Vignette 2: The List

"Dude…" Seifer looks at Irvine in disbelief and goes back to winding his yoyo. "That's the dumbest idea I've ever heard."

"Hear me out!" Irvine gestures with his free hand as he tries to pick out a yoyo model. "So we add our favorite girls to the List and interview 'em, right? Then we take their best qualities—brainy, funny, whatever—and make a composite for the robot project!"

"Assuming I'll even sign up for the robotics class," says Seifer neutrally. "I'm still tryin' to decide my elective." Truthfully, he is waiting to see which elective Quisty will choose so that he can be in the same class as her. "Hey, watch this." He sleeps his yoyo and Rocks the Baby a few times.

"Nice technique," praises Irvine. "You've improved a lot."

Seifer gives him a smug grin. "I know."

"Ohhh yeah, it's Elevator time!" Irvine executes an impressive set of movements to make his yoyo climb up the string. "So yeah, basically we'll create a girl robot that can hold an intelligent conversation whenever we feel like talking to her. A friend for life!"

"Girl robot," scoffs Seifer as he sleeps his yoyo once more for a classic trick: Walk the Dog. "Are you sure you're not talkin' about a girlfriend robot?"

Irvine shifts away from Seifer and skillfully directs his toy to go Around the World. "No way, man. You know Sefie's the only one for me!" He glances behind his shoulder to the front of the store and immediately gets distracted. "Hey now, check out the pretty girl who just walked in!"

Seifer rolls his eyes but listens to him anyway.

The girl has shiny black hair and skinny shoulders. She's wearing expensive clothes, probably from the high-end department stores. Irvine is right—she's rather pretty.

But there's someone even prettier.

And now that Squall's gone off to live happily ever after with his long-lost parents (along with his big sis Elle), Seifer feels like he finally has a chance to shine in front of Quisty.

"Add the new girl to the List!" jokes Irvine. He suddenly smirks in a very knowing way. "Add Quisty to the List, too!"

Seifer instinctively growls and knocks his yoyo into Irvine's as a warning. "Don't you dare add Quisty to the List!"

"What list?"

Seifer whips his head around to find Quisty regarding them with innocent curiosity.

His eyes gravitate to the colorful books she is holding in her arms.

"I'm making a personalized reading list for you to enjoy in your free time," he fibs smoothly.

Irvine snickers freely. Quisty doesn't notice.

Her eyes just widen in excitement. "Really!?"

"That's right."

"How nice of you, Seifer." She pauses and raises one delicate eyebrow. "How suspiciously nice of you."

"Suspiciously so," agrees Irvine in an unhelpful manner.

Seifer scowls at his friend before turning back to Quistis. "C'mon, gimme the benefit of the doubt! Can't a guy be nice?"

"I'm not saying you're not nice. Just, please try to be friendlier to Zell, okay? He's having a hard time adjusting to orphanage life. Remember that you were new once, too…"

Seifer crosses his arms. "Fine," he says begrudgingly.

Quisty's expression softens. "Thanks, Seifer! I can't wait for my reading list. You're the best."

"Um…" Seifer is a bit flabbergasted by her warm response. "Yeah. You're welcome, Quisty."

Irvine is observing the conversation with growing interest.

"Now if you'll excuse me, boys, I'm planning to purchase the latest Deling City Times Bestsellers."

Seifer watches Quisty's ponytail swish from side to side as she heads over to the cash register with her selection of critically acclaimed literature.

"That was real smooth," comments Irvine.

"Not the time for sarcasm. I need to find books and find 'em fast!"

"I'm not being sarcastic! That was really cool, the way you saved face."

"Huh?" Seifer blinks. "What's wrong with my face?"

Irvine chuckles. "It's just an expression. Anyway, you might wanna ask Zell for book recommendations." He nods toward their spiky-haired friend wandering over by the bookshelves. "He's been going to the library a lot these days."

"Right," sighs Seifer. "I should get started on the List soon."

What has he gotten himself into!?