persona || paige bueckers

Chapter 12

Kazzi has played Mario Kart approximately five times in her lifetime. She won every game.

Maybe it was god's gift, Kazzi being exceptionally good at a funky driving game – but boy, was she glad she possessed even an ounce of her skill, because Buecker's was force. Kazzi never knew there were so many mind games that could be played in the short two minutes they raced, but each time, Paige never failed to surprise her. 

She was currently down 2 - 0, both times losing by a hair that had the others collapse in frustration.

Paige's cocky smirk has not yet been wiped off her face, but Kazzi promised herself that this game would be the one. Kazzi's eyes were glued to the screen with laser focus, mentally cataloging the cause and effects of every move. Mario Kart was never that deep, but Paige managed to make it that deep.

Her baby Princess Peach – courtesy of Azzi – was closing in on the finish line, barely half a second ahead of Paige. Kazzi's eyes quickly flickered to Paige's side of the screen to gouge whatever plan Paige was cooking up, worried that she'd end up losing again. Paige possessed banana peels as her item, and if Kazzi remembered correctly, they were only used to stump up people behind them. Fueled with newfound confidence, Kazzi refocused on her screen, momentarily freezing in shock as Paige's kart seamlessly overtook her in a turn.

Kazzi swerved to the side, having a gut feeling that Paige was going to place down the banana peels. It proved correct, and Kazzi narrowly avoided completely losing her chance at winning this particular game. She was frustrated, determined not to give this game away. There was one last turn coming up, and from then, it was a straight course into the finish line.

Kazzi turned, hugging the curve perfectly and emerging half a beat before Paige. Paige muttered a curse next to her, and Kazzi slowly started to grin as the finish line came into view, with her kart still (barely) in front of the other. The three viewers started shouting, pointing at the TV and jumping up and down in anticipation.

Baby Princess Peach flew over the finish line, winning by milliseconds, and everyone (apart from Paige) erupted into cheers. From the way they celebrated, it was almost like Kazzi had won the Mario Kart World Championships.

"In your face!" Azzi yelled, pointing at Paige who rolled her eyes.

"The score is 2 - 1, Kaz still lost."

"She got one on you!" KK laughed, throwing an arm around Kazzi who stumbled into the former's embrace, a sheepish smile plastered on her face. "No ones ever gotten one on you when you're serious!"

Paige glowered, eyes locked on the point of contact between KK and Kazzi, "You literally did just the other day."

"Only because you got distracted by a stupid phone notification. Therefore, not serious."

"Still counts," Paige shrugged, the beginnings of a smirk starting to stretch across her lips, "Take what you can get, KK."

KK's jaw dropped, and Kazzi couldn't help but burst out laughing. Nika walked over and shoved Paige good naturedly, earning a raspberry from the latter. KK sulked, "Kaz, you should come over more often and kick Paige's butt. You can keep her ego in check."

"Will do," Kazzi saluted, before giggling. "I don't think I've seen so many people so collectively despaired because of someone's Mario Kart skills."

Azzi snorted, and Paige lifted an eyebrow, a teasing smile on her face that had Kazzi's giggling promptly stop.

"Careful there, it almost sounds like a compliment."

"I would never," Kazzi amended, narrowing her eyes at the smirking blonde. "However you interpreted my sentence, un-interpret it now."

Paige chuckled, holding her hands up in surrender, "It's not my fault I'm good. Don't hate the player, hate the game."

Kazzi's eye twitched, turning to face KK with a solemn expression. "I will be here everyday at 7PM sharp to kick her ass."

KK nodded, face satisfied as she patted Kazzi's shoulder, "We thank you for your work."

"I hate both of you."

"The feeling's mutual, Bueckers."