Basketball court
Geone stormed up to Barun, "BaRUUN!!!!We could've won! Why didn't you pass to me?!"
Barun snapped back, "Why does everything always have to go to YOU? Huh?!"
"It's your fault we didn't win! Ugh!"
Geone shoved Barun, ready to start a fight.
The sports teachers rushed over and separated everyone.
The judge announced that since the game had ended in a tie, the final match would be held the following month.
Geone stood there, furious and silent.
Rijbi walked past Toha and mocked loudly, "Next time, build a real team… then play."
Geone stepped forward to respond, but before he could swing or shout…
Suga grabbed him.
"Let it go, bro. Come on."
Suga, Minasi, and Geone walked back to class without a word.
When Geone entered the classroom, he dropped into his seat.
Charlie's seat was right in front of him… but Charlie wasn't there.
Suga and Minasi sat nearby. They leaned toward him.
"Dude, it's okay," Suga said.
"It was a tie. We still have another chance."
"I know," Geone muttered, jaw tight.
"But Barun always does this. Why doesn't he just quit?
Toha keeps supporting him… and because of that, we lost our chance.
If he does something like that again… I swear I'll kill him."
Harry walked over, looking ashamed.
"Sorry, everyone… it was my miss," his voice is low.
Minasi smiled at him, shaking his head.
"It wasn't your fault. It's fine."
He turned to Geone.
"Right, dude?"
Geone huffed, annoyed.
"Yeah… whatever."
He looked again at Charlie's empty chair.
"He's not here. I'm going to check on him."
Before either of them could stop him, Geone stood up and left the classroom.
Geone headed back to the playground.
Still no sign of Charlie.
He searched the entire campus — the corridors, behind the gym, the parking area… nothing.
Finally, he ran up to the rooftop.
There — sitting quietly near the edge — was Charlie.
"Charlie...?" Geone called, still out of breath.
Charlie turned his head slightly.
"Geone!"
Geone hurried over, panting.
"What are you doing up here? I looked everywhere... for you!"
Charlie gave a small teasing smile.
"So… how did the game go?"
Geone scratched the back of his head, awkward.
"Well, I played great.....Winning is a different story!"
Charlie let out a soft laugh.
"I'm hungry...Let's go eat."
Geone brightened immediately.
"What do you want?.. Ramen?"
Charlie nodded.
"Okay..Let's go."
"Stop! Stop! I'm already exhausted,"
Geone huffed, leaning against the railing.
"I've already run all over the school… give me a break!"
Charlie said nothing. He stood silently for a few seconds, then slowly sat down next to Geone on the rooftop.
Geone flopped down beside him, still catching his breath.
Suddenly, he rested his head on Charlie's lap and lay down.
Charlie looked at him, slightly shocked.
A gentle flush lit Geone's dark eyes, shimmering like water in a well. Slowly, Charlie lifted his gaze to the sky.
Geone took a deep breath and murmured,
"I'm so sleepy… completely wiped out."
Charlie stayed quiet like.. half hour, just watching the clouds .They are drifting.
Geone playfully placed his hand over Charlie's,
"We'll have so much fun this weekend! Mom and Dad won't be around… woohoo!!!"
Charlie frowned ,
"Ugh, It's so hot… come on, let's get out of here."
Charlie suddenly got up.
Geone tried to get up too, but lost his balance and flopped back down.
Waving his hands, he said,
"Charlie!What are you doing...! Intentionally!!!Huuh....?"
Charlie laughed and dashed off.
"Stop Charlie!"
Geone followed, running right behind him.
Together, they made their way to the restaurant.
Their favorite ramen restaurant. Steam rises from the bowls, warm and comforting.
Geone slurps a bite of ramen, eyes going wide.
"Ohh! Hot—ohhh! Hmm… delicious! I think it's going to take my soul!"
Charlie looks at him with a perfectly serious face.
"Don't give it."
His tone is flat, but a tiny smile hides at the corner of his lips.
Geone bursts out laughing so hard he almost rolls off his chair.
"Come on! I was joking!"
Without waiting, Charlie leans forward and steals a big bite from Geone's bowl.
"Ooff! That's tasty..."
Then he smirks,
"By the way… I was joking too."
Geone keeps laughing and suddenly throws his arms around Charlie's neck, hugging him close.
"You were joking, hmm? What.. what now!"
They were laughing so hard they almost fell off their chairs—rolling toward the floor—when suddenly, the restaurant door swung open.
A girl in a school uniform stepped inside.
She was beautiful—neat twin braids, a clean and elegant look that made her stand out.
Geone looked at her and, without even realizing it, whispered,
"Hira…"
Charlie heard the name and stared at Geone, then at the door, surprised.
Hira walked closer.
Geone quickly stood up.
In a moment, all his happiness seemed to crash to the ground.
With a little smirk, Hira said,
"I heard you lost the match. Aww… that's such a shame."
Then she turned to Charlie, smiling politely,
"Hello, Charlie."
Geone snapped back,
"Yeah, we lost. But at least I scored more than you and Toha ever could."
Hira flicked her hair and replied,
"Ah, confidence! Even if the boys' team couldn't beat Macro School, the girls' team will definitely win."
Turned to Charlie,"Right, Charlie?"
Charlie opened his mouth to calmly say something, but—
Geone cut in loudly,
"Okay then—let's challenge!
Whoever loses will be the winner's servant for seven days..."Stepped closure to Hira ,"Deeeal..??"
Hira's eyes sparkled with excitement.
"Oh! That's gonna be fun.. Deal."
Charlie tried to stop them,
"Guys—listen to me!
Guys! Hey!—"
But the two were already locked in a new competition, like always.
They'd been competing like this for eight long years-as if winning some giant, invisible medal only they cared about.
Charlie knew... this wasn't the first time.
And definitely not the last.
Their endless rivalry had exhausted everyone around them-except themselves.
From basketball to class tests...
From fighting over canteen food to battling for class captain-
they'd turned everything into a war.
Once, during a painting competition,
they caused such chaos-arguing, smudging each other's work, throwing paint-
that both of them got kicked out.
Ironically... one of them couldn't even paint.
But that didn't matter.
Competing had become their habit,
their fuel,
their way of breathing.
No one remembered how it began-
they just knew the rivalry would never end.
Continues....