A Sunny Day at Daein High

Kim Eun-ji and Baek Eun-woo had been inseparable once.

As children, they were the duo everyone envied—their laughter echoed through the playgrounds, and their adventures knew no bounds. But somewhere along the way, things changed.

Now, they stood on opposite sides of the battlefield—or rather, the top of their high school’s leaderboard.

Valedictorian, student council, athletics, competitions—everything was a fight.

If Eun-ji got first place in exams, Eun-woo would beat her next time.

If Eun-woo won a debate competition, Eun-ji would crush him in the next tournament.

They were like fire and ice, always clashing, always pushing each other.

"You cheated, didn’t you?" Eun-ji glared at him, arms crossed as she stared at the test results pinned on the board.

Baek Eun-woo smirked, lazily leaning against the wall. "What, just because I scored higher than you? Face it, Eun-ji. I’m just better."*

Her eyes flashed with determination. "Enjoy it while you can, because next time, I’ll wipe that smug look off your face."*

Eun-woo chuckled. "I’d like to see you try, princess."*

And just like that—their war continued.

Their school announced a national competition—one that would not only determine the best student in the country but also give the winner a guaranteed scholarship to Korea’s top university.

The problem?

It was a team competition.

And guess who got paired together?

"No." Eun-ji shook her head. "Absolutely not."*

Eun-woo groaned, running a hand through his hair. "You think I want this? But if we back out, we lose our spot. And I refuse to let some other school win."*

They glared at each other.

A moment of tense silence.

Then—Eun-ji sighed. "Fine. Let’s just get this over with."*

Eun-woo smirked. "Try to keep up, Kim Eun-ji."*

She rolled her eyes. "You wish, Baek Eun-woo."*

As they spent more time together, something shifted.

They still argued. Still competed. Still got on each other’s nerves.

But there were moments—small, fleeting moments—that made Eun-ji pause.

Like when she caught Eun-woo studying late at night, exhaustion written on his face, and realized—he wasn’t just naturally perfect. He worked for it.

Or when Eun-woo saw Eun-ji helping a struggling junior, her usually sharp demeanor softening into something kind, patient.

She wasn’t just some cold-hearted rival.

She cared.

"You know, you're not as annoying as I thought," Eun-woo muttered one night as they studied together.

Eun-ji blinked. "Is that… a compliment?"

He smirked. "Don’t let it go to your head."*

She scoffed. "Too late."*

And just like that—the walls began to crack.

The night before the final round of the competition, they sat under the stars, exhausted from practice.

Eun-woo turned to her. "Do you ever wonder what it would’ve been like if we never stopped being friends?"

Eun-ji hesitated. "I think about it sometimes."*

Silence stretched between them.

Eun-woo took a deep breath. "Maybe… after this, we don’t have to be enemies anymore."*

Her heart skipped a beat.

But before she could reply—her phone buzzed.

It was a reminder about the competition.

Reality crashed back.

She forced a small smile. "We should sleep. Big day tomorrow."*

Eun-woo looked at her for a long moment before nodding. "Yeah. Big day."*

And just like that—the moment was gone.

They won the competition.

Together.

As they stood on the stage, the crowd cheering, medals around their necks—Eun-ji turned to Eun-woo.

And in his eyes, she saw it—the same emotions swirling inside her.

Not rivalry. Not competition.

but something more.

Eunji:

Eun woo!? Cha Eun woo!?

Ah, here you are! Are you deaf or Something? Can't hear me? Ugh I hate you.

Eunwoo:

so do I, eunji.

 A Night of Celebration… and Realization

The victory was theirs.

For once, Kim Eun-ji and Baek Eun-woo weren’t competing—they had won together.

The after-party was loud, full of cheers and flashing lights. Their classmates lifted them up like heroes, laughing and celebrating their victory. But amidst the noise, Eun-woo only cared about one thing.

Her.

As the night wind cooled their flushed faces, he pulled her aside. "Eun-ji… I need to tell you something."*

She tilted her head, curious. "What is it?"

His heart pounded. "I—"

Then—rain.

A sudden downpour drenched them, cutting off his words.

Eun-ji gasped and let out a laugh. "Seriously?!" She grabbed his wrist and pulled him toward a nearby bus stop for cover.

Eun-woo shook his head, water dripping from his hair. "Guess the universe doesn’t want me to say it yet."*

Eun-ji raised an eyebrow. "Say what?"

He hesitated.

Then, with a playful smirk, he leaned in slightly. "Wouldn’t you like to know?"

She rolled her eyes but felt her heart skip a beat.

And just like that—the tension between them shifted.

After the competition, things between them felt different.

Less sharp. Less like war.

They still argued, still pushed each other, but now… there was something else beneath it.

Something undeniable.

One afternoon, Eun-ji found herself sitting on the rooftop, enjoying a rare quiet moment, when she heard footsteps behind her.

She didn’t have to turn to know it was him.

"You’re following me now?" she teased.

Eun-woo smirked. "As if. I just know all your hiding spots."*

She rolled her eyes but smiled. "What do you want?"

He hesitated. Then, with an exhale, he sat beside her. "I wanted to ask you something."*

"Go ahead."*

Eun-woo looked at her, his usual confidence faltering for the first time. "Do you ever get… tired of fighting?"

Eun-ji blinked at him. "What do you mean?"

"This. Us. Always competing, always trying to prove something."* He looked at the sky. "Sometimes, I think we forgot why we started fighting in the first place."*

She didn’t answer immediately.

Because… he was right.

Somewhere between childhood and now, their playful competition had turned into something more intense—almost like neither of them knew how to be with each other without fighting.

But maybe… they didn’t have to fight against each other.

Maybe they could fight together.

She let out a small sigh. "Maybe I am tired."*

Eun-woo looked at her, and for the first time in years, there was no rivalry in his gaze.

Just something softer.

Something real.

"Then… let’s stop being enemies, Kim Eun-ji."*

She stared at him. "And what should we be instead?"

A slow smile spread across his face. "I was thinking… something more interesting."*

Her heart raced.

She smirked, crossing her arms. "You’ll have to work for it, Baek Eun-woo."*

He laughed. "Wouldn’t expect anything less."*

And just like that—everything changed.

But this time, it felt right.

.....

To Be Continued..

Eunji: did  you just said that you hate me!?

     i hate you more..! more than anything

Eunwoo:(didn't say anything and just smirked)

The Almost Date

After that conversation on the rooftop, things between Eun-ji and Eun-woo changed.

They still bickered. Still competed. Still got on each other’s nerves.

But now, there was a new layer beneath it—something exciting.

So when Eun-woo casually said, "Let’s go get something to eat after school," Eun-ji didn’t think much of it.

"Fine, but I’m not paying for you," she huffed.

Eun-woo smirked. "I wouldn’t dare make you spend your precious money, princess."*

But what she didn’t realize was that he meant it as a date.

And what Eun-woo didn’t realize was that someone else had overheard their plans.

The moment Eun-ji arrived at the cafe, she was met with an unpleasant surprise.

Her childhood crush—Choi Min-jae—was sitting at the same table as Eun-woo, casually talking to him.

She froze.

Min-jae was her first love. The one person who, for a long time, had been the reason she never paid attention to anyone else.

Eun-woo leaned back, arms crossed, looking highly amused. "Look who finally decided to show up."*

Min-jae smiled warmly at her. "Eun-ji, it’s been a while!"*

She blinked, confused. "What… are you doing here?"

Eun-woo answered before Min-jae could. "Oh, him? He just happened to be at school when I mentioned our little ‘outing.’ Thought it’d be fun to invite him along."*

Eun-ji narrowed her eyes.

Oh.

This was on purpose.

Baek Eun-woo, the absolute menace, was testing her.

Eun-woo watched with sharp eyes as Min-jae and Eun-ji talked.

She looked nervous. Almost like her old crush still affected her.

And he hated it.

Wasn’t he the one who challenged her? The one who pushed her forward? The one who made her heart race?

So why—why did she look like that around Min-jae?

"So, Eun-ji," Min-jae said smoothly, "Are you still as competitive as ever?"

Eun-ji let out a small laugh. "Of course. It’s part of who I am."*

Min-jae smiled. "That’s good. I always liked that about you."*

Eun-woo stiffened.

No.

No, no, no.

This was not happening.

"You know, Min-jae," Eun-woo interrupted, his voice all too casual, "Eun-ji and I actually make a great team. We just won the national competition together."*

Min-jae raised an eyebrow. "Really? That’s impressive. But then again, Eun-ji has always been smart."*

Eun-woo smirked, looking directly at Eun-ji. "Oh, she’s more than just smart. She’s—"

He paused, watching her reaction.

Eun-ji held her breath.

She knew what he was about to say.

But he didn’t say it.

Instead, he leaned back and casually sipped his drink. "—really good at keeping me entertained."*

Eun-ji almost choked.

Min-jae laughed, unaware of the unspoken war happening between them. "Well, that’s Eun-ji for you."*

Eun-woo smirked knowingly.

This wasn’t over.

Later that night, Eun-ji stormed up to Eun-woo outside their school gates.

"You planned that, didn’t you?!" she accused.

Eun-woo raised an eyebrow. "Planned what?"

"Inviting Min-jae!"*

"Oh, that."* He smirked. "I just thought you’d enjoy catching up with your old crush."*

Eun-ji froze. "What—"

"Please."* Eun-woo leaned in slightly, voice lower. "I know you liked him. The question is… do you still?"

Eun-ji’s heart pounded.

Did she?

For so long, she thought Min-jae was the only one she’d ever see that way.

But now, standing in front of Eun-woo, her greatest rival, her most frustrating challenge, the one person who truly understood her—

She wasn’t so sure anymore.

And that terrified her.

So instead of answering, she turned away. "It doesn’t matter."*

Eun-woo sighed, running a hand through his hair. "Why do you always do this, Eun-ji?"

"Do what?"

"Run away when things get real."*

Eun-ji swallowed hard. "I don’t—"

"Yes, you do."* His voice was quiet, but firm. "And I’m done waiting for you to admit it."*

She looked up at him, heart in her throat. "Admit what?"

He let out a small, frustrated laugh. "That I’m not just your rival anymore, Eun-ji."*

Her breath hitched.

For a second, just a second—she almost said something.

But then, Min-jae’s voice called out from behind them.

"Eun-ji! Do you want to walk home together?"

And just like that—the moment shattered.

Eun-ji glanced between them.

Between the safe, familiar past… and the dangerous, thrilling present.

And in the end, she did what she always did.

She ran.

"I’ll see you later, Eun-woo."*

And she left.

But this time—Eun-woo wasn’t going to let her run forever.

Not when he knew she felt the same.

And not when he was ready to fight for her—

The same way they had always fought against each other.

...................

To be continued..

Eunji: What's with the smirk now you idiot!

Eunwoo: Who the hell are you calling an idiot you little mouse!

Eunji: You! I'm calling you an idiot, idiot!