The Game Of Love Is Ruthless

Todokanai Koi

"Oh my god, look, Milly! He's here!" Setsuna Koi squeaked in delight at the sight of the Riftan Calypse, who was now in his second year of college. Following Setsuna's request, Maximilian looked up from her phone and glazed at Riftan.

He had just walked into a Korean BBQ restaurant where Maximilian, Setsuna, and a group of friends were in high school, and others were in college. After Setsuna got the news from Ruth that Riftan was going to be there for a get-together that Ruth's friend organized, she invited herself and dragged Maximilian along.

Even though Maximilian could think of a thousand other places she'll instead be, that fact didn't stop her heart from racing at the sight of him. She watched as Riftan approached the rowdy table, many of his friends loudly greeting him. Maximilian silently watched his moments as he greeted his friends, not unkindly but not exactly nice.

"He's so hot," Setsuna whispered to Maximilian, and she only replied with a slight nod. Suddenly his gaze shot up and met Maximilian's gaze head-on.

A sharp, breathless gasp left her lips as she caught his gaze; much to her distaste, Maximilian could feel her cheeks heat up. She forced her eyes down and stared wide-eyed at her phone, which was resting on her home screen.

"Ruth." Maximilian looked up to see him addressing Ruth, whom was sitting next to her,

"Whats-"

"Move."

"Wha-"

"Move. I want to sit here." Ruth stared at Riftan in disbelief and couldn't help but repeat himself.

"What?" Riftan's eye twitched in annoyance. Gritting his teeth, Riftan growled out,

"I said move; I want to sit here. Can't you hear?"

After a few moments of silence, Ruth retaliated, "You got some nerve! You come in late, and then you tell me to move out of my seat that I claimed when I came here on time-"

"But you were late too." Someone cut in,

"Shut up. I got this seat fair and square-" Ruth stopped suddenly when he caught Maximilian looking, and then a smirk spread on his lips. "Oh, never mind, Riftan, you can have this chair."

Ruth spoke loudly as he got up slowly. Ruth then added teasingly, "You need it more than me."

"Shut the hell up."

"As you wish." Riftan sat down in the chair and gave Ruth a warning glare. Shifting uncomfortably, Maximilian brought her eyes back to her phone and quickly pulled up a game, hoping to block out his presence.

It didn't work. Not only Riftan presence stopping her from focusing on her game but the sounds of many conversations happening around her. As Maximilian reached in her bag for her earphones, she felt Setsuna lean over and whisper.

"Go to the bathroom in a little bit; I want your seat." Maximilian looked at her, processing her words. Setsuna leaned back and mouthed, 'Please.'

Maximilian reluctantly nodded. Setsuna gave her a grateful smile and looked down at the menu. Maximilian gave up on her earphones and stared forward and worked hard to press down the growing pain in her heart.

"Hey." Maximilian looked at Riftan and saw him gazing at her with a soft expression on his face. "I haven't seen you in a while; how are you?"

"I'm b-been fine; how h-have you been?" Maximilian's hands instantly flew to the ends of her hair and fiddled with it.

"I have been fine too. How come you didn't come to the party, I invited you too? We would have seen each other sooner."

"Oh, I f-forgot where it w-was and I d-don't h-have your p-phone number-"