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"WHAT?"
Him? The number one? – Alright, maybe not the number one today, but still Itoshi's most serious competition. Itoshi! The current national champion! Ego was being ridiculous.
If Nagi had felt an awkward press on his chest at the thought of the Prix being over and Reo being gone for good, it was nothing next to the crushing weight he felt at the idea of seeing him every day. He didn't want to lose control of his emotions once again; turn meek and sensible.
Vulnerable. Open to a stab or more.
Attached. Disgustingly needy.
In love. Nagi didn't want to fall in love with anyone. Much less Reo. Not Reo ever again. It was too much work, remember?
"Why?" He pressed, refusing to accept being ditched. "That doesn't make any sense."
"C'mon Nagi, it was highly unlikely for a skater who spent so long out of commission to beat you, one of the strongest competitors in this category. But he did. Mikage Reo won against two of my best skaters," Ego glanced at Isagi as well, "Anri is obviously doing something that I'm not."
"But..." Nagi still had a hard time believing it. More than that, he did not want to believe it. He was pleased with his current life in Japan and didn't need whatever mess this would create.
"No buts, I'm your coach. Isagi is staying and he'll continue to progress with Noa. I believe in their progress. But I'll have to focus on Worlds next, which means you have to improve if you want to keep up. So, I'll focus on Rin now, and that way, Anri will focus on you."
"You're not giving me away," Nagi stressed. He couldn't even understand why the idea of being sent away filled him with negative emotions – was it fucking anxiety? It wasn't just about moving to Reo's team, it was more about being left behind. "You can't give up on me."
Jia, Chris, Reo. Now Ego? Am I not a useful asset anymore only because of one little mistake?
Ego slammed those thoughts down quickly. "I'm not giving you to our competition. Who do you think I am, an idiot? You'll spend a season there, that's it. Consider it some months-long camp. You're still in Blue Lock, you'll represent us while you're there. Is it that hard to understand?"
Nagi shook his head. His thoughts had been racing, and with those words who do you think I am, an idiot? Nagi could feel himself coming back to normal. His brain slowed down, right before his sense of control could slip past his fingers.
