♡₊˚ 🦢・₊✧⋆⭒˚｡.
Cross the line
Taehyun was Huening Kai’s one and only academic rival. Huening Kai was untouchable until it came to a certain someone. Kang Taehyun. His scores are always leveled with Taehyun and it made him pissed. If only Taehyun didn't exist, he would be on the top.
Today was the final math tournament of the week and Taehyun and Kai were the only people who managed to enter.
"I won't wish you goodluck, even all the good luck in the world wouldn't save you from losing to me.” Huening Kai smirked, chuckling as he nudged Taehyun’s shoulder roughly.
“Oh yeah? Let's see who gets the 1st rank.”
Taehyun replied back with a smirk.
"I already know I'll win," Kai smirked back, shrugging lazily.
“Don't be too overconfident, it leads to downfall buddy.” Taehyun commented with a chuckle.
"The downfall of others," Kai replied with a chuckle, a little annoyed that this nerd thought he stood a chance. He was going to be in for a rude awakening.
“Oh? Let's see who's crying after the exams.”
Taehyun smirked, pushing his glasses and sitting on his seat for the tournament exam.
Kai sat down as well as he smirked.
"This is going to be the easiest math test ever. How do you plan to beat me, nerd?" he mocked, looking down on Kang Taehyun as they took the test. Teasing him and getting on his nerves was so fun to Kai. He loved seeing his pissed off face, it was his daily dose of happiness.
"Nerd? Says the one who's on par with me.” Taehyun laughed at that.
Kai ignored this and finished his math questions quickly. He checked over his answers and smirked, raising his hand.
"I've finished, can I leave? The rest will be pointless"
Kai announced and looked directly at Kang Taehyun as he waited for someone to give him permission to leave.
“Sure, you can leave.”
The invigilator replied. Taehyun was still writing, as time was left.
Kai smirked in his smug, cocky way, chuckling as he stood and turned to leave.
"See you later, Nerd."
Kai's attitude was annoying, but it was so easy to push his buttons and make him mad as well. Taehyun was busy writing right now, or else he would have thrown a comeback at that cocky asshole.
Taehyun ignored him, and continued to calmly give his exams, re-checking his calculations, and finished 5 minutes before due time.
“Well, let's wait for the results.”
He thought as he left the exam hall.
A few days later, Kai suddenly came up to Taehyun in school.
"Alright, you were right about getting the best results," he admitted, annoyed that this nerd somehow got better then him. His smirk faded as he looked at him.
"How?” That was a question lingering in his mind this whole week. How did this guy beat him to it again?
“Patience.”
Taehyun answered.
“Sometimes, rush and overconfidence ruins things you know.”
"That's bullshit," Kai rolled his eyes, his pride hurt and his face twisted in annoyance.
"I did everything right, I was confident in my answers," he scoffed and turned his back to him.
"Just tell me how you managed to surpass me," he sounded angry and annoyed as he asked this question, his temper slowly building.
“This is why you lost. Anger and overconfidence ruins things.” Taehyun shrugged.
“Learn to accept your mistakes and improve them, it's just a small competition, your life doesn't depend on it.” Taehyun added.
This made Kai’s anger skyrocket as he balled his fists and he spun around.
"You're telling me to accept that I can't be better than some nerd like you, that's not happening! It might not be important for you, but for me? IT'S ALL I HAVE!” He scoffed and shook his head. How could he not care about it? Kai’s whole life depended on it, he needed to be perfect. He was either “perfect” or a “disappointment” no in between.
"I just want to know what you did that was different, how did you get a higher score? Are you some sort of genius?!” Kai asked, trying to calm down.
“Why do you think Nerd is an insult? You're one too, if you see it that way.” Taehyun said, raising his eyebrows.
Kai was stunned that he didn't care that he was called a nerd. He rolled his eyes and scoffed, he didn't want to admit that it was the correct term to describe him.
"I'm just a hard worker, I'm not a nerd," He claimed, trying to save face.
“What's the difference between a nerd and a hardworking Studios student?” Taehyun asked, stepping closer.
Kai's smirk faded, he looked almost threatened. The last thing he wanted was to look inferior to this loser.
"Hard working is more admirable, it means you're driven and have a purpose, nerds are just boring smart kids who stay inside and like, read books all day," He explained.
“I do have a purpose though?” He replied.
“You're in delusion I guess.”
Kai snorted in annoyance, hearing his words. "What's your purpose then?" He asked, trying to keep his temper and stay in control of the conversation. He was feeling annoyed and insulted by all he could say and he hated it.
“Hmm.... completing Graduation, then getting a Job, doing PHD, aiming for a higher position, and living peacefully?” Taehyun answered.
"That's boring," Kai said. "Your purpose is to work like a mindless robot?" He laughed afterwards.
“Aren't you doing that right now as well?” Taehyun questioned back.
“You're the victim of this academic web and soon you'll be a victim of this capitalist society as well.”
Kai rolled his eyes, he hated how Kang Taehyun had a point.
"Everyone is part of the academic web, I'm just more determined, more driven and more competitive than everyone else.”
“Whatever makes you sleep at night.”
Taehyun answered, simply not interested in arguing with him anymore.
This annoyed Kai, he couldn't let this end without him winning a comeback. He groaned, he was going to get a rise out of him.
"I bet you're going to be like 60 and alone, having never gotten a girlfriend in your life.” He yelled as Taehyun was walking away.
"Happily."
Taehyun dismissed, walking away.
Kai was stunned for a few seconds, he didn't expect this answer. It was so unlike him to just accept that he wouldn't ever have a girlfriend in his life.
"That's pathetic, I'm sure you'll change your mind when you actually meet a girl," He yelled back, shaking his head.
‘I'm gay.”
Taehyun replied in a bored tone.
Kai froze, his smirk fading as he stopped walking. He stopped and looked at Taehyun in surprise.
"You... what?" he asked, his smirk faded, not sure if he had really just heard what he thought he heard.
“You didn't hear me? Your Problem.” Taehyun said with a shrug and continued to walk away.
Kai called after him as he left, wanting answers. There was no way Kang Taehyun, his rival, was gay? Is he being for real?
"You're gay?! Just like that, you told me without any hesitation?"
He sounded confused, flabbergasted, he was also a little annoyed that his comeback failed so badly.
“Why should I hesitate?” He asked, raising his eyebrows.
"Because there's a lot of homophobia in the world, and you just, you just admitted to it to me, a complete stranger." Kai replied.
“You're not a stranger to me though.”
He replied, looking back at Kai.
Kai sighed and shook his head.
"You know what I mean, you just told me you're gay and you don't sound bothered by it. What if I start bullying you for it?" Kai asked, raising his eyebrow.*
“I know you won't.”
Taehyun answered and stopped, turning around to look at Kai, as the wind caressed his fluffy brown hair.
“I know you that much, Huening Kai.”
He replied, looking at him before turning around once again.
Of Course he knew. He knew Huening Kai, why wouldn't he? He's the one he had his eyes on since the beginning. Countless nights thinking about him, and days admiring him from afar, and bickering with him whenever he had a chance. Of Course he knew what type of a person Huening Kai was.
Kai froze at the way he said his name and the way he looked at him. It wasn't just the way he said his name, it was the way he looked. The way he paused when he did it. Maybe he was reading too much into it, and maybe he was thinking about it too much. But whatever it was, it made his breath catch in his throat. Was Taehyun’s voice always this soft?
He watched him as he walked away. He felt so confused, like he wanted to go after him and... maybe just ask him what he meant by that.
Kai stared at the direction that Taehyun had gone in, he felt so confused. It was so unlike him to feel this way, for him to just... stare in the direction of some other boy. But he did. He felt this weird feeling inside him, a mixture of curiosity, confusion and something he'd never felt before towards another dude. He frowned and shook his head, he wouldn't think about what this could mean.
Taehyun continued to walk ahead, soon vanishing from his sight, giving Kai a new information about him...and maybe a new confusing feeling as well.
[Timeskip to tomorrow]
It was lunch-time, and Taehyun was sitting on a bench under a tree in the courtyard of the school, with his earphones plugged into his ears as he ate his lunch and read some notes on his notepad.
Today, Kai had woken up thinking about what had happened the day before, the whole situation was so out of character for him. It had left him feeling... confused. More so than that though, he couldn't stop thinking about the way he had told him he was gay. Why was he thinking about Taehyun so much?
“I mean I always think about him, but about beating him in exams! Why am I thinking of his words and his stupidly attractive face? What is wrong with me even?”
After debating whether he should or not, Kai eventually decided to go see Taehyun and find out what he meant. It wasn't usual for Kai to try to talk to him, but he wanted an explanation. So he walked over to him and sat down next to him.
Taehyun looked up from his notes, noticing his rival's presence.
“Why are you here?”
He asked, as he pushed his glasses up and his eyes met Kai's.
"To ask you something," He said, avoiding eye contact. He sat there for a few seconds before looking over and asking the question he had thought about all night.
"What did you mean yesterday?”
“Mean by what?” Taehyun asked, confused.
"When I said I'd tease you for being gay, and you said that I wouldn't? How do you know that? How do you know me, you rarely even interact with me," He asked.
“Like I said, I know you that much.”
Taehyun answered, putting down his lunch, and looking back at him.
Kai was quiet for a second as he thought about this. He was pretty shocked, it seemed like Taehyun knew him way better than he did. He didn't like that thought.
"You know that much about me, but I know so little about you," Kai admitted, lowering his head.
“Why the hell am I feeling shy?” He thought to himself, as he suddenly felt shy and embarrassed to talk to Taehyun like this. Arguing with him was easy, what was this weird feeling suddenly?
“Honestly I know nothing about you as well.” Taehyun answered. Yes, he knew Kai, but didn't like how he wished he knew Kai. He wanted to know his likes, his dislikes, what Kai looks like when he's happy, what he looks like..when he's looking at someone he likes. He wanted to know him, he always had that desire, which led him here. To be his one and only rival.
“I just had a feeling, you won't be that dumb to be homophobic.” He lied partially.
Kai looked away from him, his ears flushing slightly. He didn't like the fact that he was right, even if he was just guessing. He wasn't homophobic. Why would he? When he questioned his own sexuality from the day he first got to know what the word “Gay” was, it was never serious though, because he definitely liked none of his friends or any guys in general…but Taehyun was suddenly giving him weird feelings, or did he always felt like this? Just not in this obvious way?
"I've never met anyone openly gay before," He admitted, shaking his head as he looked back at him.
“Now you did.” Taehyun replied simply.
“Anyways, why are you here talking to me instead of being with your own friends? You got ditched again or something?”
"Shut up." He scoffed, trying to not look annoyed at his comments. He had been ditched, and to make it worse, he'd been ditched for a girl... but he wasn't going to admit that to him.”
"Anyway, do you normally eat alone?” He asked to divert the attention from himself.
“Yes.” Taehyun answered. “It's peaceful.”
"Peaceful?... don’t you get bored, or lonely?" Kai found it confusing. As much as he enjoyed the peace, he hated being alone.
“Sometimes I do.” Taehyun replied with a hum.
“But again, better than having friends who will hurt you by ditching you, treating you as an option. I don't want that. I don't wanna be used.”
Kai couldn't help but think that he had a point, he had been ditched quite a few times by his friends. It wasn’t fun. He frowned as he thought about it, but then an idea popped in his head.
"Can I eat with you? It might be less boring having someone to eat with.” Kai suggested. He had no idea why, but the words slipped out of his tongue before he could think much.
“I don't see a problem in that.” Taehyun replied. He was feeling over the moon, his rival slash long time crush asking to eat with him? It was a Dream come true, but Kai doesn't need to know that.
“Where is your lunch though?”
"I... kind of forgot to bring it today. You don't mind me eating yours right?" He asked, smiling innocently, ignoring the fact that he was just using this as an excuse for them to spend more time together. He also ignored the feeling he had in his stomach, wondering if eating together would be strange in some way.
“I guess you can eat mine.” Taehyun replied, offering him his lunch. Of Course he didn't mind, the butterflies he felt in his stomach were insane, he had no idea how he wasn't blushing like crazy by now.
Kai smirked at this, his plan seemed to have worked perfectly. He was now sitting next to him and they were going to eat together. This made him feel so giddy, but he hid his feelings by just smiling. He took the lunch from him.
"Thank you.” He said, eating Taehyun’s lunch along with him.
“Welcome.”
Taehyun answered, eating as well, and took a look at him. He was handsome, as always. He couldn't believe this was happening.
The only reason Taehyun was his rival, because that was the only way he could make Huening Kai look at him. That was the only way he could have his attention, the banters, the teasings, he loved them. If being his rival meant he can have Kai’s attention, hell yes, he wants that. And that's how, he ended up focusing on Maths more than he ever thought he would, even though he liked Biology way more.
Kai ate next to him, ignoring the feeling he had in his stomach as he continued to eat. He took short glances over at him, trying to read his expressions, but he was always expressionless. He sighed. Why was he feeling so weird around him suddenly?
"Can I ask you one more thing?” He questioned.
“What?” Taehyun asked, chewing his food.
"Can we hang out outside of school sometimes?" He asked, not looking at him, he tried to sound like this was just a normal thing, and not a big deal. Why did he ask that? He had no idea, but he wanted that, he liked the sound of it. Him and Taehyun, hanging out together. The thought made him flustered again.
“Umm....sure?”
Taehyun agreed, a little confused as to why his Rival was suddenly asking that. Since when did Huening Kai actually have an interest in him? Was he actually dreaming?
Kai smiled and nodded. This went much better than he expected, it felt like there wasn't that much tension in the air anymore.
"Thanks!" He said, as he finished eating his lunch. "I guess I'll see you outside of school then?" He wasn't going to ask when he meant by this, but he was hopeful there would be more times where they could talk and hang out, alone.
“Sure. See you.”
Taehyun nodded, packing up his now empty lunch and standing up. God was he giving away his feelings? He wasn't right? That would be so embarassing.
Kai stood up as well and brushed down his uniform. He was glad the conversation seemed to be heading on a good path, but it was also strange. Why did he want to hang out with him outside of school? Was this really going to be a thing? He shrugged, it didn't matter, he wasn't complaining.
+×+
It's been a few days since Taehyun and Kai had lunch together. They didn't actually get some real time to hangout, since their schedules didn't align, but they definitely walked home together yesterday, and it had Kai have those weird feelings again. Was he actually Gay? Did he like Taehyun? He kept thinking about these. He had come to a conclusion, that yes, he definitely was Gay, because if he wasn't why would he dream of Taehyun- okay he should stop. Enough of that.
Today at class, Kai seemed to find himself glancing towards Taehyun more often. He looked so focused, noting down everything. His seat was on the window side-desk, so nature provided perfect light to shine on his face, making him look like an anime main-character.
Kai was supposed to be doing his school work, but when he saw him like this, his work instantly went out the window. He couldn't help but watch him, he looked so perfect in every way, like a character you could see in a movie. He couldn't stop watching every detail of him. From his fluffy, soft looking hair, to his expressionlessness. He felt so drawn to him at this moment, he couldn't even describe the feeling he was feeling.
“I need to get a grip on myself, what the hell Kai?” Kai slapped his cheeks, and reminded himself to not be obvious, but to no avail, his eyes were stuck on his so-called Rival.
One time, Taehyun actually glanced at him, his eyes meeting Kai’s but soon he averted them, focusing back in class.
Kai swore his heart skipped a beat when he caught the moment of eye contact. He immediately went back to his books, pretending to do them, even though now he couldn't focus on anything in the lesson. The more he thought about that moment, the more he wanted to experience it again and to feel it in a more intimate way.
“God I'm fucked.” Kai thought, hiding his face in his books, groaning. He really did have a crush on him, didn't he? He's gonna suffer with this now. He knew how to approach girls, but Taehyun? The boy he bickered with any walking moment they passed? No. He had no idea how to say or do anything with him, he had him feeling the most nervous than any of his exams ever did. Honestly, screw Kang Taehyun and his smart brain.
+×+
It was Friday today, the last day before the weekend starts. As the bell rang, Taehyun was walking out of class, as he gathered his things up and put on his backpack, heading towards the door.
Kai was surprised when he noticed him heading straight towards the door. He had assumed that Taehyun would wait longer, he looked over at him as he walked and took one last moment to glance at his face and take in his every detail. Even though this was a weird thing to do, it was hard not to, Taehyun was beautiful.
Just when Kai was looking at him, Taehyun looked back.Their eyes met again, and it was like slow-motion, Taehyun looking back at him, the wind blowing past his hair, and Kai's eyes stuck on his, as his heart skipped a beat. It was like time stopped, none of them could look away. Call Kai cheesy, but he felt like he was having his own main character moments in a romance anime with Taehyun as his love interest.
Kai's breath caught when they met eyes, it felt like time was stopping just to let him soak in this moment. There was no more thought in his brain right now, other than that this moment felt so perfect. Kai's heart was beating so fast right now he could barely breathe. He definitely needed help.
“If you wanna talk, you can call my name, you know? You look like a clown staring at me like that.” Taehyun spoke up, a small smile forming on his face.
Kai was speechless, this was the longest eye contact they've made since yesterday, maybe even ever. It made him feel so much, he wanted to run over to him and grab his hand, maybe even kiss him. But it all seemed so impossible and out of reach, a fantasy.
"W-Well-" he struggled to get the words out, he couldn't let his voice break, but it was so hard to. He sighed.
"You probably won't really want to talk, let alone, walk with me right?”
“How would you know? Unless you don't take a step closer?”
Taehyun spoke, and suddenly it felt like Taehyun wasn't so far away, he was just there....a few steps away, waiting for Kai to cross the line. The line between him and Taehyun.
Kai stared at him for a moment, and the way he said this made it so... tempting. If he just stepped forward now, then maybe they would finally have his answer. It was now or never, he'd never get another chance to do this.
He took a step forward and kept going, walking up to him and stopping right in front of him. He stood there for a few seconds before he managed to find his voice.
"Could I ask you for one thing?”
“Yeah.” Taehyun breathed out.
Kai gulped and looked at him. "Can I have your number?" He asked, his heart pounding, it was so quick and abrupt, but he just had to do it. Did he go too far?
“Wrong question.” Taehyun chuckled.
“H-huh?” Kai stammered. He went too far, didn't he? He was so stupid, damn his crush on Taehyun, he's gonna die from embarrassment. He was already imagining the worst scenario when Taehyun brought him back to reality.
“Let me ask you instead. Can I have You?”
The heart pounding got worse, he looked at him in surprise when he said this. He couldn't help but blush as he looked at him now, this felt like a romantic moment. Did he hear him right? Was he asking him what he fantasized about?
"Y-Yes... you can have me..." His ears were hot and he was feeling so many different emotions. He wondered if he was really serious or just messing with him, but he didn't care, he just wanted him. He's having a chance with Taehyun, who is he to refuse?
“Cross the line then.”
Taehyun spoke, looking up at Kai. It didn't feel real, it seemed like a scene out of an anime...cross the line...was he actually in an anime? Or did he watch too many romance ones? He's definitely crazy.
Kai didn't even know what more to say, he was speechless now. The way Taehyun was looking at him was making him feel so many different things. The way he was so direct made it so much more tempting to cross the line. The truth was he had wanted to take this step for a little while now, but it was so nerve-racking.
He took a breath, he had come too far to back out now... and he'd regret it forever if he didn't make a move now. He finally took a step forwards and moved his lips closer to his.
They kissed.
Taehyun crossed the line and made the move. Time stopped, and it was just him and Kai, standing in the hallway of their highschool, connected with a kiss. The highschool romance Kai dreamed about, had started. This was just the start, the start of an exciting summer with Taehyun.
Time did indeed stop when their lips connected. Now he knew what people meant by that phase. Kai's eyes closed in this moment of bliss, it felt like the most perfect kiss he'd ever had. He felt so comfortable in his hold, they fit together perfectly. He felt light-headed in a good way, and he felt so relaxed with him. His feelings for him had been growing quickly, but this made them bloom to a whole new level. He couldn't wait to spend the rest of his summer with him. He felt so lucky.
Taehyun pulled away, and looked at Kai. He could find himself in his eyes, because that's all Taehyun saw right now. Huening Kai.
“Let's have a great summer... together.” Taehyun whispered, a smile blooming on his face.
Kai was speechless after the kiss. This had been one of the best moments of his life, and he could already feel a big change. Everything felt so different now in the best way possible. He didn't know what to say, but he knew he wanted to say yes.
"Let's have an amazing summer together... a summer we'll never forget." Kai replied, a soft smile appearing on his face. He wanted to say more, but he just couldn't find the words. The only thing in his head was that he wanted to keep holding Taehyun. This was even better than all the banters they had.
“Yeah. An unforgettable summer.”
Taehyun smiled, and the sun went down the horizon. This was the start of something Beautiful, new feelings blooming. An unforgettable summer was ahead of them, with hearts filled with hope and a sweet feeling filling their minds.
Kai felt so light-headed from this whole exchange. His heart was beating fast and his ears were hot, he felt so dizzy now, in the best way. His mind was filled with thoughts about them, and he was so excited for what the future held.
For the first time, his mind wasn't feeling dark or negative, but instead, it was full of optimism and hope. He felt so lucky to have this connection with him and he couldn't wait to see what the upcoming months in their summer brought them. He was eager for that time to come. His Rivalry wasn't a Rivalry anymore, it was a connection now. A connection of something beautiful, and he was grateful for it.
─── ⋆⋅☆⋅⋆ ───
Hello Luvs!! This is a random Tyunning brainrot I wrote about cuz Akshzmwkdna I ABSOLUTELY LOVE LOVE LOVE ACADEMIC RIVALS TO LOVERS!! I somehow managed to write it, and it's not as short as I expected lol.
Hope y'all enjoyed this small snack, Whole meals would be served by Rin from March, specially "Our Kitty" so be patient for that T-T
Anyways, bye for now! See you in the next oneshot! Take care my Luvs<333
-Rin💗