Ever since he could remember, Leon had one major source of frustration: Richard. From lost crayons in kindergarten to humiliating defeats on the basketball court, Richard always managed to ruin his victories. And now, of all places, university was supposed to be a fresh start… but fate, it seemed, had a cruel sense of humor.
The sun was bright that morning, casting long shadows across the campus lawn. Freshmen hurried past, chattering about clubs, dorms, and the rumors of the campus belle everyone secretly adored. Leon adjusted his backpack, shoulders tense with anticipation. Finally, he could leave childhood rivalries behind and start anew. He imagined himself confidently joining clubs, making friends, and maybe even catching the attention of the campus belle he'd been admiring from afar.
Then he opened the door to his assigned dorm room. And there he was. Richard, slouched on the bed with that same infuriatingly smug grin, unpacking like he owned the place. "Well, well, look who's finally arrived," Richard said, voice dripping with mockery. "Didn't expect to see you here."
Leon froze. His stomach sank. University might have promised independence, freedom, and opportunities—but it had also thrown him into a room with the one person who could make even a simple day feel like a battlefield. He clenched his fists, forcing himself to keep his tone civil. "Roommate," he muttered, trying to sound neutral. Richard smirked, clearly enjoying the subtle victory.
As Leon unpacked his things, he couldn't help but notice Richard's little jabs: "Do you really need all that stuff?" and "Careful, don't break anything. You know you'll just blame me." Every comment was designed to irritate, yet somehow it also reminded Leon of why they'd been rivals for so long.
Dinner in the cafeteria was no better. Leon had hoped for a moment of peace, but Richard had friends in every corner. Leon kept catching glimpses of that smirk, the way Richard leaned back and laughed with a group of guys who clearly adored his charm. Leon felt a strange twist of something he didn't want to name—jealousy? No, that wasn't possible.
Back in the dorm room, the two tried to coexist. Leon set up his corner meticulously, arranging books, stationery, and even a small photo of the campus belle he secretly admired. Every time he tried to focus, Richard hovered nearby, commenting, teasing, or just staring. It was infuriating… yet, for reasons Leon refused to admit, he couldn't tear his eyes away. Richard laughed at something genuinely funny, and Leon felt his chest tighten in a way that was completely unacceptable.
By bedtime, Leon was exhausted—not from carrying luggage, but from navigating the battlefield that was his new roommate. As he lay on his bed, staring at the ceiling, he realized this was going to be a very different university life. Winning the heart of the campus belle would be hard enough. Surviving Richard? That would be an entirely different challenge.
And, unbeknownst to him, the rivalry that had defined his life was about to take a turn he never saw coming.