“A-And... I care about you too.”
It appeared her strategy was to divert Yui’s attention through deep conversation. How underhanded. Guess I’ll just stop listening then. Yui focused all her attention on the game.
“I know life’s been tough. I know it hurts. But you have to stop, Yui.”
“Mmhmm, that’s nice.”
Yui was getting completely blown out, despite Rio glancing in her direction, seemingly unfocused on the match at hand. Her training all for naught, Yui was on the verge of getting KO’d.
“T-Timeout! I think my buttons stopped working! The controller’s blinking!”
“You have to stop, Yui. Okay? Drop the seatmate killer nonsense.”
It was then that Rio’s character suddenly stopped moving. Yui took the opportunity to deliver a powerful blow, sending it out of bounds.
“1-0! You saw that, right? Man, I’m good!”
“Are you listening?”
“Hmm? Listening to what?”
“I said drop the seatmate killer nonsense.”
Seatmate killer?
Next thing she knew, Rio had set the game aside completely, with a serious look in her eyes. Yui tilted her head at the cryptic combination of words, only to immediately shift her attention back to the game when Rio’s character respawned.
“Making up this whole yes ticket thing too. It’s not okay, Yui. Show yourself some respect. This weird game of yours isn’t worth it.”
“Huh? You’ve gotta be kidding me?!”
“S-Sorry. I didn’t mean for it to sound like an order…”
“What? No, focus.”
Just as Yui thought she had the upper hand, Rio served her a seemingly impossible counter. Expecting a shit eating grin from Rio, Yui instead got a concerned look.
“All it did was earn you the title of seatmate killer.”
“Wait a second. What’s a ‘seatmate killer’?” Yui's curiosity had finally gotten the better of her; she had never heard the term before.
“You, Yui. You play this game where you try to ‘win’ the affection of your seatmates.“
“Who told you that exactly?”
“Priest... no, Narito.”
Her worst fear had come true. Yui knit her brow. “Yuuki did?”
“Yes. I already thought you were walking on thin ice, but then he told me something about how whoever won the midterm battle got to have their way with the loser. That’s going way too far, Yui.”
Why does she know about the yes ticket? How much did that weasel tell her? It almost sounds like I have a thing for him and doing this to get his attention. Not necessarily wrong, per se, but snitching on me to an outsider is against the rules. Well, my rules, at least.
“T-The, uhh, the yes ticket thing was Yuuki’s idea, I think. Probably. Maybe.”
“And the bento?”
“Bento?”
“Narito showed me the bento you gave him.”
So that’s why he wasn’t in class; he was too busy telling Rio how I’m playing games with my seatmates or whatever.
Yui, however, was painfully aware how her actions could be interpreted in such a light, especially with evidence as damning as the bento. That being said, she couldn’t just scream “it’s not a game!” and call it a day. Quick, think of an excuse.
“Th-Those were just... leftovers, yeah, leftovers. I just kind of dumped all my leftover pink rice and bass.”
“Wh-What? Then what about Lyucifer?”
“Who’s Lyucifer and why do they sound like a Wind God Fist user? Anyway, I have no clue what this ‘seatmate killer’ business is about.”
Why that little... giving me weird names!
Rio’s fingers froze completely upon hearing this. Yui took the opportunity to unleash a bash attack, when suddenly, “Na… Naritoooooooooo!” Rio screamed as the letters KO flashed across the screen.
Yui’s character ate a nasty counter, flying out of bounds. “Huuuuuuuh?!” Yui screamed alongside her before quickly noticing something was up with Rio.
“Y-You okay Rio?! What’s with the screaming?”
“I fell for his lies! Damn you, Naritooooo! I should’ve known better. Seatmate killer... What was I thinking?” Her teeth gritted, Rio stood up, tossing away her controller. She then clenched her fists, shaking furiously. “I’ll never forgive him! How could I’ve been so blind?!”
“W-What are you talking about?”
“That man’s a menace, Yui. For as long as I draw breath, I promise he’ll never come near you again!”
“R-Rio? Please, chill. Chill!”
“Why I oughta break into his house and–”
“I said chill!”
“Oof?!” Rio went as Yui caught her forehead with her finger, pushing her back onto the cushion.
“Good girl. Now, stay. Stay!”
Rio huffed as Yui petted her head, patted her shoulders while handing her the controller back. This calmed Rio down a little.
What’s got her so worked up? I bet Yuuki poisoned her mind with his usual nonsense. Lyucifer, seatmate killer; How do you even come up with this? A little payback is in order, I think. Yui sat down in front of Rio.
“Yuuki’s a sad, sad creature, you see. He... doesn’t feel things the same way we do, as you’ve probably noticed. When we became seatmates I thought ‘this guy’s off his rocker’ and swore to show him human kindness. So, yeah, try not to go hard on the guy, okay?”
She said in a soft, admonishing tone. It’s the truth… probably the truth, maybe.
“If he does or says anything weird, just, try to keep a cool head.”
“I-I see now. Such... kindness. You’re no Lyucifer; you’re an angel. Angel Yui.”
“Call me Yuihweh.”
“Apologies, Yuihweh.” Rio breathed in, gazing at Yui with eyes of admiration.
Phew, close call. Yui wiped the sweat off her brow, having successfully calmed Rio down.
“Let’s take a break. I’ll bring drinks.” She said, exiting the room.
As Yui went down to the first floor, she remembered Yuuki’s face as he brushed off a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to have his way with her as “not worth the trouble”.
Treating me like the literal devil behind my back. Two can play that game, Yuuki. Two can play that game. Yuihweh thought, a sinister grin spreading across her face.