramatically drapes his hand over his forehead and fake-swoons into Reo’s arms.
Reo can’t help it. He laughs, genuine and light, for the first time in a while. In his laughter, he misses the soft, appreciating absolutely fucking whipped ahem gaze fixated upon him from Yukimiya. They are now stationed outside on one of the balconies of Reo’s mansion, standing casually next to each other and animatedly discussing the issues of their everyday lives. Pressuring parents, societal expectations, their preferences for cats over dogs. And, Yukimiya brings up, a shared hobby for football. That’s where everything goes downhill.
Yukimiya is droning on about how football had been a valiant hobby, his only escape from constantly ensuring his model image stays clean, ever since he was a kid, and how he wishes he had more time for the sport now that he was older and under more pressure. Reo is listening patiently, attentively, because he understands the value of football in their kinds of lives, until a familiar burning in his throat comes up. Reo gasps suddenly, which shuts Yukimiya up as he looks over to Reo in care and concern. Trembling hands come up to desperately massage a pained throat, but the efforts prove useless, as Reo realizes he’s about to have a very bad coughing fit.
“I-I’m sorry, Yuki, but I’ll be right back, just give me a se-ack!”
Reo barely gets to finish his sentence before he rushes off in the direction of the private bathrooms. He finds an occupied one, slams the door closed behind him, and hurls himself over the sink just in time. Horrid retches can be heard from outside the bathroom as Reo helplessly, desperately coughs into the sink bowl, crimson blood and black dahlia petals staining the sink’s pearly white exterior. Reo is so distracted with getting the goddamn petals out of his lungs that he doesn’t hear the sound of the unlocked door opening behind him quietly. Warm, gentle hands wrap around Reo’s lithe waist and the small of his back, rubbing comforting circle patterns and supporting Reo’s stature as he continues to cough. Reo looks up weakly and sees Yukimiya, his handsome face creased with uncontrolled worry not pity, as the other stares down at the black petals and red, red, red blood marring the sides of the sink. Before Reo knows it, he’s crying, and Yukimiya’s long, slender fingers are gently, so gently, as if Reo is fragile glass, as if he is worth the world, wiping away the tears tracking down the lavender’s face. With the petals temporarily gone from his lungs, Reo slides down the bathroom wall and curls into himself, sniffling all the way. Yukimiya goes down with him, strong arms wrapped around Reo’s trembling frame, lips whispering much-needed words of comfort and reassurance, waiting for Reo to recover.
After that incident, the two boys become closer. Reo apologizes for inconveniencing Yukimiya with his meltdown and Yukimiya assures him that he doesn’t mind, that he’s here for you, Reo, I promise. We’re in this together, alright, lovely? As time goes by, Reo finds himself frequently meeting up with Yukimiya to hang out. They go to malls or parks, out to lunch, and stick to each other at business parties when both of them are too tired to deal with old rich men’s bullshit. When Reo has coughing fits, Yukimiya is there for him, next to him for emotional support, over the phone to make sure Reo is alright, he’s just always there.
“Thank you for always being here for me, Yuki.”
“Well, who else is going to make sure you don’t randomly drop dead one day, Reo? You’re too selfless, you put other people’s desires over your own wellbeing. All I want is to keep you safe and happy, because unlike Nagi or whatever the hell that asshole’s name is, I’m not going to leave you.”
At this, tears spring out of Reo’s eyes and he throws himself at Yukimiya, arms wrapped around the model’s neck and the latter’s arms secured around Reo’s waist.
“Thank you, Yuki…you have no idea how…”
And when words fail Reo, Yukimiya understands. He always does. No words necessary.
“Yeah, yeah. You can pay me back by taking care of yourself and making my job easier.”
“Hehe…my knight in shining armor, always looking out for me, huh?”
“You know it, princess.”
“H-hey, who the heck are you calling a princess?! I’ll have you kno-”
Yukimiya chuckles fondly as Reo attempts to defend his honor, his cracked yet appetizing pink lips jutting out in an adorable pout as Reo smacks Yukimiya’s shoulders in playful retaliation. When Reo’s tantrum ceases, he leans his head softly on Yukimiya’s shoulders, his soft, beautiful lavender locks splaying out gracefully, and he mumbles,
“Seriously though, thank you Yuk-”
“Kenyu.”
“H-huh? I’m sorry?”
“Call me Kenyu, princess. We’re more than familiar enough.”
“O-oh, okay. Thanks, Kenyu.”
“Much better. You’re welcome, Reo.”
…
Yukimiya Kenyu is an angel sent from the heavens. Reo is sure of this, he has been for a while. However, all good things have to end eventually. Reo is also sure of this, but this fact he is less willing to accept. Unfortunately, life is life, it doesn’t care about human desires, it acts on its own.
Yukimiya is over at Reo’s mansion today, they are attempting and surprisingly succeeding in baking a rainbow crepe cake as a surprise birthday present for Ba-ya. Reo has just snuck up on Yuki from behind and smacked the model’s cheek with a spoon full of frosting as payback for Yuki stealing his last mango mochi. The model shrieks in indignance and begins to chase Reo around the spacious kitchen, the two boys laughing boisterously all the way.
“You little shit, get back here and pay for what you’ve- GAH!”
Reo hops over a kitchen counter and attacks Yukimiya with another spoonful of frosting, this time it landing on Yukimiya’s forehead, Reo giggling hysterically to himself. When he finishes laughing, he looks up at Yukimiya, who is now standing still and staring very intensely at the ground. Yukimiya slowly brings his hands up to his own face, getting a generous amount of frosting on it, before lunging at Reo, frosting-covered hands aiming for Reo’s face. Reo shrieks in surprise and attempts to dodge, but Yukimiya grabs hold of his delicate wrist, and Reo trips over the end of his living room sofa, dragging both boys down onto the couch. Reo stares up at Yuki, who is panting on top of him with a mischievous glint in his eyes.
“K-kenyu, wait! We can talk about this, we can talk about thi-EEK!”
Yukimiya proceeds to grab Reo’s cheeks, slathering frosting on them and squishing Reo’s cheeks together simultaneously, eliciting a laugh from the younger. Reo reaches up for Yukimiya’s smiling face as well, smothering the white frosting all across Yukimiya’s face, along his nose, on his glasses, in his hair…
White hair…Nagi…NO, don’t think about him while you’re here with Kenyu…
It’s too late. A seemingly perfect moment between two best friends is shattered mercilessly as Reo begins to cough. More violently than ever before. In fact, it could barely be described as coughing anymore. Reo was practically throwing up his insides, horrendously large quantities of blood spilling out of his mouth and onto the expensive material on the couch. Yukimiya’s eyes widen in complete panic, and he hurriedly yet gently pulls Reo up into a sitting position to ensure the boy doesn’t choke. Reo’s world spins, his throat burns, and he continues to cough up blood, but unlike all the other times, no petals emerge. Something bigger, sharper, and more stubborn is stuck in Reo’s windpipe, and to Yukimiya’s horror, Reo reaches into his mouth to pull it out. Anything to rid the pain, anything to geT IT OUT IT HURTS GOD ITS HURTS ITHURTSITHURTSIT…
“REO! REO, LOVELY, STAY WITH ME, COME ON…” a voice so close, yet so far, so loud, yet so quiet, registers in Reo’s head as he finally yanks out the intruder in his lungs.
It’s a Black Dahlia. That’s to be expected. But it’s not just petals. No, it’s the entire flower, and then some. The stem, the roots, the buds, the blooms, multiple blooms, all of it in a single bouquet that Reo had just ripped out of his throat. Reo weakly turns to Yukimiya, who stares intensely and horrified at the flower bouquet clutched weakly in Reo’s hands. A full flower, a full bouquet. The final stages of hanahaki. The two are only shocked out of their stupor when Reo’s hands drop the flowers, the lavender’s head dropping, out of habit, onto Yukimiya’s shoulder, and Reo’s eyes slip closed.
“BA-YA!”
…
The head servant of the Mikage household comes rushing down the stairwell at Yukimiya’s distressed cry, only to find Yukimiya in tears, bridal-carrying a practically unconscious Reo in his arms.
“Ba-ya, we need to get to the hospital, NOW! Reo’s in his final stages! I don’t know why it's happened so soon, but we need help, now!”
“Calm down, young master Yukimiya! It will do us no good to panic. Carry young master Reo to the limousine, we must depart immediately. Be careful!”
The three hurriedly make their way to the black limousine stationed in the Mikage’s garage, with Yukimiya sliding into the backseat, impossibly careful not to harm Reo along the way. Ba-ya stations herself at the driver’s seat, and they take off. Thick tension fills the car along with the silence, until it is broken by a barely coherent,
“Mm, Ken? Where are we goi-*COUGH, COUGH, COUGH”
“Hush, princess, save your breath, please. We’re taking you to the hospital, you reached your final stages quicker than we anticipated. Please hold on, god, please.” replies Yuki, tears streaming down his face.
“Kenyu, don’t cry…I’ll be alright. I just need a little rest…cough”
“God, I hate him. That jerk that did this to you, I swear I’ll…
“Ken…stop, it's okay…”
“NO…no it's not…I can’t bear to see you like this…god I despise him…that bitch…”
“Mmm…he’s not a bitch…he’s just bad at emotions…forgive him, Ken…I already have…”
“You’re too good for this world, lovely…”
“Mmm…I’m tired…I’m gonna sleep for a bit…”
Reo’s eyes begin to close, and Yukimiya panics.
“Nononononono…stay awake for me, princess, you can’t fall asleep! Stay awa-BA-YA DRIVE FASTER PLEASE WE DON’T HAVE MUCH TIME-”
Reo’s eyes drift shut slowly, but not before he mumbles,
“Kenyu, my hero…why couldn’t I fall in love with you instead…”
Reo’s eyes close, and Yukimiya’s eyes water. He prays to whatever god out there that Reo is just sleeping, that there’s still a chance, no matter how small.
“God, I wish you did too, sweetheart. I would have treated you, treasured you, LOVED you so much better than he ever would have…”
Teardrops fall continuously onto Reo’s peaceful, resting face. Yukimiya cries. Silently, in the driver’s seat, Ba-ya does too.
…
When Reo miraculously wakes, he is in a white, sterile, hospital room smelling of rubbing alcohol and metal. Reo looks around at his surroundings, the movement alerting the doctor and nurses stationed in the room, tending to him.
“Ah, Reo. I was told you preferred for people to refer to you as such, my apologies. How are you feeling?”
Reo gives the doctor a trembling thumbs up and a weak but relieved smile. The doctor returns the smile tenfold before his face returns to a more serious expression. Reo braces himself.
“Reo, you are aware that your hanahaki has reached its final stages, correct?”
A nod.
“Reo, I’m very sorry to pressure you so soon, but unfortunately the decision must be made soon, or your death will be inevitable.”
Another nod.
“You have two choices from here, Reo. There is option one, where you can let the flowers fester in your lungs and eventually kill you. You would die, but you would die with the memories of your unrequited loved one. Then, there is option two, where we can perform surgery on you to forcibly remove the fully grown flower from your lungs, eradicating the source of our disease permanently. However, after this happens, you will have no recollection of your unrequited loved one or your hanahaki disease. What will you choose?”
Reo contemplates. I don’t want to die. I really don’t. But to forget about all of my memories of Nagi…would that be worse than death? I hate that I still love him, I hate that I can’t forget him…what do I do? I have things to live for, but Nagi is one of them. What will happen if I forget him…I can’t…
Reo lets his eyes wander around the room as he thinks. His eyes land on a window leading to the hallway outside, and he meets the eyes of four people waiting outside his hospital room. His parents, his father looking down at the ground and his mother wiping a single tear from her eyes. Right, I’m just an investment to them, a vessel for the heir of their company, nothing more and nothing less. They don’t love me enough to truly mourn me. Ba-Ya, her usual unmovable face contorted to express sadness and concern. Ah, Ba-ya. She was more of a mother to me than Mom. I miss her. And finally, Yukimiya, who has taken off his glasses to swipe furiously at his falling tears. Yet, despite his own mental breakdown, Yukimiya still sends Reo the most loving, reassuring smile he can, and Reo’s breath stutters. Kenyu…oh Kenyu…why wouldn’t the love of my life have been you. You’ve stuck with me through everything. If there’s something I can’t lose, it’s you. But…oh…what to do…
Reo takes a deep breath and turns to look at the doctor with a glint of resignation in his eyes.
“Well, Reo, have you decided what you would like to do?”
Reo tentatively nods, turning to face Ba-ya and Yukimiya, sending them a sad, trembling smile.
“Yes, doctor. I would like to…
3 years later…
Yukimiya Kenyu stands alone outside a fancy 3 Michelin Star restaurant, smoking a cigarette in silence as he waits to leave. He had just exhaled a whiff of smoke when a couple stepped outside, smiling and giggling in their little personal bubble. The woman turns to look at Yukimiya casually standing outside before her eyes light up in recognition.
“Ah, you’re Yukimiya Kenyu, aren’t you?! That famous model that won “Most Handsome face of 2026”! Congratulations!
“Thank you, miss. Having a nice night?”
“Oh, wonderful! My husband and I were just about to grab some dessert from the shop next door. It’s our anniversary!”
“That’s lovely to hear. I hope you both have an enjoyable rest of the night!”
“Thank you. Yukimiya Kenyu, was it?” inquires the gentleman. “I heard about what happened. My condolences for your loss, it must have been hard for you.”
“Ah, it was, but I'll recover. Thank you for your respects, though.”
“Right, I heard about the tragedy. He was so young, and you two were so close too. Glad to hear you’re doing better, though,” says the woman.
“Yes, he will be missed dearly, but pain only makes us stronger. I will be just fine.”
“That’s the spirit, boy! We’ll be going now, but it was nice to meet you!”
“Likewise.”
The couple walks away, chatting happily with each other, the woman’s arm linked with her significant other’s. Yukimiya watches them solemnly, before returning to his cigarette and waiting patiently.
“Kenyu!!! Sorry to keep you waiting, babe, I just had to fix up my hair before the business event!” a voice cries out from behind Yukimiya.
Yukimiya turns and smiles fondly at the young man running towards him from the exit of the restaurant.
“You and your sixteen-hour self-care routine, princess. Although, I’m not complaining. Makes my job easier, if you know what I mean?” winks Yukimiya.
“Oh, shut it, you handsome little minx! Has Ba-ya arrived yet?”
Yukimiya is about to reply when he notices a single purple eyelash located on the lavender’s pretty face. He gently swipes away at the little hair strand and cups his lover’s face lovingly.
“Not yet, princess. Still waiting.”
Reo blushes profusely at the fond gesture despite them having been engaged for a year and a half. As payback, he yanks Yukimiya’s tie and leans up to press a gentle kiss to Yukimiya’s soft lips.
“What happened while I was gone?”
“Ah, a kind couple recognized me and offered their condolences for my cousin’s death.”
“Hm. Yoriko was quite the gentleman. He’s in a better place now, though. It’s okay.”
“Mm.”
The two fiancees lean their heads on top of each other, comfortable silence overtaking their interaction, until that silence is broken by a quiet,
“Reo?”
The couple turns their heads to see a tall, young man with white hair, wearing an oversized white hoodie and skinny jeans. The man’s wide black eyes, much resembling a bug’s, stare holes into Reo’s face, and the lavender shifts uncomfortably in his place.
“I-I’m sorry, but do I know you?”
“W-what? Reo, are you serious?”
“I-I’m really sorry, but I don’t have a recollection of a lot of people ever since an…incident.”
Reo curls into himself, self-conscious and unsure. Yuki wraps an arm around his lover’s waist and squeezes comfortingly. He knows exactly who this man is, and he doesn’t like it. Then, like a saving grace, Ba-ya pulls up in the Mikage’s black limousine, and Yuki gently says,
“Princess, why don’t you get into the limousine and talk with Ba-ya a little? Wait for me, I’m going to have a chat with this gentleman right here, okay?”
Reo looks unsure for a moment, but eventually, he nods and turns one last time to the supposed stranger in front of him.
“Well, it was nice meeting you, Mr…”
“Nagi, just Nagi…please,” Nagi pleads desperately, fists clenched tightly.
“Alright… Pleasure meeting you Nagi, have a nice night.”
Reo smiles at him, but Nagi realizes with a sinking heart that this is Mikage he’s talking to. That smile is the same smile Reo always gives to business partners and other people that aren’t his treasure, aren’t Nagi. Reo then smiles at Yukimiya, reminding him that they’re on a time crunch and to be quick, love, remember our business arrangements later. Nagi’s heart clenches sadly. That right there, that’s the real Reo, that genuine, bright smile directed only at Reo’s loved ones. Except it’s not for Nagi anymore, it’s for whoever the man standing next to Reo is, who Reo had just separated from with a peck on the cheek.
Ah, he’s found someone else to be his treasure. Goddamit. I’m too late.
Is what Nagi thinks, as he dejectedly watches Reo get into the black limousine they used to ride together to school in, greeting Ba-Ya with a hey, Ba-Ya! How was your day? Please wait a little, Kenyu’s chatting with someone. As the door closes and Nagi loses sight of Reo’s signature, gorgeous lavender hair, he turns back silently to the brunette man, Reo’s supposed lover.
“You’re Nagi Seishirou, aren’t you? Reo’s childhood best friend?”
“That would be me. Who might you be?”
“Yukimiya Kenyu, Reo’s fiancee.”
Ah. Nagi thinks. I knew it. Doesn’t hurt any less though.
“You’re probably wondering why Reo doesn’t remember you at all, right?”
Nagi nods, and Yukimiya begins to explain. Reo’s hanahaki, the breakdowns, the staying up all night crying over Nagi, the pain, and finally, the surgery. How that all led up to this moment. Nagi listens silently, but he can feel a few tears coming to his eyes. Yukimiya glares at him from where he’s standing, but he huffs in understanding and says,
“I know you miss him, but you’ve done enough damage already, and I know neither of us wants to see Reo hurt again.”
“...”
“Listen, Nagi, I understand where you’re coming from and how you feel. But it’s my turn now to love and treasure him. I’ll make sure to treat Reo right with everything I am. You don’t need to worry any longer. Just move on, and let’s all part ways properly, alright?”
There are so many things Nagi wants to say, but they’re all to Reo, and Nagi knows, at the end of the day, his words will no longer make a difference in Reo’s life. So, Nagi nods, and Yukimiya nods in reply. Bidding Nagi farewell, Yukimiya turns around just in time for Reo to open the limousine door and call out,
“Yu!!! Hurry up, we’re gonna be late to the meeting!”
Yukimiya laughs fondly, so fondly, before walking over to Reo, taking the lavender’s outstretched hand in his own, kissing the back of it, and replying with,
“Yeah, yeah, princess. Scoot over, let’s get going.”
The couple slides into the backseat of the limousine and closes the door quietly. Ba-ya starts the limousine up, and they drive off, leaving a silent Nagi behind.
…
“Kenyu? What were you talking about with that person? How do you know each other?”
Yukimiya sighs deeply into the crook of his lover’s neck, inhaling the comforting scent that always accompanies Reo due to the boy’s very extra hair-care routine. Gentle, loving kisses are pressed onto the lavender-haired boy’s jawline and neck as Yukimiya periodically replies with,
“Just some old acquaintance…nothing for you to worry your pretty little head over…”
“Hehe, that is not a helpful answer at all Kenyu…stop trying to distra-Hey, that tickles!”
Yukimiya smiles softly into the boy’s neck as he presses reverent kisses onto the boy’s collarbones, accompanied by the occasional bite. All the while reveling in the lavender’s giggles and how easily it was to distract the boy from the pressing topic.
From the driver’s seat, Ba-ya watches fondly as Yukimiya attacks Reo’s face and neck region with kisses and bite marks while Reo laughs, pleading for him to stop, complaining that Yuki would mess up my hair and outfit, I worked hard to get them this perfec-hey, stop it, haha! Unbeknownst to the two lovers, Ba-ya sports a sad, reminiscent smile on her face, for she had also seen the familiar white-haired man standing in front of Yukimiya. Memories of Reo and Nagi’s high school days, with Nagi’s head laying tiredly in Reo’s lap before and after school in the limousine, flash throughout Ba-Ya’s head. Memories that Reo himself would never recover, would never come to know ever again. Looking at Reo now, cheeks flushed and smile bright as he playfully wrestled himself out of Kenyu’s love embrace, only to return the hug and kiss Kenyu’s lips deeply in return, Ba-ya thinks to herself…
It’s unfortunate, but this is what’s best for them.
…
Blue Lock had won against Japan’s U-20 team, and they had treated themselves to a luxurious dinner as a celebration. Nagi had realized just how close winning the world cup had become, and for the first time in a while, he had felt a spark of hope. He would be able to achieve his and Reo’s dream for both of them. He could reunite with Reo after that, could confess and worship Reo like he deserved to be, and everything could go back to how it was before. Nagi had missed the sensation of Reo’s slender fingers running themselves lovingly through Nagi’s white locks. He could be able to feel that again, he could be with Reo again soon, it was so close…and yet…
What…just…happened? Nagi turns his head, in a sort of trance, to look at his teammates still celebrating at their table inside. Bachira attempts to feed Isagi some steak while the latter shakes his head, insisting he can feed himself, but Bachira persists, shoving the steak in Isagi’s mouth, causing Barou to roll his eyes and Chigiri to chuckle at the two boyfriends’ antics. Kunigami, however, is staring directly at Nagi, having paid witness to everything that happened. Kunigami sends a knowing, sympathetic look to Nagi, and Nagi looks back at the spot Yukimiya and Reo had been a few seconds ago. In the duration of the five minutes Nagi had walked out of the restaurant for fresh air, his entire world, everything he had built up, came crashing down to the ground. All that damage, all the destruction of his dreams, all that pain centered in his throat, dry and quivering.
Wait, his throat?
Nagi feels an irritation, a painful one, in his throat, and proceeds to cough roughly a few times. When Nagi looks into the hand he coughed into, he is met with the sight of a few blood splatters and a single flower, its bright yellow petals and orange, tulip-shaped anther staring back at him blankly.
A single daffodil. Misfortune and unrequited love.