Rival Lover | Joy X Male OC (Reader)

Chapter 1: New Rival

"Sun Joo-Won, get over here!" I heard someone calling me. 

I stood up from my spot under a big tree and walked over to the woman who called me. 

"What is it, mom?" I asked and scratched my neck. 

She just stood in front of me and crossed her arms. Because of my small stature, I had to look up to her. 

"You're supposed to be at the public pool for your training. Why are you here instead, young man?" She scolded me, but I really didn't care. 

"I didn't want to go. All the other kids of the swimming club are so bad, none of them is a challenge for me." I tried to explain, but I just earned a sigh from my mom. 

Yeah, that wasn't a good excuse. I was just 10 years old, like all the other kids. That I had a natural talent for swimming knew everyone. I knew how to swim before I knew how to walk. And the other kids just learned swimming about 3 years ago. 

"Please, just go. How about you stop seeing them as a potential challenge and try seeing them as your friends?" I just sighed and decided to obey my mom's wish. 

It wouldn't hurt to make some "friends". But I actually wanted something else. Someone else. I wanted someone that I could see as my rival. 

I went to the public pool and changed into my swimming trunks. When I got to my club members, I saw a new face. It was a girl, long brown hair in a ponytail and a very cute smile. I approached her, but before I could reach her, my friend Kai stopped me. He was two years older than the rest of us, so he was like our trainer. 

"There you are! I thought you wouldn't come." He said and hugged me. I just smiled and looked back to the new girl. 

"Who's that?" I asked, pointing at her. 

"Her? Oh, her name is Park Sooyoung and she is a very talented swimmer. Almost as talented as you." Kai explained and I tilted my head in curiosity. 

Almost as talented as me? I had to check that. I walked over to the girl. 

"Hey, Park Sooyoung! I heard, you are a talented swimmer?" I asked a bit too loud. As a result, it sounded ruder than I wanted it to sound. She looked at me and frowned. 

"Yeah. So?" She asked. 

I looked at her. The frown didn't suit her. A smile looked better on her face. 

"I want to challenge you." I said and stared at her. 

She smirked and walked over to the starting blocks. "Then what are you waiting for?" She asked and got in position. I did the same. 

Well, let's see who's the better swimmer, Park Sooyoung. Kai looked at us and chuckled. "I knew it. Okay, ready? Set... GO!" He said and we both jumped into the water. 

I moved my legs fast and started to rotate my arms to increase speed, but something caught my attention. It was Sooyoung. I could see her... In front of me! 

She really was fast. I increased my speed even more and we both reached the end of the pool at the same time. We flipped in sync and started the way back. It was the first time that I really had to put effort into my swimming. I increased my speed even more and finally passed Sooyoung. Then I reached the end. I looked behind me and Sooyoung finished short after. She looked at me, heavy panting and with a fierce look in her eyes. 

"Wow, you're really fast..." 

I just smirked. "Of course I am. You're not bad either." 

She looked at me, kind of angry. Did I say something wrong? 

"Not bad? Not bad? I show you 'not bad'! N...Next time!" She said and got out of the pool. 

I looked after her, not knowing what to say or to do. Kai walked to me and squatted next to me. 

"Dude, I think you got yourself a rival."