The college stadium was alive with anticipation.

Students filled every seat, waving colorful flags and chanting for their favored teams. Drums reverberated across the field as the annual Inter-College Football Championship reached its final match.

One side wore deep crimson jerseys. The other stood proudly in royal blue. The rivalry between the two teams had endured for years, but everyone knew this year's final was about more than victory. It was about Alexander and Alice. The moment Alexander stepped onto the field, cheers erupted from the crimson stands. "Captain Alexander!"

Their eyes met across the field. Neither looked away.

The referee blew the whistle. "Captains, shake hands." Both walked to the center. Alexander stretched out his hand. Alice accepted it. The handshake lasted only a second. Alexander leaned closer with a teasing grin.

Their hands tightened. Both smiled. Neither smile reached their eyes. The referee cleared his throat. "Enough." The captains stepped back. The whistle pierced the air. PIIIIIII! The championship final had begun. The ball rolled across the grass as both teams charged forward, determined to crush their greatest rivals.

AFTER SOME TIME

The final whistle echoed across the stadium. "Blue Team wins!" The crowd erupted into deafening cheers as Alice's teammates rushed onto the field, lifting him onto their shoulders. "We did it!" "Captain! We won!"

Across the field, Alexander stood frozen, his fists clenched. His team had lost. Before he could look away, a girl from the cheering crowd ran straight toward Alice.

Without hesitation, she threw her arms around him in a congratulatory hug.

The students around them gasped.

"They're so close!"

"Are they dating?"

"I knew it!"

"So cute together!"

Every whisper reached Alexander's ears.

His jaw tightened.

His eyes darkened as he watched someone else hugging the man who was secretly... his husband.

No one at the college knew that months ago, their grandparents had forced them into an arranged marriage. Outside their families, they were still bitter rivals and sworn enemies.

Alexander's jealousy burned hotter with every second.

Thanked the girl with a smile, and walked toward the locker rooms to change.

The hallway leading to the changing rooms was empty. Alice had just reached the door when a hand suddenly grabbed his wrist.

He turned around. Alexander stood behind him, his expression cold and furious.

For a moment, the hallway fell completely silent as the tension between the two rivals grew stronger than ever.er until

The moment Alice stepped inside, Alexander closed the door behind them and locked it. Silence filled the room.

For a long moment, neither of them spoke.

Alexander kissed him deeply, pouring all of his frustration and jealousy into the moment. Alice responded just as eagerly, his fingers curling into Alexander's jersey as the tension between them slowly faded. When they finally pulled apart several minutes later, both were breathing a little harder, their foreheads resting together.

After a quiet moment, Alexander gently brushed a strand of hair away from Alice's face.

"Our grandparents invited us for dinner tonight."

Alexander placed a gentle kiss on Alice's forehead.

With one last glance, he unlocked the door and walked out, leaving Alice to finish changing before they headed to their grandparents' house together.

The old family mansion was warm and lively. The dining table was filled with delicious food as both families gathered together. Alexander's parents, Alice's parents, and all four grandparents laughed while sharing stories from their college days. Alexander and Alice sat beside each other in silence To everyone else, they looked like a newly married couple who were still shy around each other. Only they knew that outside this house, they acted like complete strangers—and fierce rivals. After dinner, everyone moved to the living room for tea. Alice quietly excused himself and walked to the guest room to get some fresh air.

A soft knock came at the door. "Come in."

The door opened, and Alexander's mother stepped inside with a gentle smile.

Alice lay quietly on the bed, staring at the ceiling. Alexander's mother's words echoed in his mind. "Sometimes... love grows after marriage."

His thoughts drifted back to their school days.

LITTLE. FLASHBACK

Back then, Alexander wasn't his enemy. He was his closest friend. The two of them were inseparable. They walked to school together, shared lunch together, studied together, and even got into trouble together. Whenever someone teased Alice, Alexander was the first to stand in front of him. "Don't touch him." That was all Alexander had to say. No one dared to bother Alice after that. Alexander treated Alice like he was something precious He remembered rainy afternoons when Alexander would hold his umbrella over both of them, making sure Alice didn't get wet while he stood in the rain himself. He remembered Alexander giving him the last piece of chocolate, helping him with homework, and waiting outside his classroom every day just so they could walk home together. Everyone at school believed they would stay best friends forever. But everything changed in high school. A transfer student arrived. His name was Luca Grey. Luca was charming, polite, and always wore a gentle smile. Within weeks, he became friends with Alexander. At first, Alice welcomed him. He never imagined Luca would slowly destroy everything. Whenever Alexander wasn't around, Luca would provoke Alice with sarcastic remarks and cruel comments. If Alice finally defended himself, Luca would instantly put on an innocent face the moment Alexander appeared. "Alexander..." Luca would whisper with teary eyes. "I don't know why Alice hates me so much." Alexander always arrived too late. He only saw Luca looking frightened. He only heard Alice raising his voice. Again and again... The misunderstandings piled up. Alexander began believing Luca's words. He started avoiding Alice. Their conversations became arguments. Their laughter disappeared. The friendship they had treasured for years slowly shattered. Yet there was one thing Alice always knew. Alexander never loved Luca. He treated Luca as nothing more than a friend. Luca constantly tried to gain Alexander's attention, hoping for something more, but Alexander never returned those feelings. Most of the time, he simply ignored Luca's obvious attempts to get closer. Still, the damage had already been done. By the time they graduated from high school, Alexander and Alice were no longer friends. They left for different colleges. Different cities. Different lives. Alice convinced himself that forgetting Alexander was the only way to move forward. So whenever their paths crossed, he looked away. He ignored him. Pretended he didn't exist. Until fate laughed at both of them. Their grandparents fulfilled a decades-old promise... ...and the two former best friends, now bitter enemies, became husbands.

Flash back end

The mansion had finally grown quiet. .

The laughter downstairs had faded, and the guests had all retired to their rooms. Alice lay on the bed with his eyes closed, pretending to sleep. His mind was still occupied with old memories, but eventually, exhaustion began to take over.

Knock...

The bedroom door opened softly. Alexander stepped inside, careful not to make any noise. He glanced toward the bed and saw Alice lying still.

Without disturbing him, Alexander picked up a towel and disappeared into the bathroom. A few minutes later, the sound of running water stopped. Alexander emerged wearing a simple black T-shirt and gray pajama pants, his damp hair falling over his forehead. He switched off the bright lights, leaving only the warm bedside lamp glowing. For a moment, he simply stood there, watching Alice's peaceful face. His expression, usually so cold around everyone else, softened.

He carefully lifted the blanket and lay down beside him. This was the first time they had shared the same bed since their marriage. An awkward silence filled the room. Alexander hesitated for a few seconds. Then, as naturally as breathing, he shifted closer. He wrapped one arm securely around Alice's waist and gently pulled him into his embrace.

Alice's eyes flew open for a brief moment. His body stiffened in surprise. Alexander had never done this before. He turned his head slightly. Alexander's eyes were already closed, his breathing slow and steady. Without saying a word, he held Alice close, as if afraid he might disappear by morning. Alice looked at him quietly. For all of Alexander's pride, jealousy, and sharp words, moments like this reminded Alice of the boy he had once known—the boy who used to protect him without hesitation. Alice let out a quiet sigh. Instead of pulling away, he relaxed in Alexander's arms. He closed his eyes once more. Within minutes, the room fell silent, the two rivals sleeping side by side for the first time, unaware that the distance between their hearts had already begun to shrink.

NEXT day

The next morning, campus was as lively as ever. Students hurried between lectures, carrying books and coffee while chatting about yesterday's championship match.

Alice walked across the courtyard with his backpack slung over one shoulder.

"ALICE!"

A loud voice echoed through the hallway. Before Alice could turn around, someone threw their arms around him dramatically.

The two of them laughed together before heading to class.

BY lunchtime

By lunchtime, the cafeteria was packed. Alice and his friend found an empty table and began eating while talking about assignments and football practice.

A few minutes later, a cheerful voice interrupted them.

It was Lilly. She carried her lunch tray with a bright smile.

Lilly sat down across from them, and the conversation continued naturally.

At that exact moment... Alexander entered the cafeteria with several teammates.

The noisy room didn't interest him. His eyes automatically searched for one person.

They found Alice. Then... He noticed Lilly sitting beside him. Alexander stopped walking. His expression immediately darkened.

Alexander ignored him. Without another word, he walked straight toward Alice's table.

Alice looked up in surprise as Alexander placed his tray down. Without asking for permission... He pulled out the chair beside Alice and sat down. The entire table fell silent. Lilly looked between the two captains in confusion. Alexander met her eyes for only a second. His cold stare was enough to make the atmosphere noticeably awkward. Lilly cleared her throat and quietly focused on her food. Alice glanced sideways at Alexander.

Alice slowly looked around the cafeteria. There were plenty of empty tables.

The four of them ate together in an awkward silence, while students throughout the cafeteria secretly watched the two rival captains sharing the same table.

Whispers quickly spread from one corner of the room to another.

"Didn't they hate each other?"

"Why is Alexander sitting with Alice?"

"Something feels... strange." Neither Alexander nor Alice paid any attention to the gossip. Alexander only had one thought in his mind. "At least no one else is sitting next to my husband now."