An: first time writing since 2023, kinda proofread. HORRIBLE WRITING! WIP (wrote this in April and continue this soon after Exams). I wish i can say English isn't my native language😓
***
This was the last straw. It was 12AM; you were cocooned in a shapeless lump of warmth. Much to your dismay you couldn't help but scroll through you and Nagi's chats..fingers brushing past distant memories
“Ugh...Oh i hate that man so much!„
Your face was locked in a seemingly permanent grimace at the thought of him. How can someone be so talented yet SO LAZY?? Can't even be bothered to show interest in me..
[3 weeks ago]
[5 weeks ago]
Of course it's Reo. Clinging to Nagi, always at his beck and call. Meddling in with your chances with him.. contemplating at your past interaction with Nagi..thinking that just maybe he'll see YOU and your efforts.
Sigh...Maybe next time...?
But fate doesn't seem to be quiet on your side..
***
Friends say it's not worth trying to pursue someone like him. Passive. Uncommitted. Just...neutral. Ridiculously neutral.
You finally decide to end WHATEVER this is with Nagi, because being in a one sided 'half-relationship' with someone who barely reacts to anything is slowly driving you insane...
Instead of confessing your turmoil like any other, you devise a plan! Hmm...Ignore him maybe...?
But how?? You sit next to him in most lessons you share together.. You can't just ghost someone in real life.
So...why not do the opposite?
Become UNBEARABLE and annoy him so he feels just like you..helpless..and frustrated. Then feel how you felt all this time.
Tomorrow was the day you decided to through this plan into motion.It was a Monday after all, new week, new you
***
[Monday, 27th March 2026 – 9AM]
It was a lovely sunny day as the faint smell of petrichor engulf your senses as your shoes were polished from the shallow puddles from yesterday's affairs. You wandered into the school gates, pace slow as you searched for Nagi. It was a quick find; sitting on the first flight of stairs. How typical...
You strolled up to him calmly, not wanting to scare him early on. Without warning, you snatched his phone whilst he was playing a game.
“Hey—„ Nagi tensed up as he looked at the culprit, voice still unwavering as he eased up, realising it was you.
“—Just checking the time, you don't mind, right?„ Your cut him off, not letting him finish his sentence as you brought the phone closer to you to pause the game leaving it out of reach for him.
It was 9:07AM
You handed it back to him as he resumes the game
“Is that a new game you're playing?„
You muttered, settling down next to him as you spectate over his shoulder
“Yeah...Reo bought it for me when it released.„ His eyes were glued to the screen as his deft fingers hammering at the icons.
You were tapping your brogues on the metal stairs, producing a deafening drumming sound.
His eyebrows furrowed as sound is a crucial element in the game and the jarring taps were very distracting on its own
“Can you stop.„ he states as he fights of a hoard of brain-dead zombies.
“...„ You stay silent as you continued tapping your feet. Watching his annoyed face was so satisfying!
“Please..? Is that what you want me to say.„ He mumbled gruffly as he managed to narrowly escape death.
“No, but i'm glad you still have manners. I want to go out after school.„ You say harmlessly as your cheek was pressed against his shoulder. Nosily peering down at his screen.
Suddenly, a white flash appeared at the top of his screen, before you could read the name he tapped on it as the transported him to a chat...Reo's chat.
“What did he say?„ You say curiously, trying to see as Nagi's previous horizontal phone was now vertical and out of sight.
“Reo wants to go shopping.„ Nagi reluctantly gave up the information, knowing that you'll find out one way or another.
“Say no.„ You demanded, gripping of his forearm so he wouldn't type anything defying what you asked.
“Why? It's Reo, i can make him buy me all the things i want.„ He said unwillingly, wanting to buy the latest games that peaked his interest. Why would he say no to that offer? No sane person would..
“I asked first! You can't just ditch me right in my face.„ You try to coax him into declining Reo's offer.
“You didn't ask, you stated..„ He absent-mindedly said in defense.
“Are you arguing with me?„ You spoke sternly, you realised that you hit the jackpot when he backed down and let out a forced 'No..'
Nagi hated confrontation, he's a pacifist at heart and rather not argue with someone and just listen
“I'll text Reo that i'm not coming...„
Nagi quickly resumed onto his game, feeling quite guilty and annoyed that he rejected Reo's offer...but there's always next time...
“Who's Choki?„ You spoke as you sat upright, as the jarring sound stopped.
“She's my pet Cactus, my companion.„ He replied in a rather favourable manner, face tainted with a small smile on his face, reminiscing his memories of her. His first friend..
“That's so cute, i would like to see her—„ You were abruptly cut off from the deafening school bell.
“Ugh..See you after school Nagi, don't forget.„ You state as you stood up and prepare to head for the first lesson of the day.
“Yeah yeah..„ Nagi huffed at the reminder as he got ready to leave aswell, at least he'll see Reo in his class.
***
[After school – 3:30PM]
Crowds of students flooded in waves evading through the rusted gates. You were by yourself walking home. The journey was tranquil, the sunlight caressed your warms skin gently as the cool wind blew through your hair.
You remembered about you and Nagi's hang out this afternoon. You couldn't wait to torment him, the newfound grin emerging thinking about it. You entered your humble abode as you took a quick shower and dressed into a fluffly robe it was comfier than your itchy uniform.
You digged through draws and closet searching and scavaging for garments: something practical and unrestrictive but still stylish
You unlocked your phone as your fingers naturally drifted to Nagi's chat..Since you're already here why not see if he was getting ready aswell
You grumbles as your phone forcibly turned void. He couldn't be bothered to reply to you! A simple 'Bye' would suffice but at least you're not on delivered like before.
You pondered to a conclusion and decided to kill time and do various chores around the house, saving your tired future self from doing it. You ditched your robe as your new clothes engulfs you. At 4:20PM and left the house at 4:40PM and you made your way to the park.
You arrived at your destination at 4:55PM at the park, it was riddled with groups scattered about yet all were basking in the now cooled breeze. But Nagi was nowhere to be found.
You decide to sit on the bench and wait until 5:00PM to see if he comes.
Those five minutes were the longest in your life. You'd never admit but you were nervous hanging out with Nagi, what if he doesn't show up?? That'll be so embarrassing!
Your fingers fidgeted as apps opened and being discarded for the next one, maybe he was running late, you thought.
Suddenly, as if to dispell such thoughts a figure sat next to you. You lifted up your head in hope and see...NAGI!!
“You actually came..!„ You couldn't help but smile and a held breath escape your now burning lungs “I thought you would arrive, it's past 5:00PM.„
“I came here on the dot, it took me a while to find you, it's packed in here.„ Nagi was wearing a light grey hoodie with a washed blue baggy jeans.
“You promise you came on time?„ i spoke as i stood up off the bench, fixing my outfit
“Promise„ Nagi declared as he followed suit. “What are we going to do? I hope it's not too far.„
“Unlucky you, Since it's spring, loads of new shops are opening in Tokyo, especially Shibuya. Maybe we can find something that we enjoy, Hm?„ i giggled as we made our way out the park and to the district.
“But Reo's there...In Harajuku, he thinks i'm at home...„ His face grimaced at the thought of Reo realising that Nagi lied to him
“Guess we better keep an eye out then.„ i chuckled wondering how Reo would react to his best friend lying to him.
“Let's go to Chiyoda, Akihabara opened a new shop with lots of gadgets, i think you'll enjoy it, Nagi.„
“It's your call.„ He replied as he managed to keep up with you, arms slightly touching and hands just a hair's breath away.
Your heart knocked against your rips, You prayed to whoever's listening to stop your heartbeat pulsing on your face
We made our way to Akihabara as we ventured down the streets. You see many people from all walks of life all enjoying one common thing, technology.
You gazed at Nagi, just to see him peering into a shop, it was small but it made up for it for its rows and rows of games, it was basically a mini arcade!
“Wanna go in? We can play some games together.„ You tugged on his sleeve to stop him from walking away as you made your way to the shops enterance.
“Mhm, i haven't been to the Arcade in a while.„ Nagi muttered as he wanders around before locking eyes at the corner. “There's a shooting game.„
Nagi's feet dragged on the floor as he made his way to one of the booths as you trailed behind him.
“Don't you play any other types of games? There's lots of good games outside the genre, Nagi.„
Nagi descended on a spare seat, you followed suit and sat next to him.
“Not really, it's a hassle to think too much about the complexity of other games, shooting games are simple.„
Nagi cracked his knuckles as his deft hands gribbed the handles, his eyes almost seem to change in an instant. He was more..sharper, alert even... You couldn't help but wish that he'll look at you like that..like you're worth his attention.
Your eyes lingered his screen as the enemies encroached his space.
“Go left-LEFT - no the OTHER side-NAGI–„
You shook his arm, which had an iron grip of the handles but it didn't make it any less irritable.
“Can you not—„
“Why would you go there? It's a dead end.„
You shook your head as you leaned in too close in his personal space.
“Are you even listening—„
“How could you have missed that, it was right in front of you!„
Your hands were pointing at the screen emphasizing the error which blocked his view.
“You're too predictable, don't go inside!„
“But we're winning though?„
“That's not the point–„
Nagi's had a firm grip as he managed to kill all the enemies that stood in his way, the atmosphere was tense. Even if it was just a game you were rooting for Nagi deep down...
After the five minute timer ended the screen transformed to his stats.
You peered over his shoulder, wanted to see how well he has done.
He got a pretty decent high score 86/100. But i still teased him.
“Really? You play games everyday yet you're score is...average at best.„ Your comment ruffled Nagi's feathers.
“It's because i'm not playing on my phone! You'll see that i'm better.„ Nagi quipped back.
He let out a quiet mumble “You were also distracting me..it was..vexing.„
He looked at you, a rare smirk plastered on his now dissolved stoic face.
“Since i'm so average, you have a go.„
You were surprised at his challenge but you weren't going to back down – You swapped places. As you held the equipment you can feel the warmth emitted from Nagi's previous scrimmage. You could've sworn you can feel his light breath caressing your neck...
You snapped out of it mostly as you try to beat his high score, you kill enemies one after another. Nagi looked..indifferent at most and left out a sound of impatience.
When the timer finished you were confident you got higher than Nagi as you slumbed down, basking in your victory.
85/100
“Huh??? Is this game rigged, i swear i got higher than you.„
You scowled at him as if this was his fault. The Lazy Genius strikes again, always managing to one up any opponent..even you!
“Better luck next time, Let's go somewhere else..I haven't eaten since lunch.„
“Lunch??? That was 12PM Nagi. It's 5:40PM now.„
You couldn't help but roll your eyes in dissapointment, fingers pinching your nose
“You could've eaten when you gotten home..„
“No use trying to change the past, Let's go to Shinjuku. They have fried food i wanna eat.„
“Fine, but you're paying, Hassle man.„
Nagi looked stunned at this revelation
“Me..? Paying??„
You stared at him before responding
“Yes you, doesn't Reo give you money or something? I'm sure it won't break the bank.„
“I...uh...um i don't have any yen on me right now...„
Nagi admitted, too lazy to feel embarrassed
“Who doesn't carry money with them when they leave the house?„ You spoke as if this was common sense. “I'm surprised nothing has ever happened to you.
“I'm always with Reo, so he pays for me.„ Nagi answered like it was the most logical answer in the world.
“Since Reo isn't here...Maybe you can pay for me..?„ Nagi trailed off when you stared at him before quickly responding “Please, i'll have Reo to send the money i owe.„
“Fine, forget about paying me, i don't need Mikage's money tainting my bank account. Unlike you, i have a job which pays well.„ You spoke proudly, happy that you're independent despite your young age.
“Who needs a job when Reo exists?„
“Touché.„
To be continued...
Ps: any feedback you think is necessary LET ME KNOW!!
theartofmadeline
yousharknotpass
amandla