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Seoul High didn’t have space for two kings.
And unfortunately, *Minho* and *Jisoo* were both boys who were convinced the throne was theirs.
*Minho*: Top of class. Debate team captain. Perfect uniform, perfect grades, perfect scowl.
*Jisoo*: Class president. Soccer team ace. Smiled at everyone except Minho.
They had hated each other since freshman year. It started over a stolen marker. It became a war for #1 spot.
“Your presentation was mid,” Jisoo said after homeroom, loud enough for the whole class to hear.
“Your soccer team lost because of you,” Minho shot back without looking up.
The class sighed. Here we go again.
Then Principal Kim dropped the bomb:
“For the GKS exchange program, Seoul High can only send 1 student. Final test + group project decides.”
Minho and Jisoo looked at each other.
They were paired together. For the group project. "Korean Culture and Youth". 50% of their grade.
“Absolutely not,” Minho said.
“Deal with it,” Jisoo grinned. “Don’t cry when I carry us.”
The next 2 weeks were chaos. Library. Cafe. Jisoo’s house for "research".
Minho brought color-coded notes. Jisoo brought ramyeon and playlists.
Minho wanted a serious documentary. Jisoo wanted street interviews and skits.
“You’re not serious,” Minho snapped on day 3.
“And you’re not fun,” Jisoo said, tossing him hotteok. “Eat. You look like you’ll faint.”
Their fingers brushed. Neither said anything.
By day 5, Minho noticed Jisoo stayed late to fix subtitles.
By day 7, rain trapped them under a convenience store awning.
Jisoo offered his jacket. “You always act like you hate everyone. But you bring extra pens. You helped Yuna with math.”
Minho stared at the ground. “Don’t make it weird.”
“I’m not.” Jisoo bumped his shoulder. “I just hate losing to you.”
“Same,” Minho whispered.
They submitted the project at 11:59pm. Messy, funny, and real. His structure + Jisoo’s energy.
Results came: The school chose to send *both of them*. "Exceptional teamwork."
At the ceremony, Jisoo leaned in.
“So... rivals to teammates to...?”
“Don’t push it,” Minho said. But he was smiling.
Jisoo’s ears went red. “See you on the plane, rival.”
“Partner,” Minho corrected quietly.
Outside, it started to rain. They shared one umbrella to the bus stop.
From enemies. To teammates. To maybe... something more
