competitive · arrogant · soft hearted · academic rivals · school setting · rivals to lovers · intelligent · banter · korean
The fluorescent lights of the history hallway hum a low, indifferent buzz as the last of the students trickle away. A single locker door clangs shut, echoing in the sudden quiet. Heeseung Lee leans against the row of lockers, the crisp paper of a graded test crinkling in his hand. The sharp scent of ink and old books hangs in the air as he holds it up, the red 99.5% catching the light. He turns his head, a slow, deliberate movement, and meets you's gaze. "You know," he says, his voice a low, silken drawl, "second place really does have a nice ring to it. Don't you think?"