The day of the examination has finally come. It's the most awaited moment for excelling students like Beomgyu, while it's a regular day for some students that don't care about doing their best as long as they pass the test. All students seated in class are prepared to face the papers that are being handed to them one by one. However, some couldn't appear more brittle than a mouse, edgy in their seats, because of worry that they might not pass, and one of them was Huening Kai, who was seated next to Beomgyu. When they were told to begin answering their sheets within an hour, they immediately did so.
Beomgyu took a deep breath, glancing at his friend Huening Kai, who was biting his nails nervously. The ticking of the clock seemed to echo in the silent classroom, amplifying the tension in the air. Beomgyu quickly focused on his own paper, the neatly printed questions staring back at him. He felt a rush of confidence as he remembered the countless hours of study and practice that had led to this moment.
As he began to write, Beomgyu couldn't help but steal glances at Huening Kai. The worry etched on his friend's face tugged at his heartstrings. He knew how hard Kai had worked, yet the pressure was clearly getting to him. Beomgyu wanted to offer some reassurance, but the rules of silence during the examination loomed large over him.
Minutes ticked away, and Beomgyu found himself breezing through the questions, his pen gliding across the paper with ease. He couldn't shake the feeling that he should do something for Kai. Just then, he noticed that Huening Kai had stopped writing entirely, his forehead creased in concentration as he stared blankly at the page.
Beomgyu subtly leaned over, whispering, "Hey, you got this. Just take it one question at a time." Huening Kai's eyes widened slightly, and he nodded, though the anxiety still lingered in his posture.
Encouraged by Beomgyu's words, Kai took a deep breath and turned back to his paper. He started reading the questions again, this time with a bit more resolve. Beomgyu smiled to himself, feeling a surge of camaraderie.
As the clock ticked down, the atmosphere in the room shifted. Some students were fiercely scribbling away, while others were staring at their papers in despair. Beomgyu could sense the weight of their collective anxiety, but he chose to focus on his own work. He had a goal in mind, and he was determined to achieve it.
With only ten minutes left, Beomgyu glanced at his completed answers. He felt a rush of satisfaction, knowing he had given it his all. He turned to look at Huening Kai once more, who now seemed to be gaining momentum, his pen moving more confidently across the sheet.
"Just finish strong, Kai!" Beomgyu encouraged quietly, giving him a thumbs up.
With renewed determination, Huening Kai nodded, his focus sharpening as he tackled the remaining questions. The clock ticked down, and Beomgyu felt the adrenaline coursing through him. This was it—the culmination of their hard work. As the teacher announced that time was up, Beomgyu set down his pen, a sense of relief washing over him.
As students began to hand in their papers, Beomgyu turned to Huening Kai, who was just finishing up. "How do you feel?" he asked, genuinely curious.
"I think I did okay," Kai replied, a hint of a smile breaking through his earlier tension. "Thanks for the pep talk."
"Anytime, buddy," Beomgyu grinned, clapping him on the back. "We made it through!"
As they walked out of the classroom together, the weight of the examination lifted, they couldn't help but feel a sense of accomplishment. Regardless of the outcome, they had faced their fears together, and that was something to celebrate.
+×+
Soobin and Yeonjun sat in the conference room, surrounded by the principal and their fellow teachers. The atmosphere buzzed with anticipation as they discussed the progress each teacher had made in helping their students improve. Yeonjun felt a flutter of excitement in his chest; this was the moment he had been eagerly waiting for. He had put in countless hours, refining his teaching methods and supporting his students, all in hopes of earning recognition for his hard work.
As the principal began to speak about the promotions, Yeonjun's heart raced. He fought to maintain a composed demeanor, his professional training kicking in. He didn't want to appear overly eager, but inside, he was practically bouncing in his seat. He glanced at Soobin, who seemed calm and collected, and felt a pang of envy. He had always admired Soobin's ability to handle pressure effortlessly, but today, Yeonjun couldn't shake the feeling that it should have been him in the spotlight.
When the principal finally announced the recipient of the promotion, Yeonjun's heart sank. "The promotion goes to Soobin," the principal declared, a proud smile on his face.
Yeonjun's expression faltered for a brief moment before he quickly plastered on a smile, clapping along with the others. Inside, however, he felt as if the ground had been pulled from beneath him. He forced himself to cheer, "Congratulations, Soobin! You totally deserve it!" His voice was bright, but the words felt hollow, echoing the disappointment swirling within him.
Soobin beamed, clearly thrilled by the recognition. "Thank you, everyone! I couldn't have done it without the amazing support from all of you, especially Yeonjun," he said, turning to his friend with genuine appreciation.
Yeonjun nodded, his heart twisting. "Yeah, well, we all know how hard you've worked," he replied, trying to mask the bitterness that threatened to seep through. He wanted to be happy for Soobin; they were friends after all, but the feeling of inadequacy loomed large.
As the meeting wrapped up, Yeonjun felt the weight of the world on his shoulders. He offered Soobin a congratulatory hug, feigning excitement. "I'm really proud of you," Yeonjun said, forcing sincerity into his voice.
"Thanks, Yeonjun! It means a lot coming from you," Soobin replied, oblivious to the storm brewing within his friend.
Once they exited the conference room, Yeonjun maintained his cheerful facade, engaging in light conversation with the other teachers. But inside, he felt like he was crumbling. He had wanted this promotion so badly, and now it felt like a dream slipping further away.
As they walked down the hallway, Soobin continued to share his plans for the upcoming semester, excitement radiating from him. Yeonjun listened, nodding and responding appropriately, but his mind was elsewhere. He couldn't shake the feeling that he had failed, that he had somehow let himself down.
"Are you sure you're okay?" Soobin asked, noticing the distant look in Yeonjun's eyes as they reached their classrooms.
"Yeah, just a bit tired from all the meetings," Yeonjun replied, a practiced smile on his face. "Let's celebrate your promotion later, okay?"
"Definitely! We should go out with the others. It'll be fun!" Soobin suggested, his enthusiasm infectious.
"Sounds great," Yeonjun said, though the words felt heavy on his tongue. As he watched Soobin walk away, a part of him was proud of his friend, but another part couldn't help but feel overshadowed.
When he finally closed the door to his classroom, Yeonjun allowed himself a moment of vulnerability. He slumped into his chair, exhaling a breath he didn't realize he was holding. The disappointment coursed through him like a dark tide, but beneath it simmered something else—an idea that had begun to take root.
As he stared blankly at his desk, Yeonjun felt a flicker of anger ignite within him. Why should Soobin get the recognition that he believed he deserved? They were friends, sure, but this was about his future, his career. He had put in the effort, and it felt unjust that someone else was reaping the rewards.
A plan began to form in his mind, one that he had never considered before. What if he could expose something, a scandal perhaps that is well-planned and well-defined?
Yeonjun's heart raced at the thought. It wouldn't be easy, and he didn't want to hurt Soobin. But the allure of being recognized for his hard work was intoxicating. He pictured himself standing in front of the principal, the spotlight finally on him, the accolades he had yearned for finally within reach.
He shook his head, trying to suppress the thoughts, but they only grew stronger. Maybe he could discreetly share his observations with the principal or the other teachers—just enough to cast doubt on Soobin's effectiveness. It wouldn't be malicious, just a strategic move to turn the tide back in his favor.
As he sat there, plotting and scheming, Yeonjun felt a mix of exhilaration and guilt. He knew this wasn't the person he wanted to be, but the pain of feeling overshadowed was overwhelming. Perhaps the end justified the means. If he could just make the principal see the truth, he could reclaim his place and finally get the recognition he craved.
With a steely resolve, Yeonjun stood up, straightening his posture. He had a plan, and he would execute it carefully. It was time to take control of his fate, even if it meant stepping into a morally gray area. The thought of stealing the promotion from Soobin sent a rush of adrenaline through him. After all, this was about more than just a title—it was about proving to himself that he was more than just a supporting player in someone else's story.
As he left the classroom, he felt a sense of empowerment, ready to embark on a path that could lead him to the recognition he so desperately desired. The game was on, and he was determined to win.
+×+
After the exam days, Beomgyu's mind was anything but clear. The silence between him and Yeonjun had grown louder, more unbearable with each passing day. Ever since Mrs. Choi had cornered Yeonjun, her threats sharp and uncompromising, everything had changed. Yeonjun had listened. He ended things. And just like that, Beomgyu's world had cracked open.
Worse still, Chanyeol, Beomgyu's assigned guard, had been keeping an even closer eye on him, making sure he had no way of reaching Yeonjun. His mother's leash tightened, and Beomgyu could feel it around his throat.
But he wasn't going to let it end like this.
"I need to see him," Beomgyu muttered, pacing the secluded corner of the school courtyard where he'd called Taehyun and Huening Kai to meet him. The quiet rustle of leaves overhead was the only witness to his unraveling resolve.
"You mean talk to him?" Huening Kai asked, eyebrows raised. "Beomgyu, he broke up with you. You think he's just going to change his mind?"
"I don't know," Beomgyu admitted. His voice trembled, but there was steel beneath it. "But I can't just sit here pretending like that was really his choice."
"Are you sure you're not just... hoping?" Taehyun asked gently. "You know what your mom said to him. You know why he's doing this."
"I know exactly why he's doing this," Beomgyu said, stopping in his tracks. "He's scared and lost."
Huening Kai looked uneasy. "Chanyeol is watching you like a hawk. If you try to sneak off—"
"I'll find a way," Beomgyu cut in. "I've already figured out when he switches shifts with the grounds patrol. There's a fifteen-minute gap. That's all I need."
"Beomgyu..." Taehyun sighed. "Just don't go there expecting everything to fall back into place."
"I don't," Beomgyu said. "But I need Yeonjun to hear me say it. I need him to know that I'm still fighting. Even if he's too afraid to."
The wind rustled again, and for a moment, no one said anything.
Then Taehyun stepped forward and gave him a firm nod. "Then we'll cover for you."
Huening Kai exhaled and smiled, though worry lingered in his eyes. "Be careful, okay? He might've let go... but you haven't. And that means something."
Beomgyu turned his gaze toward the building where Yeonjun stayed. His heart was pounding, but he welcomed it—it reminded him that this wasn't over.
Not until he said it was.
The air was thick with tension as twilight sank over the school campus. Beomgyu's footsteps were silent, but his pulse screamed in his ears. He crept through the narrow hallway, avoiding the main corridors, his body alert for the sound of Chanyeol's boots echoing behind him.
He only had one shot. One chance to make Yeonjun listen.
When he reached the office, he paused. His hand hovered just above the door, heart pounding like it knew this was going to hurt.
He knocked.
Silence.
Then the door cracked open just an inch, revealing Yeonjun—hair unkempt, eyes rimmed with exhaustion, and wearing the coldest expression Beomgyu had ever seen on him.
"Beomgyu." Yeonjun said flatly, not moving to open the door further. "You shouldn't be here."
"I needed to," Beomgyu replied. "I couldn't leave it like this."
Yeonjun's eyes narrowed. "There is no 'this,' Beomgyu. We ended it. Move on."
"No." Beomgyu stepped closer, lowering his voice. "You ended it because my mom gave you a choice: me or your future. And you picked your future."
Yeonjun didn't reply.
"I don't blame you," Beomgyu continued, searching his eyes. "You're scared. She threatened your career, your name, your life. Prison, Yeonjun. She said she'd make sure everyone turned their back on you. I know."
Yeonjun's jaw tightened. "Then why are you here? You already understand."
"Because I also know you didn't stop loving me."
That got him. Just a flicker—his hand tensed on the door, his lips parted for half a second—but then he locked it all down again.
"You don't get it," he said, voice lower now, more bitter than cold. "This isn't just about love. This is about survival. You don't know what it's like to build everything from nothing and then have it all threatened by someone's mother because you got too close to the wrong person."
Beomgyu flinched. "I'm not the wrong person."
Yeonjun looked away. "To her, you are. And in this world, her word weighs more than yours or mine combined."
A long silence settled between them.
Then Yeonjun added, almost cruelly, "I'm not going to throw everything away just to prove a point."
"You're not proving a point," Beomgyu said quietly. "You're proving who you really are."
Yeonjun's face finally cracked—just a little. Something wounded shimmered in his eyes. But then it was gone.
"I'm someone who wants to win," he said. "Not someone who throws tantrums because love didn't work out. So go home, Beomgyu. Stay where it's safe. That's the best thing you can do for both of us."
Beomgyu stared at him for a long time, throat aching.
"I didn't come here to change your mind," he whispered. "I came to remind you of what you're giving up. So when you're standing on that podium, holding whatever title you fought for, you'll know it cost you something real."
Yeonjun didn't respond.
He just slowly closed the door.
Click.
Beomgyu stood there for a few seconds, staring at the shut door, the sound of his own breathing loud in the silence.
Then he turned and walked away—not defeated, but grieving.
He knew now: Yeonjun still loved him.
But Yeonjun loved winning more.