The stadium was deafening, but you only heard the silence in your chest.

Nagi’s name wasn’t on the list.

You clutched his jersey, vision blurring. “Nagi… you didn’t make it.”

He yawned. “Annoying, huh?”

Annoying? Your voice wavered. “Do you even care?”

He tilted his head. “Not really. I only played ‘cause you did.”

Tears burned your eyes. “Then why come this far?”

He glanced at the screen, then at you. “Because you were here.”

A call for you broke the moment. Future players were wanted. Not him.

You turned away, waiting for him to stop you.

He didn’t.

And maybe that was what hurt the most.