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Nagi was all too familiar with the world of fandoms. You could say he had a PhD in lore and shipping, thanks to his countless hours spent immersed in online communities, especially during his middle school years. While others might view him as 'chronically online' Nagi saw it as the most efficient way to entertain himself without actually having to put in any effort in socializing.
Nagi wasn't exactly the socializing type. He didn't know how to until Reo came into his life. (And honestly, he kinda sucked at it even then, given the amount of miscommunication he couldn't clear up since the second election.)
Even after making friends in Blue Lock (Isagi, Chigiri, and maybe even Barou), he still found himself spending most of his time glued to his phone, scrolling through endless media.
That was how he stumbled upon "NagiReo." It wasn't surprising, considering the popularity of Blue Lock, but he never thought he'd see the day when he and Reo had their own fandom.
As he continued to scroll through the sea of fan creations, Nagi couldn't help but appreciate the unwavering dedication of these fans. Their passion for the ship was palpable, expressed through their imaginative works that stretched the boundaries of logic and reality. With a mixture of amusement and admiration, Nagi thought, 'These fans certainly have a knack for taking an idea and running with it... even if they're running in circles.'
However, amidst the chaos of the fandom, Nagi's own feelings for Reo remained grounded in reality. He didn't need fan creations or anyone else's validation to understand the depth of their bond. Reo was his best friend, his partner in crime, and someone Nagi cherished more than words could convey.
Nagi didn't try hiding his love for Reo, it was too much of a hassle. On the other hand, he didn't feel the need to explicitly declare his love either. Again, too much of a hassle.
Nagi was convinced that everyone, except Reo himself, was well aware of his enormous gay crush on Reo. There was that one time when Chigiri caught him accidentally licking Reo's sweat off his own face while helping him tie his hair. Nagi remembered the faint muttering of 'homosexuals' that escaped Chigiri's lips, but he couldn't care less about such remarks.
Contrary to what their friends believed, Reo didn't reciprocate Nagi's romantic feelings. Nagi wasn't blind to it. He knew Reo cherished him deeply, more than anyone else. But to Reo, Nagi was simply his best friend, nothing more. It was evident in the way he acted, carefree and casual. Nagi appreciated Reo's friendship, but there were times when he wished he could be a bit more selfish.
As Nagi delved deeper into the 'BlueLock' fandom, he couldn't help but subject himself to the agony of exploring other ships involving Reo. Thankfully, there weren't many since Reo mainly interacted with Manshine and Bastard in the League. Still, it ignited a fire within Nagi to see Reo paired with anyone other than himself. Thank goodness for the popularity of their own ship and the existence of the mute button to spare him from such torment.
