xiv - messages

The soft glow of your phone screen is the only light in your room as you lie sprawled out on your bed, the weight of the day finally lifting. It's late—too late, probably—but your mind is buzzing, keeping sleep at bay.

The familiar ping of a notification draws your attention, and a smile tugs at your lips when you see Nagi's name pop up.

怠け者の天才

１２：４９ ＡＭ

u still awake?

Yeah.

What about you?

Don't you need your beauty sleep?

too much effort

You chuckle softly, already picturing his lazy tone in your head. It's become a routine, these nightly conversations. At first, they'd been sporadic—Nagi texting you about random things like a game he couldn't beat or a weird food he saw at the convenience store. But over time, the chats had grown more frequent, more personal.

１２：５１ ＡＭ

So what's keeping you up this time?

idk

js felt like talking 2 u

Your heart skips a beat, a warm flutter spreading through your chest. You bite your lip, trying to suppress the grin threatening to take over your face.

１２：５１ ＡＭ

That's rare. Did something happen?

nah js bored ig

talking 2 u makes it less boring :x

The casual way he says it feels so typically Nagi, but you can't help the way your cheeks heat up.

１２：５２ ＡＭ

I'm honored to be your personal boredom cure.

ur good at it

The conversation flows easily, jumping from topic to topic. You tell him about a funny incident in class, and he counters with a story about Reo dragging him into a group project he didn't care about. The banter is light, filled with teasing and laughter, but as the hours tick by, the tone shifts.

１：３４ ＡＭ

do u ever think abt what u wanna do after school?

The question catches you off guard, the weight of it pressing against the usual ease of your chats.

１：３４ ＡＭ

Sometimes. I'm not sure yet, though.

There's so much I want to do,

but it's scary not knowing if I'll be good enough.

good enough 4 what?

Anything, I guess.

What about you?

Do you think about your future?

There's a pause, the dots indicating he's typing appearing and disappearing a few times before his reply comes through.

１：３６ ＡＭ

not rly

i like playing fb but idk if i care enough to make it my whole life

every1 else seems so sure abt what they want

im not like that

You stare at the screen, a lump forming in your throat. It's rare for Nagi to open up like this, and the vulnerability in his words makes your chest ache.

１：３６ ＡＭ

I think it's okay not to have it all figured out yet.

You don't have to be like everyone else.

As long as you're happy, that's what matters, right?

maybe

its hard 2 tell whatll make me happy sometime

Well, what makes you happy right now?

The dots appear again, longer this time, as if he's carefully choosing his words.

１：３７ ＡＭ

talking 2 u

Your breath hitches, the words staring back at you like a quiet confession. For a moment, you don't know how to respond, your heart racing as you read and reread his message.

１：３７ ＡＭ

You're really good at catching me off guard,

you know that?

its true

ur easy 2 talk 2 :x

The sincerity in his words wraps around you like a blanket, warm and comforting.

１：３８ ＡＭ

Well, talking to you makes me happy too.

So I guess we're even.

The chat continues into the early hours, drifting from serious topics back to the mundane, but something feels different now—like an unspoken understanding has settled between you.

When you finally say goodnight, the warmth of his words lingers, making it impossible to wipe the smile off your face. As you set your phone down and close your eyes, one thought plays on a loop in your mind:

You're falling for him—hard.

something to snack on .ᐟ﹕