After Aiden's victory as Student Council President, their world was never the same again. What had started as a simple school election soon escalated into a much broader and more dangerous arena: the competition for a single scholarship that could open the doors to a prestigious university.
The campus became a new arena. Aiden and Bima, who now attended different universities but were still locked in fierce competition, felt that a scholarship available for only one person was the biggest challenge. They both knew that it was no longer just a matter of who was smarter, but who was able to play smart—and was willing to cross ethical boundaries.
Aiden began memorizing academic strategy after strategy. He became a role model in class, completing assignments perfectly and participating in various scientific competitions. However, behind his brilliant achievements, there was a burning anxiety. He realized that hard work alone was not enough to get the scholarship.
Bima, meanwhile, looked for other opportunities. He began building strong relationships with professors, using his connections to obtain information that not all students knew. Although he used methods that were ethically gray, he argued that his goal was noble: to prove himself and achieve their dreams. Paranoia began to eat away at his mind; every one of Aiden's successes was considered the result of trickery, while he had to fight the incessant whispers of suspicion.
Amidst fierce academic competition, Clara reappeared, now as a psychology student. Her relationship with Aiden and Bima became increasingly complex. The two competed for her attention, but Clara herself felt a disturbing tension. She began to realize that their burning ambition had eroded their humanity, distancing them from the values they once held dear.
Meanwhile, the competition is not just about numbers and scores. Small acts of sabotage begin to occur: missing assignments, misinformation, and rumors spread by whispering. Conflicts that were once hidden behind smiles are now coming to light. It becomes increasingly difficult for the two to trust each other, and they begin to question the line between ethics and victory.
On a campus that should be a place of learning and growth, Aiden and Bima are instead pushed into a pit of isolation and doubt. Their once warm friendship is now torn into sharp, dangerous pieces.
***
The competition for the prestigious scholarship was like a battlefield they had never imagined before. Twenty of the most talented and ambitious students from various majors gathered to compete, but Aiden and Bima felt that their battle was more than just trying to defeat someone—it was a struggle to gain recognition that would pave the way for their future.
Aiden started by devising a solid academic strategy. He diligently attended seminars, was active in various campus organizations, and never missed a single assignment or exam. His perseverance caught the attention of the main lecturers. However, Aiden's main weapon was his ability to maintain a positive image in the eyes of everyone—a reliable figure, a future leader.
In contrast, Bima adopted a more pragmatic and cunning approach. He began digging up information about the selection procedure, even infiltrating the professors' circle to learn little secrets that could be exploited. He did not hesitate to spread vague rumors about the weaknesses of other candidates, including Aiden, to undermine his opponents' reputations. For Bima, the end justified the means; anything that made him the winner was fair game.
The hardest part of this competition was not just about grades or portfolios, but the psychological games that slowly eroded both of their morals. They began to devise scenarios to trip each other up. Bima, who used to be Aiden's soccer practice partner, now secretly drops his research notes on the floor, scattering them everywhere. Aiden, on another occasion, spreads a subtle rumor that Bima once cheated on an important exam.
The tension between the two boils over one night when the scholarship proposal deadline arrives. Bima's proposal accidentally disappeared from the campus computer—an incident that left him feeling almost hopeless. His love for honesty began to feel torn, but his determination to win was too strong to back down. Aiden, who had just received confidential information from an undisclosed source, considered whether to use this opportunity for his own gain.
In the vortex of this increasingly dirty competition, Clara also played the role of mediator and witness. She often tried to mediate and emphasize the importance of honesty and integrity, but her voice was faint amid the ruins of broken trust.
The competition reached its peak when the scholarship selection results were announced. Aiden's academic grades were superior, but there were doubts about his integrity due to rumors that had begun to spread. Bima, with the support of several professors who were influenced by his strategy, received high marks for involvement and innovation, but was shrouded in hidden doubts.
When the results were announced, it was not only about who passed and who failed, but about who was able to survive the deep psychological and moral war. Their victory felt bitter, while defeat became a terrible mental burden.
Amidst all this, their relationship slowly turned into a cold war filled with paranoia—every move was calculated, everyone around them was seen as a threat or a spy.
***
The day of the prestigious scholarship announcement they had been fighting for finally arrived. The atmosphere in the university hall was filled with an undeniable tension, as if every second carried a weight greater than the physical size of the room itself. Aiden and Bima sat apart, both feeling the weight of their hopes and disappointments.
However, before the final decision was announced, their competition was not yet over. A new event emerged: the Regional Sports Week (Popda), which would be held in a neighboring city and organized by the local university. The competition included various sports, including karate, a sport that both Aiden and Bima excelled at.
Popda was not just about sports, but became an arena for proving their rivalry, which began to spread to every aspect of their lives. For both of them, victory at Popda will be an extension of their scholarship battle and at the same time open up opportunities to get invitations to prestigious sports clubs.
Preparations begin strictly and strategically. Aiden trains with high discipline, honing the karate techniques he has long studied, combined with strength and concentration training. Bima, with a more aggressive style and full of psychological games, trains to the point of exhaustion, while trying to disrupt Aiden's focus through whispered rumors and silent intimidation.
The day of the competition arrives, and the cheers of the audience fill the arena. The two figures stare at each other, ready to show who is superior—not only physically, but also mentally and strategically.
The karate match between Aiden and Bima became the center of attention. Their hands moved nimbly, their measured but powerful kicks and punches bearing witness to years of training and unquenchable ambition. However, behind those movements, there was an unshakeable tension: the fear of loss, the paranoia of betrayal, and the drive to win at any cost.
When the match ended with a narrow victory for Aiden, Bima felt an explosion of anger and disappointment that was difficult to control. This defeat not only hurt his heart, but also fueled his ambition into a fire that was difficult to extinguish.
Aiden's victory at Popda puts him in an even stronger position in the race for the scholarship, while Bima has to swallow the bitter pill of defeat, adding to his psychological burden. However, both of them realize that this competition is only the beginning of a journey that will continue to test the limits of their morals and friendship.
Thus, a new chapter in their rivalry and relationship dynamics is about to begin.
***
That weekend, the Regional Sports Week (POPDA) arena was filled with the cheers of thousands of spectators. The red and blue tatami mats became the final battleground for two long-time rivals: Aiden and Bima. It was the karate final with a kumite (free fighting) system, which tested technique, speed, and strategy under high pressure.
The referee signaled the start of the match. In the first second, Aiden and Bima immediately took a balanced fighting stance, watching their opponent's movements sharply. Aiden started with a mawashi-geri (roundhouse kick) towards Bima's side, who quickly blocked it using a gedan-barai (low sweep) before launching a gyaku-zuki (counter punch) towards Aiden's stomach.
In the second minute, the intensity of the attacks increased. Aiden used a combination attack: oizuki (forward punch) followed by harai-uchi (hand sweep) to disrupt Bima's balance. Conversely, Bima relied on speed and reflexes, performing an ushiro-geri (back kick) technique as Aiden moved forward. Both athletes stole points from each other with measured techniques, each clean contact earning 1 to 3 points based on the level of difficulty and the target area.
However, the match began to change when Aiden entered a phase of high pressure. He displayed a rarely used hiza-geri (knee strike) technique, successfully knocking Bima down once. The score slowly tilted in Aiden's favor: 5-3 with two minutes remaining. On the other hand, Bima showed remarkable mental resilience. He retaliated with a high mawashi-geri technique aimed at Aiden's head, earning 3 points and catching his opponent off guard.
Entering the final minute, both fighters began to use tactical moves, exploiting their opponent's weaknesses. Aiden tried a combination of tsuki-uchi (a series of punches) followed by uraken-uchi (a backhand punch), trying to open up space for a flying kick. Bima responded with a quick kakato-geri (heel kick), which almost hit Aiden's chest.
In the final seconds, in a bold attack, Aiden launched an ippon-seoi-nage—a judo throw technique he had honed in training. Bima fell, losing his balance, and that gave Aiden an additional point that sealed his 8-6 victory. The referee raised Aiden's hand, signaling the new champion.
However, doubts arose from some spectators and Bima's coach because there was a sharp movement and a little too much contact during the throw, which almost violated the rules. This caused a small commotion that added to the atmosphere of the match.
After the victory celebration on the field was over, the announcement of the prestigious scholarship results added to the tension. The campus auditorium was filled with prospective recipients, their families, and lecturers. As the jury read out the decision, the room fell silent.
"This year's scholarship recipient is... Aiden Prasetya," said the jury chairman in a loud voice. Applause echoed throughout the room, but Bima's gaze, which had never left Aiden, now turned cold, full of doubt and the heavy burden of the competition they had gone through.
Aiden's victory in two different arenas—karate and academics—became both the pinnacle and the lowest point for their friendship, which was beginning to crack. Bima wept quietly in the corner of the hall, aware that even though he had lost, their battle was not over.
***
Entering their fifth semester at college brought new dynamics to the rivalry between Aiden and Bima—not only in terms of academics or sports, but now also in the battle for Clara's heart. Clara, who had been a witness to their rivalry all along, now became the center that stirred emotions and doubts within both of them.
Amidst their busy schedules of lectures and preparations for the community service program they had yet to undertake, Aiden began to show his softer side to Clara. He often invited Clara to discuss the future, supported her with her college assignments, and attended seminars with her. Aiden appeared protective and attentive, but still kept his distance so as not to seem pushy.
Bima, not wanting to be outdone, chooses a more intense approach. He is more open in expressing his feelings through short messages, small surprises, and special time with Clara outside of campus activities. For Bima, honesty in expressing love is the main weapon to win over a heart that now feels like a new battlefield.
However, Clara herself was confused. She appreciated the closeness and attention from both of them, but also felt that the pressure from their battle was almost making her lose control of her own choices. Clara realized that their burning ambition had damaged the friendship between Aiden and Bima, and she was afraid that her actions would further aggravate the situation.
In between lectures, seminars, and group work, Clara tries to keep her distance so as not to make a hasty decision. She trembles when she sees their small arguments turn awkward, when the warm discussions that used to be full of laughter turn into tense competition.
One afternoon in the campus park, Clara sat alone, staring at the notebook open on her lap. She heard footsteps approaching, and without hesitation, she fell silent as Aiden and Bima walked past each other without greeting one another. There was a palpable distance between them, and Clara began to wonder: were their ambitions and rivalry too much for a simple heart like hers to bear?
Clara wrote a letter without ever giving it to anyone. In it, she wrote about her anxieties, her hopes, and her fears of losing these two important figures—both as friends and as potential partners. The letter became a symbol of the confusion and uncertainty surrounding her choice.