Chapter 14
The day after their near-disastrous trip to the Restricted Section, Isagi found himself sitting with Reo at lunch, laughing about something dumb Bachira had said earlier.
Reo, as usual, looked effortlessly composed—his expensive uniform neat despite the chaos of their midnight adventure. He gestured animatedly as he talked, clearly enjoying their conversation.
Everything was fine. Peaceful, even.
Until Nagi walked in.
Isagi barely noticed at first, too wrapped up in Reo’s banter. But then, something felt… off.
There was a presence behind him, looming like a storm cloud.
“…Yo, Reo,” Nagi’s slow, monotone voice cut in.
Reo turned, smiling immediately. “Nagi! Finally, you’re here. Took you long enough.”
Nagi didn’t respond right away. His gray eyes flickered to Isagi, then back to Reo.
“Didn’t know you and Isagi were so close,” Nagi mumbled.
Reo just rolled his eyes. “Please, I hang out with everyone.”
Nagi hummed, clearly unimpressed.
Isagi frowned. There was something in Nagi’s expression that he couldn’t quite place—something… annoyed? No, that wasn’t it.
Then it hit him.
He’s jealous.
The realization sent a weird thrill through Isagi’s chest.
---
As the meal went on, the tension between Nagi and Isagi grew.
Reo, completely oblivious, continued talking. “Anyway, Isagi, we should totally practice together later. You’re getting better, but I think I could still outmatch you in spellcasting.”
Isagi smirked. “Oh yeah? We’ll see about that.”
Nagi’s fingers clenched around his fork.
Isagi saw it.
Oh, he was definitely jealous.
Which would have been great—if Isagi wasn’t also feeling the same thing toward Nagi.
Because as soon as Reo turned to Nagi, the atmosphere shifted again.
“Nagi, you still up for practicing together later?” Reo asked casually.
Nagi’s eyes instantly softened. “Yeah. ‘Course.”
Reo grinned. “Good. Don’t slack off this time.”
The way Nagi looked at Reo—so at ease, so natural—made something ugly twist in Isagi’s stomach.
Oh no.
Am I jealous of Nagi?
---
The next few hours became a subtle, unspoken war.
When Reo complimented Nagi’s spellwork, Isagi made sure to cast something even better.
When Reo laughed at something Isagi said, Nagi made a sarcastic comment to ruin the mood.
When Nagi slung an arm over Reo’s shoulder in the hallway, Isagi pretended not to notice (but absolutely did.)
When Isagi got too close to Reo, Nagi definitely noticed.
It was ridiculous. Stupid. And yet, neither of them stopped.
Reo, meanwhile, remained completely unaware of the silent battle waging around him.
---
Things finally came to a head later that evening in the Gryffindor common room.
Reo had been showing Isagi some advanced spellwork when Nagi casually dropped onto the couch beside them, leaning his head against Reo’s shoulder.
Reo barely reacted, used to it. But Isagi?
Oh, that was the last straw.
He cleared his throat, setting his wand down. “Well, this has been fun, but I should probably go.”
Reo blinked. “What? You don’t have to leave.”
Nagi smirked lazily. “Yeah, Isagi. Stay.”
Isagi narrowed his eyes. “You know what? Maybe I will.”
And just like that, he dropped onto the couch—right next to Reo..
Nagi’s eyes flickered, the tiniest hint of irritation showing.
Got him.
Reo, oblivious as ever, just stretched. “Man, you guys are acting weird today.”
Neither Isagi nor Nagi responded.
Because at this point, it wasn’t about Reo anymore.
It was about winning.
And neither of them was backing down.