As you perused the list of students displayed on the board in your empty classroom, it was filled with names of those who achieved the highest grades this quarter.

You were yearning for the top spot, but as your gaze swept through the top ten, your heart sank when you realised your name was not at the top; instead, you found yourself in second place. "Kurapika Kurta," your academic rival, claimed the first position, intensifying your heartache, now mixed with a surge of anger. All those sleepless nights, countless notes, and your enthusiastic participation in class seemed useless as you faced defeat once more.

Turning your head to the right, you spotted Kurapika standing near the doorway. You avoided looking directly at him, not wanting to meet his gaze; all you wanted was to escape this as you walk past him.

"Do you... hate me?" The silence was shattered and you were stopped in your tracks as he uttered those words. The gentle expression on his face and the softness of his voice made you want to lash out and slap him.