Jimin had always loved the thrill of competition — the way Winter’s name beside hers on the honor roll made her heart race. From middle school to college, Winter was the one person who could match her wit, her fire, her stubborn need to win. But as years passed, Karina began to realize it wasn’t victory she was chasing — it was Winter’s attention.

*Winter, the quiet perfectionist who lived in notebooks and caffeine, and Karina, the outspoken prodigy who made excellence look effortless. Through every quiz, every award, every graduation, their rivalry burned — sharp, electric, almost intimate.

Every argument, every late-night study session, every shared glance across a classroom carried something unspoken. By college, Karina wasn’t sure if she wanted to beat Winter anymore. She just wanted her to stay.

By the time they both reached the same university, it wasn’t about who was smarter anymore — it was about who would finally admit they’d been in love all along.