𝗦𝗖𝗛𝗢𝗢𝗟 𝗧𝗥𝗜𝗣 | ʸᵃⁿᵍ ʲᵘⁿᵍʷᵒⁿ

- 7 -

-

THE ROOM GREW dimmer as the night wore on, and we both started to feel the weight of our exhaustion. The tension melted away, replaced by a mutual understanding that sleep was essential for the challenges that lay ahead.

I let out a yawn, stretching my arms above my head. "Well, I suppose it's time to put our differences aside for now. We won't get anywhere if we're sleep-deprived."

Jungwon nodded, stifling a yawn of his own. "You're right. We should save our energy for the battles that really matter-our academic ones, of course."

I smirked, unable to resist one final jab. "Oh, don't you worry, Jungwon. I'll be sure to outshine you in every academic endeavor, even in my sleep."

As fatigue washed over us, we found ourselves in the peculiar situation of having to share sleeping arrangements, and with the night growing late, it was time to confront this uncomfortable reality.

"I'll sleep on the floor," I stated, looking at Jungwon with a mix of defiance and resignation. The words hung in the air, the weight of our rivalry adding an extra layer of tension to the already awkward situation.

"No way, what kind of man do you think I am? I know we aren't fond of each other, but I would like for you to know a little about me." He grabbed a pillow and blanket from his luggage, tossing them onto the floor with a flourish.

I scoffed, unable to hide my surprise at his unexpected act of chivalry. "Well, well, Jungwon, aren't you just full of surprises? I never thought I'd see the day where you would willingly sacrifice comfort for my sake."

He shrugged, a nonchalant smile playing on his lips. "Don't get too carried away. I'm not doing it for you. I just don't want to deal with your complaints if I hog the bed."

I couldn't help but roll my eyes at his response, but deep down, a small part of me appreciated the gesture. It was as if he understood the gravity of our situation and was willing to set aside our differences for the sake of a good night's sleep.

As I settled onto the bed, making myself as comfortable as possible, my thoughts roamed through my head. Sleep began to claim me, the weight of the day's events pulling me into a realm of dreams. But before I could fully surrender to slumber, a voice pierced through the haze.

"Hey," Jungwon's voice cut through the silence, his tone uncharacteristically gentle. I turned my head to look at him, curiosity flickering in my eyes.

"What is it?" I replied, my voice laced with a mixture of exhaustion and curiosity.

Jungwon hesitated for a moment, his gaze searching mine. "I know we've always been rivals, constantly trying to outdo each other academically. But maybe... maybe there's more to our dynamic than meets the eye. Maybe we could find some common ground, and get to know each other beyond our rivalry."

I blinked, taken aback by his unexpected vulnerability. It was a side of Jungwon I had rarely seen, a side that made me question everything I thought I knew about him. Could it be that beneath our fierce competition, there was a glimmer of understanding and connection?
No... it was probably just his exhaustion talking.

I chuckled softly, unable to resist a teasing remark. "Oh, so the great Jungwon is finally willing to admit that there might be something worth exploring beyond our academic battles? Color me surprised."

His lips curled into a playful yet tired smile, a hint of mischief dancing in his eyes. "Well, don't let it get to your head. I'm just saying there might be more to us than meets the eye. But I won't go easy on you in tests, that's for sure."

I shook my head, a smirk tugging at the corners of my lips. "Oh, trust me, I wouldn't expect anything less. I'll be sure to keep you on your toes."

And with that, we settled into silence, the weight of our rivalry mingling with a newfound curiosity. It was an unusual situation, one that forced us to confront the complexities of our relationship. As sleep finally claimed me, I couldn't help but wonder what the next day would bring. Perhaps this shared experience on Jeju Island would be the catalyst for a surprising twist in our academic rivalry, one that would lead us down a path of unexpected friendship or understanding. Only time would tell, but for now, we would have to find a way to coexist and make the best of our unexpected circumstances.

We both settled into our respective sleeping arrangements, the tension between us now replaced with a strange sense of companionship. The room fell into a comfortable silence as fatigue washed over us, carrying us into the realm of dreams.

As I closed my eyes, I couldn't help but wonder what the next day would bring.

+*___________*+

A\N

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