Hearts Entwined || PpoToz

CHAPTER 15

SEOYEON POV

The next day, we’re back at school, and nothing has changed—or at least, that’s what it looks like on the surface. Yooyeon and I are still rivals, locked in our usual battle to prove who’s better. We walk into class together, immediately diving into another round of competitive banter.

“So, ready to lose again in maths today?” Yooyeon teases as we take our seats.

I smirk, refusing to back down. “Please, you only got ahead of me by one point last time. Today, I’ll leave you in the dust.”

But there’s something different now, something subtle but unmistakable. Each time Yooyeon throws a comment my way, there’s less bite to her words. It’s like she’s still trying to push me, but without crossing any lines. And the more we go back and forth, the more I notice it’s less about winning and more about the fun of the argument itself.

Days go by, and our rivalry shifts. It’s still there, but it’s lighter now, more playful. Every exchange leaves us both grinning, the tension that once defined our relationship now replaced by a shared understanding. The jabs are softer, the competition less serious, and I find myself enjoying it more than ever.

Our classmates, of course, are completely entertained by our dynamic. They don’t see the subtle changes, the way we’re both letting our guard down bit by bit. To them, it’s just more of the same: Seoyeon and Yooyeon, the eternal rivals, always trying to one-up each other. But in reality, something is different now. We’re getting closer, and neither of us seems to mind.

I catch Yooyeon’s eye after one particularly light-hearted exchange, and we both smile—genuine, unguarded smiles. It feels like a secret only we share, hidden beneath the surface of our rivalry. And for once, I’m not worried about what it means. I’m just enjoying it.

THE NEXT DAY

The day began like any other, with the usual chatter and banter filling the classroom. Seoyeon and Yooyeon were once again in their familiar seats, surrounded by their friends and classmates. Nakyoung, ever the source of amusement, was busy sharing another one of her silly anecdotes.

Mrs. Jo, their teacher, entered the room with an unusual air of excitement. “Good morning, class! I have some news for you all. We’ll be welcoming a new student today, who will be joining us in this class.”

A murmur of curiosity swept through the room. Everyone exchanged glances, wondering who this new student could be.

Yooyeon, always one to stir the pot, grinned mischievously. “I bet this new student will be so incredible that she’ll make Seoyeon look like a mere amateur.”

Seoyeon arched an eyebrow, her confidence unwavering. “Oh, please. No one is better than me.”

Yooyeon chuckled, clearly amused by Seoyeon’s self-assuredness. “We’ll see about that.”

As the bell rang for the start of the lesson, the classroom door swung open. The new student stepped in, and the collective reaction from the male classmates was immediate—whispers and stares as they took in the girl’s striking appearance. Her beauty was undeniable, with an effortless grace that caught everyone's attention.

Seoyeon’s gaze softened as she took in the new student’s features, a hint of admiration in her eyes. “She’s quite stunning,” she remarked, more to herself than anyone else.

Yooyeon, however, was frozen in shock. Her eyes widened as she recognized the new arrival. The girl standing in the doorway was none other than Yoojin, someone from Yooyeon’s past. Memories of their shared history flashed before her eyes, and she felt a cold shiver run down her spine.