Why is it that Rinoa keeps flirting with Squall the Slughead?

[rubah]

FFVIII's script was ridiculously forced and artificial in its entirety, and one aspect where it's most obvious is the relationship between Squall and Rinoa.

Agreed. Squall may not be a "ladies man", but for some odd reason this makes him more desirable to Rinoa. I guess she sees it as "playing hard to get". The whole thing really doesn't make any sense as opposites really don't attract.

You've clearly never stood between two magnets xD Opposites can attract as much as ones with the same polarity (in relationships anyways). All the quiet people don't pair off with all the quiet people nor all the wild with the wild.

It may be that Rinoa just wanted a boy after her thing with Seifer fell through. Or it might have been that she could see the person he would grow into. It's not just Rinoa that Squall treats tenderly after she's worked her magic on him; After lunatic pandora passed over Esthar, he promises a little girl in the shopping district that he'll make the bad stuff go away. Squall from before probably would've reassured them, but only because it was his duty.

Emo kids can't stay emo forever; Squall is not emo, but he can't stay a brooding figure any longer than they can.