Chapter 1: The Final Year

Beep....beep...be-

As the Monday morning alarm on Jihoon's phone rang . A groan filled the air. He reached his arm out, trying to put the alarm off. He swings his legs of the bed, sitting up and stretching his body, yawning.

Making up his bed, his went toward the bathroom. He did his business and washed his hand. Turning around facing the shower door, he opened it, turned the warm water tap open at just the right temperature. He stood under the showerhead while the water relaxed his body. Letting out a sigh. He wonders how the last year of his high school will turn out. Washing his hair with his favourite vanilla scent shampoo and then his body with soap.Closing the tap, he steps on a mat, reaching for the white towel that was hung on a railing behind the door. Wrapping it around his firm but slightly muscled body. As he opened the door, the steam of the shower flowed through.

Walking to the closet near his bed where his clothes were neatly folded inside. Opening the closet door, he reaches for his school clothes. It consists of a white button-up t-shirt, blue trousers, blue jumper, blue blazer, black school shoes, and a tie. When he was done putting everything one he went to the kitchen. Preparing a breakfast that was eggs, bacon, and bread. When he was done eating, he washed the dishes. He took his school back and walked to the front door. Closing the front door, he started walking to his school named "Starbright High School"

...

The bell rang, signalling the start of a new school year. But of course, for Jihoon and Seungmin, it felt like the end.

Jihoon walked through the halls with a smile on his, his usual aura of warmth radiating of him. He has always been the golden boy, the one that everyone admired and trusted. Despite all that, there was one person that he couldn't seem to connect with.

Seungmin, on the other hand, stood in the corner of the hallway. Leaning against the wall with a cigarette between his two fingers. His cold, indifferent expression sent a chill through. He has never been the type to make small talk. He seemed even more distant than usual this year. His reputation as the bad boy at school made him more intriguing to some and more imitating to others

Jihoon and Seungmin have been sharing the same classroom for the past twelve years. Always in the same year or class. Yet, they had never truly acknowledged each other in a meaningful way. Their rivalry had been something unspoken of. If one gets a better grade on a test, the other is always thriving to get a better score.

Despite their constant competition their was something different about Seungmin that Jihoon never quite shake. He never understood what made Seungmin so distant and cold. The two boys all have been drawn to one another, but never quite could they connect. Jihoon couldn't understand what was behind Seungmin eyes.

The teacher Mr. Kim stood in front of his desk, calling the students to order.

"Alright, everyone. Please take your seats. We have a lot of work to do this year and I expect only the best from you."

As jihoon sat down at his desk, his eyes involuntary found Seungmin, who was sitting at the far end of the room staring out the window. Nor a care about the world around him. His usual aloofness was in full display, but this time their was something else. Something that Jihoon couldn't explain

"Seungmin," Jihoon muttered under his breath, staring a moment too long. Seungmin's gaze shifted, looking into Jihoon eyes. A flicker of curiosity and annoyance passed through his eyes before turning his full attention back at the window.

Jihoon's heart skipped a beat, but he brushed it off like it was nothing. After all, it was nothing new. After all, they have always been rivals and always in competition. Their was no reason to think this year would be any different.

But as the year stretched on, Jihoon couldn't help but feel that the rivalry was no longer the only thing that bound them together. Deep down, something else was stirring at the surface. Something, neither of them could ignore.

Would they stay enimies for life, forever locked in their endless competition? Or, as the final year unfolds, would they finally come to understand each other in a way they never had before.

Only time would tell.

Are you ready....