In his first year, he is challenged to uphold the grave responsibility he is entrusted with. He overcomes.

In his second year, he is threatened to relinquish the top pedestal by a most strange rival. He sustains.

In his third year, he is mesmerized to realize the foreign sentiment brewing uncontrollably within him. He eludes.

In his final year, he is drowned in the crazy concoction that is his duty, his rival-friend, his growing affections, and perhaps everything else. He surrenders.

And upon his surrender, he finally beholds the speck of light at the end of the tunnel - the one he so excruciatingly treaded in the past four years of high school. His pride shatters, but is transformed. His heart breaks, but is restored.

And he wouldn’t have done it without his damsel in causing distress.

***A/N: This fic is entirely in the male first person perspective.