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The coffee shop is exactly what Reo expects for something so close to their university.
It’s high end, which means he’s surrounded by a meticulously-crafted artificial warmth of wooden support beams (though they’re entirely for show), indoor plants placed strategically about the building, and at least one wall of exposed brick, despite him knowing full well that the construction of this building included not a single brick whatsoever.
“Come on, Mikage. Aren’t you going to order too?”
His so-called ‘friend’ looks at him with a questioning gaze. It doesn’t matter how many times he tells them he doesn’t like coffee. It doesn’t matter how many times he tells them much of anything, really, because they never care to listen. All they really care about is his last name.
He wants to tell him to fuck off, but Reo learned long ago that it isn’t worth picking fights. He just has to shut up, grin and bear it, and make ‘longstanding mutually beneficial relationships’ as his father calls them. Though he knows it really just means considering every interaction one of business, rather than anything else. Which is exactly why he ended up in a coffee shop near the most expensive university in Japan, tutoring these boring, entitled, rich fucks under the guise of ‘studying together’.
“Yeah, yeah. Go ahead and get a seat. I’ll be there in a second.”
With a smile as fake as the Rolex on his wrist, the friend walks away and joins the others at one of the large, round tables with faux leather seating.
Pulling his wallet from his pocket, he digs around until he finds his card, figuring he’ll just order whatever random latte he sees first on the menu, but when he looks up, all previous thought goes out the window.
Reo has never been a religious man, but he might have to reconsider.
The man in front of him is a literal angel. His silver-white hair glows beneath the warm lighting and Reo gets lost in the hues of his eyes, the same color as storm clouds just before a torrential downpour. They’re intense—frightening and beautiful at the same time; something to be revered and respected. Not only that, but the barista is even taller than Reo, who already towers over the general populace by at least a head.
“Well, if you’re gonna take this long, I may as well take a nap.” The barista sighs and leans forward, folding his arms on the counter and resting his head in the center.
“Um.” Reo isn’t sure what to say. He was already thrown off his game, but now he’s even more lost. He’s usually confident and assertive—just what he’d been taught to be—but his words come out as more of a question than anything. “Sorry? I’m ready to order?”
“Oh. Are you sure?” It’s clear the underlying message is: take your time. Please.
Reo takes a moment to collect himself, then responds more firmly this time. “Yes. I’m ready to place my order.”
“Mm.” When the barista stands, he rubs some sleep from his eyes, and Reo is sure to catch a glance at the nametag on his apron.
“Nagi?”
“Huh?” Nagi’s eyes widen for a moment before returning to his more bored, neutral expression. “How’d you know?”
Reo points to the small nameplate on Nagi’s apron. “It’s right there.”
Nagi looks down, as if he has no idea what is actually there. “Oh. Yeah.”
A few moments of silence pass between them as Reo continues to stand there, equally as dumbfounded as he is awestruck, until he gets his bearings once again. “Are you ready for my order?”
“Oh, right. Yeah.”
So many questions are going through Reo’s mind. Is he an idiot? Is he high? He’s heard that sometimes the more unsavory types partake in drugs from time to time. Though surely he wouldn’t be high at work, would he? Maybe he’s just… very zen?
Either way, all the questions lead him to one answer: he wants to know more about him.
“Why don’t you make me your favorite, Nagi?”
Nagi sighs. “But that’s such a pain.”
Again, an answer that Reo could never have expected. “Well, what if I pay for two? And then you can make one for yourself.”
Stormy eyes narrow, and Reo heats under Nagi’s gaze. Something blossoms in his chest, like his body just knows that he likes being the object of this odd man’s attention. “Fine.”
Nagi rings him up and tells him the cost. It’s more expensive than Reo would have hoped, though it’s to be expected from a shop such as this. Regardless, it’s of no importance to him, so he grabs his card from his wallet. As he hands it over, his hand shakes and the card clips the register then falls toward Nagi.
“Shit—” Reo leans over the counter and tries to catch his card, but Nagi has already stepped back, and Reo just happens to see the moment Nagi uses the top of his foot to trap the card, then lifts it high enough to snatch it from the top of his shoe.
“Here,” he says, monotone, “oh, wait. Have to pay first.”
As Nagi processes his payment, something very different is processing in Reo’s mind.
His entire life, the only model he’s had for relationships has been his parents. They don’t hate each other, but they’re more business partners than anything, working together to expand the Mikage corporation. Reo has never seen what others describe as love . He’s never seen that kind of affection or the emotional draw people gossip about at school or like what he sees in movies.
But this? This feeling welling inside him as he watches this sleepy, idiotic barista try to remember which way the card swipes on the register, just might be it.
Reo moves to the end of the counter and watches Nagi work. Surprisingly, he works quickly and efficiently. Clearly socializing isn’t his forte but he seems to know how to do his job well. Reo waits eagerly, sending a quick wave to the group of other students he vaguely calls friends to appease them, then returns to watching the angel work.
If he’s honest with himself, Reo has to admit that he could probably watch Nagi do this all day. He moves with a grace and elegance he never would have expected after their first interaction. And he gets this cute expression on his face as he concentrates. An unfamiliar warmth wraps itself around Reo’s chest. He’s comforting, but he’s acutely aware that if it squeezes any tighter, it could also be suffocating.
“Here.” Nagi sets a bright pink sugary monstrosity in front of Reo. “Oh, wait.” He takes back the drink and grabs a sharpie from beneath the counter. Nagi takes the cap between his teeth, and Reo’s eyes widen as he watches the way his lips wrap around it for a moment. “What’s your name?” he asks through half-clenched teeth.
Too distracted, Reo almost forgets to answer. “Reo. It’s… Reo.”
As usual, he leaves out his last name. Reo learned long ago that’s usually for the best. It doesn’t seem to bother Nagi at all. He scribbles something real quick on the cup, then hands it back to Reo, turning it to display his written name proudly.
Rayo
For the first time in what feels like forever, Reo actually laughs. It’s more of a snort at first, but quickly builds into a full-bodied laugh.
Nagi stands there in confusion. Though Reo is sure it’s not an unfamiliar state for this man. “Did I miss something?”
“No, no,” Reo answers, looking into the deep, slate gray of Nagi’s eyes, “You’re perfect.”
As expected, the comment goes over Nagi’s head. Reo finds that he doesn’t mind. He grabs the pink, no doubt sugary monstrosity in his hand. He almost doesn’t want to leave. There’s no point in joining his ‘friends’, not when there’s someone much more intriguing right in front of him. But the bell above the door chimes as another customer walks in. Reo has never wanted to strangle someone so badly.
Reo thinks Nagi is about to walk away without saying a word, but as he turns to greet the customer, he stops and instead faces Reo again. “I hope you like it.”
There’s such a sincerity in his voice—a sweet, naivety that refreshing considering the company Reo usually finds himself in—that he can’t imagine saying anything else other than, “I’m sure I’ll love it.”
The hint of a smile curves at the corners of Nagi’s lips before he turns around.
Reluctantly, Reo finds his place among his classmates. They all stare at the uncharacteristic drink, but none of them dare to say anything. He hates the fucking silence. God forbid anyone say something that could be misconstrued as criticism to the ‘heir of the Mikage corporation’.
“That sure looks… good?” One of the students flashes a pyrite smile.
Reo rolls his eyes. The only thing he hates more than people refusing to comment, is when people try to blow smoke up his ass.
“I’m sure it will be.”
His tone is dismissive and final; the others clearly take the hint and put their heads down, pretending to study before eventually giving in and asking Reo a plethora of questions.
As he moves on with his ass-kissing duty, Reo takes a sip from the drink. He damn near chokes on the sickly, sugary sweetness. There are too many flavors all mingled together. Reo can hardly tell them apart, and he almost chokes when a clump of sprinkles manages to work its way through the straw and nearly get lodged in his throat.
Reo completely takes back what he said earlier. Nagi has no fucking idea how to do his job, though he does know how to look good doing it. That, or his taste is just absolute shit.
When he turns, embarrassed, he catches Nagi’s gaze. Nagi gives him a thumbs up and Reo forces himself to smile back.
This man is dangerous. He’s beautiful, he’s an idiot, and Reo is already falling hard.
Reo turns around, trying his best to ignore the beautiful man whose gaze he can feel landing on his back. If he knows what’s good for him, he’ll forget about him.
Reo doesn’t even make it two days before he’s back to see Nagi again.
This time, Reo plans to order for himself. Just a coffee—black—the complete opposite of the previous sugary affront to all things caffeinated. Though, it’s not like Reo likes coffee that much to begin with anyway.
What he does like, though, is seeing those slate gray eyes once again and, if Reo is interpreting correctly, the way they widen with interest ever so slightly as he enters the cafe.
Reo turns on the charm as he walks toward Nagi. “Hey stranger.”
Like a cat, Nagi tilts his head to the side. “But… we’ve already met?”
Reo bites his lip and holds back a laugh. “Right, right, of course.”
“Want the same thing as last time?”
While Reo has a feeling Nagi isn’t the type of guy to remember every customer’s order, especially after only having been there once, he’s assaulted with flashbacks of the sickeningly sweet, syrupy concoction. His survival instincts kick in before he’s allowed to relish in the knowledge that Nagi remembered him. “I thought I might do something different. Switch it up, you know?”
“Oh, right! Hold on.” Before Reo can order, Nagi drops down and disappears behind the counter. When he pops back up, he’s holding a handheld video game console, one that Reo has three of but has never taken the time to use. “I have to finish this battle.”
Reo waits patiently as Nagi plays his game. He watches in a confused sort of awe at this odd, alluring creature.
“Okay,” he finally says with a sigh, setting down the game. “What can I get you?”
Reo orders his coffee and Nagi nods along, ringing up his amount. When Nagi turns around, Reo goes to wait at the end of the counter. This time, it takes much less time for Nagi to make his drink, considering it doesn’t take thirty steps and at least twenty different flavors.
“Here.” Nagi hands over the drink.
When Reo looks at the name on the side, he smiles from ear to ear. It’s clearly supposed to be his name—which means Nagi remembered without having to be asked—but he has no idea why Nagi suddenly switched to what might be English? Maybe Spanish?
Leo.
“Thank you.” Reo grabs the drink and then leans against the counter. “Mind if I stay here and chat?”
Nagi looks around the cafe. There are only a few others there, mostly keeping to themselves as they read or work on their computers, unaware that Reo planned it this way. If he attends during a slower part of the day, it’s easier to monopolize Nagi’s time.
With a shrug, Nagi returns to the cash register and grabs his game. Reo takes a sip of his coffee, immediately realizing that, somehow, Nagi managed to mess up his order, giving him a light, breakfast blend when he asked for a dark roast. There is also whipped cream on top. For some reason.
But, as Reo contemplates the sheer amount of skill it takes to get something so wrong, Nagi returns to the end of the counter near Reo.
He’ll count his plan as a success.
They chat a little bit about video games—Reo learns that Nagi is a fan of gacha games, and tucks that little tidbit away for later—and Nagi’s love of RPG and turn-based fantasy games. It seems Nagi has a natural ‘skill’ for these games, picking up strategy easily and having the attention span (or maybe fixation) to help devote hours to a game as long as he’s having fun.
Reo finds that he likes the soothing tone of Nagi’s voice. It seems monotone at first, but even after just this short conversation, Reo can pick up on the slight inflections he puts onto works when he’s excited, and how he occasionally elongates his vowels when he’s annoyed.
“So, Nagi,” Reo says, changing the direction of the conversation, “you don’t happen to be seeing anyone, are you?”
“I see lots of people,” Nagi answers deadpan. “I work in a cafe.”
Reo resists the urge to sigh, less so at Nagi, but more so at himself for finding this man so damn endearing. “I meant like dating. Are you dating anyone?”
Nagi looks up from his game, though his fingers don’t stop moving. He looks at Reo and tries to read his expression. “Oh, no. Dating is a bother. Seems like a lot of effort.”
With that, he goes back to playing his game, but it doesn’t deter Reo in the slightest. Once Reo wants something—once he has a goal in mind, especially one that is his and not one dictated by his family name—he won’t stop until he gets it.
“Well, what if someone is willing to put in the effort for you? And you don’t have to do a thing?”
Nagi pauses at this, thinking. “That’d be fine. I guess. As long as they’re okay with it.”
Reo takes another sip of his underwhelming coffee, then smiles. “Perfect.”
Reo continues meeting Nagi on a semi-regular basis. It’s pretty easy to figure out his schedule, and Reo has no qualms about making his interest known. Though Nagi gives off the air of being aloof and uncaring, he shows up to every shift, and seems to be a diligent worker.
During times where the cafe is slow and near-empty, Reo takes the opportunity to get closer to Nagi. The conversation flows more easily and becomes a little less one-sided as time goes on—not that it would matter to Reo anyway. He learns that Nagi actually prefers lemon tea, that he reads manga, and he even got Reo to read one of the volumes during a particularly slow evening at the cafe.
Though their meetings have been mundane—tame by the standards of someone fit to inherit the Mikage corporation—it’s been the time Reo’s enjoyed the most.
“Ugh, my teammates are stupid.” Nagi grumbles and mashes the buttons harder.
“What, are they not going after the healer first again? Or did they pull the entire room?” Reo still isn’t exactly sure what those terms mean, but he thinks he’s starting to understand the basic strategies of some of Reo’s games.
Nagi’s eyes narrow and, for a moment, Reo swears he can see fire behind the man’s eyes. “Both.”
This time, Reo can’t help but laugh. A smile graces his face and he swears he can see the corners of Nagi’s tug in return. As Nagi shuts off his game, a comfortable silence falls over them. The instrumental music overhead gives a nice, relaxing atmosphere as it mixes with the sounds of the heavy downpour outside. While Reo doesn’t look forward to having to return home in the rain, he’s glad it’s given him so much alone time with Nagi, as well as a decent excuse to stay.
“I wish I could just play video games all day. I don’t want to have to work.”
“Me neither,” Reo agrees. There’s nothing he hates more than the idea of taking over his family’s company. It’s never interested him but he’s never felt like he could ever consider another option.
“That’s surprising.” Nagi pokes at the mug of coffee still sitting in front of Reo. “You don’t seem like the type.”
“Oh yeah? And what type is that?”
Nagi’s eyes flicker up and down Reo’s form. “Well, you spend a lot of money on coffee. And this is an expensive part of town. And you obviously go to the university down the road. So, I’d say you come from money. Which means you’re probably expected to do the same. Work hard around the clock, make a lot, be busy, busy, busy. Right?”
Reo’s hands wrap around the still-warm mug. He stares into the formless blob of whatever Nagi attempted to put into the foam of his latte. At least this time, since he didn’t get a to-go cup, Nagi didn’t have to find a new, inventive way to misspell his name. “You’re… surprisingly accurate,” Reo muses. “But it doesn’t mean I want to work.”
“Then don’t,” Nagi answers as if it’s the most simple explanation in the world.
“I don’t have a choice.” Reo can’t hide the lament in his tone. It seems Nagi notices, because he sits up straighter to be able to look Reo in the eyes. Under the scrutiny of Nagi’s stare, Reo’s face heats, and he can’t help but flick his gaze down to Nagi’s lips.
“Sure you do. Everyone does.”
Reo huffs air through his nose. “Not me.”
He is fully aware that there are no other choices for him. Sure, he got to choose which university he went to and what he studies, but at the end of the day, he knows what he’s doing when he graduates. Reo knows he only lives under the illusion of choice.
“You should do something fun. That’s why I wish I could play video games all day. I think they’re fun.”
The thought tugs on Reo’s heartstrings. It’s simplistic and a wild notion of some idealistic barista, but it resonates with him just the same.
“What do you think is fun, Reo?” Nagi’s eyes are fixed on his. Reo’s gotten lost in the different shades and hues plenty of times before. But this time, what stands out the most, is the glint of curiosity and the stalwart sincerity in Nagi’s gaze.
He answers before he think any better of what he’s saying. “Spending time with you.”
Finally, after months talking with him, a genuine smile stretches across Nagi’s face. “Well, maybe you can do that for a living.”
Reo isn’t exactly sure what lies beneath Nagi’s words. It’s hard to read between the lines when someone is just scrawling notes across the paper however their heart desires, completely disregarding standard convention.
That’s what Nagi has been to him this whole time. He’s been a sense of freedom. A breath of fresh air.
Rarely has Reo been presented with options that are truly his choice. But, maybe, Nagi can be one of them.
Reo rubs his eyes, again, struggling to process the mind-numbing words in his textbook when his phone vibrates against his desk. The sound is grating. Irritated, he snatches his phone off his desk. His classmates know better than to ask for help at the last minute for finals. Reo might be generous, but he has to draw the line somewhere. But, the second he sees the name on the caller ID, a wave of relief crashes over him, and Reo can’t seem to answer fast enough.
Giving Nagi his number was the best idea he’s had in a long time.
“Hello?” he answers.
“Hi. It’s Nagi.”
And just like that, the day’s frustrations wash away. “I know, dummy. I can see who it is when you call.”
“Oh yeah.” There’s a rustling on the other end of the phone, and they’ve done this enough times that Reo can safely assume it’s Nagi finding a good place to set his phone while he puts Reo on speaker so he can keep playing his games while talking hands-free.
“So, did you call for a reason?” Not that Reo thinks he needs one—in fact, he hopes he doesn’t, other than the simple fact he felt like it.
“I don’t know. I was bored. The new levels of this game are too easy.”
In Nagi-speak, that’s close enough.
“And so you want me to keep you company?” Reo probes with the question. For some reason, he’s been feeling particularly needy. It’s like every step Nagi takes with him—talking while at the cafe, then texting, then calling—Reo gets more and more addicted. It’s like the caffeine Nagi continues to provide him. The more he has, the more it takes for him to feel sated.
“I guess.”
Silence stretches between them. It’s not awkward or uncomfortable at all. In fact, Reo welcomes it. He never thought he’d be the sentimental type, but he actually quite likes being on the phone with Nagi, just listening to the sounds of him playing whatever console he chose that evening, holding on to the fact that Nagi chose him to keep him company.
Reo still isn’t sure how much he should be looking into these things. He’s been hitting on Nagi relentlessly, throwing hints here and there—hell, he even gave him his number and told him to call him up for a date sometime. (Then, Nagi proceeded to text and ask for the day’s date because looking it up would be too much of a bother).
Exhaustion settles over him. Reo crawls into his own bed stretching out after being hunched over his desk for hours studying. Something tugs at Reo’s chest; it’s the same feeling he’s been getting the longer he spends time with Nagi, the one that tells him that his fiery infatuation was not nearly as fleeting as he expected it to be.
It’s much more.
“Nagi?” Reo finally calls out to him, inhibitions lowered.
“Hm?”
“Let’s go out sometime.”
In the few moments before Nagi gives an answer, it’s damn near impossible for Reo to breathe.
“Sure.” Reo is glad Nagi can’t see the stupid grin that crawls across his face. “But you have to plan it though. And tell me when to be there.”
Of course. Reo wouldn’t dream of anything otherwise. “How about tomorrow? After your shift.”
“Okay.”
The silence between them returns and, at some point, Reo falls asleep next to his phone, listening to the sounds of Nagi explaining the latest patch in his game.
Reo walks into the coffee shop just on time, with only one minute left of Nagi’s shift.
The moment Reo enters, another worker, a slender guy with dark hair in a bob cut and some weird highlights underneath, says a few words to Nagi as he glances in Reo’s direction. When he’s done, he gives Reo a shit-eating grin, then waves Nagi off.
Nagi seems more than happy to oblige, untying his apron and heading to the back room, presumably to grab his things. Reo gives a courtesy head nod to the other worker, who winks at him in return.
Weirdo .
By the time Nagi returns from the back room, Reo is waiting for him, leaning against the wall with his hands in his pockets. It’s pointless to try to act cool or nonchalant with Nagi. He either isn’t going to pick up on it, or isn’t going to care, but Reo can’t help but try to turn up the charm.
Or, maybe he’s just nervous and reverts back to his learned behavior. But he’s fine with convincing himself that it’s the former.
“Ready?”
Nagi nods. “Where are we going?”
With a smirk, Reo gestures toward one of the booths at the back of the cafe. “Follow me.”
Like an obedient puppy, Nagi stays right on Reo’s heels and sits down at the booth alongside him. There’s a curious expression on his face, so Reo decides it’s probably best if he explains. “I figured this would be the best place. It’s the easiest to get to, since you’re already here, and you’re familiar with it. Plus, you already know what you like. Minimal effort on your part, right?”
Something flashes behind Nagi’s eyes that Reo can’t quite read. “It’s perfect.”
Decidedly ignoring the embarrassing flush of pink that tints his cheeks, Reo turns around and heads to the counter. “I’ll get us some drinks.”
As he walks away, Reo gathers his resolve. He already told himself he’s going to be clear, concise, and leave no room for interpretation between him and Nagi. He’s going to ask him out. Reo never thought he’d find anyone who makes him feel the way Nagi does; he wants a real shot at happiness. At true, genuine enjoyment and fulfillment in his life. And he’s pretty sure Nagi is the key to all of that.
“I can do this. I’m Mikage Reo. Nothing can scare me,” he says to himself under his breath.
“Except trying to find a date that Nagi will enjoy, right?” The voice startles Reo, and when he looks up, the other barista is staring at him with wide, golden eyes. “Here,” he says, pushing two teacups in Reo’s direction. “Two lemon teas. On the house.”
Reo stands there for a moment, processing, before ultimately deciding to ask more about this mysterious coworker later. There are more pressing things at hand, but at least this person is already aware of Nagi’s favorite drink. “Right. Thank you.”
“Good luck,” he calls, before sauntering away to take care of some customers who just entered.
Shaking it off as he takes the two cups of tea back to the table, Reo straightens himself up and lengthens his stride.
He can do this.
Carefully, he sets down one of the cups in front of Nagi, then slides into the booth across from Nagi. He sets his elbows on the table and rests his chin in his hands; it almost feels like a business meeting more than a date. Of course, Nagi seems unperturbed, instead looking rather pleased that he has his favorite drink in front of him. For free, no less.
Reo sucks in a breath. “Nagi?” Once a pair of dazzling, gray eyes are pointed in his direction, Reo continues. “I want to date you.”
“What?”
“I want us to be together. To be boyfriends. To be in a romantic relationship wherein we—”
“I know what a relationship is,” Nagi grouses. “But… I thought we already were?”
Not for the first time, Reo is completely dumbfounded. “You what?”
“Haven’t we been dating?”
At first, Reo doesn’t say anything. He waits for the punchline. Nagi doesn’t joke often, and when he does, he doesn’t quite get humor, but the longer the silence stretches on the more he understands Nagi is completely serious. “How long have we been dating for?”
“Almost six months.”
Reo almost spits out his tea. “So literally this entire time?”
“You asked if I’d be willing to date if someone put in the effort. I said yes, and then you started coming around all the time. That’s what dating is, right?”
While Nagi is technically correct, Reo had no damn idea Nagi was under the impression that they’ve been dating this whole time. He thinks back to all of their interactions, to all of the comments that now, with this context, may not have actually been Nagi’s obliviousness but actually… flirting.
“Is that why you let me borrow your manga? And do that one raid with you when you were down a player?”
“Yep.”
“And when you said you told your cactus about me—”
“Choki,” Nagi corrects.
“Right, right.” Reo takes a breath, trying to collect his thoughts. “When you told Choki about me, that was because we were dating?”
“Yeah, I’ve never told Choki about anyone before. Nobody has been important enough.”
Strangely, the comment warms Reo’s heart. It has the same effect as the calming, lemon tea heating him from the inside as he takes another sip. In some ways—like strategy and that weird trapping skill that Nagi should maybe apply to soccer some day if he has the motivation—Nagi is a genius. But he’s also an idiot. Though, Reo could probably say the same for himself.
“So, I take it you’re fine with being my boyfriend, then. Since you already are?”
Nagi’s gaze drops to the table, perhaps the first instance of insecurity Reo’s ever noticed from him. “I thought the heart in your latte was obvious.”
That was… supposed to be a heart?
Reo smiles, happy to take one for the team if it means reassuring Nagi. “It was. Sorry I didn’t realize it was a sign.”
“For someone so smart, you can really be dumb sometimes, Reo.” Nagi flashes another one of his rare smiles in Reo’s direction.
Reo’s body moves before he can think. He reaches across the table to grab Nagi’s hand. His fingertips trace the lines in his palm, taking in the way Nagi’s breath minutely hitches as he does so. Nagi’s hand is warmer than Reo expected—maybe because of the tea he’s been holding—and Reo lets his fingers come to rest on Nagi’s pulse point, feeling the rapid beating of his heart.
“Are you nervous?”
Nagi looks away, seemingly bored, but Reo catches the faint blush on his cheeks. “No.” Gray eyes look in Reo’s direction, then fall away. “Yes. Maybe.” Nagi sighs. “It’s my first date with my first boyfriend. Of course I’m nervous.”
The restlessness beneath Reo’s skin begins to dwindle, knowing that Nagi is just as affected as he is. “I went easy on you this time, but I’m pulling out all the stops for our second date.”
“That sounds like a pain.”
“You won’t have to do a thing.” Reo lifts Nagi’s hand and brings it to his lips, kissing his knuckle. “I know you better than that.”
Nagi gives a hum of understanding. “You do.”
There’s something behind his eyes that is easier to read this time—a glint of earnestness that tells Reo it means more than those two words can truly express. Few have taken the time to get to know Nagi, let alone understand him in the way that Reo has done.
Reo smiles back at Nagi, hoping he understands the underlying message: he wants to learn even more, and he’s more than willing to put in the work to do so.