The Verdict of Rivalry
Kim Cheolsu had walked only the path of success in his previous life. Though it ended in ruin because he fell for the wrong woman, now that he'd reflected on it, he was determined to live an even better life than before.
Of course, starting over as a child with an adult's mind would let him build even better specs. But showing too much genius would draw excessive attention, and nine times out of ten, that meant outside pressure. He didn't want his freedom infringed upon, so he aimed to play the role of the top student among his peers—just that and nothing more. The exam he'd taken today was at one of the prestigious high schools in the capital region, the kind that elite students flocked to.
The entrance exam was notoriously tough, but once you got in and kept your grades up, they supported not just college admissions but arts, athletics, and even job placements without holding back. It was the optimal choice for deciding his future path, so he needed to score as high as possible here. No, if possible, he shouldn't stop there—he had to prepare for the exams after enrollment too.
"Hey, Kim Cheolsu! Where do you think you're going?!"
As he tried heading home after the exam for that very reason, a ghostly shout erupted as always, making him falter in his steps.
Sigh, here we go again today.
"The exam's over, so I'm heading straight home."
"Home? Once the exam's done, you should come see my face first!"
You're neither my mom nor my little sister—why would I report in to you every time? Swallowing words that would fall on deaf ears, I confessed my desire to go home right in front of Mary.
"……Sorry, but I don't think I can hang out today. I've got a lot piled up at home."
"Hah, who doesn't know you're just gonna go home and study anyway? And who said I called you to play?"
"Then should I come to your house and tutor you?"
"Wh-what?! Why would you come to my house?!"
Mary's face flushed red as she recoiled in horror. It had to be the typical reaction of a pubescent girl repulsed by the idea of a boy her age visiting her home. Brushing it off as no big deal, I chuckled and tossed her my usual provocation.
"Hey, if we're gonna settle things, isn't competing on grades the best way? Come to think of it, we've never actually bet on test scores before."
"Don't underestimate me! Betting on test scores is way too advantageous for you anyway!"
"Ooh, unexpected~ To think you'd admit so easily that there's a field where I'm above you."
"Guh, urgh……!"
Finally realizing her slip, Mary clamped her mouth shut. But unable to quell her anger, she stormed past me and took the lead as always.
"A-anyway, we're competing today, so get ready! This time, I'll flatten that high nose of yours!"
Yeah, yeah~ If that's what the rich young lady wishes, a commoner like me must obey, of course.
Bets, duels, competitions……whatever you called them, Mary and I had been wagering our dignity against each other for as long as I could remember. Most were initiated by Mary, of course. The trigger was always her displeasure at a commoner like me daring to measure up to a chaebol heiress like her. And those bets had continued unbroken for the past ten years.
That made sense, since she'd never beaten me even once.
Was her refusal to give up and constant challenges grit or just stubbornness?
"Today's bet is this!"
Whatever it was, refusing meant she'd show up at my house and throw a tantrum. Unable to expose my family to this bratty young lady's tyranny, I followed her to a batting center in the city—a simple activity sport where you swing a bat at baseballs launched from a machine, requiring skill and practice.
"Whoever hits the most balls wins."
Mary strode confidently into the place, her swings radiating more self-assurance and fervor than ever. Until now, anxiety about winning and fear of losing had held her back from her full potential…… Was this drive from puberty hitting?
"You seem pretty confident today."
"Heh, of course. I've been training desperately for the past week for this bet."
Oh, right, the past week…… So, with the entrance exam for a top high school looming—a test so tough even cramming wouldn't cut it—she'd spent it alone at a batting center?
"Did you even study properly? You didn't just scribble one line and nap during the exam, did you?"
"A-as if I'd do something that stupid! And test scores? As long as I don't fail, I can get in somehow……."
"……If you're satisfied with barely scraping by, your dad might reconsider handing the company over to you."
"Sh-shut up!! Why do you care about my family business?!"
True enough. We're not family, and there's no plan for us to become one.
Clang!
The bet had begun, and Mary was hitting the balls one after another with practiced form. Her smooth stance and precise hits showed she had real athletic talent.
"Nice batting average. You'd expect some fouls, but they're all clean hits."
"Heh, that's the result of my special training."
With that, she twirled her bat flourish-style, pointing the handle my way. Her narrowed eyes gleamed with certainty of victory and anticipation of mocking me.
"Your turn now. You know the rules: I hit them all, so if you miss even one, you lose."
Man, how badly does she want to beat me to emphasize like that? Sure, I could throw it once since I'd won every time so far, but I approached this bet with full seriousness anyway.
As an adult, it'd be embarrassing, but honestly, I didn't want to see her gloating for a whole year over finally getting revenge.
Clang, clang, clang!!
Swing after swing sent the balls flying farther than hers, all judged as home runs—way beyond hits. Maybe the bat's grip was just perfect today. The balls were flying great.
"H-how…… I trained so hard too. How can a bookworm who just stares at books……."
Stunned as if her efforts were denied, Mary watched me bat. Convinced it would end like always, I reset my bat and tossed lightly at her.
"You got all hits, I got all home runs…… So I win this bet, right?"
"Uh, urgh!"
Even seeing the obvious result, she couldn't admit it? Regaining her senses, Mary rolled her eyes desperately before spitting out a sophistry.
"N-no! I said the one who hits the most balls wins! We both hit the same number, so it's a tie! A tie!"
"……That's kinda pathetic, honestly."
"Shut up!! I didn't lose! I didn't!!"
Sigh, I thought high school would make her mature, but her denial's gotten worse.
"Fine, if it's a tie, we do another round. Wanna see who can hit them all perfectly, alternating? By the way, I'm pretty confident in my stamina too."
Of course, she knew further bets favored me. Short sprints maybe not, but long-distance runs or swims always ended in her defeat.
"W-wait. Doing the same thing is boring. Let's do something else."
"Oh, sure, 'boring,' right."
"Wh-what's weird about that? Bets should be fun anyway! F-follow me first!"
Yes, yes, if milady commands.
We ended up at a nearby arcade. Mary plunked down at a fighting game machine, fed in two coins, and beckoned me to sit beside her.
"Fighting game this time, huh."
"Wh-what's wrong with fighters? Perfect for bets."
"Hmm, honestly, for a real bet, who'd get higher test scores is better……."
"Kyaa! Coming all this way and still on studies! Just sit down!"
Figures for the heir to a toy company—she loved games. Mary & Chris dealt in games too, so she had skills there, but ironically, I was confident in games too. Not control, but finding winning strategies.
"H-hey! Spamming projectiles from behind is cheap! Don't run! Fight fair!"
"Bets are ruthless."
"Uwaaa! Invalid! Something else!!"
Oh, she doesn't accept cheap tricks? Then I'd just keep pressuring until her spirit broke. I dominated most genres in the arcade, relentlessly pushing her.
Her face paled, and like grasping a final lifeline, she chose the claw machine last.
"Pl-please grab it, grab!"
Clasping her hands in prayer like to a god as the claw descended. It perfectly gripped the doll's head, but the motion's recoil shook it loose, dropping it just short of the hole.
"Uwaaa! Why won't it work! Just a bit farther!"
"Everyone knows claw machines are rigged for the house. Toy company heiress and you didn't know?"
"Shut up! I'll keep going till it works!"
Wow, resorting to pay-to-win now? But glancing at her wallet, her face crumpled. Peeking in, I saw barely any coins left.
"Your allowance is running pretty thin, huh."
"Uh, urgh……."
Sad she couldn't continue? Even if she pushed on bracing for more spending, her hesitation meant she couldn't go all-out anymore.
Then no need to torment her further—just end it.
"Not doing it? My turn then."
I nudged Mary aside, inserted a coin, and maneuvered the crane straight for the doll she'd failed on. A quick snap to adjust position, then down. It clamped the neck perfectly and dragged it smoothly to the chute.
Clunk, and out popped the bunny doll.
"Here, got it."
"H-how!?"
"There's always a way."
If the house tweaks the crane, analyze the trigger and counter-adjust. Another win tallied in our marathon rivalry, and Mary's face twisted like she might cry any second.
"Uu, uugh. Why……why can't I ever win……."
Yeah, her pride crushed. Surrounded by sycophants, endless luxuries—a life of superiority. Realizing even that couldn't overcome this wall must be agony for a girl not yet mature.
But pitying her—would that let her grow? She'd falter at future crises after inheriting the company if she only won. Getting used to defeat started now, for her own good.
At least, that's what I thought. And after planting that defeat, a little comfort was needed too.
"Here, take it."
"Huh?"
I handed her the bunny doll, and her eyes went wide. As she stared blankly, I gave a wry smile and spoke casually.
"A guy about to start high school isn't gonna sleep hugging a bunny doll. But you like cute stuff, so stick it on your shelf or whatever."
"……."
"……Yeah, was that too nosy?"
Come to think of it, toy heiress probably had dolls overflowing. Hope she didn't take it as showing off.
"Th-thanks……."
As her mouth cracked open, she seemed about to say something. Curious, I looked, and she abruptly averted her gaze, realizing her slip.
"Wh-what. If you're insisting on giving it, I won't refuse. Be grateful the heir to Mary & Chris accepts your tribute."
"Mm, yeah. How gracious of you."
Honestly, I'd half-expected her to trash it in hatred, so this was fine. Thinking the bet wrapped up, Mary clutched the doll tight and pointed at me with her usual vow.
"But don't get complacent. You won today, but next time, I'll win for sure. Wash your neck and wait!"
Man, after hundreds of losses, most would quit. But if getting back up was Mary-like, then it was her.
As she tried bolting, I called her back with something I'd overlooked.
"Hey, wait, Mary. You weren't planning to just leave, right?"
"Wh-what?"
"Loser pays up."
Loser grants winner's wish—within reason, but that meant squeezing to the limit if possible. Like mooching snacks from a poor girl short on allowance till payday.
"Oh yeah, there's this dessert at a nearby café—supposedly amazing, but too pricey to buy myself."
"Y-you!!"
Realizing, Mary shrieked at me with grievance and resentment.
"You devil! Jerk! Kim Cheolsu!"
Hey, no need for name-calling at the end.