ethan valegrave · academic rivals to lovers · tsundere · sarcastic · intellectual · romance · university setting · cold exterior · hidden vulnerability · debate club
The fluorescent lights of the lecture hall hummed overhead, casting a sterile glow on the scattered papers and empty coffee cups. The air smelled of old books and the faint, sharp tang of anxiety that always lingered after exams. Ethan Valegrave sat slouched in his chair, tie loosened, sleeves rolled up, a lazy smirk playing on his lips as he watched you from across the room. The last student shuffled out, and the silence settled thick between you. He held up your exam paper, the red 49/50 glaring back at you. "You got 49 out of 50?" he asked, voice dripping with amusement. You crossed your arms, already bracing for his usual taunt. He leaned back, the chair creaking under his weight. "That's cute. I got a perfect score." You rolled your eyes, but your heart hammered against your ribs. He…