#bllk

Additional Time from Chapter 19 of Welcome Home to the Blue Lock Cafe.

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But Reo dating a girl meant change and Seishiro hated change. It was a pain to adapt to new situations. When Reo introduced that girl as his girlfriend, something ached in Seishiro’s chest. He didn't understand what he was feeling but he was well aware that he was feeling something.

Reo had decided to introduce his girlfriend to his best friend. It was the first time Seishiro truly realised that something had changed. Something was wrong.

“I was looking forward to meeting you. Reo talks about you all the time,” she said with a friendly smile when their eyes met for the first time.

“Huh ? Reo never talks about you,” Seishiro replied bluntly.

He didn't mean to be rude but the words escaped his lips before he could think. Reo gave him a light nudge with his elbow.

“Just admit you never listen to me,” his friend replied before giving the young woman an apologetic look. “I told you he was like that.”

She didn't seem offended and simply chuckled.

“You're exactly like Reo described you,” she added while Reo walked over to the bar. “Even back in high school he was so desperate to become your friend, and you were... well, you. Just like that.”

Seishiro frowned. What did she mean ’back in high school’ ? 

“Wait. We went to the same school ?”

She shook her head. She seemed amused because of course they would remember each other if they were in the same school.

“No but Reo talked about you all the time after the day you met on the staircase.”

His heart tightened. Seishiro remembered that moment, the one that had changed his whole life, the one that had led to a rebirth, to a real life. A life beside Reo. 

But she was talking about it as if it were nothing more than a trivial memory. He studied the unfamiliar girl and something dangerously close to possessiveness stirred inside him.

“Should I be jealous that he used to call you his 'treasure'?” she asked playfully.

The word sounded very different in her mouth and he wondered if she was making fun of him. He wanted to answer but Reo came back with two glasses of champagne. Startled, Seishiro made an awkward movement and the golden liquid spilled everywhere.

“Oh, let me help you,” she said, putting her glass aside before heading toward one of the bathrooms.

That girl, that pretty and charming girl, acted as though she had known Reo forever. She moved around his apartment as if she already belonged there. She knew where everything was better than Seishiro did, even though he had been there countless times before.

She came back with a towel while Reo helped him take off his jacket (for once, he had actually made an effort to dress properly). Without a word, he let them help him as though he were a child.

“Sorry,” he finally muttered.

His chest tightened as he noticed how comfortable they were together, how naturally they worked as a team. He barely paid attention to what they were saying as they all moved into the dining room, his jacket forgotten in the entrance hall.

“You still have that horrible painting ?” she asked when her eyes landed on the strange painting Reo had wanted to give Seishiro back in high school.

“Hey, I like it,” Reo replied. “And it was a gift from my parents.

— Don't expect me to let you decorate our house once we're married.”

Seishiro didn't hear them laugh because his world seemed to collapse. No, his world did collapse. 

Married ?

She wasn't just some random girl. Of course she wasn't. Reo was dating her because he intended to marry her. He had never done anything half-heartedly. Everything he did was serious. Everything he did was deliberate.

Seishiro's head spun, his throat went dry and a knot formed in his stomach.

Marriage meant she would always be there. No more private moments between him and Reo. She was part of the picture now.

He sat down at the table, watching them and listening to their conversation without understanding a single word. Whenever he managed to focus, they were talking about their shared past. They had known each other since childhood but her family had moved abroad, where she had grown up. They had stayed in touch because of their families' business ties, and now… Now they were talking about marriage as though it were the most natural thing in the world.

But it wasn't. Not according to Seishiro.

Who was that girl ? Reo never talked about her (or did he ?) Did Reo talk with her when they were in high school ? Was she one of the people Reo texted after getting his phone back in Blue Lock ?

Suddenly, every memory Seishiro shared with Reo seemed darker.

She had always been there.

She had been there but he simply hadn't known it or maybe he had never paid attention whenever Reo talked about her.

Had Reo complained about him ? Had he told her that Seishiro was a pain to deal with ? (Because he knew he was.) Had Reo told her how he had felt when they were separated during the Second Selection ? Had she been the one comforting him whenever he felt lonely or abandoned by his best friend ? Had she judged Seishiro after hearing all the cruel things he had said back then ? 

And now that they were in the national team, was she the first person Reo thought about after winning a match ?

Something dangerously close to pain spread through his chest but Seishiro remained silent.

After that dinner, things only got worse : she was always there. And when she wasn't physically with them, Seishiro had the impression that Reo talked about her constantly.

“What do you think of her ?” Reo asked one day when they were alone at his apartment.

“Dunno. She’s nice…?”

Reo nodded slowly but his eyes betrayed how much he had been hoping for a more elaborate answer.

“You two are good together,” Seishiro forced himself to add.

“Our parents have thought that ever since we were kids.”

But something dark flickered across Reo's eyes. The change was subtle but Seishiro knew him inside out.

Yes. Something was wrong.

Days passed, weeks passed. 

Even though the wedding wasn't planned until the following year, Reo became busier and busier. At first, he had simply been busy. He always had been. But over the past few weeks, he had become so busy that even Nagi noticed it. His invitations over to his place became rarer and he never stayed after practice anymore. 

His behaviour towards Seishiro hadn't changed : he was still caring, still considerate, still thoughtful. And that was painful. Painful to think he was probably the same with her. 

Every time Reo looked at him with his familiar affection, with his bright and warm smile, Seishiro couldn't help wondering how Reo looked at her.

Did he smile at her the same way he smiled at him ? Did he know by heart everything she loved ? Did he anticipate all her needs ? Did he whisper sweet words to her when they were alone ?

The moment the last question crossed his mind, Seishiro froze in the middle of practice, his grey eyes fixed on Reo.

What the heck ? Why am I wondering whether he does that with her ?

He immediately looked away when Reo glanced in his direction.

“Don't slack off !” his friend shouted, louder than the coach. “I'm watching you. Don't expect me to go easy on you today !

— Yeah... Boss...”

When practice ended, Seishiro didn't wait for him and headed straight for the locker room. He sat silently on a bench, overwhelmed by exhaustion. His mind was constantly filled with questions and it was the most exhausting thing he had ever experienced.

When Reo walked into the locker room and stopped to chat with Chigiri, Seishiro glanced at them.

Don't feel like this when he talks to Chigiri.

Or anyone else here.

Only when it comes to her.

His eyes followed Reo's movements : the way he wiped the sweat from his face with his towel, the way his right hand slid to the back of his neck, the way his eyes lit up when someone made a joke (was it Hiori ? Seishiro hadn't even been paying attention), the way his lips curved into a smile.

Seishiro watched him as though he had never really looked at him before, as though he was seeing Reo in a completely new light. 

His eyes stopped on Reo’s mouth.

Has he kissed her ?

The thought struck him so suddenly that it made him flinch. He looked away immediately as a strange feeling invaded him.

What is wrong with me ?

Seishiro couldn’t find an answer. He only knew one thing : thinking about Reo and that girl hurt. It was a hassle to feel something he couldn't even describe, something that had been depriving him of sleep for days.

Seishiro had always been quiet but he became quieter.

Days passed and Seishiro gradually started avoiding Reo. At first, it wasn't deliberate. Or at least not entirely conscious. He only wanted to avoid the strange feeling that washed over him every time Reo looked at him, smiled at him, or talked to him. He stopped letting Reo drive him home after practice. He came up with excuses not to see him on their days off and made sure they were never alone together at practice. 

It was a real brain-teaser, an impossible and exhausting puzzle but little by little, avoiding Reo became natural.

And Reo let him drift away.

He stopped inviting him over, he stopped sending him an endless stream of messages whenever they were apart, he stopped taking care of him in the lockers, he stopped calling him his treasure.

Slowly and painfully, a real distance grew between them.

It's normal. People change. Relationships change, Seishiro thought, trying to ignore the ache in his chest.

Because it was true. Reo was changing and it had been especially obvious that day. During practice, he had been unusually inconsistent. He lacked focus and missed obvious opportunities like an amateur. Of course, even professionals had good days and bad days but this was different. It wasn't about football.

Seishiro couldn't help watching Reo whenever he got the chance and what he saw wasn't tiredness, it was sadness.

After practice, Seishiro didn't go home right away. He stayed near the entrance, watching the rain fall. Reo's driver was already waiting outside, his car parked in front of the training facility. When Reo finally walked out of the locker room, Seishiro stopped thinking. He buried every doubt and every question deep inside himself and acted on instinct. It was unusual, it was unexpected.

His hand closed around Reo's wrist, stopping him. Their eyes met. Reo's widened in surprise.

“Huh ?”

Seishiro immediately let go as if the contact had burned him.

“...You okay, Reo ?” he asked quietly.

Reo nodded and a smile appeared on his lips. A bright but fake smile. A polite one.  It was worse than being rejected. It felt as though they were strangers now.

“I'm fine,” Reo replied. “I just didn't sleep well so I wasn't very sharp on the field.”

Seishiro nodded but he didn't believe him. He couldn't think of anything else to say, so he simply murmured goodbye and watched Reo walk quickly toward the car.

“Wait !” he stopped him again just as the driver opened the door. 

Reo turned around. Their eyes met again but neither of them moved. They simply stood there, looking at each other from a distance in complete silence. (And the driver felt like he was in the way…)

“Can ya drive me home ?” Seishiro finally asked after a few seconds, walking toward the car. “This rain is a pain.

— Of course.”

And for the first time in ages, Reo's smile looked genuine. Seishiro slid into the seat beside him and the door closed softly behind them.

Reo took a clean towel out of his bag (of course, he always carried spare things with him) and gently placed it over Seishiro's head.

“Here. Don't catch a cold.”

The gesture was so natural after years of taking care of him, so effortlessly affectionate. Seishiro felt his heart flip.

Had Reo always been this considerate ? Of course he had but Seishiro had taken everything for granted and now he missed those simple moments. So intimate, so familiar. He missed them, especially because he had never let anyone else get that close to him.

Since Seishiro didn't move and the towel remained on his head, Reo leaned closer and started drying his hair himself.

“You're incapable of doing anything on your own, aren't you ?”

This time, warmth spread through Seishiro's chest. He realised something that suddenly felt incredibly important : he had missed Reo. He missed him.

He raised his head and their eyes met. Reo's words faded into silence as they simply looked at each other. After a long moment, Reo looked away first.

“What would you do without me ?”

Without him ?

Seishiro froze. Before he could stop himself, the words slipped out : 

“Why ? You’re leaving ?”

Reo frowned slightly before letting out a quiet laugh.

“No... But we're not teenagers anymore. You should learn to take care of yourself.

— Why ?”

Seishiro leaned in slightly. This time Reo looked back at him and echoed :

“Why ?

— Yeah... Why should I take care of myself if you're not leaving ?”

Reo's eyes softened and his smile made Seishiro's heart race for reasons he couldn't understand.

“You're right... I'm not going anywhere.”

Yet somehow, the way Reo said it sounded like the exact opposite. Silence settled between them again.

“Wanna play video games tonight ?” Seishiro finally asked. “I don't have anything to eat anyway and your place is closer.”

Something flickered across Reo's face. Something Seishiro couldn't identify. Joy ? Nostalgia ? Regret ?

“Not tonight,” Reo answered softly.

He explained that he was having dinner with his girlfriend and Seishiro had to stop himself from asking him to cancel. He knew he had no right to interfere with his friend's plans.

“You're lucky,” Seishiro replied. “I'm starving and you're gonna eat some fancy food.

— I'll invite you next time. Promise.”

The word promise made Seishiro freeze.

Reo, you promised me you'd stay until the end.

Why do I have this feeling that you're going to leave me ?

“...'Kay. Next time,” he finally replied.

They barely spoke again until the car stopped in front of Seishiro's apartment building. The driver opened the door. Seishiro wanted to say something. Anything but nothing came to mind.

“Thanks,” he simply said before getting out of the car.

Reo looked as though he wanted to say something too. Instead, he only smiled.

“See you.”

Seishiro didn't turn around to watch the car drive away. He hurried up to his apartment building at an unusually quick pace. Once inside, he closed the door behind him and carelessly dropped his bag on the floor. The apartment he had bought after becoming a professional player was small and cosy. Perfect for someone as lazy as him. He walked over to the couch and collapsed onto it. He knew he still had missions to complete in his favourite mobile game but he remained completely still. Even taking off his jacket and pulling his phone out of his pocket felt like too much of a hassle. He felt strangely listless. It was as though he was too tired to even be lazy. Even gaming or sleeping felt like a hassle.

I've been acting kinda weird, he thought, remembering the ride home.

I just followed my instincts but…

He rolled onto his back, took off his jacket, and stared at the ceiling.

I wonder what Reo's eating.

Probably something really good. Something fancy.

Seishiro was hungry but getting up felt like too much effort, especially because he knew his fridge was empty. He turned his head toward the window. The rain hadn't stopped and going outside in the spring rain sounded like too much of a hassle.

Dunno why but I'm kinda feeling down... Better try to sleep…

Just as he was about to drift off, the doorbell rang. He opened one eye, blinked a few times and glanced at his phone. He wasn't expecting anyone.

Still, something close to hope warmed his chest.

Maybe Reo changed his mind.

Maybe he cancelled dinner and…

The bell rang again. In one fluid movement, Seishiro was on his feet. He walked over to the door and unlocked it. His expression remained unreadable but he was surprised to find a stranger standing there, a black bag in his hand.

“Good evening. I have a delivery for Seishiro Nagi.

— I didn't order anything.”

The delivery man explained that he worked for a luxury restaurant and that someone had paid him to deliver the food.

“We don't usually do this but... our client was very insistent.”

Of course it was Reo. Even though he wasn't there with him, he was still thinking about him. He had remembered that Seishiro was hungry.

Confused, Seishiro accepted the delivery. He reached for his wallet but of course everything had already been paid for. He thanked the delivery man and closed the door. He remained standing there for a long moment, the black bag still hanging from his hand.

Why am I avoiding him ?

He didn't do anything wrong.

He never does anything wrong.

That only made everything worse : Reo was still caring. And Seishiro felt terribly guilty.

I should be happy for him…

But he couldn't. He couldn't be happy about his relationship. He couldn't be happy about the upcoming wedding.

Eventually, he walked into the kitchen and unpacked the food. There were all kinds of dishes, each one more elaborate than the last, far too much food for one person.

And for the first time...