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Hino Natsuko had been told all her life, “Control your temper.”. Did she ever? No, not really. So what if everyone else was annoying? At least someone is telling them. Sure, that experience had left her littered with scars both physical and mental from fights, betrayals and the like, but she believed herself stronger from it.
But in her final years of highschool, her father demanded she get herself in shape. His deal was if she didn’t get a single punishment at school all year, he would pay for her university fees in full.
So here she was, using an arcade machine as an outlet. She tried not to let the rage show on her face as she destroyed an 8 year old boy at Street Fighter. A girl in her class had begun harassing her with the help of her cronies, but Hino couldn’t afford to rise to their challenge like she would have previously. She combo’ed and smashed until the boy beside her started crying and left the machine and his parents swept him away, glaring at her.
She glared right back, but they were already leaving. She crossed her arms and watched them leave, trying not to sneer. She turned back to the machine, red hair swishing with the movement, only to see a white haired guy her age already sitting there, looking at her expectantly. She gave him the filthiest glare she could manage before joining him and shoving her coin into the machine.
They didn’t say a word, but he put up a good fight. Nothing could stop Hino Natsuko however, as she wombo combo’ed the shit out of him.
He huffed. “I died.”
Hino pulled a face at him. His gaze seemed sort of sleepy and lethargic as he stared at her, again, expectantly.
“What?” She snapped finally, having enough. “Burned me into your brain yet?”
“Aren’t you going to play again?”
That, somehow, pissed her off to new heights. She clenched her teeth and picked up her school bag and just walked away from him.
—
That weekend, she found him at the four way pacman machine. She resolutely avoided it. She didn’t really know why this guy annoyed her so much, and maybe she felt guilty for that day since she was in a much better mood now, but she instead stuck to a claw machine game that had a little sloth keychain in it.
She had probably poured 1000 yen into this machine at this point, but she really, really wanted it. It was a character from a silly little game she liked, and she felt fired up enough to accidentally waste that much money on it.
She didn’t notice the guy from before standing behind her watching her play, his hands in his pockets. When she finally got it, she punched her arm in the air. “Yes!”
She finally realised he was there when he bent down and got the little keychain out of the machine for her. His sleepy brown eyes watched her face for a moment before he dropped them to the charm that he was holding in front of her face. “That was a lot of effort. And money.”
“Thanks,” She said quickly, taking it from him. She pretended not to notice their fingers brushing. He shuffled around her to play the same machine. She stood there and watched him for some reason.
“Do you like the game he’s from?” She asked finally, on his sixth turn.
“Mm.” He hummed, getting it on that try. He pulled it out and held it up to her. “I got it.”
“You did.” She responded slowly. Was he just a slow guy?
“Oh. Now we match.” He said, gesturing to her own that she still held in her hand. It’s little face was just two dots and a cross for a mouth, and it somehow reminded her of the white haired guy’s face.
“So we do.” She shrugged.
He seemed content with this answer. “Wanna play Crossy Roads?”
She pulled a face again. “Why?”
He shrugged. “Might be fun.”
“I’m good.” She said, holding up a hand.
“Okay.”
He stayed standing in front of her. She didn’t know what he wanted, and it was kind of pissing her off.
“Well, I’m gonna go to Street Fighter.” She said as a way of goodbye, and stepped around him. When she made it to the machine, she was somehow unsurprised that he was taking the second place. “Are you following me around now?”
“No.” He jutted a lazy thumb behind him. “Crossy Roads has a big line. Too much work to wait.”
She leaned away, blue eyes looking to where it was. He was right, there was a big line of young kids waiting. “Oh.”
In silence they played again. She defeated him this time by a landslide. Then they played again. And again. And again. She demolished him each time. Banter was her fallback, and he seemed to be having just as much fun.
“Must be rigged.” He said when she stood from the machine. Hours had gone by without her realising. This, surprisingly, was fun.
“Sore loser.” She muttered, opening her phone to check the train times. Behind her, Lazy Guy peered over her head to see her screen open up to the sloth game.
“I play that too.” He said.
“I gathered.”
“Friend me.”
“Why?”
“I want bonus rewards.”
She glared up at him. His big brown gorgeous eyes were as lethargic as normal. Gritting her teeth, she looked to the side. “Fine. But don’t message me.”
“Okay.”
They swapped LINE’s as the service connected the games, and she went home. Overnight, she had amassed a bunch of memes from him. She left him on read.
—
She didn’t see him for a month. He kept sending her memes, stickers of that little sloth, and asking her to do something in the game with him. After the first few days of silence, she started responding.
NAGI Today, 9.47pm
Hlp me fight wrld bss?
Today, 9.56pm
HINO
Beat it last night
NAGI
Today, 9.56pm
but alone is 2 hard
Today, 10.23pm
HINO
play something else then
She had no idea where he had disappeared off to. She kind of missed kicking his ass in Street Fighter and hearing his disappointed “I died.” at each defeat. She used to see him there so often, only to suddenly be left high and dry. One day she built up the courage and just asked.
Today, 11.16pm
HINO
Where r u
The street fighter machine is gathering dust
NAGI
Today, 11.16pm
football training
Today, 11.16pm
HINO
mr ‘I hate work’ is playing football
NAGI
Today, 11.16pm
ye
NAGI sent an attachment.
He sent her a selfie of the side of his face, a guy with an angry face and onion hair and a guy with an average sort of bowl cut. They were all wearing black skin suits, and from Nagi’s picture it seemed like the three of them were bunking in one room.
She tilted her head at the picture, glaring at the screen.
Today, 11.17pm
HINO
I don’t get it but ok
NAGI
Today, 11.17pm
when we 1st got here we werent even allowed phones
But theres this weird system 4 earning stuff
U get points for goals
So i bought my phone back asap
Today, 11.18pm
HINO
so thats why i didn’t hear anything for a few days
Lol
NAGI
Today, 11.18pm
2 more goals and i’ll come play SF on the wknd
Cause i need 10 goals
Today, 11.18pm
HINO
you better win
So i can kick ur ass
NAGI
Today, 11.18pm
I will
“Who’re you texting?” Isagi asked, peering over Nagi’s shoulder.
“A friend.”
Hino sent an attachment.
She had sent a picture of her at her computer, playing that dumb sloth game they both liked. Red hair tumbled free down her shoulders, and though her blue eyes glared as normal Nagi still afforded a small smile at the screen.
“She’s hot!” Isagi yelped. “How do you have a girl like that in your phone?!”
Nagi grabbed Isagi’s face and shoved him away a bit roughly so he couldn’t see the screen. “She plays Sloth Mania.”
“Must be perfect together, then.” Barou snapped. He was angry because he had wanted to sleep much earlier than the other two, and their talking was keeping him up.
Today, 11.20pm
HINO
Officially 6 ranks ahead of u loser
Nagi put the top of the screen to his forehead, trying to hold in the stupid smile her little jabs always gave him. Isagi started teasing him as he typed out a reply.
NAGI
Today, 11.21pm
I have to wait til holidays
To actually grind
Today, 11.21pm
HINO
Excuses
See u on sat then
NAGI
Today, 11.21pm
Gn
NAGI attached a sticker.
It was just that dumb teal sloth from Sloth Mania about to go to bed. Just a few simple lines and some colour, and it all made Hino put her hands to her face, blushing like he had just confessed his love to her. It was just a sloth.
—
And so, Saturday morning, Nagi had managed to arrive before Hino. Miserably he pulled at the BlueLock varsity jacket he had been made to wear (Though thank god they had at least given him jeans. If he had to walk out of there in the skintight suit society wouldn’t take that well.) It had his name written across the back. He didn’t want people coming up to him and asking about the BlueLock project. It would be such a bother considering he already has plans.
The seat next to him finally became occupied. Hino’s face was unimpressed as she glared at him, blue eyes staring through him. She looked as fiery and annoyed as always, red hair today tied into a ponytail. “You didn’t tell me you were here yet. I looked like an idiot waiting for you at the door.”
He hadn’t thought about that. “Oh. Sorry.” He watched the muscles in her jaw clench. She obviously wasn’t satisfied with that, so he tried again. “I’ll tell you in advance next time.”
“Good.” She huffed.
“Let’s play?”
“Wait,” She said before she could stop herself. She immediately wanted to die. His head tilted as he waited for her to speak. “What is this football thing you vanished to anyway?”
“Oh.” Nagi seemed surprised, and looked up at the roof. “Well, it’s a weird story. But basically, I’m competing to become the best striker in the world.”
“I didn’t take you for someone who liked sport,” She muttered. Why was she mad that she didn’t know that? It's not like she could pick his brain.
“One of my friends took me with him to it,” He shrugged. “But it ended up being really fun. I’m in the middle of the second selection, actually.”
“H-Huh? Shouldn’t you still be there, then?”
“But I promised I’d come play Street Fighter.” He said, gesturing to the machine.
“I-” Hino clenched and unclenched her fists. “Surely this football thing is more important than a few rounds of SF.”
“I promised.” Nagi said firmly.
She threw her hands in the air. “Sure. Whatever. Topic dropped. Let’s play.”
—
After being thoroughly destroyed yet again, Nagi sighed. “Let’s play a different game next time.”
“You’re just a sore loser.” She snarked, hiding her victorious smile behind her hand. “Anyway, I should get going if I wanna catch the train home.”
“Kay.”
She gathered her things and Nagi did the same. She didn’t really question it, it made sense if they left together. But when they were almost to the station, she knew he was trying something. Really, she should have known when he didn’t say goodbye at the arcade doors.
“Are you catching the train home?” She asked with an edge, wrapping her arms around herself. It was freezing, and the sky was now getting dark.
“No.”
“Then why are you following me, stalker?”
“I thought it was manners to walk a girl to the train.”
She flushed bright red. “W-W-What do you need manners for, idiot? I can protect myself just fine!”
He rolled his eyes at her, muttering “What a bother,” under his breath as he slid the jacket off and before she could fight it, pulled it around her shoulders and clicked the first few buttons together. He held onto the lapels and watched her reaction for a minute, thoroughly enjoying watching her light up red like a stop sign and not being able to meet his eyes.
“Just what do you think you’re doing?!” She exclaimed, looking everywhere but him. “I-I don’t need this. It’s not that cold.”
He had a peace of mind seeing his name on her back. He released the jacket, satisfied with her imprisonment within it. It was huge on her, though he expected that. He was nearly 2 metres tall and she was only about 160 centimetres after all. “Keep it.”
“I-I-I don’t need it!” She seethed. He was enjoying this, she realised. His lips struggled to stay in a straight line. She wanted to punch him.
“Keep it for the train in case someone leaves a window open. I hate that.” He huffed. People rushed past them to the trains below, and the nightlife began to swarm the streets. Lamps lit up and one directly above them flickered to life as Hino crossed her arms.
“Fine. Whatever.” She snapped, looking up at him through her lashes. Her face was still painted pink. If it wasn’t such a creepy move, he would have taken a photo. Under the lamp light, her red hair shined like a gem and those eyes were pools, threatening to drown him. “I’ll take it. I’ll wash it and give it back next time.”
“Next time.” He confirmed with a small smile before it fell back to his usual blank face. “Oh, but I don’t know when the second selection will be over.”
“Good riddance.” The redhead huffed, turning away from him. “Be safe on your way home. Thanks for coming out today. But focus on your sport thing and come back as the winner, okay?!”
That pulled such a raw smile out of him that he didn’t think even Reo had ever seen. “Later. Text me when you get home.”
She stuck her tongue out at him just before she went down the stairs. “Don’t mother me!”
—
When Nagi got back, three guys in his little dorm room looked at him enviously. Isagi groaned and flopped back on his bed. Barou must have done his little maid thing while he was gone, since it was shining clean with all the beds made.
“What I’d give to go on a date with a girl like that!” Isagi fake-sobbed into his pillow.
Chigiri laughed, resting his head on his palm. “Do you have a picture?”
“Oh, Chigiri, you haven’t seen her!” Isagi exclaimed as Nagi dropped his little outing bag he had been given and pulled the BlueLock pyjamas on. “She’s got this fiery red hair, blue eyes like-”
“She’s cute.” Barou even chipped in.
Nagi, feeling a bit proud, showed Chigiri the selfie she had sent him from in front of her computer. The pink haired boy raised an eyebrow at Nagi, looking at him with disbelief.
“Don’t believe it.” He shrugged.
Nagi swiped across to the picture he had taken when they ate at the arcade bar for lunch, where she had the straw of her drink hanging from the edge of her mouth and her blue eyes were locked on Nagi, who was giving the camera the most hilariously deadpan plus peace sign combo. Then he went across once more for good measure, where Hino had broken out in giggles on seeing his previous face and Nagi looked proudly at the camera still holding up his peace sign.
“Holy shit,” Chigiri seemed pale. “If Nagi can get a girl like that, then what have I been doing with my life?”
“Focusing on football,” Barou snapped, rubbing his hair with a towel. “Like we all should be.”
“Oh yeah,” Isagi looked at Nagi with concern. “You probably won’t see her for a fair while, now.”
“I’m aware.” He shrugged. “I told her that and she said ‘Good riddance’.”
Chigiri snorted. “Are you sure she’s into you?”
“She’s just like that.”
“A tsundere!” Chigiri gaped. “The whole package!”
—
For the next month, they were only able to exchange messages and photos. There was no time or opportunity for him to leave, or even find the space on his own to call. Late at night was the only time to talk, or his early mornings meant she got to wake up to a goodmorning and a meme or two before he headed off to more training or matches.
Then suddenly, he dropped a bombshell on her.
NAGI
Today, 9.45pm
I hve a big match in 2 wks
Wanna come
We’re playing jp u-20
She gaped at her screen. She had no idea his football school was league worthy?! She pulled open her closet and ruffled through until she found his jersey, then hurriedly searched BlueLock into her phone.
BlueLock is a research/training facility where Japan is hopeful they can create the world’s greatest striker out of a select 300 high school aged young men. As of now, 30 young individuals remain. In two weeks, they will face Japan’s U-20 team at the BlueLock Stadium. Football fans all over the world eagerly await the match!
“You never told me it was so high end, you prick.” She mumbled at her phone, finally replying.
Today, 9.50pm
HINO
I only just looked up ur little school
And ur act in some research training shit??? Wth
u nvr told me that
NAGI
Today, 9.50pm
My b
wanna come tho
The guys wanna meet u
Today, 9.50pm
HINO
y tf would they wanna meet me
But ya i can come i guess
Where do i get a ticket or r u gonna make me search for that
NAGI
Today, 9.50pm
Ill buy it for u dw
They think ur cute
“WHAT?!” She went beet red, staring at her phone. He’s been showing pictures of her around? Is he included in the ‘they’? Who are ‘they’????
Today, 9.51pm
HINO
R U SHOWING PICS OF ME AROUND TO UR SWEATY FOOTBALL FRIENDS
WTH
Y
NAGI
Today, 9.51pm
Mayb
They wanted to no who i was txting all the time
Today, 9.51pm
HINO
U don’t need to buy me a ticket i have a job ill get it
just tell me where to GET IT FROM
Y r they so curious. What kinda way r u talking about me????
He didn’t respond for at least 10 minutes, in which her heart raced and her stomach felt sort of sick overthinking what ways he could have been talking about her in. What if she was just some easy girl? What if she was just a friend? What if-
NAGI
Today, 10.06pm
I will get the tix
Well i talk abt u the way u r yk
Angry
Rage rose in her like a wave. She could feel her eyebrow twitch, and found herself doing something she’d never done before - send a voice message.
“Listen here, idiot. I am not angry, and why would you tell your friends that about me? I’m literally going to go insane if you say something vague like that again, okay? Cause what if you were talking about me in some… evil way? Making me out to be some sleaze or villain? Think about your words! Idiot!” She rushed in one breath. It was sent, and she suddenly wished she never sent it when the read receipt appeared.
Hours away, in his bunked room with his teammates, Nagi covered his face trying not to laugh at her and to hide from his friends that he was laughing to begin with.
“Is this that girl you were trying to talk to at the arcade before BlueLock?” Reo asked, sliding his shirt over his head.
Nagi still couldn’t respond, shaking with his withheld chuckles. Reo attempted to pluck his phone out of his hands and he was sobered in .2 seconds, whipping it away from him. “Hey. Don’t snoop, Reo.”
“My bad,” Reo smiled, waving a hand. “Keep your secrets. Hino Natsuko, wasn’t it? That angry girl from school.”
Nagi didn’t really like where this was headed, and didn’t respond.
“I thought she was getting bullied.”
That, he had to respond to. “Huh?”
“Well, the last 2 years of high school she got into fights a lot. You know, physical and verbal. Then, this year, she changed it all and stopped getting angry at all. Now some girls she had roughed up have been bullying her. Or something.” Reo scratched his cheek. “Though, she is a looker. I’ve spoken to her a few times.”
Nagi felt deeply unsettled.
NAGI
Today, 10.06pm
Lololol
Not angry she says
Msg says otherwise
NAGI sent a sticker.
This time it was her sloth from their shared game, surrounded by fire and an angry face.
Hino smiled at her screen, all the fight leaving her. He was so cute with his words sometimes that it made her forget the troubles of school. Her school books were drying over her balcony recently, after being taken for a swim by her bullies. She knew they wanted to rough her up in return for their first year run in, but she was prepared. She blinked and looked back to her screen, twisting hair around her finger.
Today, 10.07pm
HINO
Shut up nagi
So 4 this game do u get whisked away at the end
& is anyone else going
NAGI
Today, 10.08pm
:x
Idk depends if we win or not ig
Ill come find u either way
Heres ur ticket
NAGI sent an attachment.
Idk i think every1 invited family
Today, 10.08pm
HINO
R u inviting ur family
Thx!
NAGI
Today, 10.08pm
Ofc i am
Their seats r next to urs
Today, 10.09pm HINO
IM MEETING UR PARENTS?
NAGI
Today, 10.09pm
Ya
Is that a prblm
Today, 10.09pm
HINO
Ig ill be ok
NAGI
Today, 10.09pm
Ull be fine my mom is jus like me
N dad is more talky
But i look like him
But slp calls my name
Goodnight hino
Today, 10.09pm
HINO
Goodnight nagi
—
The day of the match finally came. Sure, those girls finally came after her and she let herself be a bit beaten, but it had been such a fast trip to the hospital! She was at least mobile enough to still go, and it wasn’t like she would have missed it for the world anyway. BlueLock was huge, and the assistant that had led her through to the centre area kept giving her weird stares. She had snapped at him, and he ran from her with his tail between his legs so she had to find her seat on her own.
The stadium was huge, already filled with people. Well, she had accounted for this, wanting to turn up just before so she didn’t 1) catch Nagi before the game and say something rude on impulse and throw off his game, and 2) have a reason to make awkward small talk with his parents who she was sitting next to. The grand scale of the cheering and the amount of people made her realise just how big of a deal Nagi’s team was. She climbed the stairs with her heart in her throat now that she was approaching her seat.
She knew she had found it, a front row seat, when she saw a man with the same white hair and brown eyes as Nagi. She sat down next to him in silence, twisting her hair around her fingers. With such bright hair she felt like a beacon for attention.
“Oh! Hi there,” A woman beside Nagi’s father leaned forward to greet her. “Who are you here to watch?”
Hino wanted to die a bit. “U-Uh, I got invited by Nagi Seishiro… on the BlueLock team.”
“Oh!” The woman put a hand over her mouth, looking elated. “Wow, that boy…”
Nagi’s father looked at her, eyes piercing and not at all like the lazy gaze Nagi had. His eyes felt like they were gutting her open, and she clenched her fist. She was littered with scars, bandages visible, and a scratch above her eyebrow had ruined the look she was going for to meet his parents. Those stupid girls.
“What happened to you?” Nagi’s father asked gruffly.
Don’t get snippy, she reminded herself. She gave a weak smile. “Oh, I’m prone to trouble.”
“What’s your name?”
“Hino Natsuko.”
“We’re Nagi’s parents.” He nodded in greeting. “You’re the girl he's told us about.”
She felt sweat forming. “U-Uh, I-”
The announcer’s voice telling people the game was about to begin crashed over the stadium, and she was glad she had a reason to not speak anymore. She watched with held breath as the two teams walked out onto the field, and then she locked on a familiar head of white hair as the crowd roared. He didn’t glance their way, but even from a hundred metres away she could see a fire in his eyes that she didn’t think she had ever seen before.
And then the match began. They moved like lightning, quick and precise. Every move was calculated, put into action, and successful. Hino had never watched football, but knew that they were amazing . Her eyes were laser focused on Nagi, watching him sprint across the field and positioning himself accordingly.
It was only seven minutes in, and she watched in amazement as he jumped, stopped the ball in its tracks, and then performed a perfect jumping turn kick. Over the speakers, microphones managed to pick up his voice.
“Nice to meet you, Japan…”
His foot struck the ball, and it rocketed into the goal as the stadium went silent.
“I’m Nagi Seishiro!”
He fell over but quickly sat up, looking at his teammates. The silence reigned, for but a moment, before the stadium went absolutely wild. Nagi, from the floor, punched his fist in the air.
Hino ran to the barrier, her grip near white as she watched in amazement. He was really something incredible, the first of BlueLock to score, and able to bring out that raw power from the crowd. The game was amazing, and though Nagi didn’t get a chance to score a second goal, he was beautiful on the field at every moment.
At half time, she was still stuck to the barrier with wide eyes, looking down as all of BlueLock approached the wall for a drink. Some other nearby families called out and waved, but it was all Hino could do to watch. Two women with pink hair stood at the barrier next to her, calling out to one of the guys down there who looked identical to them. He didn’t look impressed with their heckling.
One of the boys from Nagi’s pictures looked up. The one with the bowl cut. Hino knew Nagi had told her his name, but she couldn’t remember. His eyes widened when he saw her, then he nudged the boy beside him.
“Oi, Nagi.” Isagi said, still looking up and nudging the taller boy at the same time. “Look.”
Nagi had a towel over his head, trying to wipe off his sweat. When he followed Isagi’s line of sight it fell around his shoulders. “Hm?”
And there she was, bright red hair flaring around her with the wind, cheeks pink with embarrassment and eyes clear like a spring of water. Nagi blinked, looking at her like a lost dog, before raising one hand in a silent peace sign. Her face fell into a glare with no heat, and Nagi hid his smile behind his bottle.
“Wow, that’s a fox.” Chigiri whistled, even though his equally attractive mother and sister stood less than a metre from her. Nagi shot him a stare that unsettled him. “Geh. Sorry. Jeez.”
“You blow my mind, Nagi.” Isagi said, looking up to wave at her too. She waved hesitantly back. Nagi gave Isagi a proper glare this time, eyes like daggers.
“Oi.”
“I know, I know!” Isagi looked away quickly before everyone was being ushered back onto the field.
—
After the game, the field filled with reporters and families as the spectators left. Hino remembered Nagi saying he’d come find her, but as his parents left and the stadium emptied she started to get a bit nervous. Just as she was walking down the stairs he appeared, still a bit sweaty with a determined look in his eyes.
“You were okay, I guess.” She shrugged before breaking out in a rare smile. “That goal was awesome, Nagi.”
He lit up hearing that, but when she finally reached the floor where he was waiting he realised she was littered with injuries. His gaze went dark. “What happened to you?”
“You sound just like your father.” She huffed. “I’m just accident prone.”
“No, you’re not.” Nagi’s voice was oddly quiet. But he let it go. He wasn’t going to work for an answer that he had the feeling he already knew. “Come on. I’ll show you what my life has been like for the past few months.”
“Yippee.” She said, grabbing his sleeve. “This place is huge, so don’t lose me. I’m not as easy to see as you, beanpole.”
He blinked at her. “Your hair is bright. Hard to miss.”
He gave her a short and sweet tour of his bunks, locker rooms, training rooms. She kicked a ball around with him for a little while, not noticing the big smile stretched across her face that showed no signs of leaving. Nagi made fun of her for being awful, but she did manage to score an accidental goal against him. When he was walking her to the exit, he scratched the back of his head.
“Tomorrow I get freed for two weeks,” He yawned. “So we can play Sloth Mania and SF.”
She blinked. “Really?”
“Mm.”
“Okay.”
At the door, she turned to look at him. He raised an eyebrow.
“I’n not saying this again,” She said, looking to the side as her face began to go pink. “But you were really cool today. Like, it’s insane how good you are. When you told me about football camp I assumed it was a club thing, but. Wow. So… uh. Yeah. You were awesome today. A-At least when you put effort into something, you do it well- Mm?!”
He had leaned over, capturing her lips in a kiss, short and sweet. When he pulled back he revelled in her shocked, bright red face as he stared down at her. Eyes glistening like the sea, hair bright and shining even under the LED lights.
“Thanks.” He mumbled. “Having you come to watch was pretty awesome, too. I made that goal ‘cause I saw you. At the railing. Knew I had to put my all on the line.”
“You did that all on your own,” She scoffed. “Don’t try to peg your abilities on me. That was all you, Nagi.”
He hummed and just leant down to kiss her again, getting a rush as he saw her lean into it. He cradled her head in his hands, revelling in finally having something he’s wanted for so long. Her hands found purchase fisting the edge of his jersey and he almost huffed a laugh when he realised she must be on her tippy toes.
When he pulled away, he stared into her eyes. “I like you.”
“I gathered that, goofy.” She muttered, before stepping forward to wrap her arms around his middle. His arms were around her in seconds. “I like you too.”
“Oh. I should walk you to the train, shouldn't I?”
“Have you looked outside? There's nothing for hours. I’ll have to call another cab.”
“I’ll pay for it.”
“Why?”
“Isn’t that what a boyfriend does?”
She opened and closed her mouth like a fish before accepting it and stepping back to cross her arms and nod. “Yes, of course that’s what a b-boyfriend would do. Since you’re my boyfriend.”
“And as my girlfriend,” Nagi put a hand on his hip. “You should let me.”
“Fine!” She huffed but then deflated, leaning her shoulder against his. “Thanks.”
He pressed a kiss to her cheek. “Arcade tomorrow?”
“I’ll kick your ass.”
“Hm. Maybe.”