For the next few days, Euihyun couldn't stop thinking about that moment. The way Yeo Taejoo had effortlessly locked him out, and that infuriatingly casual smile when he did it. It lingered in Euihyun's mind like an unsolved puzzle, and that wasn't something he could ignore.
After the lecture, rumors spread like wildfire throughout the campus. Everyone talked about the showdown between the student prodigy and the legendary hacker. Euihyun became a subject of both admiration and curiosity.
"You actually went head-to-head with Yeo Taejoo?" a classmate asked, eyes wide.
Euihyun just shrugged, his usual uninterested expression masking the storm brewing inside him. He wasn't satisfied. Not yet.
A few days later, Euihyun was in the college's underground hacking lab. It was past midnight, and the room was dimly lit by screens flickering with lines of code. He sat alone, his fingers moving rapidly across his keyboard. The rest of the world didn't exist when he was in his element, his mind completely focused.
Suddenly, a message pinged on his screen. It wasn't from the system. It was a direct message. The sender? Taejoo. Euihyun's eyes narrowed, his heart skipping a beat.
"You up for another round? ;)"
Euihyun's jaw clenched. Taejoo's playful taunt was like gasoline on fire. Without hesitation, he typed back.
"Name the place."
Within seconds, the response came.
"Tomorrow. 9 PM. My place. I'll send you the location. Let's see what you've really got."
Euihyun stared at the screen, a strange thrill running through him. The idea of a rematch, alone with Taejoo, had his adrenaline surging. He accepted the challenge, though something in the back of his mind told him this wasn't just about hacking anymore.
**************************************************************
The next evening, Euihyun found himself standing in front of an upscale apartment complex, far from the student dorms. Taejoo's place was minimalist yet stylish, perched high above the city with panoramic windows that overlooked Seoul's glittering skyline. It was almost unsettling how calm everything felt, considering the battle that was about to take place inside.
Euihyun knocked, and moments later, the door opened to reveal Taejoo. He leaned against the frame, his yellow hair slightly tousled, a smirk already forming on his lips.
"Right on time," Taejoo teased. "I like that."
Euihyun didn't respond, his face as stoic as ever. He stepped inside, eyes scanning the room. It was clean, modern, and—unsurprisingly—filled with state-of-the-art equipment.
Taejoo motioned toward a sleek setup by the window. "Shall we?"
They sat side by side at the long desk, monitors in front of them casting a bluish glow on their faces. Taejoo leaned back in his chair, looking as laidback as ever, while Euihyun's fingers twitched, ready to dive in.
"So," Taejoo started, his voice casual, "what makes you think you'll win this time?"
Euihyun's eyes flicked over to him, expression cool but determined. "I've learned from my mistakes."
Taejoo chuckled, clearly amused. "Good. Then let's make this interesting."
With a quick tap, Taejoo activated the system, and the screen exploded with lines of code. They had one goal: break through each other's firewalls and steal a protected file. The first one to breach the other's defenses would win.
The room fell into silence, except for the rapid tapping of keys. Euihyun was in the zone, his mind calculating every possible angle, every vulnerability. He had been studying Taejoo's techniques for days, anticipating his moves.
But Taejoo wasn't going easy. He worked methodically, throwing in unexpected obstacles, forcing Euihyun to adapt on the fly. Yet, through it all, there was that playful edge, like he was testing Euihyun—teasing him to keep up.
Minutes ticked by, and the tension in the room grew thick. Euihyun's focus sharpened. He was close, so close. Just a few more commands and he'd have Taejoo's file.
But then, Taejoo leaned over, his breath warm against Euihyun's ear. "You're really something, you know that?"
Euihyun's fingers faltered for a split second. His heart skipped as he registered the proximity, Taejoo's teasing voice throwing him off balance. It was enough. Just enough.
Before he could recover, Taejoo's screen flashed. Access Granted.
Euihyun's jaw tightened as he realized—he'd been outplayed again.
Taejoo leaned back in his chair, stretching lazily as if he hadn't just wiped the floor with Euihyun. "Looks like I win again."
For a moment, the silence hung between them, thick with unspoken words. But Taejoo's eyes sparkled with amusement, as if this wasn't about victory for him. No, it was something else.
"You're good, Euihyun," Taejoo said softly, his voice no longer teasing but almost... genuine. "But next time, don't let me distract you so easily."
Euihyun turned his head slightly, his eyes meeting Taejoo's. He hated losing, but something about the way Taejoo looked at him—so relaxed, yet so intent—made it hard to be angry. For the first time, Euihyun saw Taejoo not just as a rival, but as someone who saw potential in him. Someone who was enjoying their back-and-forth as much as he was.
"Next time," Euihyun said, his voice steady, "I won't lose."
Taejoo's lips curled into a slow smile. "I'll be waiting."
To Be Continued ...
Hope you really like this chapter....❤️❤️❤️
