Polaroid | Suna Rintarou

02: Winners and Losers

"Rin-kun!" is the first thing I heard as I exit the volleyball gymnasium.

Here she goes again this irritating mosquito, waiting for me. I don't really know why she keeps on following me around and pestering me. Is she just oblivious or is she intentionally testing my patience? Despite my attempts to push her away, she remains steadfast by my side. Not that I hate her company, but her persistent presence is something I'm not accustomed to.

As an introverted person like me, I'm not used to the attention she's been giving me. There are only a few people I find bearable, and Osamu happens to be one of them. Unlike his twin Atsumu, who is a big fat jerk, Osamu's company is tolerable, even enjoyable at times. But let's not forget he's a carbon copy of his twin.

"Wow! Suna, she made you a nickname, that's cute," Osamu whispered, nudging me in the side.

"Shut up, Osamu," I retorted, though there was a hint of amusement in my tone. As Atsumu's calls echoed from the gymnasium, I exchanged a knowing smile with Osamu before he dashed off to bid [Reader] farewell.

"Osamu-kun's leaving already? But I want to invite him too," she pouted as she reached me.

"Invite him to where?" I raised an eyebrow, studying her expression.

"To the arcade. We're going there!" Before I could voice my objections, she seized my arm and pulled me along.

"Who said I'm going?" I replied in monotone.

"I did," she declared, her confidence unwavering.

"I don't want to. I'm going home." I attempted to steer towards the path leading back, but she grasped the hem of my shirt, halting my progress. How was she so determined?

"Oh, come on! There's nothing to do back home, at least play with me." She pouted like a child, making puppy eyes. Disgusting.

"Rin-kun!" she called out, tugging at my shirt.

"Will you stop calling me that?!" my brows furrowed at the way she called me. No one's ever given me a nickname before, and frankly, it's unsettling.

"Why? You don't like it?" she looked at me with her innocent eyes. I don't know why, but whenever she makes eye contact with me, I feel like there's an energy that's pulling me towards her. It vexes me that I can't explain what this feeling all about.

"...." I couldn't say I don't like it, it's fine. I guess? I just don't want to admit it to this Pipsqueak.

"Well, I like it. So, I'm going to keep calling you that. Now let's go!"

I didn't know how I got into the arcade, but somehow she managed to drag me along. She's bouncing up and down excitedly like a little kid eyeing the machines, I find her reaction amusing.

"Which one we'll be playing first?" she asked.

"Whatever, just pick one." I sighed. I want to go home and sleep.

"Let's place a bet!" an idea popped in my mind at what she just proposed.

"Okay, let's do that. If I win, you'll stop whatever you're doing." I smirked at her, but she doesn't even bat an eye. I expect her backing out or at least argue but she just nodded.

"Fine, but if I win, you'll be my loyal pet. My loyal fox." Her mischievous smile sends shivers down my spine. My instinct tells me this is trouble but I'm confident she'll never beat me.

"Huh? Pet? Do I look like an animal to you?" I looked down at her, I want to erased that smile of hers.

"You look like a cute fox Rin-kun." She even tiptoed to pat my hair like a dog. This girl. I swear to God I'll crush her. I shove her hand away from my hair.

"Pick a game already, dolt." I rolled my eyes in annoyance but she chuckled not offended at all.

"Let's play Tekken." She decided and pulled me to the arcade machine, I want to smile but forced myself not to. There are loads of games here in the arcade and she picked the one game I never lose at. This will be effortless.

"I'll take it easy on you, Rin-kun." She teased.

I narrowed my eyes at her and picked a character and she did the same. The game started and I was astounded at how good she was, she doesn't even look like she's playing seriously. Damn it! I tried everything I could think of to strike and to counter her attacks but I failed miserably she never gave me a single chance to win.

"Game over. You lose." The voice from the screen mocks me, she wins 2-0 and turn to look at me with a smug smile plastered on her face, I really want to get rid of that smile of hers.

"Again."

"Are you sure you can handle another defeat?" she snorts, I stared at her not amused.

"Okay, okay, fine." She raised her hands in defeat and we played another game after another lost, I constantly challenged her with different games in the arcade but I have never once won a single round to her. I finally gave up and accepted my faith.

"Ahhhh-hhhhaaaaaa" she exhaled a tired yawn and stretched her arms. "That was fun! Oh! I almost forgot..." she looked at me with a hint of mischief in her eyes.

I know what she would say but I don't want to hear it, I could never accept it.

She leaned closer and whispered. "You should call me 'Master' from now on."

"Like hell you are!" I hissed, clenching my teeth.

"My, my, Rin-kun we placed a bet." She pouts shaking me.

"Stop being such a sore loser Rin-kun! Come on, call me; M-A-S-T-E-R." This despicable woman. I should never have gone with her here in the first place.

"No fucking way." She pushed herself into me and I nearly explode when her chest pressed against my arms. Does she not know about personal space?

"Jeez! We played—" with a hand I pushed her head and away from my body. "Okay, then call me by my name, not dimwit, stupid, or dolt, or mosquito. My name!"

Fine, I'll call you...." I swallowed and continue, "...[Reader]..." I turned my face away, this is stupid.

"That will do!" She took hold of my wrist and drag me to the arcade's exit, "Let's buy ice cream and head home Rin-kun."

What have I gotten myself into?