Chapter Text
Maxi and Sidina sat in the cafeteria. It's around lunch time and Maxi took a sip of her grape juice and flipped a page from her favorite book.
Meanwhile, Sidina is just scrolling tiktok on her phone while waiting for her boyfriend, Hebaron Nirta.
It didn't take a while for more students to swarm around the place. Mostly lining up in front to get some food, some already filling up the empty tables.
As Maxi was about to be lost in thought when continuing reading, she saw Hebaron wrapping his arms around Sidina's shoulder from behind, a cheeky grin gracing his face.
Sidina let out a huff "Surely, It shouldn't take you that long enough to see me, Heb."
"Sorry, baby. That professor I once told you about yesterday cornered me right after class and got a little chit-chat about my grades." He kissed her cheek as he took a seat next to her girlfriend, "Hey, Max!"
"H-hi, Hebaron.." Maxi dazed at the couple and looked down to continue reading. She just finished her grape juice and frowned, as if needing more.
While Hebaron and Sidina continue talking, they're mostly bickering and laughing about some sort of jokes that Maxi could barely understand. Some just Hebaron taking out a flirty comment causing Sidina to go flustered.
"Ah, there they are. It's weird they took longer than me apparently." Hebaron chuckled. Maxi then looked up from reading just to see a group of tall figures entering the cafeteria.
Students stared at them in awe and some were even sneakingly taking pictures. But there's one that can really outstand them the most-Riftan Calypse.
"Where the h*ll have you been? We had a brief meeting with Coach Triton a while ago." Riftan went closer to their table as he crossed his arms and stared at Hebaron in annoyance.
"Oh, there's a meeting? Sorry, didn't read the group chat last night."
"Didn't read? You reacted a heart when he announced it!"
"Ahh stop shouting already! You must be hungry, go take some food and eat! I'll join you guys in a while."
"B*tchass."
Riftan eyed Hebaron coldly and walked away. The whole time, Maxi let out a sigh of relief and closed her book.
Riftan has been her crush since freshman year. It's not quite surprising when you're admiring that one famous soccer captain. Even students here at Anatol University admired and tried to plot on him. But Riftan dodged them all as if he's like an orbit who cannot be reached, so there's no way Maxi can be with him.
In fact, no man can even approach her at all.
Flashbacks began when there's some guy who's only using her as a bet, one even left her because of her speech impediment. And now she won't be expecting much from a man, they always leave or use her because of her inability to speak properly and believe that she's the so-called "beloved daughter" of a man who is one of the richest governors in Wedon, and has tons of money.
Hebaron then kissed Sidina's temples and went to the table where his teammates sat. Maxi carefully glanced at Riftan who began eating his food to his heart's content.
As if sensing that someone is staring at him, he stared back, causing Maxi to quickly look away. Sidina-who's already looking at her-smirked and leaned on the table.
"You okay Maxipoo~?" Sidina teased, which led Maxi to fluster and look down.
"I'm f-fine.."
"That's some great handsome man is it?"
"Shut u-up!"
"Awe you're too cute! You should make a move." Sidina smiled and drank her orange juice.
"N-no, there's no way h-he would like m-me."
"Hey! you don't know that. It happened when I made a move on Heby. He didn't like me at first but thanks to my unexceptional courage and dignity, he's all mine now!" Sidina smiled and pointed a pen at Maxi
"If I can do it, you can too! Plus, Heby said that the team placed him on some sort of blind dating. Good thing he shuts off all his past blind dates! You should try..."
"S-Sidina, no. You can't p-put me l-like that in such a s-state."
"Not listening! I'll text Heby now darling."
"B-but-"
"No buts! Please for goodness sake, you've been eyeing on him for years now! What could possibly go wrong? You can do it!" Sidina tried to cheer the sullen Maxi, which did not work.
She took out her phone to text her boyfriend, then placed her phone on the table.
"Done! I'll update you later or tomorrow on what comes next."
"Sidina!!"
"You'll thank me later!"
*****
-- Riftan's POV
Riftan continued eating while his other teammates continued to laugh at Hebaron and Gabel's funny jokes.
It was then he sensed someone was staring at him, then he caught Maximillian Croix-The daughter of that rich governor—Ezion Croix. She quickly looked away, which he was thankful for.
There are countless rumors about her that she's often distant and shy, but still aimed for a higher grade in their class. Even heard that her best friend named Sidina continued to stick to her like glue for money.
Although, Hebaron protested that it's not true and Sidina is always genuine to that girl. It's not like he believed those rumours, if there's something about someone that people often gossip about then he gotta see it for himself whether the rumours are true or not.
'Why do you keep thinking about that girl? She's probably just the same as everyone else,' he thought.
His whole teammates made up a plan to set him on a blind date since he isn't really that attached to girls. Riftan was so mad he even forced them to do drills past their training session every time they mentioned that he'll be dating a girl he never knew existed. And shockingly, they remained resistant and continue finding girls that are up to his standards. As expected, he ignored them in all ways.
It's just that those girls he dated are just clearly into his fame and how good-looking he is. Riftan would just wish that his teammates would just sit and give up on setting up this hilarious plot they made.
Hebaron pulled out his phone when he heard a sudden ping from his pocket then let out a choke cough.
"Boys! We got company!" He cheered, causing all their attention to turn to him.
"Oh h*ll what is it?"
"Next girl in line for the enormous Riftan Calypse?"
"Well she better be good and not some oaf like last time-"
"Oh please not that little bi-"
"Who is it?"
"We'll talk later!"
BANG
The whole cafeteria went silent when Riftan slammed the table, good thing it did not take long to gather noise around the place. He then eyed his team.
"...All of you are not leaving this afternoon's training until I say so. Even if it's 12 midnight, you are not permitted to dismiss today's training. I am tired of your childish schemes so don't you f*cking dare complain."
This somehow made the team let out a groan as Riftan left the cafeteria.
****
-- At Night
The training is a lot rougher at this rate, and Riftan showed no mercy when training his little minions. It's now 11PM, their training usually starts at 3PM and ends at 7PM. so he's beyond grateful that their coach told him privately earlier that he won't be able to lead the training today so he assigned Riftan to go in his stead.
Seeing his teammates already heaving and getting tired, he then let out a booming voice.
"You're all dismissed! Be sure not to mess up with me next time!"
There's a bunch of cheers and thank you's from the players, Riftan then ran to the bench and packed up his bag. While walking, Hebaron then catched up; still panting from training.
"Whew! That was h*ll! But be sure to attend that last date, yeah?"
"...This better be last time or else I'm going for another trai-"
"Yes yes, this is your last date and we'll behave right after!"
Riftan sighed "...Who is it this time?"
"..The woman that we'll be serving you for the last time is...!"
Hebaron smirked.
"Maximillian Croix."