Chapter One: Rival Sparks
Kian hated mornings, but what he hated more was seeing him.
Adrian Malik — top of their class, straight-A genius, and, in Kian’s opinion, the most arrogant human being to ever step foot on campus.
And of course, fate loved to mock Kian, because every time he walked into their Economics lecture, Adrian was already there. Sitting in the front row, posture straight, notebook open, like he owned the world.
“Late again, Kian?” Adrian’s voice was smooth, almost bored, as Kian slipped into the seat two rows back.
Kian clenched his jaw. “Mind your own business, Malik.”
Adrian didn’t even glance back, just smirked faintly as if he’d already won.
Everyone knew they hated each other. Kian, the loud, sarcastic debater who loved arguing with professors just to prove a point. Adrian, the perfectionist prodigy who submitted assignments a week early and tutored half the department. They clashed in every class — debates turned into full-on battles, group projects ended in shouting matches.
And yet… neither could deny the fire.
Chapter Two: Forced Proximity
Halfway into the semester, their professor made an announcement that changed everything.
“For your final project, you’ll be working in pairs. I’ll assign them randomly.”
Kian leaned back, arms crossed, praying to every god that he wouldn’t be cursed. But of course —
“Kian Rahim and Adrian Malik.”
Kian nearly choked. “You’ve got to be kidding me!”
Adrian raised an eyebrow. “Try not to drag me down, Rahim.”
The class laughed. Kian swore he saw amusement dancing in Adrian’s dark eyes, like he enjoyed making Kian lose his cool.
That evening, they met in the library to “plan.” It lasted five minutes before devolving into insults.
“You always think you’re the smartest person in the room,” Kian snapped.
“Only because I usually am,” Adrian replied calmly.
Kian wanted to throw his notebook at him.
But as the weeks passed, something shifted. Long study sessions turned into late-night arguments over coffee. Heated debates melted into rare moments of laughter when one of them slipped up. Kian noticed how Adrian’s serious façade cracked when he was tired, how his sharp sarcasm sometimes hid kindness.
And Adrian… Adrian noticed how Kian’s fire wasn’t just arrogance. It was passion. Determination. Heart.
Chapter Three: Cracks in the Armor
One night, buried in textbooks, Kian fell asleep at the library table. When he woke, a jacket was draped over his shoulders. Adrian’s.
He blinked blearily. “What the hell—”
“You looked cold,” Adrian muttered without meeting his eyes.
For once, Kian didn’t argue.
Later, when their project presentation went flawlessly, Adrian gave Kian a rare smile. “You did well.”
Kian froze. Compliments weren’t Adrian’s thing. His heart skipped, traitorous.
Don’t be stupid, Kian, he told himself. You hate him. Remember?
But it was getting harder to remember why.
Chapter Four: The Breaking Point
It all came crashing during the inter-university debate competition. Both had entered separately, determined to win. And of course, they ended up facing each other in the final round.
The auditorium was packed, tension thick. Kian argued fiercely, words sharp as blades. Adrian countered with precision, calm and devastating. Every clash felt personal, electric.
When the judges finally announced the winner — Adrian — Kian forced a smile through clenched teeth.
“Congrats,” he said stiffly afterward.
Adrian studied him. “You’re angry.”
“Of course I’m angry! You don’t get it — every time I try, you’re already there, ahead, perfect. It’s like I’ll never measure up.”
The words spilled out before Kian could stop them. His chest felt tight.
Adrian’s expression softened, just slightly. “You think I’m perfect?”
Kian froze. “…That’s not what I meant.”
But his burning cheeks betrayed him.
Adrian stepped closer, lowering his voice. “You push me harder than anyone else. You’re the only one who makes me… want more.”
Kian’s breath caught. The space between them suddenly felt too small, too charged.
But instead of closing it, Adrian stepped back. “Good night, Kian.”
Chapter Five: Confessions
The tension simmered for days. Kian avoided Adrian, too confused by the pounding in his chest. Until finally, Adrian cornered him after class.
“We need to talk,” Adrian said firmly.
They found an empty classroom. Kian crossed his arms defensively. “What?”
Adrian exhaled. “I’m tired of pretending I hate you.”
Kian’s heart skipped. “What?”
“I don’t. I never did.” Adrian’s voice was quiet but steady. “You drive me insane. You challenge me. You make me furious and inspired all at once. I don’t hate you, Kian. I—” He swallowed. “I like you.”
The silence was deafening. Kian’s mind spun.
All those years of rivalry, the biting remarks, the endless competition — was it really just… attraction, twisted and buried under pride?
Kian laughed weakly. “You’re impossible.”
Adrian’s lips twitched. “So are you.”
And before Kian could overthink, he grabbed Adrian’s collar and kissed him.
It wasn’t soft. It was messy, heated, full of years of pent-up tension. But when Adrian kissed back, hand cupping Kian’s face gently, something inside him finally eased.
Chapter Six: More Than Rivals
From that day, everything changed — and nothing did. They still argued, still teased, still competed for the top grade. But now, beneath the fire was something softer.
Study sessions turned into dates. Banter turned into flirting. Rivalry turned into love.
On the last day of the semester, as they walked across campus, Kian nudged Adrian with a grin.
“Still think you’re the smartest one in the room?”
Adrian smirked, fingers intertwining with his. “Only when you’re not in it.”
Kian rolled his eyes but couldn’t stop smiling. Because for once, he didn’t care who won. As long as Adrian was by his side, he’d already won enough.
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