Rhythm Of Rivals

4.

Age 12 (Middle school)

Little Fourth beamed with excitement as his father introduced him to Gemini's family. "Hey, Nice to meet you!" Fourth said to gemini, smiling brightly

Gemini, still fuming from his parents' lecture, ignored Fourth's greeting. His parents had yelled at him for slipping to second rank in class. The disappointment and frustration still simmered.

Fourth's smile faltered as Gemini brushed past him, not even acknowledging his presence.

"Fot, what's wrong?" Fourth's father asked, noticing the sudden awkwardness.

Fourth shrugged,. "Nothing."

Age 14 (Primary school)

Little Fourth repeatedly attempted to befriend Gemini, but Gemini's cold shoulder and biting remarks made him back off.

Gemini, intensely focused on academics, felt suffocated by his parents' expectations. He began to notice Fourth's artistic talents and effortless charm.

Whenever teachers praised Fourth's artwork or singing, Gemini seethed with envy. "Why can't I do the things I like as Fourth? Why must I only study?" he thought, resentment simmering.

Gemini started taunting Fourth, trying to diminish his confidence. But Fourth, tired of Gemini's jabs, began to stand up for himself.

Their verbal sparring escalated into small fights, fueling a competitive fire between them.

Age 16 (Higher primary)

Gemini experienced an unsettling mix of emotions around Fourth. His heart raced, and nerves fluttered whenever Fourth was near

But, unable to understand these feelings, he misinterpreted them as intense dislike.

"I hate how Fourth always seems so relaxed," Gemini thought, masking his true emotions.

Fourth noticed Gemini's strange behavior but couldn't decipher its cause. He wondered, "Why does Gemini always seem so uptight?"

As they navigated their complicated dynamic, tension simmered beneath the surface.

Age 18 (Senior high)

Present time

Their rivalry, now a deeply ingrained habit, continued to simmer.

Gemini still struggled to understand his feelings, a tangled mix of emotions.

As Fourth savored the final bite of the shared pizza, his gaze drifted to Gemini, lost in thought.

Gemini caught Fourth's stare and felt a flutter in his chest. "What?" he asked, voice slightly raised.

Fourth's eyes snapped back to reality. "Nothing," he mumbled, quickly looking away.

With a quiet murmur, Fourth walked away, leaving Gemini puzzled.

Fourth's POV