Chapter Text
Nagi’s world was all white and gray. He listened, mostly, to class lessons, made sure he didn't screw up too much with their Earthly One, and hasn’t caused any problems with Barou.
At least, he couldn’t remember that he did.
So why….
“Nagi-kun, I know it’s a bit sudden and a lot to take in, but please try to pay attention until the end.” Anri’s expression was contorting in all kinds of ways, so Nagi took it to mean she was probably stressed? Sorry? Emotions are a bit hard to read, honestly, but he knew she definitely wasn’t excited right now. He gave her a nod to show he was, in fact, listening, and she let out a sigh, looking a little less tense. Score.
Anri’s shoulders rose for a second, she breathed in, “Barou has requested a change of partner,” she told him finally. Ah. Well, it’s not like it didn't make sense. Nagi couldn’t say he felt very surprised. Maybe a bit.
Hm.
To go through all the trouble of asking for a partner change… What a hassle.
When he continued to stare at her, unreactive to the news, Anri took it as a sign to finish giving whatever information was in her possession. “They’ve decided to make Mikage Reo your new partner. Your first mission should probably be in a few hours, so you’ll get to meet him soon at the challenge room, if you haven’t already.” Nagi hummed once.
Mikage Reo… The son of the demons’ principal.
Nagi didn’t know too much about him. He heard a bit from Bachira, usually as he came back to their dorm from a challenge, and he described him as…not too bad, actually.
“Reo-chan is pretty funny!” He remembers him saying.
Oh, well. Not that it matters too much.
He turned away, intending to get back to his game now that he heard what Anri had to say, but her arm caught him gently. “Nagi-kun. Just-um, try to be a bit more cooperative, alright?” He looked at her face, again not replying straight away. Her eyebrows furrowed, and her eyes got a bit bigger, as if in a plea.
“Alright,” he found himself assuring her quickly, feeling a bit better at the kind smile she gave him in return before he left.
All that stress might just cause her wrinkles.
__________
“They’re switching my partner.” At the many confused looks he received from the table, Reo found himself slowly nodding, as if to tell them he wasn’t joking. It was a logical reaction, he agreed, after all, why would they do it in the second semester?
“Wait, no way you’re serious. Why would they change it randomly in the middle of the year?”
He shrugged, giving Karasu a look, “Guess the little angels had some problems after all.” Chigiri let out a snort, murmuring a soft “troubles in heaven, hm?” and laughing at his own joke. Shidou seemed to find the joke just as funny, as he clapped once while letting out cackles of his own. If he winced a bit at the force of his own clap, Reo was the only one who noticed.
“- I’m pretty sad about it,” he continued, faking a small pout that made the red-haired man hit him softly. “I actually really liked Bachira. He wasn’t as stuck up as the rest of ‘em.”
“You just like that he laughed at your jokes,” Chigiri rolled his eyes, and Reo held his arms up, as if to say “you got me”. Although his little comment was a bit funny, seeing as the other laughed at his jokes, too. Quite often, might he add.
“What can I say?” he shrugged, grinning widely once he caught Chigiri’s eyes, “-I like a man with a good sense of humor.”
Reo was convinced that if the demon rolled his eyes like that one more time, they’d actually get stuck up there.
Hah. And what a sight it would be, he grinned at the thought. Maybe it’d actually make the redhead a scary demon for once.
“So, who’s your new one?” Otoya looked uncharacteristically intrigued, and Reo almost didn’t want to shut down his curiosity like this. Almost.
“It’s a guy.”
Reo giggled when he heard the expectedly disappointed “oh.”
“Nagi Seishiro, if any of you have heard of him?” He looked to Chigiri first, searching for recognition in his best friend’s eyes, but all he found was confusion. “Really?” He questioned. Chigiri knew almost everyone in their grade level.
“I think he was Barou’s partner before you? Pretty sure I’ve heard him come back to our room talking about a “disgusting Nagi” and how “there’s no way he’s an angel,” so that might be your guy?” He used his fingers to make air quotations, causing Shidou to snicker a little every time he did.
Reo hummed, taking Karasu’s words into consideration. If that is the case, they’ll have to go talk to Barou soon before that first challenge. “Did Barou even have a partner change?” Next to Karasu, who was now busy shuffling a spoonful of rice to his mouth, Otoya shrugged. Alright, then.
Reo let out an amused puff of air, his hand immediately reaching for the redhead, patting him on the knee. “‘You feel like paying Barou a visit with me?”
Chigiri snorted, but soon he stood up, making his way towards the dorms.
Reo giggled, running to the other and swinging an arm around him as he caught up.
They almost made their way around the corner, where the elevators were, when a voice sounded- So loud only a demon could have possibly produced it.
“What about your lunch, dude?” he heard Karasu shout from across the cafeteria.
“Sorry! Clean for us this time?” Chigiri replied, unexpectedly taking off in a run, Reo soon following on his heels.
The two of them laughed harder as they heard Shidou spitting out profanities in their direction.
——————
Reo doesn’t really know what he expected from the other demon’s room, but Barou’s was surprisingly pristine. All his notebooks were stacked to the top-right corner of his desk, and a neat, dustless lamp in the same line stood on the left. His bed was a spotless, crinkle-less arrangement of calm, monotone, blue sheets, his pillow fluffed to perfection. He didn’t have any pictures, and from what Reo could tell, all his non-school-related stuff was in the closet, or those two brown boxes resting at the bed’s feet.
When Chigiri entered, Barou’s head immediately moved to lock on them. His eyes narrowed a tad, and a few seconds later, Reo saw what he knew to be recognition. He decided to beat him to it, and answer the question he undoubtedly had for them.
“Do you know a Nagi Seshiro? We heard he was your past partner,” he explained.
At the mention of the name, his face contorted to a different expression- one of disgust, and Reo found himself oddly curious, instead of the more reasonable annoyance he should probably feel upon seeing such a reaction to the guy he was supposed to work with. Against.
“I take it, you know him then?”
As if Barou couldn’t look angrier, his eyebrows bent so close they almost touched. “Yeah, I know him alright. What is it to you? Nagi Seshiro is probably the worst being I've ever had the displeasure of meeting.”
Well, damn.
“What did he even do to you, dude? He’s an angel, isn’t he?” Chigiri and Reo were always on the same wavelength. Reo unknowingly leaned a bit forward with his chest, set on listening to whatever he had to say.
“Tch. Yeah, someone up there definitely made a mistake. I fucking hate angels, but that guy is unbarable in a way only demons can be. A goddamn sloth monster. He doesn’t listen, doesn’t put any effort in anything, doesn’t play fair, and worst of all- he’s fucking disgusting. I bet he’d never bathe if no one told him to.” Message received.
“Well, shit, Reo. Good luck, I guess.” Thanks, Chigiri. A real mood lifter.
Barou raised an eyebrow at the two of them, realising they never did tell him why they wanted to know about Nagi anyway. “So? What’s it to you?”
Chigiri pointed his thumb in Reo’s direction, his expression grim.
“I’m guessing you complained about him or something? They dumped him on Reo instead.”
Reo thought it was almost impossible for a demon like Barou to be apologetic, but something in his wide eyes told him he might just be.
“Eh,” Reo waves them off, more to convince himself than anything. “I'm sure he’s not that bad,” he looked to Chigiri for confirmation, but all he got was pity. He gritted his teeth together. “Well, whatever. It’ll just mean the challenges would be easier to win, no?”
“Actually, the bast-”
“Let’s go, Chigiri. You ‘gotta help me prepare for this,” Reo took him by the hand and led him back out of the door; Chigiri willingly came along, the two of them making their leave.
“Don’t cut me off motherf-”
“Bye, Barou, thanks!” They heard a few sounds from behind the door, but Reo was too busy in his thoughts to laugh this time.
He wasn’t left alone for more than a few seconds, however.
The reminder of Chigiri’s presence came in the form of a soft elbow to his side. “Ow,” he reached his hand to soothe the area.
Chigiri just laughed.
“Drama queen. I know that didn’t really hurt.” Reo shot him a grin, but it, too, was quickly replaced with a sigh.
“Do you really think he’s as bad as he said?”
He didn’t need to say who “He” is. Chigiri only shrugged, “Maybe.”
Reo’s head tilted up, face towards the ceiling, as he grimaced in phantom pain, of the bad, emotional kind. Frustration. “You’ll only know when you actually meet him, Reo. Stop thinking about this now.”
“You’re right, you’re right, but I can’t help it. He switched partners ‘cuz this Nagi guy was so bad. Do you know how long that fucking process is? I don’t want to deal with that!”
Chigiri gave him a few pats on the back, keeping his hand there to rub encouragingly, comforting. “Well, Barou is kind of dramatic, too, so I don’t really know if you’d wanna take his words as fact, you know? Get your own opinion yourself. You and Barou have different friends for a reason.”
“Barou doesn’t have friends.”
“Exactly.”
Reo laughed. “You’re horrible, dude.”
He got a grin in return, “Thanks.” Now they were both smiling.
“You’re so good at this, Hyoma.” Reo swung his arm around his friend, acquiring a renewed pep in his step. “Well, someone has to be.”
Chigiri barely dodged the elbow sent his way.
__________
Reo found himself alone in front of the door to the challenge room, and the assumptions couldn’t help but rush in. Did Nagi... forget? Because there’s no way an angel would skip, right? No, definitely not. Is he late on purpose? Is he sleeping? Is he-
“Hi.”
Um.
The guy in front of Reo wasn’t really what he imagined.
He was taller than Reo, something only a select few people are, and he found himself lingering a bit on the fact. Actually, now that he looked past that.. The guy had messy white hair that looked like he didn’t bother brushing it after he woke up, and his eyes looked tired, but, like, not from exhaustion. His clothes were a baggy mess of pale browns and beige. He just looked… Like, he couldn’t be bothered with his appearance. “Um. Nagi?” The guy, Nagi, just hummed, looking at him expectedly.
“I’m Reo. We weren’t really introduced before.” The other nodded.
“Do you want to choose the challenge?”
Nagi shrugged his shoulders, “Okay.” What’s with this guy? He barely speaks.
“Uh, good luck.” Nagi looked at him as he made his way to the button by the door. He nodded at Reo and pressed it.
Soon, the doors opened to make way for both of them, who stepped into the elevator. Nagi carelessly walked inside, a bit clumsily, and Reo had to step left quickly before the two of them could accidentally touch. He took it upon himself to stay at the left side for both of their safety.
“What’d you have in mind?” Might as well make conversation with the guy who’s supposed to be his partner for a while. “Maze.” Reo almost thought he imagined the other talking. “Maze?” “Yeah.” Okay.
“What’ll be the challenge?” The doors opened before he could hear any explanation, and, wow.
Reo has to say, this guy’s imagination was something- and Reo’s last partner was Bachira.
The challenge room transformed into a cave. It was almost pitch black, or it would be, if not for the countless purple crystals that seemed to be growing from the top of it, from every bend and crease of stone. They looked like stars- prettier, more colorful stars. and at the bottom of it was a maze; a giant maze made from the same stone of the cave, tall enough that they could only see the first wall of the entrance. All along, there were more crystals and some kind of greenish plants. Never in all the 17 flashes of Reo’s life has he ever seen anything like this.
He studied the maze for anything he might’ve missed.
Actually… When he looked to his right he saw another entrance.
He turned to Nagi, a rush of excitement in his body now that he had seen the challenge.
“So! What is it?” Nagi looked at his face, eyes wide for a second. “The first one to get to the middle wins,” he explained, a bit quietly, talking slowly.
“Awesome, alright.”
“You’ll take the left entrance and I’ll take the right.”
Reo hummed in understanding, already putting one foot forward, ready.
“when the bell sounds…”
Reo nodded, tense with excitement and eager to begin. When the sound rings through the cave, Reo barely registers that his body starts moving, sprinting into the entrance. A glance to the right told him Nagi, too, had taken off into the maze.
“Sloth monster?” as if! That guy looked just as ready as Reo!
Inside the maze was a different experience all around. The walls towered over Reo, adorned with green leaves and vines all over, with hints of purple, like flowers peeking through, in the form of bright glowing gems. Reo was presented first with the option to go left or right, but right seemed blocked off, so he quickly rushed to the left, being instantly met with the choice of going straight or left. He turned left, but as he looked both ways, he realised that, too, was a dead end. He quickly went back and continued straight. Over on the other side, he heard Nagi run, and he sounded a bit further away.
He needs to be quicker.
The maze continued right, and he ran with it, making a sharp turn that caused his feet to almost glide a bit. He regained his balance in seconds, facing his next options: straight or left, again. Well, last time he was wrong on this, so.
Reo went straight, coming face to face with, once more, a clear path. He let out a sigh of relief as a grin slowly made its way to his face.
Nagi, I hope you’re taking this seriously, heh.
“Ow.” Speaking of Nagi. Reo’s head snapped right. What happened to that guy? That yelp sounded quite genuine.
Reo made a few more rights, then a left, then a right, and then… He came face to face with what was probably the cause of Nagi’s pain.
In front of him was a huge, green monster made of, uh-goo? Seriously. Bleh.
“Nagi! Why didn’t you mention the damn monsters!” His screams were broken at the end, when he was forced to dodge a hit from the damn thing. With all the sounds coming from the other side…Nagi was probably dealing with a few monsters of his own.
Reo looked back, his heart skipping a beat at the distance between the monster’s body and his own.
He needs to be faster!
Faster..Faster…Faster-Chigiri! In a split second, he imagined Chigiri’s ability, envisioning it for his own, and soon, he left the distance between him and the walls he was turning to each time growing smaller. Yes! Genius.
He made a sharp right, and then immediately after, another right, but he was a bit too fast and found himself losing his footing a bit, stumbling towards the wall. He made a small noise of panic as he thought of the monster that must be catching up to him and pushed his hands in front of himself to brace for impact.
But instead of the wall, Nagi suddenly popped out of the right, making an appearance right in front of Reo, who was still stumbling forward, and shit! They’re going to accidentally-
Reo shifted his weight back, but couldn’t stop himself from falling that time.
“Reo!” Reo was stressed. And he knew what Nagi was shouting about. He could hear it behind him, okay? He looked behind slowly, pushing his body to dodge to the left, but he didn't need to.
The monster was…frozen?
“You can-” he breathed in deeply, his breath coming out uneven, “-You can freeze things?!”
Nagi, in a similar state of adrenaline rush, stress, and relief, if his expression was anything to go by, just stared at Reo’s face, eyes wide, chest rising up and down fast, “Yeah-uh, yeah.”
Reo felt a breath on the back of his neck.
“Not for too long, though,” and the angel took off to the left opening.
“You could've said so earlier!” Reo’s wings helped him fly as fast as he could, taking off after Nagi’s slowly disappearing form, his bright white halo lighting his way through the walls of the cave. “Sorry,” he heard the other shout back, if it could even count as a shout.
Reo found himself laughing. He was having a lot of fun, actually.
He conjured Chigiri’s ability again, laughing loudly as Nagi became closer and closer.
In seconds, he overtook him, and the other looked quite shocked at the realization.
“Super speed?” he heard the other mutter to himself. He turned back to Nagi, winking, “Not quite!” Nagi just looked confused, but his eyes shone with a hint of awe. Reo couldn’t help but feel satisfied as he went left.
Well, shit. Dead end. He went back, but Nagi was closer than before. Reo flew right, and- There! The center of the maze.
Of course, like the rest of it, it was a sight. A crystal lake in the middle is surrounded by smooth walls and green plants. The water of the lake looked almost purple, reflecting the light provided by the crystals above.
Beautiful.
He’s gotta give it to Nagi, this is probably the prettiest challenge arena he’s been in.
Too absorbed in the scene, Reo didn’t notice the monster in front of him, instead feeling the slimy body as he crushed face-first into it.
Instinctively, he moved, pushing his hands forward so he could escape back and using the first ability he thought of.
The monster, like before, didn’t move.
“That’s…my power.” Reo turned to Nagi, a grin on his face, “Yeah. Cool, right?”
Without waiting for a reply, he dashed forward, not wanting to wait for the monster to unfreeze. From the sound of it, Nagi was right behind him, sprinting.
He was going so fast, he was almost afraid he'd run into the wall again, so he slowed down.
Thankfully, he came to a stop right before the crash.
Reo turned around with a satisfied grin and a sigh of relief, only to see Nagi apparently come to the same conclusion, that you should slow down before the wall, a bit too late. He stared in shock as the other stumbled, eyes wide as he looked at him, realising that they would crush into each other.
Reo braced himself for impact, only that it didn't come.
Opening his eyes, he found Nagi before him, eyes looking at the wall above his head, hands next to his head from each side, missing him just barely.
What. What do you say in this situation?
Nagi looked down at him, staring at his face, breathing deeply.
He said nothing.
For a few seconds, they just stood there, looking at each other.
Nagi searched his face, and something in his expression shifted. He opened his mouth, as if to say something-
Soon, the arena flashed purple, and the buzzer sounded.
“Reo Mikage won the challenge!” The voice announced.
“Yes!” He shouted in victory, breaking them both from the trance.
Nagi moved back, looking at the ground, as Reo pumped his fist in the air once as a celebration.
“Um.”
“Dude! Nagi! This is one of the coolest challenges I’ve done!” Nagi nodded, taking in the compliment, but making no other effort to reply. His eyes, which seemed to be permanently stuck like that, were wide with wonder. “I’m first, then,” he teased the other, sticking his tongue out. “Yeah…”
“I gotta tell Chigiri!” Reo quickly made his way back to the elevator, as the cave slowly started disappearing.
Barou was being dramatic.
He really should listen to Chigiri more often.
_________
Hina Maizono was pretty cool, Nagi thought. There were definitely worse Earthly Ones. She liked games and didn’t have too many friends, so Nagi found himself relating to her more than all the other ones he had to take care of.
Right now, she was debating going out with her friends, like she promised them, or staying in and taking care of her little brother while her parents were away. Honestly, Nagi gets it, really. It’s not too fun having to give up on fun things for other people, but sometimes, you just have to. Unfortunately, he’d have to explain that to her after Reo convinces her that going out is better.
Honestly, Nagi doesn’t have very high hopes.
Reo shoots him a grin as he goes to knock on her door. He’s dressed as a mailman, complete with a neat, white, and gray uniform and a white cap. He looks quite different than usual. Um.
Hina opens the door, and her eyes get a bit wide as she looks up at the demon, who grins at her. “Uh, um. Hello?”
“Hey there. Are you Hina Maizono?” Nagi almost laughs at the awestruck expression on her face as he says her name. “Yeah..I am.”
“I have this package for you. Do you mind signing this for me?” Hina shakes her head.
God this was so much easier when Barou was his partner and not basically the physical manifestation of her type (and Nagi unfortunately-actually, fortunately, it was hilarious- knows that one after that one mission when she didn't even let Barou talk before turning him down saying she likes more of “the flower boy type, you know? Sorry”).
“Here?” she asks, her voice soft as she continues glancing at him.
“Yeah! Uh, actually..Sorry, but could I maybe have a glass of water? It’s been a long day.” Reo has his hand on his nape, rubbing absentmindedly, shy.
He’s good.
“Yeah, sure! Um, come in! It’ll take a second.” Hina rushes inside, ushering Reo into her home. The other is thanking her profusely, but before he closes the door, he shoots Nagi a wink and a smirk.
Nagi can’t even find it in himself to be mad. He probably couldn’t do it this quickly.
He goes inside, passing through the wall to continue listening to their conversation.
Thank god she can’t see non-humans. He probably looks so creepy right now.
“-And after this shift, I can’t rest. I have a party that my friends have been planning for a long time! Plus, I already said I’m going.” Seems Reo started already.
“Why won’t you cancel?” Hina, for the first time, isn’t looking at Reo, staring instead at the floor. She must be thinking of her own friends…
“It’s hard to get everyone together! Finding that one day when everyone can meet up..and everyone is so excited. I said I’ll definitely be there, and I really want to see them again, you know? It’s important to be with your friends. Let go of responsibilities for once… I’m young… I want to remember this age by all the fun things I did…Oh! Um. I’m really sorry I was rambling like this! Thank you for the water, Hina-chan! I really have to go.”
Hina looked visibly disappointed, as well as deep in thought.
“Oh, well. I, um. I hope you have fun with your friends.” Reo gives her another big grin, which her eyes seem to get fixated on, “Thank you. Have a nice day.”
“Bye..”
Reo leaves, giving him a wave while Hina is turned away, making her way towards the couch.
She picks up her phone, and for a second, Nagi thinks he might have already lost, but to his delight, she calls a pizza place.
Nagi isn’t stupid. An opportunity!
He waits 15 minutes before changing to a pizza deliveryman uniform. Human.
It got a bit more comfortable throughout the years, but it’s still a bit weird.
Not a bad weird.
He knocks, and Hina opens the door, dressed in comfortable pajamas and holding a controller in hand (Nagi loves those things. One time with a different Earthly One, they taught him how to play on the “X-Box” and Nagi has been dying to get his hands on it again since). “Hello,” she greets happily, eyes going up to look at his face, before falling on the pizza box in his hand. “Oh! The pizza.”
Nagi gives her a nod, handing it to her as she says, “Wait a second! I’ll go get my wallet.”
“Okay.”
The television is set on a frozen image of a forest and a character at the bottom of it, holding a big sword (Nagi learned that same day with the Earthly One so many interesting terms).
“What are you playing?” He finds himself asking her, eyes stuck on the screen.
“Oh, that? Final Fantasy 7.” She hands him the money, and he pockets it, nodding at her to continue. Her eyes seem to sparkle when he finally looks at her. “Do you know it?” He shakes his head. She lets out a gasp, “It’s amazing! You have to play it!”
Nagi finds himself nodding along as she starts explaining it to him, but his feet seem to move on their own. Hina doesn’t seem to mind walking with him to the couch. “Here! Try!”
He takes it from her hands gently, doing what the other tells him.
Hina is so friendly. What a relief.
They naturally seem to fall into conversation. Hina asks him what games he likes (he ends up saying every single game that other Earthly One told him about) and she seems impressed. Slowly the conversation shifts, and Hina starts talking about her situation.
“Hm,” he begins.
“Yeah. I haven’t seen them in a while, too, but it’s not like I can just leave him here alone. He’s only 10… What would you do, Nagi-san?”
“What if you called them here?”
“hm?”
“Yeah. That way, you can still meet with them, and your brother won’t be alone. Your friends seem responsible too, so it’s not like you’re letting a bad influence around him.”
“....Yeah. You’re right, actually.”
She looks at Nagi with newfound determination, and he realises he probably stayed way too long. He fakes looking at his watch. “Call them,” he tells her, standing up and handing her the controller.
“You have to go?” There’s something like disappointment in her voice, but Nagi just nods.
“Don’t wanna get fired,” he adds. She nodded, agreeing. “Yeah.”
Nagi makes his way to the door, opening it and leaving with a final wave. “Bye.”
“Wait!-”
But Nagi is already gone.
Outside he sees Reo, who looks oddly impressed.
When they make eye contact, he turns. Nagi notices that he bites his lips in worry.
___________
Nagi finds out later that Hina took his advice and got her friends to meet at her house. They even played with her little brother, putting him to bed together.
___________
To say Nagi is on a happy high would not be incorrect. After hearing of his victory, he walked around with a small, almost-smile, and as a celebration for his victory, he decided to make his way to the dorms for an early nap. He’s almost floating as he walks, when he suddenly hears it.
A door closes, and a few seconds after, sniffles. Someone is crying, he realises.
Who…
The floor is empty. He doesn’t move, so as not to draw any attention to himself, not to make any noise.
He realises with horror that the quiet cries are getting closer, which means…
Oh.
“Reo.”
Nagi doesn't realise it until he sees the other’s eyes snap to him. He quickly wipes his tears, but it’s to no use. Mindlessly, Nagi makes his way over, in a trance, eyes fixated on Reo’s tears. “Why are you crying?” he asks softly, but he doesn’t look at him for an answer.
Barou might have thought differently, and most would probably agree that he doesn’t really fit, isn’t really normal, but the fact is,
Nagi Seishiro is an angel.
And instinctively, he reaches out, forgetting about the rules for a second.
When he wipes Reo’s tears away, his hand is instantly shocked. He pulls it back quickly, looking at it, and then at Reo.
A star. The outline of a star in bright red, sitting directly below Reo’s eye; when he looks down again, on the palm of his hand, a second one to match.
He can’t help it, his eyes snap to Reo’s again.
He isn’t crying. Nagi, stupidly, is relieved.
He isn’t crying, but he is shocked, staring at Nagi with wide eyes. An expression Nagi hasn’t seen before. He…stares.
“Nagi-Nagi, you-you touched me.” He’s holding his cheek, where the star is still undoubtedly tingling, like Nagi’s.
“I-I, yeah.”
“You can’t,” Reo whispers, like he still can’t believe it.
“I’m…Sorry.” Reo just stares at him, a strange look in his eyes that Nagi can’t decipher. Right now, he wishes he was better at reading emotions.
“Nagi…”
“Sorry.”
“It’s-” before he could finish, the sound of a door opening was heard. Reo straightens up, looking at him quickly once more before quickly leaving Nagi behind.
Nagi watches him as he disappears, unmoving, taking in what happened.
Sleep. He definitely needs sleep.
Nagi makes his way forward, continuing with his original plan, mind shifting elsewhere.
“Angel.”
Nagi has the sense to put his hand in his pocket before turning to the voice.
The demon principal?
Then it clicks.
Reo.
What did they talk about? Was it today? That he lost?
Did Reo cry because of-
“Don’t you need to be at the dorms right now? I thought angels were supposed to abide by the rules.”
Nagi doesn’t even look up, making his way past the principal with a quiet, “Yes, sir.”
How will they explain this?
___________
Elsewhere, a man’s expression stretches into a big, satisfied grin.
Around him are multiple screens between the clouds, all depicting the scene. What everyone will soon know. The first breaking of the rule. The V.E.T.O. in action.
He laughs as he replays the screen.
“Why are you crying?”
Soon, Nagi’s hand is seen stretching forward, reaching for Reo’s face.
A laugh; his hands come up to lift his glasses further on his nose so they sit secured, his shackles clanking with each movement.
“Soon,” he tells himself.
“Soon enough.”