The Rival I Married

Episode 3

People always said graduation was the beginning of adulthood.

Personally...

I thought graduation was the beginning of peace.

After twelve long years of arguing with Kael Ashford almost every single day, I finally believed fate had decided to apologize to me. We had survived kindergarten, elementary school, middle school, and high school together. Every report card became a competition, every sports festival turned into a battlefield, and every group project somehow ended with us trying to prove the other was wrong. Looking back now, I honestly wondered how our teachers hadn't gone bald because of us.

Graduation day itself was surprisingly... normal.

Students were running around in graduation gowns, taking hundreds of pictures they would probably never look at again. Teachers were giving emotional speeches, parents were wiping away tears, and my classmates kept saying things like, We'll definitely meet every month!

We never did.

I took one last picture with my friends before heading toward the school gate. The afternoon breeze carried the sound of laughter across the playground. I was just about to leave when someone blocked my way.

I didn't even need to look up.

Only one person in the world had the confidence to stand directly in front of me with his hands inside his pockets.

Kael Ashford.

I sighed.

Seriously? Can't you let me graduate in peace?

He looked down at me with the same irritating expression he'd worn for years.

A tiny smile.

Just enough to make me want to throw my graduation cap at his face.

That's a strange way to thank your greatest rival.

Greatest rival? You mean my greatest headache.

Close enough.

I rolled my eyes and walked around him.

He didn't stop me this time.

For a moment...

I actually thought that was the end of it.

...

The next afternoon, university admission results were released.

Our entire house was unusually quiet.

Mom pretended to read a magazine without turning a single page.

Dad refreshed the admission website every thirty seconds, even though the countdown clearly showed there were still five minutes left.

Meanwhile...

My older sister, Celeste, was lying upside down on the sofa, happily eating potato chips while watching everyone panic.

She looked at me and smiled.

You're making that face again.

What face?

The one you make before every important exam. Like someone secretly replaced your brain with mashed potatoes.

I grabbed the nearest cushion and threw it at her.

She caught it without even sitting up.

Nice throw. Try basketball instead of engineering.

I'm aiming for your face next time.

You'll miss.

Want to bet?

Mom sighed loudly.

Can you two stop acting like children for five minutes?

Celeste looked at me with the most innocent smile imaginable.

Mom started it.

...I literally didn't say anything to you.

Exactly. Emotional damage.

I stared at her.

Sometimes I genuinely questioned whether we were biologically related.

Celeste was six years older than me.

People outside our family always described her as graceful, elegant and dependable.

Those people had clearly never lived under the same roof as her.

Yes, she was dependable.

Yes, she was incredibly good at understanding people.

She could tell when someone was lying before they even finished their sentence. She always noticed tiny expressions everyone else ignored. Dad often joked that if she ever became a detective, criminals would probably confess before she even asked them a question.

But...

She was also unbelievably lazy whenever she had a day off.

She loved teasing people just to see their reactions.

And somehow...

She and Kael had become partners in crime years ago.

The worst part?

They got along frighteningly well.

If I walked into the living room and saw those two smiling at each other...

I immediately knew my day was about to become miserable.

Before I could complain any further, Dad suddenly shouted.

The results are out!

I rushed toward my laptop so quickly that I almost tripped over the carpet.

My fingers shook while typing my application number.

The page loaded.

One second.

Two seconds.

Three...

Then the screen changed.

Congratulations! You have been admitted to Aster University.

For a moment...

I forgot how to breathe.

Then I screamed.

I GOT IN!

Mom hugged me so tightly my glasses nearly fell off.

Dad laughed proudly before patting my shoulder.

Even Celeste stood up from the sofa.

She looked at the screen before giving me a small smile.

Congratulations, little shrimp.

I frowned.

...Did you really have to ruin the moment with "little shrimp"?

You're still shorter than me. Facts don't have feelings.

I grabbed another cushion.

She wisely ran.

Just as I was about to chase her around the living room, my phone vibrated.

One message.

Kael Ashford.

I stopped walking.

That was already suspicious.

Normally, if Kael wanted to annoy me, he'd call.

If he texted...

Something was wrong.

I opened the chat.

Congratulations.

...

I blinked.

Read it again.

Then checked the sender.

Still Kael.

I read the message for the third time.

Still...

Congratulations.

I slowly looked toward Celeste.

Unnie...

She looked up from the kitchen.

Hmm?

I think Kael hit his head.

She walked over.

Why?

I silently handed her my phone.

She read the message.

Then looked at me.

Then back at the phone.

Finally...

She burst out laughing.

You're right. Call him.

Without another thought, I pressed the call button.

He answered almost immediately.

Hello~?

Who are you?

There was complete silence.

...What?

Where's Kael Ashford?

You're talking to me...

No, I'm not.

Yes, you are.

Impossible. The Kael I know would've written something like, "Congratulations. Don't embarrass Aster University." You only wrote congratulations. That's creepy. Should I call your mother? Did you get a concussion?

I could almost picture him pinching the bridge of his nose.

Then...

He laughed.

A quiet, satisfied laugh.

Finished?

Not yet. Do you have a fever too?

No.

Food poisoning?

No.

Possessed?

...Seriously?

I crossed my arms.

Then explain yourself.

His voice suddenly sounded much more familiar.

Fine.

Congratulations... because I got into Crown University.

I blinked.

...So?

He let out another laugh.

So... I just wanted my favorite rival to know I got into the best university in the country before anyone else told you.

There it was.

That smug attitude.

That impossible confidence.

That unbearable arrogance.

I smiled despite myself.

There you are. I was wondering where the real Kael disappeared to.

Disappointed?

Not at all. I was about to send a missing person report.

How thoughtful.

Don't flatter yourself.

He chuckled.

See you at the university festival, Seraphina.

Before I could ask what he meant...

He hung up.

I stared at my phone for a few seconds before quietly muttering,

...Idiot.

Then I smiled.

Because somehow...

That ridiculous conversation felt exactly like us.

Few months late the annual inter university festival.

Just reading those four words was enough to give me a headache.

Aster University and Crown University had been competing with each other for decades. Every year, both universities treated the festival as if it were a national championship instead of a friendly event. Students trained for weeks, clubs stayed open late into the evening, and every department wanted to prove they were the best.

Unfortunately for me, our department volunteered me for the badminton doubles event.

I wasn't exactly thrilled.

Our practice sessions began almost immediately, and that's when I met Leo.

Leo was a third-year student from my department. He was three years older than me, patient, easygoing, and surprisingly good at teaching. Unlike most seniors, he never acted as if being older made him superior.

Every time I made a mistake, he simply smiled.

Again. Don't rush your swing. Let the shuttle come to you first.

I sighed before trying again.

The shuttle flew straight into the net.

Leo laughed quietly.

Well... at least you hit it this time. Yesterday you almost hit me instead.

I covered my face.

Please don't remind me. I'm still embarrassed.

You should be. I almost wrote my will.

I couldn't help laughing.

Practice became much less stressful because of him.

He joked around just enough to keep everyone relaxed, and before I realized it, two weeks had passed.

The festival arrived sooner than expected.

Our university campus was crowded with students wearing different department uniforms. Booths lined both sides of the main road, music echoed through the courtyard, and colorful banners hung from nearly every building. Even students from Crown University had already started arriving.

It was loud.

Chaotic.

And strangely exciting.

My parents couldn't come because of work, but my sister had promised she'd stop by after lunch.

Knowing Celeste, I assumed she'd arrive at least an hour late.

I was wrong.

She was already sitting in the audience before my match even started.

She waved at me with one hand while drinking iced coffee with the other.

Good luck, little shrimp! Try not to embarrass our family name!

Half the audience turned to look at me.

I wanted the ground to open and swallow me whole.

...I'm changing my surname after graduation.

She only laughed louder.

Leo looked between the two of us before smiling.

That's your sister?

I nodded.

Unfortunately.

She seems fun.

Don't let the smile fool you. She enjoys watching me suffer.

I heard that! Celeste shouted from the audience.

Good!

Leo laughed so hard he almost dropped his racket.

You two argue exactly like siblings in sitcoms.

That's because she enjoys making my life difficult.

Correction, Celeste interrupted again. It's my hobby kid.

I pretended not to hear her.

While Leo explained our strategy one last time, I adjusted the grip on my racket and tried to focus.

I didn't notice another pair of eyes watching us from the opposite side of the court.

Kael had arrived with the Crown University basketball team almost twenty minutes earlier.

He wasn't listening to his teammates.

Instead...

His attention stayed fixed on one person.

Me.

Or more specifically...

The senior standing far too close to me.

Leo leaned over slightly while correcting my grip.

He smiled.

I smiled back.

Kael frowned.

Without saying a word, he walked toward the audience seats.

Only one empty seat remained.

Right beside Celeste.

She glanced at him before raising an eyebrow.

You're late.

Practice ran longer than expected.

Excuse accepted. Sit down.

Kael sat beside her, still looking toward the badminton court.

Celeste followed his gaze.

Her lips slowly curled into a knowing smile.

You're not even pretending to watch the match, are you?

I am watching it.

No. You're watching my sister.

Kael didn't answer.

That alone was answer enough.

Celeste rested her chin on her hand.

Hmm... that senior is good.

Kael's expression immediately darkened.

Big Sis... don't you think he's acting a little suspicious?

She blinked.

Suspicious?

He's standing too close to her.

Celeste looked toward the court again.

Leo had just laughed after I accidentally missed another shot.

She narrowed her eyes.

You're right...

Kael nodded immediately.

See? I told you.

I should probably go remind him not to flirt with my little sister during a university event.

Kael looked relieved.

Exactly. That's what I...

Before Celeste could stand up...

Leo turned around.

For the first time, she saw his face clearly.

She froze.

"...Oh."

Kael looked confused.

What?

Celeste slowly sat back down.

Never mind.

What do you mean "never mind"?

She took another sip of her coffee without taking her eyes off Leo.

He's... unexpectedly Cute with hot body.

Kael stared at her.

"...Big Sis."

Hmm?

Whose side are you on?

She grinned.

I'm always on my sister's side.

Then she looked at Leo again.

But... I have to admit... ten out of ten. Nice shoulders. Nice face.

Kael rubbed his forehead.

You're unbelievable.

Celeste laughed.

Relax. I don't steal someone else's crush. Especially not my sister's.

She glanced sideways at Kael.

Although... I almost forgot something.

What?

She smiled innocently.

You like her too.

Kael almost choked.

...What?

Don't play dumb. I've known you since you were born.

He looked away.

"...You're imagining things."

Celeste leaned closer.

Really?

Then explain why you've been following my sister home after classes almost every evening.

Kael went completely silent.

Celeste didn't sound angry.

She simply waited.

A few seconds later, Kael sighed.

I just... want to make sure she gets home safely.

That's all.

Celeste studied his face for a moment before smiling softly.

Good.

Kael looked surprised.

Good?

As long as your intention is to protect her, I don't mind. Just don't scare her by getting too close. Let her think she's walking home alone. If she ever finds out you're following her, she'll probably throw her bag at your head.

A faint smile finally appeared on Kael's face.

...She probably would.

Celeste laughed.

Definitely would.

Across the court, I glanced toward the audience while waiting for the next round to begin.

The first thing I noticed wasn't Kael.

It was my sister.

The second thing I noticed...

Was that the two of them were sitting together, laughing about something.

I narrowed my eyes.

Knowing those two...

There was only one possible explanation.

They were definitely planning something stupid.

And somehow...

I had a horrible feeling I was going to be the victim again and if you're wondering about my sister...

Well, as I told you before, she was genuinely a good person. She could read people's emotions better than anyone I knew, and she never judged someone before getting to know them. But if you asked me about her love life...

That was an entirely different story.

I honestly lost count of how many relationships she'd been in.

One lasted three months.

Another lasted two weeks.

One poor guy didn't even survive a whole week before disappearing from her life.

Don't misunderstand her, though. She wasn't the one who dumped them. Somehow, every single time, the guys were the ones who broke up first. Even I couldn't figure out why. She never cried over them either. She'd simply shrug, eat some ice cream, and move on with her life as if nothing had happened.

Sometimes I wondered what kind of magic she had.

As for me...

I confessed to one boy in my entire life.

He rejected me.

Meanwhile, my sister kept receiving love letters almost every week.

Life really wasn't fair.

When I looked toward the badminton court again, I noticed something strange.

My sister had her eyes fixed on Leo.

Not on the match.

Not on me.Only on my senior.

At first, I got nervous.

Please don't tell me she's interested in him...

The first thing that crossed my mind wasn't whether they'd look good together.

It was...

What if she breaks his heart?

Leo had always been kind to me. During the few months we'd known each other, he'd helped me more times than I could count. He was patient, polite, knew how to cook, and somehow managed to solve every problem without making anyone feel embarrassed.

The day he casually told me he enjoyed cooking, I stared at him for almost a full minute.

A guy who can cook?

Do people like that actually exist?

Then I looked at my sister.

She don't know how to cook or clean.

If laziness were an Olympic sport, she'd probably win a gold medal without getting out of bed.

Still...

Leo once told me his ideal type was someone confident, someone who would take the lead, someone energetic enough to drag him out of his comfort zone.

My sister acted quiet around strangers, but the moment she found someone attractive...

She somehow transformed into the most extrovert woman in the room.

Looking back now...

The two of them actually matched surprisingly well.

If they ever got married, though...

I'm almost certain my senior would've been the wife.

And my sister would've been the husband.

Don't ask me why.

That's just the kind of relationship they had.

Of course...

Back then, I never imagined those two would actually end up together.

But that's a story for another day.

Right now...

Let's get back to the university festival.