This year's competition season also presented a new arena for Aiden and Bima to test their skills: the campus swimming pool, which hosted the Regional Sports Week (POPDA) swimming competition. Although not their main specialty, both knew that representing their region at the national level through this sport was a golden opportunity to cement their position as all-around athletes.
Their preparations began at the start of the semester. Aiden, who has a highly disciplined approach, drew up an intensive training schedule with the campus's professional swimming coach. He focused on improving his freestyle and butterfly techniques—his two strongest events. Every morning before sunrise, he was already at the pool, repeating his breathing and hand strokes with precision.
Meanwhile, Bima took a more aggressive and daring approach. In addition to his regular training at the university, he also trained at a private swimming club, learning starting block techniques and fast turns. Bima believed that physical strength and high adrenaline could overcome perfect technique, because in actual competition, mental endurance and sudden attacks were key.
The preliminary round was held in the campus's spacious main swimming pool, with the stands filled with students hoping to see a fierce duel between the two. Aiden and Bima entered the 100-meter freestyle, an event that usually determines who is the fastest and toughest.
The first round was tight. Aiden showed his power and precise technique, keeping his breathing steady so he could swim smoothly from start to finish. Bima shot out aggressively at the start, relying on his initial speed, but slowed down a bit at the end due to a slightly reckless strategy. Aiden finished first, recording a slightly better time, but by a narrow margin.
The semifinal round brought them back together with their equally strong opponents. The pressure began to mount. Aiden remained calm, regulating his breathing and focusing on his turn technique, which had always been his weakness. Bima improved his start and showed significant improvement, pushing into second place with a time almost matching Aiden's.
The night before the final, the two were silent. Bima could be heard practicing his breathing technique at the edge of the pool while Aiden checked his training equipment and visualized his route. There were no words of agreement or encouragement; only tension that spread invisibly.
On the day of the final, the atmosphere at the swimming arena was incredibly tense. In the 100-meter freestyle, with all eyes focused on them, Aiden and Bima stood side by side on the starting blocks. The referee's whistle signaled the start of the race, and both of them shot into the water.
The water rippled as their hands and feet swept through it, their breaths labored and their maximum speeds competing with each other. Approaching the twenty-five-meter turn, Aiden, with his smoother technique, tried to pass Bima, who was relying on his full strength. The crowd roared as the two were almost neck and neck at the finish line.
In the final seconds, Aiden managed to increase his lead little by little and crossed the finish line with a very narrow margin: 0.15 seconds faster than Bima. Applause and cheers filled the pool. Despite his defeat, Bima looked at Aiden with a challenging gaze—this was not the last match.
Aiden's victory, which complemented his previous achievements, surprised many and cemented his position as a potential multi-sport champion. However, the seeds of intensifying rivalry continued to erode the remnants of their friendship.
***
Aiden's victory in the POPDA swimming competition brought a wave of euphoria to the campus. He became the center of attention, not just as an ordinary student, but as a rising star making a name for himself in various competitions. Many of his classmates and seniors began to look at him with admiration and high hopes. However, behind the spotlight, Aiden felt an increasingly heavy burden on his shoulders.
Bima, despite his disappointment, chose to calm himself and focus his energy on preparing for the next challenge. The battle with Aiden felt unfinished, and now pressure was mounting from another equally important source: the Community Service Program (KKN) that they would be undertaking in a remote area.
Campus life began to change rapidly. Various administrative preparations and briefings were carried out almost every day. The students began to be busy with the division of KKN areas, familiarization with local community conditions, and training to adapt to a new environment with relatively minimal facilities.
Aiden and Bima must face the reality that after intense competition in academics and sports, they will be tested in a very different situation—working together and making a real contribution in a simple and challenging community. Both feel tension not only from the new environment, but also from their relationship, which is beginning to strain.
The campus is filled with serious discussions and preparations for the KKN group, which will last for several months. Clara, who is in Aiden's group, tries to be the balancing force between their feelings and the increasingly heated competition. Meanwhile, Bima decides to take a different location, hoping that distance can ease the tension and give him time for introspection.
As classes slowed down and the KKN approached, the students' moods were divided between enthusiasm and anxiety. Many felt this was an opportunity to contribute, learn, and get away from academic pressure, including Aiden, who began to wonder whether the meaning of victory and competition he had experienced so far would change when faced with real life, far from the glitz of competition.
The days leading up to the KKN became a time of reflection and uncertainty for all of them, especially for the two rivals who were too exhausted by the competition that had forced them to lose their balance.
***
Ciputih Village, a remote area at the foot of the mountains, became the new setting for Aiden and Bima to carry out the community service program they had been preparing for. Far from the hustle and bustle of campus life and the grandeur of the city, life here moved at a simple pace, full of challenges and meaning.
Aiden arrived first with his group. He felt a stark contrast between the comforts of the city and the harsh realities of village life. Their tasks were not only to teach at the elementary school, but also to help develop community empowerment programs that had previously lacked access to technology and resources. The hot weather and difficult terrain made everything a physical and mental test.
Bima, who was placed in a neighboring village, undertook different activities—helping to build simple infrastructure and mentoring farmer groups. These activities opened his eyes to the true meaning of hard work and togetherness, far from the soul-draining rivalry and ambition.
Every morning, Aiden and his group enthusiastically opened class, trying to motivate the curious village children. He taught math and science in a more interactive way, while also conducting simple computer training. However, he sometimes felt empty; the children's laughter and sincere smiles reminded him of friendships that were beginning to crack.
Bima, on the other hand, began to learn patience and how to manage his ego. When his group faced conflicts over the division of tasks, he was forced to compromise and seek solutions together. The atmosphere, far from competition, made him reflect on the true meaning of victory and defeat.
Their nights in the village were accompanied by simple conversations under the dark sky, sitting around a campfire or gazing at the stars. The two figures who once fought fiercely now felt the same burden and longing for the past, as well as confusion about the future.
Although separated by distance, news about each other's activities and struggles often reached their ears through text messages or friends. Often, the tone of the messages was full of indirect sarcasm, which slowly reignited the flames of competition.
Life during the KKN becomes the true test—not to maintain prestige or compete for victory, but to realign the nearly lost sense of self. Yet, the question lingers: can Aiden and Bima navigate this period without losing themselves in the relentless battle of ambition?
***
The days in Ciputih, which were initially peaceful and routine, slowly turned into a field of conflict when group assignments in the KKN program began to demand more intense collaboration between Aiden and Bima. Although they were placed in separate villages, a public facility construction project behind the hill required the two groups to hold joint meetings.
The meeting was marked by tension that was difficult to hide. Aiden, who led his group with a firm but diplomatic attitude, and Bima, who was stubborn and suspicious, often disagreed on work methods and project priorities. Criticism that was initially constructive turned into veiled insults, and over time, communication that had been effective turned into arguments.
One night, as the discussion in the village hall heated up, Bima brought up Aiden's failure in a previous project, saying that Aiden's leadership was too enthusiastic without paying attention to the conditions on the ground. Aiden responded by sarcastically mentioning Bima's work style, which often delayed and distracted the team, threatening to delay the project.
The argument escalated into a minor commotion in front of the villagers who had come as witnesses. Clara, who happened to be present as part of Aiden's group, tried to calm the situation but instead became the target of double tension because she was considered to be taking sides. This conflict made the atmosphere awkward and broke the trust between members and local residents.
However, a turning point occurred when a small disaster struck the village—heavy rain caused a landslide that damaged part of the project area. This damage demanded real cooperation and solidarity, forcing Aiden and Bima to join forces and put their egos aside to save their community service program.
The tension that initially divided them became a moment of reflection. In working hard together to repair the damage, they began to realize that constant competition only brings destruction, while cooperation can bring more meaningful victories. Although it did not immediately repair their relationship, this turning point opened up space for dialogue and steps towards reconciliation.
However, the shadows of ambition and past mistakes still haunt them. The conflicts and pressures that arise are a reflection of an unresolved inner struggle, warning that the abyss of destruction could reopen at any moment.
***
The final days of the community service program in Ciputih village were a time of reflection for Aiden and Bima. They began to realize how their experiences in the village had opened their eyes to the meaning of togetherness, sacrifice, and values that had perhaps been forgotten in their competition. Although they had not yet fully reconciled, working hard together to repair the project that had been damaged by a landslide had slightly eroded the distance between them.
Back on campus, their routine changed drastically as they had to prepare for the prestigious U-19 soccer competition. Surprisingly, Aiden and Bima were selected to be part of the same soccer school—a school famous for nurturing professional soccer athletes. In fact, they were given the same position as main strikers, a position that had always been a source of pride and fierce competition.
Training became intense. On the green field, the two met again in a tense atmosphere. Each training session was not only about honing their technique and physique, but also about competing in strategy and mental endurance. They couldn't help but observe each other; every movement was calculated, every opportunity sought to outdo one another.
This situation brought new dynamics to the team. The coach began to notice how the rivalry between Aiden and Bima sometimes provided extra energy, but also the potential for conflict that could damage the team's cohesion. In the locker room, the atmosphere could change from laughter to tension that made all teammates wary.
Off the field, the two try to keep their distance. However, their long-buried rivalry always surfaces in every meeting and conversation. Clara, who is now a college friend and silent supporter, senses how the mental burden on the two men is growing heavier.
Preparing for this competition is a new and more challenging chapter, because the stakes are now not just individual achievements, but the school's honor and their professional futures. Aiden and Bima must decide how far they are willing to control their ambitions for mutual success, or let their desire to defeat their opponent destroy what remains.
***
The U-19 soccer competition that Aiden and Bima participated in began with an atmosphere full of tension and anticipation. As the main strikers on the same team, both of them had to show their best abilities, both in attacking and working together so that the team could win. However, their personal rivalry continued to smolder beneath the surface.
The early stages of the competition showcased the extraordinary qualities of both players. Aiden relied on his fast dribbling technique and deadly instincts in front of the opponent's goal. He often used feints—fake moves that deceived defenders or goalkeepers before shooting. In addition, Aiden's finishing technique was very precise; he was adept at placing the ball in corners that were difficult for the goalkeeper to reach.
Bima, on the other hand, relied on his sprinting speed and formidable physical strength. His technique of positioning himself as a striker meant he was always in the perfect position to receive a cross. He was skilled at playing the 'poacher' style—running quickly to take advantage of fleeting opportunities to score goals. In addition, Bima was also brave enough to press hard when defending, putting effective pressure on the opposing defenders.
However, this technical performance is accompanied by complex mental dynamics. In the early matches, the mismatch in playing styles between Aiden and Bima began to show. They often competed for the ball when they should have been executing a one-two pass. Ego and the desire to score the first goal led to several missed opportunities.
The coach tried to intervene by giving specific instructions: they had to build chemistry as a striker duo, using a combination of short passes and off-the-ball movement. With a little progress, they began to learn to complement each other, luring the opposing defenders to open up space for their teammates.
However, within the team and the locker room, the tension never really disappeared. There were often minor arguments about who should get the first shot, or who was considered to be lacking in assists. When the game heated up, the two sometimes distanced themselves from each other or even showed a cold attitude that confused and alarmed their teammates.
In the semifinals, the pressure reached its peak. The heavy competition meant that the focus of the game depended on the effectiveness of these two strikers. In a critical situation, Aiden showed remarkable composure by calmly executing a penalty, putting his team ahead. Meanwhile, Bima managed to score the equalizer with a quick counterattack that took advantage of a gap in the opponent's defense.
The competition ultimately became a reflection of their internal rivalry: technical skill and fighting spirit on the field, while their relationship was tested on an emotional level. The shared victory brought satisfaction, but also raised questions about whether they could maintain their bond off the field if ambition continued to divide them.