𝐛𝐥𝐢𝐧𝐝 𝐬𝐢𝐝𝐞𝐝

𝐁𝐮𝐢𝐥𝐝𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐅𝐨𝐮𝐧𝐝𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐬 (𝐌𝐨𝐬𝐭𝐥𝐲 𝐍𝐚𝐠𝐢 𝐍𝐚𝐩𝐩𝐢𝐧𝐠)

❝𝐁𝐮𝐢𝐥𝐝𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐅𝐨𝐮𝐧𝐝𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐬 (𝐌𝐨𝐬𝐭𝐥𝐲 𝐍𝐚𝐠𝐢 𝐍𝐚𝐩𝐩𝐢𝐧𝐠)❞

It's late afternoon when the announcement blares across the facility. The screen flickers to life, and there's Jinpachi Ego appearing in his usual dramatic fashion on the massive monitor. You're still groggy from your earlier nap with Nagi and Reo, but the sudden sound of Ego's voice snaps you awake.

"Welcome to the first real test," Ego begins, his voice echoing through the room with that eerie calmness he always has. "Twenty-five teams have been divided into five stratums, or groups. You'll each play a round-robin tournament. The top two teams from each group will move on to the next selection."

You stretch, trying to shake off the lingering drowsiness, and sit up straight. Nagi, predictably, is still lounging on the floor like he hasn't heard a word, and Reo's leaned forward, laser-focused on the monitor.

Ego continues, his voice steady. "The remaining three teams in each group will be expelled. However, the top scorer of each losing team will advance to the next selection."

You raise an eyebrow at that. Top scorer, huh?

"Teams are ranked by their wins, losses, and the number of points scored. Three points for a win, one for a draw, and nothing for a loss. Only those who can build a foundation, understand and utilize their weapons, and turn nothing into something will survive this selection."

Nagi yawns from his spot on the floor. "This sounds like a hassle."

You smirk, nudging him with your foot. "Everything's a hassle to you."

Reo, meanwhile, is fully engaged. "So, it's simple. Score, win, and don't lose focus. We'll crush the other teams."

You lean back, crossing your arms. "Crushing sounds nice, but we're gonna need Nagi to actually move for that."

Nagi shifts, but only to get more comfortable. "I'll move when I have to."

Reo gives him a look, his lips pressed into a thin line. "Nagi, come on. We can't rely on you if you're just going to nap through this."

Nagi's eyes are half-lidded, and he barely shrugs. "I'll do my part. Don't worry about it."

You roll your eyes but can't help but laugh. "He'll get serious when the ball's at his feet. That's the only time he cares about anything."

Reo rubs his temples. "It's not that simple, Y/N."

Nagi looks between the two of you, sighing as if this whole conversation is draining him. He sits up slightly, resting his head on your shoulder, and mumbles, "I'll score. You'll see."

Reo lets out a short laugh, leaning against the wall beside you. "You better. If we're going to win, we all have to pull our weight."

Feeling a playful mood bubble up, you give Nagi a light nudge to the side. "You hear that? That means no more napping mid-game."

Nagi groans, shifting his weight more against you in protest. "I don't nap during games."

Reo raises an eyebrow. "You've come pretty close."

With Nagi still leaning against you like a human-sized blanket, you can't resist teasing him a bit more. "Yeah, well, if we lose because you're napping, I'm stealing all your food rations for the rest of the competition."

"Deal," Nagi murmurs, completely unbothered, and somehow, that makes the whole thing funnier.

Reo laughs, shaking his head. "You two are impossible."

You sit back, feeling the familiar weight of the challenge ahead settling in, but there's something different about being in it with these two. Nagi may be lazy, and Reo may be intense, but somehow, the dynamic feels... solid. You can almost imagine what it'll be like in those matches, relying on each other, pushing through.

And maybe—just maybe—you'll survive this selection together.

₊˚ʚ 🌱 ₊˚✧ ﾟ. 『𝐁𝐥𝐮𝐞 𝐋𝐨𝐜𝐤: 𝐀𝐝𝐝𝐢𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐚𝐥 𝐓𝐢𝐦𝐞!』

The announcement ends, and the room sinks into a strange kind of quiet. It's not tense—at least not yet. It's more like the calm before a storm, everyone taking a moment to let Ego's words settle in. A round-robin tourney, elimination, top scorer advancing... there's a lot riding on this.

But for now, in this small bubble of time before the chaos hits, it's just you, Nagi, and Reo. And your dog, Momo, who's napping at your feet, blissfully unaware of the high-stakes drama about to unfold.

Reo stretches, cracking his neck as he stands up. "Alright, let's make a plan. We need to work on strategy if we're going to—"

"Ugh," Nagi groans, flopping back onto the floor like a sack of potatoes. "More planning? Didn't we just do that?"

You chuckle, leaning down to give Momo a scratch behind the ears. "You're outnumbered, Nagi. Majority vote says we plan."

Nagi glances up at you with a blank expression, but you can hear the faintest hint of amusement in his voice. "I hate majority votes."

Reo shakes his head, rolling his eyes but clearly fighting back a smile. "Look, Nagi, we've got a breather. Ego's giving us a moment here, so we should use it wisely. Strategy is key."

You raise an eyebrow, leaning back on your hands. "Yeah, or we could just take another nap."

Reo looks at you like you've betrayed him, and you burst out laughing. Nagi, predictably, perks up at the suggestion.

"Now that's a good idea," Nagi says, scooting closer to you as if that'll somehow make nap time happen faster.

Reo groans, rubbing his temples like he's stuck with two impossible teammates—which, to be fair, he is. "I swear, you two... We're going to be the first ones out at this rate."

You grin, nudging Nagi with your elbow. "Nah, we're too good to get eliminated."

Nagi gives a lazy nod. "Exactly. We'll nap, then wn. That's the order."

Reo finally gives in, slumping down beside you, looking more amused than annoyed now. "Fine. Five more minutes of this, and then we're actually planning."

You hold up your hands in mock surrender. "Deal. Five minutes."

Nagi doesn't even respond—he's already scooted closer to you, head resting against your arm, clearly using you as a pillow again. Momo, ever loyal, adjusts himself at your side, tail flicking lazily.

Reo watches you two, shaking his head with a smirk. "I'm surrounded by idiots."

"Your idiots," you correct him, grinning.

Reo sighs, finally lying back and stretching out beside Nagi. "Yeah, yeah. My idiots."

The three of you lie there, soaking in the last few moments of peace before the real chaos begins. Nagi, as expected, is nearly asleep in seconds, while Reo quietly contemplates whatever plan he'll eventually try to force you into.

And you? You just enjoy the moment—sandwiched between two of your teammates, who, despite their differences, somehow make this whole ridiculous process a little less daunting.

"Alright," Reo murmurs after a few quiet minutes. "Time's up. Let's strategize."

Nagi groans but doesn't move, and you just grin. "You said five minutes."

Reo sighs again but pulls himself up, determined. "Fine. We'll start slow... But just wait until the game."

You can't help but smile. The storm's coming, but for now, you're in the calm, and honestly? It's not so bad.