Trabia - Winter Island…

Quistis remained silent since invoking Seifer before their departure from Trabia Inn. However, she couldn't help but feel bewildered by his intense reaction. She questioned whether there was an issue on his part or if she simply lacked the sensitivity to understand. Regardless, dwelling on it was painful. After all, her intention was only to offer help. Or was she actually trying to help herself?

Before arriving in Trabia, she recalled sitting alone in her room, contemplating thoughts of depression and the notion of leaving this world behind. Yes, she, Quistis Trepe, the Legendary SeeD who was supposed to have it all, had failed to find any meaning in this world to live for. All of her life had been taught to follow orders. But at some point, she became mature enough to consider a different perspective outside of her bubbles, to ponder what she might be missing. Scientific research had been exhilarating, filled with discoveries and the thrill of proving or disproving hypotheses through meticulous experiments. But after two years of intense research, once she had become a professional herself in this field, she hit that rock again. She found herself escaping one bubble just to join another. And what would be her next? Was this all the excitement that the world had promised her since her unwanted birth? If so, it wasn't enough.

Now, sitting behind Seifer on the motorcycle, traversing the seemingly endless snowy terrain, Quistis found solace. Despite his simmering anger, at least he refrained from expressing it aloud. It was peculiar, but she cherished the serenity of the scenery. Even though she yearned for an explanation for his anger, a chance to talk things through, to get to the end of the conversation, to know who was right and wrong, she knew deep down that with Seifer, sometimes it was better to leave things unresolved.

Seifer had not looked back at Quistis even once. She had not grabbed onto his coat, except when their motorcycle unexpectedly hit an unseen rock. After that, she quickly retracted her hands back to the motorcycle's side handles.

For all the years he had known her after she came back to Garden post-adoption, Quistis seemed to build a wall around herself, hiding whatever she was feeling inside. She wasn't much of a taciturn person, but mostly kept her true thoughts to herself. In contrast, when it came to business, she always wanted to understand everything. Everything. Why he said this and that. What he did wrong, and she would ramble at length about why he shouldn't have done this or that. She could be annoying. She tried to be fun, to fit in, but her Ice Queen vibe didn't exactly suit telling jokes. A people pleaser, that's what she really was. And he had just unleashed his anger on her; well, she deserved it. Seifer knew she was burning inside, berating herself for making him angry. Him, a lowlife no one even liked to think about. And yet she still hated herself for making him angry. Shit. He hated this feeling.

They both involuntarily flashed back to their encounter at Fisherman's Horizon.


Flashback: Balamb Garden's basement. One and a half years ago…

"Do you think we can make use of these?" Acma held up some notebooks still covered in dirty plastic wraps. "They haven't been touched in a while. We can use them as lab notebooks."

"That's a possible use, but I think we should respect the former owners. Many of these items belonged to SeeDs who didn't make it or were lost during the previous Garden attack," Quistis replied.

"Oh, oh..." Acma rolled her eyes in shock, quickly putting the notebooks back where they were. "I'm so sorry."

"Let's just box them all up. We only need half of this room to store our rarely used equipments for now. We can clean up more when we need to expand," Quistis suggested.

"What's that?" Acma pointed to a big box sitting on the top shelf. There seemed to be something protruding from the top, resembling a huge box that could store a weapon. It took up quite a bit of space.

"Oh... I haven't had a chance to sort through that. It all belongs to Seifer Almasy - the sorceress knight," Quistis explained.

"Him? Is all of this his? Wow, we could make a fortune out of his belongings... Did you bring this stuff down here yourself?" Acma asked.

"Yeah, I couldn't help but think how mad he'd be if he saw his belongings thrown away," Quistis replied.

"Are you going to give them back to him then? I highly doubt he'll ever come back to Garden, after what he's done..." Acma pondered.

"I don't know. Whenever I have the chance. I haven't seen him since the trial. I don't know where he is," Quistis said with a somber tone.

"What a sad life to live." Acma looked curiously at the box.

Quistis had a feeling that Acma's obsession with sorceress knights began on that day. She was certain that Acma had touched the box afterwards, but was too busy to investigate further.

Until one day…

Flashback: Balamb Garden's lab. 6 months ago.

"We've found the knight," Acma came to Quistis with a grin.

"Who?" asked she.

"Miss Trepe, who else could it be? I'm certainly not referring to Commander Leonhart."

"Seifer? Where?"

"Fisherman's Horizon. Sean spotted him wither other fishermen again. Seems like he really loves fishing."

Quistis found it hard to believe that Seifer had returned to the same spot where they had apprehended him, but she also acknowledged that Fisherman's Horizon was one of the few livable places where nobody really cared about Seifer's past. In her defense, she had never actively searched for him, as his image represented one of her biggest public failures, if not the only one to date.

"Come on, do you want to see him this weekend and say hi? Raddie is visiting Sean and they can host us. There will be other S21s, too. We'll make it like a random encounter if you want," Acma suggested.

"It seems like someone is more eager to see her knight," Quistis chuckled.

"Miss Trepe! How could you not be curious? He's a living Sorceress Knight! So many unanswered questions about the connection between a sorceress and her knight," Acma rambled on with scientific details as usual. "I'd love to capture him and run experiments, find out how he managed to survive so many battles. The guy fell from an abyss without a mark! And he dodged Gilgamesh's Excalibur! What kind of reflex is that? And have you heard about the rumored cursed Knight Aura when they officially become knights?"

Quistis shook her head. "These are all just folklores at best. Every knight is different. Look at Squall and Cid. No crowning ceremony ever as fat as I can tell. I don't think there's a set pattern with the known Sorceress-Knight pairs. Adel didn't have a knight, and yet she still ruled the entire continent for a long time."

"What if Adel used to be a knight herself? I mean, look at her masculine physique," Acma began to speculate with more head canon theories. "What if there was nothing stopping a woman from being a knight and a man from being a sorceress? I think they are all individuals with specific abilities, learned or innate, and as long as they tap into sources of magic, like GFs, they can become whoever they are. Maybe the bond between a sorceress and her knight involves some magical inheritance, or it could simply be love, friendship, or any driving force that the legendary SeeDs had to help them return home during the Time Compression."

Quistis smiled at her mentee's hypotheses. The way Acma spoke made it sound as if those ideas were facts.

"Am I..." Acma suddenly became aware of usual Quistis' knowing smiles, "Haha, how could I bring up these theories with you, who have experienced it all?"

"No, no, keep going," Quistis waved her hand dismissively. "I honestly have no explanation for this matter. I was more of a second-hand observer, at best. It's not like we can have someone with a scientific mind become a sorceress or a knight just to answer these questions for us. It doesn't hurt to discuss ideas and hypotheses. Just…," Quistis looked dearly into her enthusiastic mentee, "don't ever dissect me to verify your theories. I really hate being cut."

"You can be absolutely certain about that. You've seen how I handle guinea pigs when putting them to sleep." Acma burst into laughter. "So, you're coming to FH this weekend, right? We can stay at Sean's, he bought a big house recently, quite close to Mayor Dobe's residence."

Quistis wasn't sure if this was a good idea, but agreed regardless. Deep down, she was curious to see how her student turned out to be after serving time in prison.

Saturday. Fisherman's Horizon.

Quistis leaned against the railing of the ferry, her gaze fixed on the vast expanse of the blue, sunny sky above. A gentle breeze tousled her hair as she watched a group of birds playfully chase each other, their wings creating fleeting shadows on the water's surface. The sight brought a faint smile to her face, a rare moment of tranquility amidst the chaos of her thoughts.

Seated nearby were a few S21 students, their youthful energy filling the air with chatter and laughter. Their vibrant presence served as a stark reminder of Quistis' own past adventures alongside her fellow Legendary SeeDs. Despite growing up in a time of war, the five years that separated her from these students created a noticeable contrast in their spirits. They seemed to embrace life with a carefree enthusiasm that she found elusive.

In her early twenties, Quistis appeared older than her years, her eyes carrying a weight beyond her youthful face. There was a lingering sadness in her gaze, a reflection of the battles she had fought, both on the battlefield and within herself. Post-war, she had been grappling with the aftermath – physical and mental rehabilitation, and the shadow of depression that clung to her like a relentless companion.

"How much longer until we arrive? I don't want to get a tan," Shrewdya complained while obsessively applying more sunscreen to her radiant light complexion, which contrasted sharply with her black hair and eyes.

"Chill, Shrew. Enjoy the sunlight. It's good for your mood," Keannu said.

"I would if I had a dark complexion like you and didn't have to worry about skin cancer," Shrewdya retorted.

"What a beauty you would be with my skin," Keannu giggled, eliciting giggles from Raddie as well.

"Har har, pretty girl," Shrewdya mocked Keannu.

"Stop complaining to us, Shrew," Raddie looked at Acma, who was sitting next to Quistis. "Someone could have used an aircraft but refused to..."

"Instructor Trepe, I think Raddie just addressed you," Acma playfully interjected.

"I don't dare, Miss Trepe! I meant Acma. Associate instructors do have permission to use the aircraft!" Raddie quickly clarified, narrowing his eyes at his partner.

Quistis chuckled at the banter among the young students. "It's a personal trip. Xu wouldn't be happy if we wasted Garden's resources like that, not to mention aircrafts are used for actual dispatches and emergency."

"We're checking on the Sorceress's lapdog. We all know how Miss Xu detests the guy for what he did to our gardens. I'm sure we can persuade her next time," Keannu added. "Speaking of it, should we junction if we see him?"

The memories of Seifer leading the Galbadia army to crash Galbadia Garden into Balamb Garden were still vivid in Quistis's mind. His face was filled with ambitious destruction. Quistis wondered if he still wore that expression these days in the tranquil fisherman's town.

"Don't be a jerk, Keannu!" Shrewdya hissed. "I hate him as much as you do for what he did to both Trabia and Balamb Gardens, but he served his time. The guy is probably useless now without junction."

Quistis wanted to clarify that Seifer, like Squall, was in a class of his own even without junction, but she stopped herself, deeming it redundant and potentially fueling more hatred toward the fallen knight. After all, he had been part of their orphanage gang.

"Speaking of Trabia, were you there when the missile hit Trabia Garden?" Keannu asked Acma and Timeth, the latter having sat in silence, gazing at the sky throughout the trip.

"Yes, we were there the whole time. Fortunately, we were visiting the town that morning to restock some supplies and were on our way back to Trabia Garden. The explosion caused a lot of debris to hit us, but Timeth stopped a large piece of concrete from killing us," Acma recounted their experience.

"We were all injured anyway. Piete's leg got really bad because of the explosion," Timeth finally spoke up.

"But no one died, that's the important thing," Acma smiled.

"And where were you when that happened, Instructor Trepe?" Keannu then asked Quistis.

Raddie punched lightly on his friend's shoulder, "How dare you ask that question? It's all written in Timber Maniacs. And I'm sure some of it was covered in our textbooks too."

"It's alright," Quistis intervened. "Don't treat me like an old teacher. We're on a personal trip. Well..." She proceeded to recount her part in the events. "Squall assigned me and Irvine to assist Selphie at the Missile Base. We were certain we would die from the base's self-destruct mode, but fortunately, Selphie had a brilliant idea to hide inside the giant robot we had just defeated."

"She's such a brilliant SeeD!" Shrewdya exclaimed, expressing her admiration for her idol.

And someone who strangely cared a lot about Garden Festivals too. That's all she could talk about during what could have been our last moments. Meanwhile, I was disdained, wondering why Squall chose me to die and brought Rinoa with him. Oh Hyne, after everything I did for him, he chose a new girl over me, Quistis thought, feeling pained.

Quistis continued, "She's indeed very smart and quick-thinking. We were stressed out because the giant robot completely blocked the base entrance, but she reassured us that Squall chose us because he believed in us. I think that's when she started running frantically to find a place to hide and survive the explosion."

Selphie and Irvine engaged in lovebird talks at that moment, unsure if the robot could truly shield them from death. Quistis couldn't help but feel very lonely next to the couple. She had never had anyone truly take care of her throughout her life. She had always been too independent, too capable. And in that moment, which could have been her last, she felt lonely even sitting next to two comrades in a confined space.

"I'll be sure to remember that detail for my next test," Keannu nodded.

"Raddie, did Sean tell you what Seifer is doing for a living in FH?" Acma asked.

"I don't know. Probably a lot of manual labor and some trades. FH is well-known for its advanced fishing industry. There are some well-preserved species there," Raddie replied.

"What a waste!" Shrewdya exclaimed. "Just think of all the resources from Garden being poured into that guy, who's supposed to be at the peak of his strength. Then he served as a dark Sorceress's Knight, killing people, and now he doesn't even return to Garden to pay back his debt."

"Didn't we discuss bringing him back a couple of times?" Acma asked Quistis.

"We did. After all, he was an exceptional fighter. We helped his friends secure positions as trainers in Galbadia Garden," Quistis replied. "But we want to wait a few more years. Our clients usually have a good understanding of the mercenary world, and his name will be associated with a dark period for a while. Of course, there are some clients who prefer that kind of mercenary for assassination attempts..." Quistis trailed off, not wanting to frighten the other passengers on the ferry.

"Like Zyma the Great! His bounty money could fund a quarter of our bills as I heard." Keannu exclaimed, prompting Quistis to chuckle at how nosy these students could be to know this financial information.

"But it's kind of shady business though… I'd rather take down monsters and bad guys than killing unknown victims," Raddie added, expressing his preference for more honorable endeavors.

"Says someone born in rich with plenty of options…" Keannu muttered.

"Enough, we're talking about Seifer," Acma interjected. "Even if we're open to the idea of his return, do you think he would actually want to come back?"

Quistis sighed and shook her head. "Unlikely… but I honestly don't know. I hope he would, but it's hard to say. People change, or they don't."

"I guess there's only one way to find out," Acma smiled at Quistis.


After serving his time in D-District, Seifer came back to Fisherman's Horizon in search for Master Fisherman who had provided him shelter before his capture. At the dock, he found the familiar white and blue fishing umbrella, but it was sadly closed. The old man was not there. Seifer made his way to the Master Fisherman's house, where he found Fisherkid - Master Fisherman's pupil. Clad in a red jacket, the boy sat on a boat, practicing his line throwing as usual. He stood up as he saw Seifer. The thing was, after almost two years, the kid had grown at least seven inches taller, and his voice had deepened due to puberty and sadness.

"He wanted to send it to you before he left, but we didn't know where you were," Fisherkid handed Seifer a sealed letter before lethargically going back to the fishies.

Seifer took the letter and opened it, barely recognizing the Master Fisherman's handwriting. It was evident that the old man had struggled to write it due to trembling hands and failing eyesight. Master Fisherman asked Seifer to make sure Fisherkid could throw a perfect line, enough to work for another fisherman in town. He also provided Seifer with contacts among his old friends in Dollet and Delling City, in case Seifer ever needed assistance finding jobs out of this boring town.

Seifer carefully placed the letter back into its envelope and sealed it before tucking it away in his notebook. He spent the next few months revitalizing the Master Fisherman's small business, all the while observing Fisherkid, who seemed indulged in a sea of sadness.

"It's not good for your health, kid." Seifer admonished the boy when he noticed him smoking a cigarette. He could also smell the lingering scent of alcohol on the boy. Gangs often handed out addictive substances for free to lure in vulnerable and lonely youth.

"You smoke and drink all the time," the teen boy snapped back.

Seifer snorted, realizing that as a former prisoner and world destroyer, he wasn't exactly a role model. Orphans were easily led astray without proper guidance and care. Seifer looked at the grumpy teenager, gasping how two years could have transformed the once naughty but nice kid. Seifer couldn't help but comparing the boy with his own teenage years. Garden, as Seifer recalled, was a shitty shady place to train stranded kids to be brainwashed killers, but at least he did not have to worry about food and shelter - one of a few things that Cid had done well.

"If I quit, would you quit too?" Seifer offered. "Food or alcohol. Only one can keep you alive."

Seifer had a feeling the kid was struggling to hold back tears. He imagined that his words might have been the first genuinely caring words that the kid had heard since the passing of the Master Fisherman.

"Just one more day," the kid murmured.

A few more months passed, and the kid became quite proficient at fishing, thanks to Seifer's teaching, which surprised the situational instructor even more. He taught the kid how to tie knots which was crucial for securing ropes effectively, one of the few useful skills he learned at Balamb Garden.

On the day Seifer brought the kid to the Master Fisherman's friend for him to become an apprentice, Seifer felt a sense of achievement but also wondered what his next goal would be.

He re-opened the Master Fisherman's letter and actually considered going to Delling City, where Fujin and Raijin frequently went for duties.

But the encounter with Quistis and her friends changed his plan.


"Seifer."

Quistis called out, her gaze fixed on the familiar figure loading boxes of wet wooden crates. He appeared incredibly thin. Despite his diminished size, his biceps were showcased in a black sleeveless shirt, revealing a lean and toned physique. Seifer effortlessly hurled the crates several feet away, almost as if he were tossing frisbees.

Seifer seemed taken aback by her presence, his surprise evident as he observed her attire—a thin white turtleneck sweater, a departure from her usual SeeD uniform and salmon pencil skirt typically worn for battle. She had also let her hair down, allowing the fishtail strand to relax, freeing it from her red hair clip.

"Long time no see. How are you doing?" Quistis inquired in a friendly voice.

Seifer didn't reply, and continued what he was doing.

Quistis narrowed her eyes, growing exasperated. Despite her assistance during his trial, he never spoke a word to her afterward. She didn't expect him to be grateful, but she didn't think he would be so heartless as to ignore a long-lost friend.

Friend. Instructor. Acquaintance. Whatever label Seifer gave her, they were more than mere acquaintances to Quistis, given the many years they had crossed paths.

"I heard Fujin and Raijin are doing well. Fujin has started her eye treatment. I wish her all the best if you happen to come across her," Quistis said, hoping her voice would carry over the loud thumping noise caused by Seifer's crate-throwing.

"Alright, I see you're busy. Well, I'm just visiting an old student who lives near Mayor Dobe's residence. See you around," Quistis said, considering it her final words, and turned to leave.

Just then, after years of silence, Seifer spoke.

"Fancy a drink?"

Quistis looked back at him, surprised by the invitation. A mischievous smirk adorned his face, reminiscent of their old days, but with a warmth and maturity. Quistis smiled and nodded.

He led the way to a bar far down the railroad. Quistis walked alongside, trying to keep up with his longer strides, and a spontaneous smile crossed her lips as she remembered having to catch up with him the same way back when they were at Garden.

"Slow down, Seifer. Eager for a 4 o'clock drink?" she playfully teased, breaking the silence.

He turned his head and slowed his pace.

"I told you ages ago to get rid of those boots. This town is quite safe. No need to carry that kind of weapon around," he mockingly remarked.

"Andddd there he is," Quistis laughed, enjoying the long lost banter, and he chuckled in response.

"Come on. I promise it'll get worse," he said with a mischievous glint in his eyes, picking up the pace. Quistis found it amusing and ran after him, ready to play along.

They entered a bar, one that Quistis could tell Seifer had deliberately chosen for its hardcore atmosphere. However, being in Fisherman's Horizon, known for its world peace ambiance, it didn't seem too intimidating for the upright instructor.

"Seifer! Long time no see!" the bartender greeted Seifer. "Done babysitting the kid?"

"Aye aye..." Seifer brushed him off and grabbed the drinks from the tray. "Let's grab a booth over there," he said, gesturing to Quistis.

"You have a kid?" Quistis was taken aback, glancing back and forth between the bartender and Seifer, seeking an answer.

"I don't dare, Mom," Seifer responded, trying to speak loudly enough to silence the bartender before he could say anything to her.

They sat down in a booth, and Quistis couldn't recall who initiated the conversation, but Seifer's initial questions revolved around Matron.

"She's experiencing some side effects," Quistis explained. "Cid, Zell, and the White SeeDs are with her, conducting research to seal her powers. But overall, she's in good health."

"Squall and Rinoa..." Quistis continued, but Seifer interrupted her.

"I saw them in Timber after Fu and Rai picked me up."

Quistis nodded. She wasn't sure who else Seifer might be interested in catching up with. She wasn't sure if she should bring up the orphanage gang. Unlike the others, Seifer and Irvine had known all along that Matron was Edea, and they seemed to handle that revelation differently.

"What do you want, Quistis?" Seifer suddenly asked.

Quistis was taken aback by the question. "What do you mean?"

"Food. I'm starving."

"Oh... Sure, let me see..."

Seifer went through the short list, but then mentioned that the bar had a secret menu. The Master Fisherman's small business provided some rarely caught sea monsters to the bar. Quistis trusted Seifer and gave him a few options. For the next twenty minutes, they discussed sea monsters and the various dishes that could be made from them. He managed to make her laugh a couple of times, and she couldn't believe how he could make seemingly mundane topics so entertaining. She thought back to her few previous dates and couldn't fathom why talking with Seifer felt so natural. There was no need to try; it just flowed effortlessly.

"Enough chitchat," Seifer took the last bite on the table, "what do you want, Quistis?" "Um… are you talking about another drink?" Quistis asked again.

"No," he chuckled. "What's the purpose of your trip? Catching up with your old friend seems like too much for a busy military official."

In that moment, she realized she hadn't told him about her decision to withdraw from field work nor had he ever asked her.

"Really, I'm just visiting a friend here. But, just an idea, or repeat from what might have been discussed with you," she bit her lip, contemplating whether or not to bring it up. Ultimately, she decided to proceed. "If you're interested, I wanted to mention that the option to return to Garden is still open."

Seifer snorted. "Of course…"

Quistis sensed the shift in atmosphere, but Seifer quickly reverted back to a friendly demeanor.

"Tell you what. I'll think about it, but you'll have to prove yourself worthy," Seifer offered vaguely.

"Prove myself? What exactly do you mean? I'm not trying to recruit you or summon a GF; I just wanted to provide you with some information," she retorted.

Rather than responding, he simply took a sip of his drink.

Quistis found herself reminiscing about the past. Seifer wasn't going to let go of this idea easily. Whatever he had in mind, Quistis was willing to give it a shot. After all, Matron had entrusted her with the task of bringing him back to the group.

"Alright... Go ahead and tell me. I'm not committing to anything yet; I just want to hear you out," she relented.

"Fair enough. How about we settle?" Seifer smirked.

Quistis narrowed her eyes, "You want to have a duet with me? Aren't we a bit too old for that?"

She was confident that she could defeat him with her junction abilities, especially considering his weakened state.

Seifer burst into laughter. "No, I mean we go out and defeat monsters, keeping score of who can defeat the most. And if I remember correctly, I never laid a hand on you, at least not with weapons."

Quistis pondered for a moment.

"Quite an unfair challenge, considering you have the advantage of dealing with sea monsters on a daily basis," she replied, a smirk forming on her face.

"Scared that you're not flexible enough?" he taunted.

There he goes again, classic sexual jokes.

"Fine, but if I win, you have to seriously consider returning to Garden," Quistis declared, retrieving her weapon, Save the Queen.

"Absolutely," he affirmed, setting down his glass. "Restroom's in the back."

Quistis furrowed her brow.

"What? Don't tell me you don't carry your battle gear everywhere. These monsters can be nasty, especially when hit with your Thunder spells. Unless you want to ruin that expensive sweater," he teased.

Quistis sighed and headed to the restroom to change, put on her contact lenses, and clip her hair uphigh. Despite it being a personal trip, she always prepared her gear like a fanatic. She reluctantly put on her junction, which she had stopped using extensively except for occasional field exams. She disliked how removing the junction device after battles brought back a flood of memories. It was frustrating that physical damage dealers like Seifer, Squall, Zell, and Irvine rarely needed junction to defeat baby monsters.

When Quistis returned, she found Seifer engaged in conversation with the bartender who cast knowing smiles in her direction for some reason. Seifer signaled for her to come back to the booth.

"I'll bring my Hyperion. Wait here, Mom," he said, guiding her back to the booth and instructing her to remain seated until he returned.

"Okay... I'll be waiting," Quistis replied, unable to conceal her excitement. Regardless of how this challenge unfolded, it promised to be the most enjoyable addition to her otherwise mundane week.

"I'll be right back," he smiled, briefly placing his hand on her shoulder and giving it a light squeeze, sending a slight electric sensation through her body, before swiftly disappearing from the bar.

Quistis hadn't experienced a touch like that in quite some time. Her mind raced a bit as she tried to reconcile this gentler side of Seifer with her memories.

She waited for a few minutes.

Then a few more minutes. She glanced at the clock hanging above the bar and noticed that it lacked a seconds hand and appeared to be non-functional.

She checked her own military watch tucked away in her backpack and realized that it had been at least twenty minutes since he left.

Sensing that something wasn't right, she approached the bartender.

"Hello, sweetie." The bartender looked at her from head to toes, with a more lascivious look than she had anticipated, especially now that she had discarded her baggy sweater and glasses.

"Is Seifer's house nearby?" she inquired.

"I'm not going to disclose that," the bartender smirked, his voice dripping with flirtation. "If you can't find him, there are plenty of other fish in the sea," he added suggestively.

Quistis narrowed her eyes. "No, thank you. I have legitimate business with him."

"Legitimate..." the bartender repeated, his smile growing wider as he looked at her whip.

"Look, did he mention where he was going?" Quistis attempted to downplay her growing frustration.

The bartender continued to smile, polishing his glasses.

"Fine, I'll find him myself," Quistis said, rushing towards the door.

"Oh, hey, hey, hey..." The bartender followed her, and the bouncer at the door prevented her from leaving.

"Now what?" Quistis took a deep breath.

"Pay the bill before you go, rich mom," he explained. "Seifer mentioned that you want to cover everyone's tab today."

Quistis felt her head starting to throb.

"He what?"

The bartender didn't require any further explanation and quickly presented her with a bill that exceeded her monthly paycheck.

"Seasonal monsters ain't cheap... But just a fraction of your old man's pocket, right? Look, we're just a local business here. We don't want to report any trouble caused by outsiders, so help me out. Seifer is one of us, a good guy. Tell your abusive old man to stop bothering him..."

The bartender began regurgitating the false narrative that Seifer had fed him, and Quistis felt her world spinning.

It didn't take much intelligence for Quistis to piece everything together. Seifer had portrayed her as his lustful stepmother, engaging in roleplaying scenarios, attempting to create trouble for him in hopes of winning over his share of the inheritance from his imaginary rich and abusive father.

"Seifer...," Quistis clenched her fist, digging her fingernails deep into her palm as she took out her purse, "you son of a b..."

Little did Quistis know, Acma had revenged Seifer on her behalf the moment the jerk walked out of the bar, forcing him to rely on her precious protein shots to manage his growth spurts while attending Galbadia Garden.

As a result, a few weeks later, Seifer showed up shamefully at Balamb Garden's gate.

"Your transfer papers are in my office. Come," Quistis commanded upon seeing Seifer, skipping any proper greeting. She sensed his discomfort, as if he wished someone else would magically appear and take over the exchange.

Reluctantly, he followed her, knowing that he would have to trek all the way inside the Garden. Quistis could have brought the papers with her, but making him comfortable was not on her agenda, especially after he had humiliated her a few weeks prior.

"Leave your Hyperion with the gatekeeper. This school is quite safe. Besides, these babies will cover your ass," Quistis remarked, tapping her high-heeled boots on the floor.

He silently laughed and willingly surrendered his precious sword to the gatekeeper, who still recognized him as the former head of the Disciplinary Committee.

What followed for Seifer was truly a walk of shame, with students beginning to recognize him and talk behind his back. He realized that despite Quistis's tall figure, he couldn't hide behind her due to his larger physique.

"Pick up your pace, Seifer. You haven't forgotten where my office is, have you?" Quistis taunted, deliberately tapping her heels more loudly to draw attention from every corner of the school, from the basement to the third floor. This was her territory, and she intended to make him pay for his prank.

Seifer snorted and silently walked past her, prompting her to run after him once again.

Quistis found it a pity that none of the Garden Committee members were present that day to make him even more uncomfortable.

"Here," Quistis handed him the sheets in her office.

As he reached out to grab the papers, Quistis swiftly pulled them back.

"4320 Gil," she stated with a dangerous smile.

He appeared surprised, then a snort escaped him as he realized what that number was about.

"I'll pay you back," he smirked.

"Whatever," she replied, handing him the sheets for real, shaking her head. Both of them knew he would never follow through on that promise.

She walked out of the door and he followed, repeating the entire walk of shame until they reached the gate. Right after he retrieved his weapon, she turned around and walked away without a farewell.

"Thanks, Trepe," she heard him say, but she made a deliberate choice not to turn back, as she normally would.

"You're welcome, son." Quistis shouted to make sure the whole school heard it.

She tried to walk slower to catch his last retort, expecting something along the line of her being his mom.

"That's a good one," Seifer shouted back, choosing to behave until the very end this time.

She waved her arm in the air and continued walking, determined not to let him see her smile and know her anger had already dissipated.