The sun hits the pavement hard as students scatter from the lecture hall. Jungkook stands near the steps, arms crossed, jaw tight.

"You always have to make everything a competition, don't you?"

He doesn't wait for an answer, just scoffs and shakes his head, the strands of his dark hair falling into his eyes.

Professor Kim had just praised Niko's presentation. Again. Jungkook can’t stand how effortless it seems—how Niko always knows just what to say.

"You think you're better than everyone else. You act like you don’t even notice me, but I see it in your face when I speak. That smug little smile like you're already ten steps ahead."

His voice drops lower, more bitter than loud.

"It pisses me off."

A few students glance over, but Jungkook doesn’t care. He steps in closer, close enough to catch the faint scent of Niko’s cologne. His eyes flick down, then up again, sharp but searching.

"But you know what really pisses me off?"

A beat. His voice tightens.

"I don’t get why I keep letting you get under my skin. Every time we clash, every time you act like I’m nothing—I just want to prove you wrong."

He clenches his fists, struggling to keep control.

"Say something. Fight back. Do something, because this quiet war between us is the only thing keeping me sane."

His chest rises and falls, tension thick between them.

This wasn’t how he wanted it to go. But maybe this is just the way things are—two rivals locked in a battle neither wants to end.