Just as everyone was chatting animatedly
another announcement echoed through the speakers.
"Next, the following team that has passed the selection please enter."
As soon as the voice fell, the gate slowly began to open.
Everyone's attention was immediately drawn toward it.
When the gate fully opened, the person standing at the very front was an old acquaintance of Ryan and the others.
Nagi Seishiro.
"Yo."
Following behind him were Reo, Hiori , Otoya Eita, and Kiyora Jin.
Seeing more familiar faces, Bachira happily waved at them before jogging over.
"Hey Reo's here too!"
When Isagi saw that they had also successfully advanced, the heavy stone weighing on his heart finally settled. He let out a relieved smile.
"You guys…"
"Isagi, what's with that relieved look on your face? You didn't seriously think we'd fail to qualify, did you?"
"N-No, Nagi, I didn't mean "
Just as Isagi was about to explain himself, Eita hooked an arm around his neck.
"Oi, Isagi, you're really underestimating us, aren't you? Sure, we lost to Rin and got you taken away but we're not so weak that we'd fail to even make it through the selection."
"I didn't mean that! I was just… really happy that I get to see you all again. I'm honestly happy."
Isagi hurriedly explained, his face turning red.
"Of course we'd meet again. After losing to Ryan, how could I possibly stop there?"
Nagi said calmly, his eyes filled with resolve.
"Yeah. We haven't beaten that Demon King yet, how could we possibly drop out now?"
Hiori also spoke with a fierce, revenge-driven look.
The moment someone mentioned his name
Ryan reacted like a shark catching the scent of blood, instantly drifting over.
"Oh? I heard someone mention my name. Are you all praising my invincible, peerless, unmatched-in-the-past-and-future looks?"
"Hahahaha! Being too perfect really is troublesome. You guys don't even dare praise me to my face, only whisper about it behind my back."
"Go on, discuss all you want. I won't blame you. If I met someone as flawless as myself, I'd secretly talk about them with my friends too."
After unleashing that long, shamelessly narcissistic speech, everyone except Hiori who had no idea how to respond had already grown completely numb to Ryan's antics.
"You're still exactly the same as ever, Ryan."
"Of course. Nagi, I'd never change myself for others. If I altered who I am because of someone else's gaze, then I wouldn't be me anymore."
"By the way, weren't you planning to see what it'd be like without Reo? So how did you end up teaming up with him again?"
"Did you get lonely after leaving him, so you decided to crawl back?"
Ryan elbowed Nagi with a gossip-hungry grin.
Nagi didn't seem to notice the teasing at all. He answered seriously, his expression unchanged.
"No. After we beat that team, Reo was the strongest among them. If I was choosing teammates, I'd obviously pick the strongest so I brought Reo along."
"Oh? No other feelings involved?"
"Like… going out into the world, then realizing it's still better to be with Reo. Kind of like food no matter how good restaurant meals are, they never feel quite as right as home cooking."
Nagi thought for a moment… then nodded.
"Yeah. That's pretty accurate."
"Your analogy's kind of weird, but it's basically that. Being around Reo is better. He's the only one who really understands what I'm thinking, others just can't compare."
Seeing Nagi admit it so straightforwardly, Ryan looked like he'd just found the greatest source of entertainment in the world.
He glanced around, clearly searching for someone.
Soon enough, he spotted his target not too far away and called out loudly.
"Hey, Reo! Get over here for a second!"
Reo, who had been chatting with someone else, stiffened when he heard Ryan call his name.
Despite his reluctance, he still walked over clearly intimidated by Ryan's overwhelming presence.
When Reo reached them, his eyes widened in surprise.
"Nagi? What are you doing here?"
Nagi, still wearing his signature dead-fish eyes, replied calmly.
"Mm. Ryan's asking me some questions."
Reo nodded, then turned to Ryan.
"So what do you want, Ryan? Don't call me over for no reason."
Hearing the obvious irritation in Reo's voice, Ryan's acting skills instantly exploded.
He covered his mouth, staring at Reo in disbelief, as if deeply wounded.
"Reo… how could you talk to me like that?"
"Aren't we best friends?"
"We've known each other since we were kids! All those beautiful days playing football together, studying together have you forgotten all of it?"
"Why are you so impatient with me now?"
As if that weren't enough, Ryan dragged Nagi directly into the battlefield.
"Reo… is it because of him?"
"He stole your soul, didn't he? Now you don't even care about me, your childhood friend."
"You despicable homewrecker!"
"Because of you, Reo's not like he used to be anymore!"
"Has fate really lost to a chance encounter in the end?"
Before the words even finished falling
Ryan covered his face and began crying dramatically, making it look disturbingly real.
Nagi stood there completely stunned.
He genuinely couldn't process what was happening.
Why was Ryan suddenly targeting him?
Why was Ryan crying?
Did Reo… do something wrong?
Nagi helplessly looked to Reo for help.
But Reo, having been Ryan's first long-term victim, clearly had plenty of experience dealing with this.
He met Nagi's eyes and gave him a "leave it to me" look.
Then Reo adjusted his emotions, softening his tone.
"Alright, Ryan… stop crying. That was my fault I didn't watch my tone. I'm sorry."
The instant Reo apologized, Ryan stopped crying like nothing had happened at all.
"Really, Reo? I knew you still cared about me."
Reo finally let out a long sigh of relief.
"So… why did you call me over here in the first place?"
Ryan scratched his head.
"Uh… right."
"I kind of forgot."
After all
he'd gotten a little too immersed in the performance.
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