"Kimi no soba de nemurasete,"
("I would want to sleep by you,")
Beautiful World
Chapter Twenty
The walk from Rinoa's dorm to the library seemed like a decent time for Irvine to clear his head. Scarlet was no one he wanted to flatter with more time on his mind than necessary. Upon entering the library, Zell came and ushered him to the corner speaking in a hushed tone.
"Okay, Jeri is over there at the counter. She's supposed to be watching the library all night. It was Amy's shift today too." He explained. Irvine looked over Zell's shoulder and observed the brunette at the checkout counter.
Despite her slightly angrily scrunched eyebrows, Jeri's fair skin and raven black hair struck Irvine with a hint of déjà vu. "I think I know her," He said softly. Thinking quietly to himself, he kept his sight on Jeri and continued to concentrate on where he may have seen her. The more one knows about their prey the better they are at striking them.
"Oh damnit, you haven't already slept with her haven't you!" Zell hissed almost whining in a desperate voice.
Irvine's eyes widened, "Oh that's right, I did. It was back when the library was just opened later than normal." He readjusted his hat and smiled slyly.
"Freakin hell, now I'm never going to see Amy."
"You underestimate me," Irvine said coolly. He patted Zell's shoulder and swept passed him straight to Jeri. Zell watched in confusion and said nothing deciding if Irvine had a death wish, he'd not be the one to stop him.
Still holding his head high Irvine approached the counter and drummed his fingers on the surface. "Excuse me," he said softly, "I need some help with finding a book. It's about junction of status magic."
Jeri turned around and sighed, her gaze set to the floor and her arms full with books needing to reshelf. Slowly she lifted her head up and met eyes with Irvine. Almost instantly, the books from her arms collapsed causing a loud crash on the marble floor. "Y-you!" She squeaked.
Irvine blinked opening his eyes widely, "Jeri? Is that you?" He said shocked.
"Don't act like that, you know perfectly well who I am!" She snapped coming forward with an incredibly irritated glare.
Now leaning against the counter top, Irvine's shocked glance melted into a dreamy smile. "Wow, it's really good to see you again. You look great."
Jeri stamped her foot and crossed her arms sternly across her chest. "Don't you dare act like you don't know why I'm mad Irvine! I can't believe you, you scum! I really liked you." She turned around and muffled a small sniffing she'd started.
Irvine hastily rushed behind the counter and rested his hands on Jeri's shoulders, her back still turned to her. "Jeri I know, I did something awful. I really liked you too. It's just—" He sighed quietly and turned his head, "never mind, you don't care." His grip on Jeri's shoulder's slipped slowly and easily sliding down her back. He turned around and took not even a step before Jeri's voice stopped him.
"Wait, I do care." She said, a bit of hesitance echoing in her voice.
With a long look of guilt, and sadness Irvine turned and looked up to meet Jeri's view. "Listen, being a SeeD is everything I've ever wanted. Having a relationship is something I don't think I can handle with all the training, an-and stress." He closed his eyes slowly and breathed in gently, "I really liked you and I shouldn't have said anything to you when I knew I wasn't in a position to do anything serious. I'm really sorry." Once again, he began to make way to leave. A moment he paused himself and turned around, "I know this is too much to ask but one kiss? You know, for old time's sake?"
Jeri now framed with a face of guilt and longing, shook her head to exit her daze. "Uh, I mean, well why not?" She exhaled a bit relieved and came closer to Irvine stepping over her mess of books. Irvine wrapped his arms around her and moved in touching her lips ever so softly. He stood there still, allowing her to feel his breath on her. Gently he kissed her as his grip around her tightened.
Without knowledge of her actions, Jeri returned Irvine's embrace and pushed herself as close to him as she could possibly get. Her arms went around his neck as she leaned her head upwards to reach his.
In the middle of their heated moment, Irvine broke away and breathed heavily. "Sorry, I know you're busy I'll leave." Jeri immediately grasped his hand.
"Wait," She said desperately, "I was just covering for a friend. I'll let her know I'm unavailable." Jeri's eyes sparkled with a bit of excitement, and her face had melted away any sign of the bitterness she showed only minutes earlier.
Irvine smiled his normal wily grin, "Well if you're free for the night, mind if I… hang out with you for a little? A small study break?"
Still tightly holding Irvine's hand, Jeri rushed to the library phone and punched a few digits. A moment later, she urgently spoke to the other line, "Amy? Hey I can't stay. Hurry up and get over here I'm leaving." Without waiting for Amy to reply, Jeri returned the phone on its holder and pulled Irvine from behind the counter. Hastily the two rushed out of the library.
Still in the corner hidden between shelves, Zell leaned against a wall his arms crossed and mind in wonder. Never did Zell condone Irvine's behavior, but he had to admit, the man had his ways and did not fail.
''''''''''''''''''''''''''''
"Alright Seifer Almasy, I know you've been super busy preparing for the exams coming up so I'm not going to bite your ears off." Rinoa smiled and pushed some hair behind her ear, "Just promise me we'll spend more time with each other after this week? I haven't seen you in so long."
Seifer made a small grin and nodded, very relieved that Rinoa did not intend to start drama with him. "Of course Rinoa," He wrapped his arms around her and leaned in to kiss her. Rinoa replied shortly only to jerk her head back a fraction of a second later.
"I'll see you later, Seifer—! I forgot I promised to meet Irvine up, I'm late." She scurried out of the dorm without another word.
The next dayduring his session with his Instructor,Seifer sat quietly across Quistis' desk. He looked blankly over his practice test and groaned irritably, the memory of Rinoa droning repetitively through his head.
"Something on your mind, Seifer?" Quistis' soothing voice asked softly.
He looked at her with dull sigh and crossed his legs, propping his feet on the end of Quistis' desk. "Maybe," he said lost in thought. Exhaling loudly again he stared the ceiling, as blankly as the test he let glide to the floor.
With a graceful look, Quistis pushed aside her work and faced Seifer. "Well if it's bothering you, perhaps we should discuss it."
"It's not really your business." Seifer replied bluntly.
With one hand over her mouth, Quistis started to giggle. "Alright I understand, but I'll gladly listen even if." She laid her hands flat on the surface of her desk and patiently.
"Instructor," He said quietly turning his gaze to her, "you laugh at the most random things? It's starting to bug me because I don't understand why!"
She hushed her giggles and pushed aside a lock of hair resisting against her shoulder. Her head titled ever so slightly as she glanced at him with a sense of tranquility in her blue irises. "It's trivial, but you remind of me of someone— only sometimes that is." With that, Quistis briskly rose to her feet and moved around her desk closer to Seifer. She crossed her arms and leaned her waist along the side of the desk. "Just tell me, what's on your mind. I'm here to help you Seifer."
You're here cause' you're paid, Seifer thought bitterly. Insincerity ranked on the top of the things he despised most. That factor alone was probably one the few reasons his and Rinoa's dissolving relationship still existed. They rarely spoke these days, and even when they did, he never was interested. However, her loyalty and sincere care for him still kept him somewhat attached to her. "I realize your purpose, instructor," He began in a sweet voice, "but it's unnecessary for you to involve yourself in issues that don't concern you."
Quistis almost looked insulted by Seifer's response. She pursed her lips and turned away. "If you feel like that, very well." Slowly she returned to her place behind the desk and returned her facial expression to a polite smile. She rested her hands calmly on the flat surface of her desktop. "I completely understand." With a kind glance Seifer's way she concluded with, "I think we're done for the day. I wish you luck on your written exam tomorrow."
Superficially, that phrase stung. He absolutely despised people wishing him luck. Did they not believe he had the smarts to do it without luck? He didn't need luck, he never did. However, instead of retorting back with a sneering comment he felt awkwardly affected by Quistis' reaction to his remark. Without arguing, he stood and took his leave, a hint of guilt in his mind.
Was the offense she took a symbol that she truly cared? Was she really being sincere towards him? Seifer shrugged it off as he exited the classroom leaving Instructor Trepe to her thoughts.
''''''''''''''''''''''''
Zell entered carrying a happy tune on his tongue. He opened his dormitory door loudly with a bang discovering a disheveled Irvine inside. "Hey Kinneas, did you go to class?" He snorted.
Irvine clicked with his tongue and paced the room quietly. "Did you?" He asked in a tone motioning he really didn't care much either way.
The wide grin on Zell's face implied that he had much more fun than a classroom could ever provide. "Kinda," He said finally with his cheeks taking on a blooming red. His hand went behind his head as he rubbed his blonde hair in a bashful stance. Although he wanted Irvine to ask him about his night with Amy, he knew that Irvine had been with too many women to care about his one. Instead of waiting for Irvine to ask, Zell blurted out the information voluntarily. "I was with Amy the whole day! We both skipped classes, it was awesome. I've never skipped class!" He rushed to Irvine and placed on his very strong hands on his shoulder, "Thanks a lot man."
Even though Zell's assumption of Irvine's interest in Amy was accurate, Irvine was still pleased to see Zell so happy. At least he knew this would stop Zell from judging him so much, or stop him from showing so much resentment because of it at the very most. He shined a genuine smile and took a seat, motioning with his arm for Zell to sit down and continue.
Not hesitating to hold back, Zell excitedly jumped on the chair beaming with a joyous grin. His enthusiasm was refreshing; usually he only worked up for one thing, fighting. This new motivation to get 'pumped up', as Zell would call it, felt breezy and enjoyable. "Well we talked all night, and she was so cool about helping me study. I feel so ready for tomorrow's exam." He punched his hand into his fist and smiled proudly. "I even worked up the nerves to ask her to join me to the inauguration ball if I make SeeD."
Irvine raised an eyebrow, piqued with interest. "What'd she say to ya?"
"Yes!" Zell leapt from his chair and into the air, landing loudly in a squatting position. "This is the best day, and I have you to thank. Thanks again, man. If Jeri was there, I'd never been able to hang with Amy."
For a moment Irvine forgot about Jeri, last night was a blur. After their small affair, Irvine said he had to return to studying, and blindly Jeri believed him. In honesty, he went back to his room and let himself sleep. He woke up late, purposely missing class, and went back and forth from sleeping and studying.
Zell excitedly picked up one of the many books that littered the dorm and trotted into his room to 'study'.
With Zell gone, Irvine went back to his thoughts. He didn't enjoy thinking too hard about things out of his control but a few things flashed in and out. There was Scarlet and her ultimatum, Rinoa and the fact that he'd basically been avoiding her, his test he'd been working so hard for, and of course Selphie whom he'd not seen and was starting to miss.
Irvine looked at himself through a mirror hanging on the wall. He flattened his hair down and without combing it once he stuffed on his black cowboy hat, patted his clothes, and walked out of the room.
As he closed the door behind him, he saw Seifer walking down the hall towards a familiar route. Obviously towards Rinoa's room, Irvine assumed. Not alarmed by Seifer or at all wavered at sight of him, Irvine, from a distance followed Seifer's tracks towards Rinoa's room.
When Irvine had come close, he heard a thunderous shout from Rinoa's room and loud slam of the door. Seifer marched from the dorm and stomped back towards Irvine. When he met eyes with the cowboy he halted and angrily addressed him, "You!"
"Me?" Irvine asked sarcastically never taking Seifer's aggression seriously.
"Where's Rinoa? Is she in the cafeteria? Really?" He interrogated sounding fiercer by the word. Seifer didn't actually yell but the anger emitted from his voice nonetheless.
Irvine cocked his head back and shrugged with his arms out, "Geez, I came here to see her myself. You tellin' me she isn't here?" He rubbed the back of his neck and sighed.
Not knowing if Irvine was serious or not, and also not caring, Seifer swept passed him and headed away back towards the exit of the dormitory's hall.
'''''''''''''''''''''''''''
Rinoa never received the chance to tell Irvine about her near death experience, of which Squall had saved her. Selphie, bubbly as normal, would willingly listen but Rinoa didn't think she'd get to much joy to tell her.
When the next morning arrived, she woke happy and excited to tell Irvine still. The happy excitement inspired her to even track down Seifer who'd been ignoring her as well. Even though Seifer would never let Rinoa tell her what seemed to be an exhilarating tale, she nonetheless greeted him with a heart-warming smile.
"Just promise me we'll spend more time with each other after this week? I haven't seen you in so long." She pleaded from him.
Seifer's kind and loving response was all Rinoa needed to replace Squall from her mind with him. She happily left for class, still incredibly excited to tell Irvine about the adventure she had in the Training Center, only Irvine didn't come to class. While the class went over objectives worth reviewing, Rinoa had only too much time to let Seifer slowly ooze out of her mind to be replaced with the heroic thoughts of Squall.
Somewhere between the several times she'd replayed the event in her head, she started to feel a bit guilty about spending so much mentality on Squall. If Seifer had an inkling of it, he'd never forgive her.
For the passed weeks, it seemed, only Squall had been paying her any attention. He spoke little and didn't show interest to listen even more, but regardless he was with more than Irvine and Seifer were. It was only natural she was starting to warm up to him. Would it bother Seifer that much if she made another male friend?
So long as he doesn't know it should be fine, Rinoa thought to herself, it's not like I'm really doing anything wrong. When Seifer spends more time with me, I'll forget about him. At least he'll spend some time with me though. Even Irvine has been away for a while. What's he been doing? He spends a lot of time with Selphie— he never did tell me the story behind that. I wonder –
"Ms. Caraway?"
Rinoa broke free from her conscious and stared up at her instructor. "Yes, sir?" She replied promptly but obvious to that fact she hadn't been paying attention before.
"Class dismissed, you may leave now." He said blankly.
Hesitantly, Rinoa turned her head side to side observing the empty room, save a few students gathered around the instructor's desk. She jerked slightly embarrassed and jumped to her feet. "Thank you, sir." She squeaked. With that, she jumped to her feet hastily, and shakily rushed out the door.
The entire day seemed like a blur to Rinoa. Thoughts came and went, people saying hello and goodbye barely affected her at all. She vaguely remembered the encounter with Seifer that morning, but even that seemed like distant past.
Then she saw him.
The whole room was still in a hazy swarm of colors and noise, but somehow he sat there clear. Dressed in his school uniform with his jacket opened, revealing a white shirt and thick metallic necklace, Squall sat casually and quietly ignoring the masses around him.
There was a voice in her head reminding her about Seifer's distaste, but for some reason, her feet went without her knowledge. Without any voluntary control, she went straightforward towards Squall and sat down. She blinked several times after she sat down before him in confusion of how exactly she'd come to this point. The voice in her head was now screaming for her to leave before Squall acknowledged her. Quick and demanding as the voice was, Rinoa spoke and ignored it completely.
"Hey Squall." She said in a casual cheerful tone.
Squall shook his head from the daze and heavy thought he was in and turned to Rinoa. For the first time, he wasn't frowning or disappointed to see her. Just content…
"Hi."
'''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''
It was a common practice for students to hitchhike their way to the town of Balamb. The town was the source of entertainment for hardworking students who seldom left the grounds due to its remote location. Miles and miles away from Garden, with only one road, was the trail to town. Authorities never secured the lonesome road. The road winded and turned built strategically in a route that planned to avoid most tribes of monsters. So long as people stayed the course, nothing should happen to them.
Even if they did not stay the course, if you were as strong as Seifer Almasy, they still wouldn't be bothered.
Seifer didn't think it was wise to do what he did. Instead of keeping a cool head about Rinoa, instead of studying for the next day's exam, he went to Balamb. He didn't go to have a good time, but instead to drown his anger in a bitter drink.
Although Seifer wasn't accustomed to drinking. Rajin enjoyed it every so often, and Fujin accompanied him to beat him out of stupidity. Seifer occasionally joined. Today he was alone fuming with drunken anger. The scar that ran across his face stung and burned.
"WHO THE FUCK DOES HE THINK HE IS?!" Seifer swayed his sword clumsily in the empty fields outside of Balamb. "CAN'T FIND A GIRL ON HIS OWN SO HE THINKS HE CAN HAVE MINE?!" A blade struck the grass and crashed loudly as Seifer fell on the ground, his sword dung deep into the dirt. "Fucking bastard, that's what he is. I'll show that damn pretty boy. PUT ANOTHER SCAR ON THAT DAMN PRETTY FACE OF HIS!"
Losing his balance every other step, Seifer shoved himself messily passed the Garden's open gates. His noisy rambles echoed through the empty and desolate courtyards. The air, cold and bitter, felt so thick with tension that it could've been a full barrier. Seifer continued to throw about his gunblade without caution.
"SHOW ME THAT PRETTY FACE SQUALL! IT WON'T BE SO PRETTY WHEN I'M DONE WITH IT! I'LL DO MORE THAN LEAVE YOU WITH A PUNY SCAR!"
Still swing about his sword, Seifer stroked where Squall had too scarred him. The blunt edge of his blade swung where his fingers roughly groped. Groaning in pain, Seifer collapses on the hard floor as he moaned until he lost consciousness.
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