The day of the competition was approaching fast.
Raphael picked up his phone after giving it lot to thoughts. The phone rang for a while and as usual it was secretary Chen that picked up.
" How many I help you?" His deep voice rang from the other end.
" My father, I need to speak with the President." Raphael replied simply
The other end was silent for a while and Secretary Chen's voice was heard again
" The President is busy right now, and will be until the competition. Would you like me to relay your message?"
Raphael huffed in annoyance at the expected reply but was still disappointed. " No never mind. It's not my fucking problem if everything he has worked for begins to crumble." And with that he cut the call.
"But still I can't let them go on with their plan. If I'm going to do something I have act. Fast. He mumbled under his breath.
The preparation for the competition was hectic as they all left no stone unturned. Hinata was back to his old self as he got cured due to Dr James extensive care. Haruki's baby was growing stronger and healthier every passing day. And Raphael's presence in the mansion was decreasing. Albert knew he was up to no good but paid him no attention as he tried to focus on Nagamori who has been avoiding him like a plague.
A day before the competition**
They all *except Sol and Leon and Albert* sat down as they were waiting for Nagamori. They had all noticed the moody atmosphere that surrounded the always cheerful sunshine. Well all except Hinata who didn't know him too well.
The room fell silent as Nagamori entered.
" So why did you call me here?" He asked when nobody was saying anything.
" Ahem " Masayoshi began. " You've been kinda off lately man, What's up?"
Nagamori stiffened a little bit tired to mask it immediately. Which of course he didn't succeed in doing.
" Nothing's up... I've been doing fine... perfectly fine." He said his voice dropping by the second.
" You know man, we're all here for you. We can't just let our little one be sad now." Takahara added and Nagamori glared at him at his last words.
" Well if that's all I kinda wanna retire early okay? Good night everyone and Haruki you should be asleep by this time." He said and left, after giving Hinata a peck on the forehead that Asahi practically glared to.
" Well that didn't go well. I just hope he'll be fine and not over stress his mind and body." Haruki said and they all sighed.
" Okay fellas, see y'all tomorrow. Rest well, we got a big game tomorrow." Asahi said and with that he carried Hinata and retired to their room.
The rest of them also retired to their respective rooms for the night.
Nagamori's room**
The sound of knocking jolted him awake from his deep thoughts.
" The door's open." He said lazily as he lay down on his bed.
" You know you shouldn't leave your door open just like that." Albert said as the door creaked open and made his way in.
Nagamori sat up instantly. " What do you want?" He asked his voice barely above a whisper.
" I...um...I came to talk, Nagamori."
" Uh uh...."
" You've been avoiding me lately and... Well I've been meaning to ask why. Did I offend you in any way Nagamori?"
Nagamori let out a humourless laugh, " Did you offend me you say.... No Albert, you didn't offend me..... This is a me thing, my problem. You don't need to worry about me. I'm gonna fix myself."
" But I'm worried, okay? Please Mori, just tell me what's wrong ok...."
" What do you want me to say huh?" Nagamori lashed out suddenly.
" What is it huh? What exactly do you want me to say? That I'm love in with you when I barely know you? That everytime I see you my body's no longer recognisable? That everytime fucking time I see you with Raphael I feel like my world is ending but the sight of you makes me forget that awful feeling?"
Albert stared half stunned half shocked.
" Just what do you want?" Nagamori whispered and finally broke down. The tears flowed out like a dam in him was just broken
Albert gathered him in his hands like he was some fragile egg. Nagamori sobbed as he continuously hit Albert. The latter continued to console him and that went on for quite a while until only Nagamori's sniffles were all that was heard.
" You sure pack a punch little one." Albert teased and Nagamori glared.
" Don't you dare call me that."
" Yes little one."
" I don't know if you've heard of the relationship between I and Raphael is not what you think it is." Then Albert took his time to explain everything to Nagamori while stroking his head as they were on the bed.
" I....I didn't know..." Nagamori mumbled after a beat of silence. " Argh that son of a bitch just thinking about him makes my blood boil. It makes me wanna....."
" Shh now, that's enough feisty cat." Albert chuckled.
" Got lots of nicknames for me huh? Feels like you're trying to get on my nerves?" Nagamori pouted and Albert chuckled.
" Nah baby boy. I'm just tryna calm your nerves."
" Really?"
"Yeah… I like you, Nagamori. I really do. It might be hard to believe, but—"
The rest of the sentence dissolved as Nagamori's lips found his. It wasn't urgent, not at first. Just a slow, deliberate press, the kind that made Albert's chest tighten. He could taste the faint warmth of tea on Nagamori's mouth, feel the hesitation that made the kiss even more electric.
"Quit babbling and kiss me," Nagamori whispered, close enough that the words brushed over Albert's skin. Then, quieter still — as if the sound itself might break the moment — "Or… maybe fuck me?"
Albert's breath caught. He searched Nagamori's eyes, seeing the flicker of shyness there, the kind that made him want to both protect and devour him. "You're gonna be the death of me," he murmured, voice low and rough at the edges.
They both laughed — soft, breathless — the sound melting into the quiet that followed. The stillness wrapped around them like a held breath.
He wasn't sure who moved first. One moment they were looking at each other, the next their bodies were drawn together as if some invisible thread had pulled them close.
Nagamori's fingers skimmed over Albert's collar, grazing bare skin. Albert's hand found the curve of Nagamori's waist, feeling the slow rise and fall of his breathing.
They kissed again — deeper now. The world narrowed to the side of lips, the faint scrape of teeth, the heat where their chests pressed together. Albert could feel Nagamori's heartbeat, quick and unsteady, syncing with his own.
Somewhere between the laughter and the silence, the air turned molten and the sounds of their moans filled the air