Final Fantasy VIII: Losing, Lost
Seifer handled his cards like a pro. Irvine watched him survey the table, wondering how anyone could keep their game face on and still look confident. Irvine remembered that look and spent more time watching Seifer than the game—foolish.
The girl Seifer was with bent to whisper in his ear. Her dress was too tight by half and it didn't take a genius to figure out who she was. Slumming princesses and the most notorious SeeD candidate in the world, Irvine thought. What a combination.
Losing wasn't even the bad part. Irvine watched Seifer accept the win of the entire tournament as if it was owed to him, thinking of the past. He wondered if a win was really a win to Seifer unless other people lost in the process.
Irvine had huddled away from thunderstorms with the man across the table from him, built castles in the sand and shared cookies. The worst part wasn't the lost card game, Irvine thought as he collected his hat and coat.
It was the lack of those same memories in Seifer's eyes.