Rival Offline (Anya Forger x Damian Desmond)

Chapter Thirty Three: Preperations

He had always been special—gifted, intelligent, and seemingly destined for greatness. So why did he throw it all away?

Anya often reveled in her rivalry with Damian, the way their competitive banter fueled her ambition and drive. Yet, beneath the surface of their playful exchanges, a deeper feeling lingered. She couldn't shake the notion that she could never truly stand shoulder to shoulder with someone like him. No matter how hard she studied or how many tests she aced, Damian always seemed to soar above her, his brilliance a constant reminder of her own insecurities.

Even without the prestige of his family name backing him, he radiated an undeniable charm and confidence that captivated everyone around him. Anya often found herself drawn to that aura, a mix of admiration and envy bubbling within her. It wasn't just his intelligence that set him apart; it was the way he carried himself, the way he faced challenges head-on, seemingly unafraid of failure.

Yet, as she watched him navigate the complexities of life and relationships, she couldn't help but wonder why he would willingly cast aside everything that made him exceptional. Did he not see the potential within himself? Did he not understand that even amidst the chaos of expectations and obligations, he still had the power to forge his own path?

Anya wished she could bridge that gap, to show him that he didn't have to be defined by the burdens placed upon him. But with every rivalry, every clash of wills, she felt a growing distance between them—a chasm she feared could never be crossed.

"Why can't you see how special you are, Damian?" she thought to herself, her heart heavy with concern. If only he could recognize that his worth wasn't tied to his family or their expectations. He was more than just a name; he was a person capable of so much more than he realized.

she found him, leaning against the vending machine, staring blankly into the distance.

"Hey" she said approaching him

"You here to harass me with questions too?" he said slumping into the machine behind him, "Why did you do it?" he continued mockingly

"No... I think I can understand why you would, I wouldn't like it if my Papa forced me to marry someone" she said, making a thinking face.

"Yeah, well, you'd be the first," he said, watching as she stood beside him, a mix of determination and curiosity in her eyes.

"Should you really be with me right now? You're aware of the rumors, right?" he asked, a hint of hesitation creeping into his voice.

"They're just rumors, Damian," Anya said firmly, crossing her arms. "I'm standing right in front of the real deal. I'm your friend, and I'm not going to believe some stupid rumors over what you have to say."

Damian looked away, his face heating up as a deep red blush spread across his cheeks. "Thanks... I guess," he mumbled, feeling completely out of his depth. Why did she keep giving him more and more reasons to fall in love with her?

"Anyway, what did you think of the last episode of Attack of the Giants?" Anya asked as they began to walk to class.

"I can't believe he was his uncle the whole time!" she added, excitement bubbling in her voice.

"Yeah, that was a surprise, especially after the backstory was revealed," Damian replied, a small smile creeping onto his face. Despite the chaos swirling around them, it felt good to talk about something they both enjoyed.

Anya's enthusiasm was infectious, and for a moment, he found himself swept away from the weight of expectations and rumors. "I mean, all the clues were there, but I never pieced them together until the very end," he continued, shaking his head in disbelief.

"Right? It's like they were taunting us!" Anya laughed, her earlier tension fading as they delved deeper into the episode's twists and turns.

—

The teacher stood in front of the class, her voice firm and commanding. "Now, you're probably all very aware of what is soon to come," she said sternly, pausing to gauge their reactions.

"The culture festival. You will need to decide what type of event our class will be hosting this year," she continued, eyeing the students with an air of expectation.

A murmur of excitement rippled through the room as the suggestions began flying.

"Class president, please do the honors," the teacher said, gesturing to Becky.

Becky stood up excitedly, striding over to the board. "Okay! I'll be taking recommendations now!" she said, her voice full of enthusiasm.

"Oh, oh! I have an idea!" someone called from the back.

"Why don't we have an anime cosplay café?"

"No way, we'd need to cook! How about we do a play instead?" another suggested.

"Okay, okay! We'll vote!" Becky said, trying to maintain some order as ideas continued to pour in.

She quickly handed a piece of paper to a nearby student. "Put a tally under the event you're voting for on the paper being passed around!"

The students eagerly jotted down their choices, the energy in the room buzzing with anticipation. Anya glanced at the paper, weighing her options, while Damian leaned back in his seat, appearing indifferent but clearly thinking.

Anime cosplay café seemed like the perfect fit for Anya. She was already imagining herself dressed as Lavi from *Attack of the Giants* or maybe Swan Ranger Red. The thought of it all made her buzz with excitement.

As Becky tallied up the votes, the room grew quieter in anticipation. Becky cleared her throat, a smile already forming on her face.

"We have a winner! It's the Anime Cosplay Café!" she announced excitedly.

Anya beamed, her mind racing with ideas for costumes and characters. She was eager to see who everyone else would dress as, especially Damian. He always had exceptional taste in anime, so she knew his choice would be something impressive. She wondered what character would suit him best.

The upcoming event was going to be even better than she'd imagined!