The next few months of school fly by in a blur; uneventful, mundane and the same as every other week. You cannot wait for winter break, to get away from your boring school life and just relax, and enjoy what's left of the winter before it ends.

"Hello, Nagi." You find your white-haired companion outside the boy's changing rooms. "Lovely weather for practice, isn't it?"

"Hardly," he grumbles. "Too cold."

He's clad in his Hakuho winter PE kit, zipping up his jacket all the way up to his chin.

"Well, you look nice and snug, at the very least." You bump his shoulder with yours- unlike him, you're stuck in your regular uniform, the cold winter air nipping your legs, the sheer fabric of your tights not enough to block it out. "At least you're not expected to wear a skirt."

You shiver involuntarily, and he reaches into his jacket pocket for his black gloves. He hands them to you, and you slip them on. They're too big, the tips of your fingers barely reaching the ends of the glove, but you thank him profusely for his kindness anyways, and walk with him towards the football pitch, where Reo awaits him.

Over the summer, you and Nagi had gotten infinitely closer, a fact which apparently amuses Reo to no end. His favourite thing to do is call you and Nagi lovebirds, much to both of your chagrin (you'll never admit it, but you secretly love when he does it because Nagi gets all flustered.)

You're still skirting around your feelings for Nagi, not wanting to jeopardise the friendship you already have with him.

After all, you've got all the time in the world with him, so why rush? That's not Nagi's style, and you're not about to force the steadily growing relationship between you two if that's not what he wants.

"Ah, it's my two favourite people!" Reo is as chipper as always, seemingly unfazed by the cold. "Well, Mr. Nagi, please don't keep me waiting any longer, okay? I was getting lonely out here all by myself."

You look around the pitch; the three of you are the only ones there, with the other members of the football team nowhere to be seen.

"Where's everyone else?" You ask him, and he rolls his eyes, mood instantly souring.

"They went home like a bunch of losers." He crosses his arms sulkily. "And they wonder why they'll never be as good as Nagi and I."

You raise your eyebrows at his tone, not used to seeing this side of him. "Wow, forget I asked, okay? You only really need Nagi anyways."

That seems to snap him back into himself, and his bright grin returns. "Yeah, you're right!"

Their one-on-one practice proceeds the same as usual; Reo with his unrelenting eagerness and energy, and Nagi's nonstop complaining and whining.

You step in to aid them every so often, offering your to thoughts on how they could improve things. You're really no football expert (you've made that clear to Reo multiple times, yet he insists that you're an essential factor in both his and Nagi's progress) but accompanying the two of them to every practice for the last six months has really made you more aware of the sport.

"I'm spent," Nagi sighs, collapsing onto the grass heavily. "No more, Reo, please? I'll die, really."

Reo isn't impressed, and ignores Nagi's pleading. "Get up, Nagi! We've barely even scratched the surface of what you can do!"

Nagi doesn't listen, crossing his arms over his chest. Reo sighs, and turns to you.

"Tell him, would you? He never listens to me."

"Don't!" Nagi says, pouting. "You tell him how my legs will fall off I run any further."

You're not quite sure who's side to take, trapped in your dilemma when Ba-ya suddenly appears, hands behind her back. You thank her silently with your eyes, and she gives you a knowing smile as she hands an envelope to Reo.

"Woah, what's this all of a sudden?" He asks her, and Nagi's eyes widen in recognition.

"Hey, I got one of those too! It's in my bag somewhere."

"I'll go get it." You offer, jogging off to the side of the pitch where Nagi's left his stuff, rustling through his bag and picking out the slightly crumpled envelope that matches Reo's.

You open it curiously, figuring that Nagi wouldn't mind (he'd probably consider it too much of a hassle to read, anyways, so you may as well do it for him) and scanning over the letter with your eyes as you walk back to the others.

Mr. Nagi Seishirou,

You have been selected for a special player training programme.

You stop in your tracks as you read the entire letter, a few step away from where Nagi's sat on the grass.

"A special training programme?" You hear Reo exclaim excitedly. "That's seriously so cool!"

"Really?" Nagi sounds as bored as always. "Sounds like a load of effort."

You read the letter, once, twice, and then a third time. You're in bewilderment, unable to make sense of what you're reading.

Nagi's been invited to a special training camp? All expenses paid?

You feel so proud of both him and Reo for making it this far in the sport they'd taken up only six months ago- you're so happy for them, that their dream is just in reach.

...Right?

So why does your heart feel heavy, your lungs as if they're being squeezed, making it hard to breathe? Why is your vision getting blurry, your throat tight?

The letter drops out your hand and lands by Nagi's feet as you stand there in disbelief.

He picks up the letter and shows Reo. "Aw, man, I was hoping I wouldn't have to go, too."

Reo laughs, and the sound rings in your ears. Nagi turns, and says something to you that you can't quite hear. You just stare blankly back at him.

Why are you finding it so hard to be happy for him?

Nagi repeats your name several times, standing in concern to get a better look at your face.

"Are you okay?" He asks, and it's the final straw that breaks the camel's back.

A tear slips down your cheek, followed by another, and then another, and soon you're full on crying, scrubbing at your eyes with your hands clothed in Nagi's gloves, and he's holding your shoulders, stunned, not understanding why you're upset.

To be honest, you don't either- you should be happy for him, not crying like a little baby.

"I'm- I'm just really happy for you," You hiccup, sniffling and wiping away the tears; no matter how much you rub them away, they're replaced by more.

Nagi reaches up a hand, slightly cold from the icy wind, and rubs his thumb under your eye, gently wiping them away.

"I don't really want to go," He offers gently. "So you don't need to be upset."

"Don't be silly, Nagi!" You reprimand him, even in your current state, pushing at his chest slightly. "It's the opportunity of a lifetime! You have to go!"

"She's right," Reo cuts in, and he offers you a soft tissue, which you take gratefully. "Although, I'm not sure why she's crying."

You laugh bitterly through your tears, frustrated with yourself. "I don't know either, honestly. I think it's because I'm so happy."

Liar, you think to yourself. I just don't want him to leave me.

"You're lying." Nagi frowns, and you freeze. Had he read your mind? "You're not happy."

"Oh, shush, Nagi." You wipe your eyes with the tissue- thankfully, your eyes are dry now. "Of course I am! You and Reo have worked so, so hard for this. The JFU would be stupid not to pick you."

"Don't get me wrong, I completely agree," Reo says uncertainly. "But there's something you're not telling us."

You sigh. There's evidently no way around this; you'll just have to spit it out and hope they don't recoil away from your pathetic self.

"I am genuinely happy for you guys," You explain, eyes trained on the grass beneath Nagi's cleats. "It's just... not to be clingy, but I'll miss you guys. A lot."

Reo laughs in disbelief and slings an arm around your shoulder. "That's what's got you all teary-eyed? Really?"

"Yeah." You feel the blood rushing to your face. "It's silly, I know."

"I won't go." Nagi vows solemnly. "I'd rather stay with you."

His hand is still caressing your cheek, and you smile at him, mustering up all your willpower not to lean into his touch and allow him to throw away his potential future like that.

Because as much as you want to be with Nagi, you're not going to be selfish. That's something you won't allow yourself to do.

"Nagi, I'm being serious. You've got to go, it would be such a waste not to. You've got so much potential, you and Reo. Just-"

"But if you're going to cry, then I don't want to."

Those words are enough to make you feel like you want to burst into tears again, but you don't let yourself.

"I'm not going to cry, Nagi." You promise. "Make sure you call me everyday, okay? Keep me updated. When you and Reo get famous, don't forget about me."

The words make you cringe the instant they leave your mouth, but Nagi nods seriously. "Okay."

He releases your face, but his eyes linger. His gaze drops down to your mouth for just a second, but it's enough to set your skin on fire.

Reo shakes his head in amusement, concealing a smile. "Man, you guys are too funny."

"Shut up!" You fling his arm off you, but he can't contain himself. He bursts out laughing, and you find yourself laughing along too, his laugh contagious.

"So you really want me to go?" Nagi asks, head tilted to side slightly as he looks at your.

"Yes, yes, absolutely." You nod for emphasis. "Please do go and become a pro footballer with Reo. I'll be rooting for you."

"Then that's all I'll need," He answers softly. "I've got luck on my side."

He pulls you in for a hug, slender arms wrapping around your shoulders. You return it, resting your head against his chest, and all is peaceful for about a minute until Reo's disgruntled voice pipes up.

"Hey, now that's just mean. You're leaving me out."

You laugh and stretch out an arm, gesturing for him to join you and Nagi, and he happily obliges. Nagi grumbles but doesn't complain, still holding you against him with both hands, begrudgingly allowing Reo to wrap his arms around the both of you.

You pull out of the hug after a while, turning to Reo.

"Take good care of Nagi, okay? Make sure he eats enough. And don't let him play games too long because it's bad for his eyes- oh, but make sure you call,  okay? And-"

"Yes, ma'am." Reo interrupts. "Now quit nagging."

"Okay." You reply, satisfied. If anyone will take good care of Nagi, it's definitely Reo.

You turn to Nagi, who's now got his hands in his pockets. You hesitate for a second, not sure if what you're about to do will be the best idea, but then you stand on your tiptoes and lean forward, placing a light kiss on his cheek. 

"That's for good luck," You say shyly. "Not that you'll need it."

Reo coos in the background, saying something along the lines of "So cute, just so cute!" but you ignore him, eyes fixed on Nagi.

"I think I might need another one," He says, tapping his other cheek with a finger. "You can never be too lucky, right?"

His face is slightly pink, and he bends down for another kiss. You happily give it to him, pressing your lips against his cheek, ignoring the way your heart does flips in your rib cage.

"Okay, you should get going now." You walk them both to Reo's limo, Ba-ya already waiting behind the wheel.

"I'll see you guys soon, okay?" You say as they get in, and they nod.

"Yeah!" Reo grins. "Just you wait, we'll be the best in Japan before you know it!"

"You're already the best in Japan to me." You whisper softly, and Nagi gives you a small smile before the door shuts and they're driving off, leaving you behind in the cold to wave them off.

You're upset that Nagi's gone, but you're more desperate to see him succeed. You're glad that you saw him off with a kiss, relieved that the two of you finally seem to have progressed past your friendship.

You already know he's going to be a wonderful striker.