notes; Raijin. Deserves more love, okay? D:
Honesty
The other's think he's stupid. He thinks that this is probably true. But being stupid has little to do with one's personality, or the merits of hanging out with them. Hayner, he thinks, is also an idiot. Noisy, and hot-headed, and unable to grasp basic logic. He sympathizes, but only so much, because Hayner has friends to help him out, just the same as him.
And he can understand why Olette and Pence like Hayner. The kid's got a nice side that's far more apparent than Seifer's, he's not too wimpy, and a lot of the things he says are pretty entertaining. Rai is in most of Pence and Olette's classes at school, and talks to them quite a lot. Because really, he can tease them and pick on them - but it's all to bother Hayner, and that's all to bother Seifer.
Rai may be stupid, but he's smart enough to understand. He understands Fuu's dedication - she puts up with him. Looks out for him, even. He understands her short sentences, even when some might get confused. He understands Seifer. Because Seifer is rude, true, but he's nice inside. Somewhere. Deep, deep inside. And Rai thinks that, even if he doesn't realize it - even when it seems like Seifer is being mean - he and Fuu are seeing more of that kindness than anyone ever will.
He may be stupid, but he's smart enough to understand. The rivalry is all Seifer and Hayner. Maybe Fuu thinks those kids are too stupid for even one word, and maybe Rai doesn't like them as much as Seifer's gang - but it's nothing compared to those two.
It's something like revenge, Rai thinks. A playful revenge. Seifer insults him so often, after all - and he knows Seifer means it. But Seifer likes him anyway. That's the important part. So he can tease Seifer too, through Hayner. Instead of saying something, or helping Seifer realize what everyone else knows, he can play along.
Pretend that Seifer is smart enough to understand. When a child picks on someone, it's often a crush. When Seifer picks on someone, he's just being himself. He leaves Fuu alone - she could kick his ass any day, and while he knows she wouldn't, he respects her all the same. But he picks on Rai, and they're best friends. He picks on Hayner, and they're rivals.
Rai understands. Seifer doesn't.
That, really, Seifer might want to be friends with Hayner.
Pastel Ink