→ 𝐦𝐞𝐚𝐧𝐭 𝐭𝐨 𝐛𝐞 (𝐧𝐚𝐞𝐠𝐚𝐦𝐢)

xii. thoughts

togami's eyes widened in shock as he hesitantly wrapped his arms around naegi, pulling him closer. he couldn't help but notice how warm the boy was and how well he seemed to fit in togami's grasp. "what are you doing?" he mumbled quietly. "why are you..."

"i'm sorry, okay?" naegi sniffled. he looked up at togami with glassy, tearful eyes and a quivering bottom lip. he was trying to control his outburst, evidently, but it wasn't working. naegi let out a tiny sob, pushing himself away from togami and wiping the tears off his cheek with a sleeve. "i'm so sorry," he said, voice soft and delicate. his head bowed down, naegi clasped his hands in front of him.

togami was taken aback for a moment, before regaining his composure. "it's fine, i suppose. maizono spouting lies in your face all the time seems tiring. you couldn't help but believe them." togami cleared his throat, bending over to gather his things and leave when naegi stopped him.

"wait. can i... talk to you? about this?" naegi held up togami's poem, the paper
torn and crinkled. "i know it was you who wrote it. but why would you? i'm really not all that special. i only came here to hope's peak on a lucky streak from winning a lottery." naegi sighed, looking down at his shoes. "i don't exactly fit in with you ultimates. i try, and my friends make it easier for me, but... it's not the same. so why would someone like you write this about someone like me?" naegi gazed up at togami, genuine confusion blazing in his eyes. they had gained back some sparkle, togami realized. he was getting better.

"naegi, you don't realize how extraordinary you are, do you?" togami couldn't stop the little smile on his face from coming out.

          "wh—"

          "shh." togami took the note back from naegi, leaning down so their eyes met without naegi having to look up. naegi was flustered, his cheeks red as togami smirked at him. the two boys stared at each other, their noses almost touching. togami broke away, simply gathering his things and waving at naegi before disappearing into the school.

          naegi stood on the rooftop, dumbfounded. his mind was a swirling vortex of thoughts, each whizzing around at the speed of sound. his eyes wide, naegi sat down on the floor and leaned up against the railing. what was that? naegi put a hand to his chest. why is my heart beating so damn fast? naegi pushed his hair out of his face, shoving his hands into his lap. this was all a new experience for him. he had never felt like this before. was he sick again? naegi stood up, stumbling to his back and walking to the nurse's office in a daze.

          once naegi arrived, he mumbled a quick hello to the nurse and her assistant and sat down on a cot. "why naegi, what brings you here today? you look all flustered, do you have another fever?"

          the nurse's assistant rushed over to naegi, placing a gentle hand on his forehead. "you're not feverish. but your pupils are all dilated." her voice was soft and comforting. "here, let me grab you some ice."

          "i'm okay, tsumiki," naegi offered a smile to the assistant, the ultimate nurse mikan tsumiki. "i appreciate your help, though. i'm just not feeling too great."

          "w-would you mind telling me your symptoms?" tsumiki stammered.

          "sure. just uh..." naegi frowned, trying to assess his symptoms. "dizzy. confused. unfocused."

          mikan squeaked, jumping back. "you saw someone you like?!" she whispered, getting close to naegi.

          "i-i guess, togami is alright—"

          "TOGAMI?!" tsumiki squeaked again. "he likes you!"

          "yeah, i know. he gave me a poem and admitted to writing it." naegi could feel the smile spreading across his face as he said that. he didn't know why, but the thought of togami writing such a beautiful poem with him in mind made naegi's heart skip a beat.

          "oh! that's so romantic, naegi!" tsumiki giggled. "tell me all about your first date when it happens!"tsumiki stood up, smiling at naegi before fetching a cold towel and bringing it back for naegi. "here, put this on your face. it should cool you down a bit." naegi complied as tsumiki watched him, her eyes wide and happy.

          after a while of chatting with tsumiki, naegi felt a lot better. he thanked the nurse, gathering his things and leaving the school. the sun was setting along the horizon, casting a golden glow across naegi's face. he closed his eyes, enjoying the breeze as he walked along the sidewalk.

          thoughts raced through naegi's head. he kicked a pebble, watching as it bounced along the concrete and into the grass, thinking of togami's sarcastic smirk and strong heartbeat against naegi's ear. his face flushed at the thought of togami's arms wrapping around naegi, pulling him close. naegi shook his head, heart aching as he thought of maizono.

          naegi went home, into his room, and lay on his bed staring up at his empty ceiling for hours.

          which of these two did he actually have feelings for?

          which relationship was meant to be?

•

a/n: hey all! thank you for being so patient with me and a new chapter! i apologize for this one being short, i'm in school! but i'll come out w a new one soon, promise! love you all <3