Chapter 9: Rivalry
The first semester exams were just around the corner. Both Yasmine and Aijin were buried deep in their books, pushing themselves harder than ever.
In Yasmine's apartment, the soft rustle of notebook pages filled the room.
"First semester exam, hmm… After that, it'll finally be summer vacation," she murmured.
But as soon as she said it, a memory resurfaced.
"I want you to be my rival."
Aijin's words echoed in her mind, drawing her back to the present.
(Rival, hmm… I never thought about it that way. I only studied hard to get first place for the sake of my future, for my career. But rivalry? I don't even know how it feels to look at someone else's success as a rival. How am I supposed to respond to that?)
She shook her head. "Maybe I'm thinking too much. I need to study so I can get good grades this time too."
Her mother peeked inside with a smile. "Studying hard, sweetheart?"
"What is it, Mom?" Yasmine sighed, clearly annoyed.
"I just mean you could take a break. You don't have to push yourself this hard."
"I'm doing this for my own good. Besides, I'll have plenty of time to relax during summer vacation."
Her mom smirked. "Yeah, and I suppose you'll be spending that time with someone special."
Yasmine's cheeks turned crimson. "M-Mom! GET OUT! I can't focus like this!"
Laughing softly, her mother left.
Left alone, Yasmine clutched her chest. (Wait… why is my heart pounding so hard? No, I need to focus. Study now.)
---
Meanwhile, in Aijin's apartment—
(I should take a break. Man, I've never studied this hard before. But I have to get first place. I need to win against Yasmine and take my spot back.)
Just then, his older brother poked his head in.
"What are you doing, Aijin?" Kaiyo asked.
"Just taking a break."
"You only started two hours ago."
"Two hours?!" Aijin groaned. "I need a break, okay? Just leave me alone."
"Fine, fine," Kaiyo said, turning to leave. "But don't get second place like last time."
"I won't," Aijin muttered under his breath.
As Kaiyo walked away, Aijin frowned. (Kaiyo Kuroya. My so-called talented elder brother. He's always above 95% in exams. Mom never misses a chance to talk about him, reminding me to surpass him. He's in university now, back for summer break. To everyone else, he's kind and reliable. But to me? He's nothing but an annoying big brother. Still… it is what it is.)
His mother came in next. "Aijin, what are you doing?"
"Just lying down."
"Don't you have exams coming up?"
"I already studied, I'm taking a break—"
"No buts."
"Yes, Mom…"
And just like that, Aijin was forced back to his desk.
---
Finally, the day of the exam arrived.
"Finally," Aijin muttered as he walked through the school gates.
"I'd call it a nightmare," Jirou groaned, suddenly appearing beside him.
"Ah! Jirou, when did you get here?"
Looking utterly hopeless, Jirou begged, "Please, Aijin. Lend me your brain. Just enough to scrape past 100 points!"
"Stop acting so dramatic," Aijin sighed.
Soon, Kei and Yasmine joined them.
"What's up, you two?" Aijin asked cheerfully.
Kei slumped forward. "Not good."
"She's… kinda depressed because of exams," Yasmine explained softly.
"Don't worry. Everything will be fine," Aijin reassured them.
Later, as they entered the classroom, Aijin turned to Yasmine.
"In this exam, I'm going to beat you. So be prepared."
Yasmine blinked. (What am I even supposed to say to that?)
"…I will," she answered quietly.
---
Two long weeks passed. The exams finally ended.
"Man, it's finally over!" Mui stretched his arms wide.
"YAY! THE DISASTER IS OVER!" Kei and Jirou shouted in unison, jumping around like children.
Mui facepalmed. "What do I even do with these two?"
"How did your exams go?" Aijin asked Yasmine.
"It went… pretty well," she replied.
"That's nice."
"Let's celebrate!" Jirou suddenly declared. "Party time—my treat! Well, mine and Yuzuhara's."
"Eh? Why me?!" Kei protested.
"Because we're in the same boat," Jirou grinned.
Mui chuckled. "Sounds fun."
"Fine, whatever," Kei groaned.
---
After the small celebration, everyone returned home. Back in Aijin's apartment, he opened his door to find a small box with a letter resting on his desk.
He picked up the letter.
Dear Aijin,
Sorry to say, but I had to leave on a business trip. I'll be back in a week. I really wanted to ask you how your exams went. Whether it's good or bad doesn't matter—I only care about you. You're precious to me. Please take care of yourself, and here's a small token for you.
Your father.
Aijin smiled faintly. "That's… kind of nice." He opened the box. "Wait—pizza?! Let's gooo!"
---
The result day arrived. The group walked toward the results board together.
"I'm really curious now," Aijin muttered.
"At least you two will be at the top," Kei sighed. "But me?"
"Same here," Jirou agreed.
"Can you two just shut up already?" Mui scolded.
"That's rude, Ishida!" Kei snapped.
"Hey!" Mui shot back.
"Calm down, both of you," Aijin said firmly.
"…Okay," they both mumbled.
"You two argue like a married couple," Aijin teased.
"WE ARE NOT!" Kei and Mui shouted in perfect sync.
"Fine, fine," Aijin chuckled.
"We're here," Yasmine announced.
Everyone crowded around the board.
"Let's see…" Jirou squinted. "I'm 98th. 50.2%. Still low, but at least I passed."
"I'm 90th with 52%," Kei sighed. "Guess we're in the same boat after all."
"What about you, Ishida?"
Mui grinned. "8th place. 83%. My highest score yet."
"You've gotta be kidding," Kei gaped.
"You think I'd score lower than you?" Mui snapped back.
"Calm down, guys," Jirou laughed. "Let's just acknowledge that we all improved this time. Anyway, what about you, Aijin?"
But Aijin stood frozen.
He was second again. 92%. And at the top—just one percent higher—was Yasmine, holding first place with 93%.
"Aijin, don't be sad," Mui said gently. "We know how hard you tried. You were really close this time."
"Thanks," Aijin nodded. "But… I failed again."
Turning to Yasmine, he managed a small smile. "Congratulations. But next time, I'll be the one in first place."
Yasmine's heart trembled. (What is this feeling? Am I… tense? He was so close to surpassing me. Is this what it means to have a rival?)
"Aijin," she said firmly.
"Yes?"
"Next time… you won't be in first place. You won't even be close—because I won't let you!" Her eyes burned with determination.
Aijin blinked, then smiled. "We'll see about that."
That evening, Yasmine sat at her desk, textbooks already open. The exams had just ended, but she couldn't relax—not when the next one was coming.
Her mother peeked in through the doorway, a gentle smile forming as she watched her daughter's focused expression.
"You're already studying again?" she asked softly.
"Of course," Yasmine replied, not lifting her eyes from the page. "Next time, I can't let myself fall behind. I need to keep moving forward."
Her mother leaned against the doorframe, warmth in her gaze. "I see. You've really changed, Yasmine. I'm proud of you… seeing you work this hard, with such determination."
Yasmine's hand paused for a moment, her cheeks warming faintly. "…Thanks, Mom."
Her mother chuckled lightly and left the room, leaving Yasmine to her studies.
And outside, the jasmine bud that had long remained closed finally caught the sunlight. Slowly, it began to bloom.
---
[ End of Chapter 9 ]