Nagi had his head down, his cheek pressed against his crossed arms on the desk, but his eyes were fixed on Reo. Across the room, Reo stood by the windows, laughing softly with one of their classmates—a girl who seemed far too comfortable in his presence. Her giggles rang out like a bell, her hand brushing her hair behind her ear as she leaned just a little too close.

Nagi’s gaze sharpened.

Reo, oblivious to Nagi’s simmering thoughts, nodded along to whatever the girl was saying. He even smiled, that charming, rare smile Nagi liked to think was reserved for him.

Nagi’s fingers curled into the fabric of his sleeve. His heartbeat thudded in his ears as he watched her reach out, her hand poised to touch Reo’s shoulder. The sight made his chest tighten, a strange heat bubbling under his calm exterior.

Before her fingers could make contact, Nagi stood up abruptly, the legs of his chair scraping against the floor with an almost deafening sound in the quiet classroom.

The girl startled, pulling her hand back as her head snapped toward him. “Oh! Nagi—”