The next morning, you're still nursing the aftermath of your argument with Nagi. While part of you knows you were right, another part aches at how things ended. You'd grown so used to his quiet, clingy presence that his absence feels like a gaping void.
And yet, you haven't seen or heard from him all day.
Lunch rolls around, and you sit under the cherry tree again, your bento in hand. This time, though, you don't make an extra one.
You're halfway through a bite of rice when you hear familiar, heavy footsteps approaching. A shadow falls over you, and you glance up to see Nagi standing there, his usual slouch somehow more pronounced.
He looks awkwardâmore so than usualârubbing the back of his neck as his eyes dart around, refusing to meet yours.
"Hey," he mutters, shoving his hands into his pockets.
You blink at him, your heart thumping despite yourself. "Hey."
There's a long pause, the kind that would've felt natural between you two before, but now it's tinged with something unresolved. Finally, Nagi sighs and lowers himself to sit beside you, close enough that your shoulders almost touch.
"I'm bad at this," he says bluntly, his voice low.
You tilt your head, confused. "Bad at what?"
"Talking. Apologizing. Stuff like that." His hand fidgets with the hem of his sweater, and for once, he looks nervous. "But I don't like it when you're mad at me. Or upset. Or... not around."
Your chest tightens at his words, and you set your bento aside, turning to face him fully. "Nagiâ"
"I was wrong," he cuts you off, his gaze finally meeting yours. There's a rare intensity in his usually sleepy eyes, making your breath hitch. "I shouldn't have acted like that. You were right to call me out. I'll... try harder. For you."
You stare at him, caught off guard by the sincerity in his voice. Nagi, who normally avoided effort at all costs, was promising to changeâfor you.
Before you can respond, he shifts closer and wraps his arms around you in a sudden, clumsy hug.
"Don't be mad anymore," he murmurs into your shoulder, his voice muffled but earnest. "I don't like it. It's annoying."
Despite yourself, a small laugh escapes your lips. "You're so bad at this."
"Yeah, I know," he mutters, tightening his hold. "But I'm not letting go until you forgive me."
You can feel his warmth, his head resting against your shoulder as if he's trying to melt into you. For someone so lazy, his embrace is surprisingly strong, and you realize just how much you've missed thisâmissed him.
"I forgive you," you finally say, your voice soft.
He doesn't move right away, as if making sure you mean it. Then, slowly, he leans back just enough to look at you, his arms still loosely draped around your waist.
"You're not mad anymore?"
"No," you admit, a small smile tugging at your lips. "And I'm sorry, too. But you better keep your promise."
He nods, his expression softening into one of those rare, genuine smiles that make your heart skip a beat. "I will."
The moment lingers, the world around you fading until it's just the two of you under the cherry tree.
"I missed you, Nagi," you whisper, feeling the weight of your emotions finally settle.
"I missed you too," he replies without hesitation, his voice quiet but sure.
And for once, his laziness doesn't bother you. Because right now, he's hereâcompletely, uncharacteristically presentâand that's all that matters.
something to snack on .áï¹