"So how many more left?" Reno asked.
Cloud sighed as he counted.
"...Nineteen..."
Reno shook his head and clicked his tongue. It had been two days since Cloud presented a bouquet to Raine and currently, the bouquets were sitting in a blue vase on the bar.
"You know there's a time limit, right?"
"I'm aware of that. I don't need to be reminded."
Reno shrugged, "Just thought I'd say something."
Raine came down the stairs and she hummed as she went to the refrigerator and grabbed a cup filled with transparent blue liquid.
"Whatcha drinkin, pretty?"
"I have a name, you know," Raine narrowed her eyes at Reno, "I'm drinking punch."
Raine pulled out a straw from the drawer and she popped it into her drink. An idea struck Cloud as he watched Raine's lips close around the tip of the straw.
"Can I try some, Raine?"
"Sure."
Raine handed the cup to Cloud and he took a sip.
"It's not bad," he said with a shrug.
Raine rolled her eyes and walked away, taking another sip from the straw.
Cloud looked at Reno.
"That counts as a kiss. It's indirect."
Reno snorted and drummed his fingers on the bar.
"That's so childish."
"But it's subtle. Eighteen more to go."
Raine peeked out from behind the stairs as Cloud and Reno walked out of the building. Things were slowly beginning to make sense as Raine pieced the evidence together. For some reason, Cloud was intentionally kissing her in various ways and with what she'd just heard, it was clear that some sort of bet was going on between the Turk and the swordsman. Raine clicked her tongue as she went upstairs.
Two could play at that game.