Chapter 1: The Boy I Hate ‍

I hated Win.

At least, that's what I told myself every day.

Everyone at the university loved him. He was handsome, smart, popular, and talented at everything he did. Professors praised him, students admired him, and somehow he always managed to get under my skin.

And worst of all?

He was my rival.

"Ton, you came second again."

My friend laughed as he handed me the exam results.

I looked at the paper and clenched my jaw.

1st Place — Win.

2nd Place — Ton.

Again.

"One day, I'm going to beat him," I muttered.

"Keep dreaming."

That familiar voice made me freeze.

I turned around and saw Win standing behind me with that annoying smirk.

"You!" I snapped.

"What? Happy to see me?"

"Not even in your dreams."

Win laughed.

For some reason, his eyes stayed on me longer than necessary.

It made my heart beat strangely.

I ignored it.

After classes ended, I headed toward the library to study.

The hallway was empty.

Suddenly, someone grabbed my wrist.

Before I could react, I was pulled into an empty classroom.

The door closed behind me.

My eyes widened.

"Win?! What are you doing?"

He stood in front of me.

Close.

Too close.

I could feel my heartbeat getting faster.

Win stared at me without saying anything.

His usual playful expression was gone.

Instead, there was something intense in his eyes.

Something dangerous.

"Ton."

My name sounded different when he said it.

"What?" I whispered.

Win stepped closer.

"I have a question."

"What is it?"

His gaze locked onto mine.

"If I stopped treating you like a rival..."

He paused.

"Would you stay by my side?"

My breath caught.

For the first time in years, I didn't know what to say.

And Win smiled.

A smile that made my heart completely lose control.

I looked away first.

"Why are you asking me that?" I muttered.

Win leaned against a desk and folded his arms.

"Because I'm curious."

"About what?"

"About you."

I frowned.

"That's weird."

"Maybe."

His answer came too quickly.

For a moment, neither of us spoke.

The room felt strangely quiet.

I could hear my own heartbeat.

Win suddenly laughed.

"You know, you're cute when you're nervous."

My face instantly turned red.

"I'm not nervous!"

"Really?"

He stepped closer.

Again.

And again.

Until I had nowhere left to move.

"Win!"

"What?"

"Back off."

He grinned.

"No."

I pushed his shoulder.

He didn't move.

Instead, he caught my wrist.

The touch made my entire body freeze.

His eyes softened.

"Ton."

"What now?"

"Do you really hate me?"

The question caught me off guard.

I opened my mouth to answer.

But no words came out.

Because the truth was becoming harder to ignore.

Maybe I didn't hate him.

Maybe I never did.

Win smiled when he saw my expression.

As if he already knew.

The sound of a notification suddenly broke the silence.

My phone.

I quickly pulled away and checked the screen.

A message from my friend.

"Where are you? Everyone is looking for you!"

I immediately grabbed my bag.

"I have to go."

Before Win could stop me, I rushed toward the door.

But just as I reached it, his voice stopped me.

"Ton."

I turned around.

Win was smiling.

Not his usual teasing smile.

A genuine one.

"See you tomorrow."

For some reason, those words stayed in my mind the entire night.

And for the first time in years...

I couldn't stop thinking about Win.

To Be Continued... ❤️‍🔥

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