What's the Point of Living, when the best is Sleeping? [BL]

22

The crowd was silent, yet the tension between Guang Kai and Jing Jian was deafening. Neither moved, neither blinked—just two forces locked in a battle of sheer will, their stances daring the other to yield.

He was no longer at the top. His fingers curled slightly, the soft fabric of his gloves bunching beneath his grip. It was a small comfort, a barrier between him and the world, but it did nothing to stop the unease creeping beneath his skin. His chest felt tight, his thoughts too loud. He had accounted for everything—his study plan, his review sessions, his carefully structured routine. There had been no room for failure, yet here he was, standing in the aftermath of it.

Guang Kai's grip on his textbook was strong enough to leave faint indentations on the cover. His eyes, dark and calculating, ran over Jing Jian as if trying to deconstruct him, to find the crack in his facade and pry it open.

Jing Jian, in contrast, looked completely at ease. Hands tucked into his pockets, he leaned against the wall like he had all the time in the world, as if the rankings meant nothing to him. But that smirk—that knowing, taunting smirk—never wavered.

"I suppose congratulations are in order," Guang Kai said at last, his voice carefully controlled. "You've managed to accomplish something no one else has."

"Aw, don't make me blush," Jing Jian replied smoothly. "I'd hate for you to think I'm actually affected by your approval."

Guang Kai's expression didn't change, but the shift in his posture was subtle, just enough to signal his rising irritation. "Approval? Hardly. I simply find it amusing."

"Oh?"

"That you went through all this trouble just to prove a point." Guang Kai tilted his head slightly. "You don't actually care about academics. You don't even care about first place. You just wanted to see me lose."

Jing Jian's grin widened. "And you did."

A muscle in Guang Kai's jaw twitched, but he didn't break. He would not—could not—show weakness. "Enjoy it while it lasts."

"Planning a comeback already? Didn't take you for the sentimental type."

"There's nothing sentimental about reclaiming what's rightfully mine."

Jing Jian whistled, slow and mocking. "That's some serious ego. I like it."

Guang Kai's fingers curled around his book, but he kept his voice level. "You don't belong in first place."

"Oh? And you do?"

"Obviously."

Jing Jian let out a short laugh, as if genuinely entertained. "You sound ridiculous."

"You sound threatened."

Jing Jian scoffed. "I literally just got here, and I'm already at the top. If anything, I should be the one feeling accomplished."

Guang Kai's patience, already frayed, snapped. "Do you think this is a joke?"

His jaw clenched as he slowly exhaled, controlling the tremor that threatened to surface. This wasn't just about losing first place. This was disorder. A flaw in a system he had perfected. He had never allowed himself to fall behind, never let anyone get close enough to surpass him. Yet now, Jing Jian—a transfer student, a wildcard, a nobody in the academic hierarchy—had managed to do what no one else had.

"Of course." Jing Jian straightened slightly, his smirk never fading. "And so far, it's been hilarious."

The murmurs in the crowd grew louder. They had never seen Guang Kai rattled before—not like this. He was usually composed, untouchable. Yet here he was, standing before Jing Jian, visibly annoyed, actively engaging in a pointless argument.

And Jing Jian? He was thriving.

Guang Kai inhaled deeply. "You're playing a game you don't understand."

"Then why are you so worked up?" Jing Jian asked, leaning in slightly. "If this was just a fluke, why are you acting like your entire world just collapsed?"

Guang Kai didn't respond. He couldn't, not without proving Jing Jian right. The silence stretched, thick with unspoken tension. Guang Kai's name sat in second place. It didn't feel real at first, like his eyes were playing a cruel trick on him, but no matter how many times he read the rankings, the truth remained.

Jing Jian studied him, eyes glinting with something unreadable. "Admit it. You hate losing."

Guang Kai exhaled, his voice dropping to something colder. "No one likes losing."

"No, but most people don't treat it like a personal tragedy."

Guang Kai turned to face the ranking board again, jaw tight. "Enjoy your temporary victory, Jing Jian. Next time, I won't be so generous."

"Oh? You let me win?"

"I'm saying," Guang Kai said smoothly, "that when I take first place back, you won't stand a chance." His gaze flickered to the bulletin board once more, as if looking at it long enough would force reality to correct itself. But nothing changed. The ink didn't shift, the names didn't rearrange. He remained second. His fingers tightened around the spine of his textbook, pressing into the cover. He had no intention of staying there.

Jing Jian chuckled, stretching lazily. "Looking forward to it."

The air between them crackled with unspoken challenges. The crowd had never witnessed anything like this—a true battle of pride between two top students, neither willing to back down.

And then—

A loud, dramatic sigh broke through the tension.

The crowd turned.

Li Wei stood a few feet away, his arms crossed, his expression one of deep suffering. "Honestly, this is pathetic."

Guang Kai and Jing Jian both looked at him.

Li Wei dramatically flopped forward, clutching his chest. "You two are up here fighting over first and second, meanwhile I'm out here fighting for my life in the bottom ranks."

Jing Jian raised an eyebrow. "You're still not last, though."

"Oh, I know." Li Wei's expression suddenly brightened. "In fact—" He threw his arms around the two unfortunate souls ranked below him, dragging them into an overly enthusiastic embrace. "I found my brothers!"

The two students, clearly horrified, struggled in his grip.

"Let go of me!" one of them yelped.

"Are you crazy?!" the other squawked.

Li Wei grinned. "Yes, crazy about our newfound brotherhood."

The two students gave up immediately, accepting their fates.

Jing Jian burst out laughing. Even Guang Kai, despite himself, looked mildly exasperated.

Li Wei sighed dramatically. "We, the outcasts, must stick together in these trying times."

One of the unfortunate students whimpered. "I just forgot to study..."

"Shhh," Li Wei whispered. "It's okay. We're in this together now."

Jing Jian was still laughing, and even the crowd seemed to relax, the tension from earlier fading into amusement.

Guang Kai, however, simply turned away. His mind was already elsewhere, already planning his next move.

Jing Jian noticed and smirked. "What, no final words?"

Guang Kai glanced at him. "Next time, I'll make sure this never happens again."

Jing Jian grinned. "Looking forward to it."

Li Wei, still clutching his new "brothers," sighed. "God, I wish I had problems like yours."

Sue: Congrats! 1,145 words with a headache and vomiting as the motivations. Please do not forget to spam Ochi's notif. 

ochi: please stream SB19 "DAM" sa youtube.