𝗦𝗖𝗛𝗢𝗢𝗟 𝗧𝗥𝗜𝗣 | ʸᵃⁿᵍ ʲᵘⁿᵍʷᵒⁿ

- 4 -

-

I MENTALLY gaslighted myself, trying to convince myself that my slightly flushed cheeks were a result of surprise and nothing more. It was just an unexpected situation, nothing to get worked up about. I told myself that I had no reason to feel anything other than indifference towards her, that any other sentiment would be a sign of weakness.

But despite my attempts at rationalization, I couldn't ignore the faint flutter in my chest, the subtle warmth that spread through my veins. There was something undeniably tender about the way she looked in her sleep, something that made me question my preconceived notions about her. In that vulnerable state, she seemed less like a rival and more like a person, someone with hopes and fears.

After a few moments of hesitation, I made a decision. I would let her sleep. Cruelty, even towards someone I wasn't particularly fond of, was not something I could bring myself to do. So, with a silent sigh, I relaxed my hand and allowed it to rest gently on her lap, careful not to disturb her peaceful slumber.

As the bus continued its journey, the noise of my classmates faded into the background, replaced by the rhythmic sound of Jurin's soft snores. At that moment, I couldn't help but feel a strange sense of connection, a fleeting understanding that perhaps there was more to our rivalry than met the eye. And as the bus carried us forward, I found myself contemplating the complexities of our relationship, wondering if there was a possibility for us to find common ground, to bridge the gap between us.

But for now, all I could do was sit in silence, watching over Jurin as she slept, and allowing myself to explore the unfamiliar territory of compassion and empathy towards someone I never thought I could feel anything for.

Even though I acted like I didn't like it, I secretly enjoyed her sleeping on my shoulder. My eyes widened as I realized what I just thought. I shook my head, shaking away the crazy thoughts that whooshed through my head.

As the bus came to a stop, I knew it was time to wake Jurin gently from her peaceful slumber. I couldn't help but feel a twinge of nervousness as I reached out to shake her lightly. To my surprise, she groaned in response, snuggling against me even more. The proximity made my heart race, and I could feel a blush creeping up my cheeks.

"Jurin, wake up," I whispered, my voice barely audible over the noise of the bus. But she remained blissfully unaware, lost in the depths of her sleep. I shook her again, a bit more insistently this time, hoping to rouse her from her slumber.

Finally, with a flutter of her eyelashes, she groggily opened her eyes. Confusion clouded her gaze as she looked out the window, realizing that we had arrived at our destination. But her eyes soon shifted to me, and she noticed her arms still wrapped around my arm. The color drained from her face as she unraveled her arms, her expression turning into one of wide-eyed shock.

"I'm so sorry..." she muttered, her hand rising to her lips as she processed the situation.

I couldn't help but let out a small chuckle, the tension in my shoulders easing as I reassured her. "You better be, my shoulder aches now," I teased, stretching my arm and mocking discomfort.

She let out a sheepish laugh, the sound melodic and genuine. "I really didn't mean to... I must have been really exhausted."

"Just try not to make a habit of using me as your personal pillow," I replied my tone light and teasing which earned a scoff from her.

With that, we both stood up, gathering our belongings as we prepared to disembark from the bus. As we made our way out, we were met by our respective friends, who had also begun to exit the vehicle. Our paths diverged, and we went our separate ways, the moment of shared vulnerability and unexpected closeness fading into the background.

But as I walked with my friends, I couldn't help but steal a glance in Jurin's direction. Our eyes briefly met, a flicker of recognition passing between us. It was a silent acknowledgment that despite our rivalry and differences, there had been a moment of connection, however brief.

And with that thought in mind, I couldn't help but wonder what the future held for us. Would our rivalry continue to consume us, or would we find a way to bridge the gap and discover a different kind of relationship?

+*___________*+

A\N

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