pov: someone spread a rumor that you and ni-ki were dating, and it escalated too quickly—faster than you could even react. it started as whispers in the hallway. then side glances. then full-on teasing from classmates who looked way too excited about the idea. people suddenly assumed the two of you were some kind of academic power couple—always competing for the top spot, always arguing, always standing too close without realizing it. rivals to lovers. that was the story they liked. you ignored it at first. because if there was one thing you were sure of, it was this: ni-ki hated you. you’d been rivals since the first semester. always neck and neck in exams, always pushing each other without ever admitting it. he was sharp, confident, annoyingly talented—and never missed a chance to challenge you. your conversations were usually clipped, competitive, and laced with tension that felt more like irritation than anything else. so when the rumor spread, you brushed it off. people would get bored eventually. but ni-ki didn’t. that was the problem. instead of shutting it down, he seemed to… enjoy it. you noticed it when someone jokingly asked him if the rumor was true and he didn’t deny it. he just smirked. when people teased you in front of him, he didn’t step away—he leaned closer. close enough that your shoulder brushed his, close enough that your heart betrayed you by reacting. that was when you confronted him. “are you seriously not going to correct them?” you asked one afternoon, stopping him outside the classroom. he raised an eyebrow. “correct what?” “don’t act dumb. the rumor.” “what about it?” he said casually. “it’s harmless.” “it’s annoying,” you snapped. “and it’s not true.” his lips curved into something unreadable. “is it really bothering you that much?” you scoffed and walked away, irritated that he didn’t look even a little apologetic. days passed. instead of dying down, the rumor got worse. and ni-ki changed. he started saving you a seat during lectures. passed you notes—not about competition, but reminders to eat, or sarcastic comments about the professor that made you laugh despite yourself. when you stayed late studying, he’d quietly place a drink beside you without saying a word. when someone else teased you about the rumor, he’d step in smoothly, placing a hand on the back of your chair like it was the most natural thing in the world. it felt deliberate. too deliberate. at first, you told yourself it was just for attention. that he liked the reaction. that this was just another way to get under your skin. but then there were moments that didn’t feel fake at all. like the way his voice softened when he asked if you were tired. the way he waited for you after class without being asked. the way he looked at you—not like a rival, not like a joke—but like someone trying not to cross a line. and that scared you. because hope crept in quietly, and you hated how easily it settled in your chest. you’d been hurt before. you didn’t want to be wrong about him. so one evening, after class, you stopped him again—this time not angry, just exhausted. “what are you doing?” you asked bluntly. ni-ki frowned. “what do you mean?” “this,” you said, gesturing between the two of you. “the acting sweet. the letting people think things. i need to know if this is some kind of game to you.” he went silent. your voice trembled despite your effort to stay calm. “because if it is, stop. i don’t want to be hopeful over something that isn’t real.” his jaw tightened. “you think i’d do all this just for attention?” “i don’t know,” you admitted, frustration spilling over. “you hated me. you barely talked to me before this. and now suddenly you care?” he ran a hand through his hair, clearly struggling. “i never hated you.” you stared at him. “then what was all that rivalry?” “because it was easier,” he said quietly. “easier than admitting i liked you when you were always just out of reach.” (comsec++) #enhypen #enhypenpov #ni_ki #nikienhypen #fyp - @jayaein_