On a seemingly ordinary day, I found myself jolted awake by an unexpected notification on my phone. The very boy who had become my constant rival—a thorn in my side for as long as I could remember—was reaching out to me. He casually announced that he was coming to my house. Instantly, adrenaline coursed through my veins; I was torn between dread and excitement. Would he break in through the window, or would he prefer the front door? The anticipation electrified the air around me as I steeled myself for the inevitable confrontation.

I prepared for battle, my heart racing as I scanned the house for signs of his approach. Time ticked slowly, each second stretching into an eternity. I waited and waited, but he never appeared. Just when my resolve began to waver, my mother arrived, her presence a comforting balm. We stood together near the entrance, my thoughts tumbling out in a cascade of confusion and frustration. “Why hasn’t he shown up yet?” I murmured, my gaze drifting outside. And then, as if summoned by my thoughts, I spotted him—a shadowy figure perched beneath the trees by the side of the house.

The moment I saw him, my instincts kicked in. As I punched in the code to the front door, adrenaline propelled me forward. I lunged at him, throwing punches with reckless abandon, our movements mirroring an epic scene from a cartoon battle. The world around us faded into a blur as we fought fiercely, exchanging blows that felt like electric sparks igniting the air between us.

Suddenly, the chaos of the fight transformed. I vaulted onto the roof, moving with an agility that felt almost surreal. “I have something to say,” I called down to him, my voice cutting through the adrenaline-fueled haze.

He paused, the fierce glint in his eyes replaced by curiosity. We found ourselves sitting atop the roof, the familiar surroundings of my home now a canvas for our impromptu truce. The window to my room loomed behind us, a reminder of the safety I’d left behind. “Let’s go somewhere else,” I suggested, my voice tentative yet hopeful.

Climbing higher, we explored the neighboring rooftops, our laughter mingling with the wind. I led him up to a secluded spot, hidden away from prying eyes. There, away from the world, I felt a rush of vulnerability. “Can I share my worries with you?” I asked hesitantly. “I had just finished my university exams, and while the results were overdue, the uncertainty gnawed at my insides.”

He listened intently as I poured out my anxieties, my heart racing as I glanced sideways at him. “What university did you attend?” I asked, genuinely curious. He replied calmly, “I went to Korea University.” His steady demeanor encouraged me to unburden myself further, the weight of my worries slowly lifting as he remained a patient confidant.

Time slipped by unnoticed as we chatted, my demeanor playfully flirty, testing the waters of this strange new connection. Just when I thought we might be sharing a moment of undeniable chemistry, he suggested, “Let’s refresh ourselves! How about that boat ride?”

Without hesitation, I agreed, excitement bubbling within me. We boarded a small boat that glided over the shimmering water, the rhythmic motion of the waves thrilling me. As the boat rocked precariously on the stones, he confessed his own fears, a hint of vulnerability breaking through his tough exterior. It was strange yet comforting to see him so open, sharing the trauma he had around such experiences.

After our exhilarating ride, he proposed we take some sticker photos together—a moment frozen in time. But just as we were about to capture the memory, he vanished, replaced by familiar faces: Youna, Tara, Rachael, and Shion. The moment was shattered, leaving me feeling inexplicably frustrated and disappointed.

As I stood there, swirling emotions swirling in my mind, I couldn’t shake the feeling that this strange encounter had changed everything.

I remembered his face, not the most handsome by any means, but perhaps there had been something charming about his spirit. It was as if we were plucked straight from a manga, two rivals turned something more. Deep down, I sensed he might have harbored feelings for me, a twist I hadn’t anticipated.

In the dream realm, he always appeared as my eternal adversary. Yet, in this strange, surreal twist of fate, we had fought, connected, and shared secrets in the moonlight. I regretted not embracing the fight more in my dreams, wishing I had dared to explore the thrill of it all. After all, I had been incredibly agile, landing deftly from heights that would terrify most.

I sighed, the bittersweet memories lingering in my mind. I wanted to see that boy again—my rival, my companion in dreams—wondering what adventures might await us in the future.