Chapter Text
I didn't think much of Seifer at first. Sure, he was pretty handsome, and we shared a few classes, but for a long while he was just pretty much the same as everyone else. We never really talked, and I felt satisfied with my own circle of friends.
I loved Triple triad, ever since I had received my first cards, carefully and systematically expanding my deck. Cards were very useful converted, and helped a lot with practical side of my studies. But there was also the thrill as strategists waged war with their decks and minds.
As I got better, I yearned for more challenge. I came to know my limits and other skilled players. So eventually us most excited ones began to meet after hours. Sometimes someone came late to my room, telling the faculty about homework or borrowed book if they interfered.
One day in caféteria I received a new challenge against silver-haired girl, who wore an eyepatch. She gave only little difficulties, looking sour as I took my pick from her cards. Without a sound, she got up and left, not even glancing behind after her loss.
A week passed and I played against a tanned, tall and dark guy, that I had sometimes seen hanging with Seifer. He was even easier to tactically lead astray and then ambush his defenseless cards. He seemed bugged about his loss, asking for another game time and time again, persistent to win them back.
Late in the same evening, my door was knocked. I opened it casually, thinking it would be just one of my usual buddies asking for a few games. Instead I found myself face to face with Seifers ice-coloured eyes, looking down on mine. I could feel my smile dropping, realizing I was in trouble now.
He smirked. "Well, well. Not whom you expected, huh? The poor lad was caught in the act, heading straight to your door. Care to explain why he is the third person this week who came to borrow a book from you for tomorrow's test?"
He walked in without invitation, taking a good look around my room and sat confidently on my bed. I closed the door, not wanting the faculty peeking in even if it meant leaving Seifer in. The staff was way stricter than a single member of disciplinary committee could be, right?
Seifer had caught my deck of cards from the table, rolling them in his hands. "Is this why he was here," he asked with a low voice, hands mixing the cards. "Maybe," I answered and his frown seemed to brighten a bit. Perhaps I'd survive this after all.
"So... since your card pal didn't make it after all, why not have a game with me," he suggested with a smirk before continuing. "Perhaps we could add our own rule to the ordinary ones. Like, if you win, I won't report you in for breaking the rule about sneaking people in your room after curfew."
"And should you win?" I began to worry. His eyes flashed and he smiled even more ferally. "I'll think of something," he answered and passed me my deck. As I mixed it, he pulled out his own.
I settled to sit crosslegged on the bed, facing him and he turned for more comfortable position as well. It felt odd, usually this was relaxing with my usual opponents, but this time made me so nervous... Then again it was no wonder, he could have me expelled for a while just with few simple words if he chose to turn me in.
Luck favoured me, and he dealt the first card. I countered it with mine, keeping my back secured. He tried to fool me with a low value card, but I kept playing safe. After next cards it was clear I would win this game and he barely contained his disappointment.
"Two out of three?" He suggested hopefully, and I shook my head. "No. We agreed of this. I won, fair and square," I said and picked a card. "Fine," he huffed, picking up his cards and got up to leave without a word.
"You're off the hook. For now," he said grumpily before leaving my room, not even glancing back as he shut the door.