Chapter Text
Maximilian Croix, the new student council president of Sword Ornament Academy notices that Riftan Calypse, the star athlete of the Remdragon Knights basketball team hasn't been wearing his tie as part of his school uniform lately. As part of her duties, she must write him up for not adhering to dress code. After final period, she approaches him with caution, nervously clutching her clipboard to her chest.
She has seen him in the hallways, and they've made eye contact a few times, but doesn't recall ever having a proper conversation with him.
At first, his expression is unfathomable... his mouth is tense, his eyes are ablaze, and there is a faint blush dusting his strong cheekbones. She wonders why he looks so nervous, but his expression fades as soon as the thought crosses her mind.
"...Is there a problem?" Riftan asks the trembling girl, noticing her death grip on the clipboard.
"Y-You're not w-wearing your t-tie again..." She manages to utter,"I-I'm going to have to w-write you up.."
"How about you write your phone number on that slip instead?"
"W-What...?"
"I said what I said. You heard me."
Max grips onto her clipboard even tighter now, unsure of what to do or say as the man gazes down at her with a cheeky expression on his chiseled face.
"I... I..."
"If you give me your phone number, I'll make sure I wear a tie tomorrow."
Riftan smiles mischievously, brushing his fringe away from his eyes.
"R-Really?"
"I never make empty claims."
What's the worst thing that can happen?
Max thinks to herself, nibbling on her lip nervously, before writing down her phone number on a sheet of paper and handing it to him.
"I'll text you later. I have to go to practice."
"... ... ."
Riftan gives her a small smile and carefully folds up the piece of paper, puts it into his pocket, and turns to leave before Max can say another word.
⚝──⭒─⭑─⭒──⚝
// 📱 Over text message 📱 //
R: Maxi
M: Who is this?
R: Riftan, I said I would text you
M: Oh... I didn't think you would...
R: Why not?
M: I don't know...
R: I'll wear my tie tomorrow, I promise 🙂
Max thought to herself that this guy doesn't seem like the type to use emojis...
M: Alright...
R: What are you doing right now?
M: Um... I just finished a student council meeting.
R: So, you're still around school?
R : I’ll wear my tie tomorrow
M : Oh that’s great...
R : On one condition...
M : Yes?
R : Go on a date with me.
Max begun to regret ever threatening to write him up.
R: I'll be there in 5 minutes.
M: What?!?!
R: Stay put, I'll meet you at the front entrance.
M: I can't, I have to go home.
R: I'll take you home, let's just go for a walk.
M: Um... I don't know.
R: I'm already almost there, you won't leave me hanging, will you?
⚝──⭒─⭑─⭒──⚝
Max quickly put away her phone and went to the side entrance, wanting to avoid the front entrance as much as possible.
"Hey!! I told you to meet me at the front!" A deep voice rang in her ears from behind her.
"I-I.. I need to go home!" She turned around quickly to see Riftan, still in his not quite perfect uniform. Has he been around all this time?
She thought to herself, how did he get here so quickly? They had only started texting not too long ago.
"I'll take you home soon..." Riftan looked at her flustered face and grinned. "Do you like ice cream?"
"Um... Y-yes?" Max looked away, she had no idea what his intentions were. They had barely interacted before today and she knew nothing about him other then the many rumours she overheard from other girls in the washroom.
They were two different people, from different worlds. It was a strange turn of events. She really regret scolding him now.
"I know a great place by the water, let's go," Riftan grabbed her hand and started to exit the school grounds. Max staggered behind his long strides, confused by the firm grip of his large hand.
She tried to break free, but his hold was strong. Her heart started to race and she nervously bit her lower lip.
"R-Really, it's okay... I should go home."
"You said you like ice cream, I want to treat you for not wearing my tie today, Ms. President."
"O-Oh... please don't call me that. It's really okay, you said you would wear a tie tomorrow."
"Okay, I'll call you Maxi then." Riftan looked down at the girl and smiled.
".... ... ."
"Do you know my name?"
"O-Of course..."
"You can call me Riftan, I'm not going to bite you… so stop looking at me like that."
What kind of expression did Max have on her face? She wondered why he was so persistent, but decided that a short conversation wouldn't hurt. Besides, they were in public and there were people around.
The two made their way to the ice cream parlour, with Riftan leading her inside. She had never been there before, even though she loved sweets. It wasn't often that she would go out of her way to treat herself.
"I don't enjoy sweets," Riftan said as he looked at all the flavours behind the glass display," but this place is very good."
Max peered around, there weren't very many people inside... just some children with their parents, but she couldn't help but feel like she was being put on the spot.
"What's your favourite flavour, Maxi?" His question shook her out of her thoughts.
"Um... I-I like strawberry."
"Strawberry, huh? It suits you."
"Suits me? How?"
"It's red, like your hair..."
"... And it's sweet."
Her porcelain skin instantly flushed red. Max truly looked like a strawberry now.
"And you have freckles... Strawberry... Really suits you."
Max recoiled and pulled her hand away. She was so flustered, she forgot he was holding it for so long.
"... ... ."
"I'll be right back with our ice cream."
No words came out of her mouth as she watched the man walk towards the counter to place an order. Nothing like this had ever happened to her before.
What a strange person... What does he want from me?
A few minutes later, he held out a double scoop of Very Berry Strawberry ice cream on a cone to her.
"I got you a sugar cone. They make it themselves here."
"O-Oh... Th-Thank you so much..." Her eyes widened at how big the cone was. She felt a little embarrassed, as if she was a child getting excited over ice cream.
"Don't thank me, like I said, it's a treat."
"W-What flavour did you get?"
"I'm boring. I just like plain old vanilla. I got a sugar cone too though."
"V-Vanilla is good. I like it too." Max took a lick of her cone. The creamy treat had real strawberries in it!
"Do you?" Riftan smirked, as they exited the parlour and walked towards the water.
"... Want a taste of mine?"
Max almost choked and stopped walking right on the spot.
Riftan turned around and burst out laughing at her reaction.
"I'm kidding, I'm kidding. Too far?"
Max slightly pouted and looked away, her face still glowing red.
"... ... ."
"You don't speak much, do you?"
"I... I don't know what to say."
"Anything that's on your mind."
She wanted to ask him why he was being so nice to her, but wondered if that was too forward.
The flush of her skin did not seem to cease even though she was enjoying a cold dessert along the waterfront.
"Really... If you knew how I feel every time you blush like that, you wouldn't show me that look, would you?"
How he feels? What the hell was he going on about now?
"I-I guess, I just want to know why you wanted my phone number."
"You intrigue me. I want to get to know you."
His honest answer seemed to stir something in her stomach. He seemed genuine, but there was something in his voice that she couldn't quite pinpoint.
"W-why? We aren't in the same grade... so we don't have the same classes..."
"Do we have to be in the same grade to talk?"
"N-no... I just don't know what I can do for you. Or what you want."
"Don't think so much, Maxi." He brushed a strand of her hair away from her face. They were strangers, and yet he felt so comfortable with touching her and asking her questions.
The two continued to enjoy their frozen treats, and not before long, the sun began to set.
She couldn’t recall the last time she had a double scoop of ice cream before, so she couldn't quite finish it all.
"Too much?"
"Mmm.. I suppose."
"I'll treat you to something else next time, there are lots of great restaurants by the water," He offered graciously.
"I-It's okay... You said you w-would wear your t-tie tomorrow. It's fine," She mumbled, shyly. She wasn't sure what his intentions were with her.
"Maybe I'll forget again, who knows?" Riftan said teasingly before taking another lick of his cone.