Hiromi Higuruma had always been at the top of his class. Disciplined, analytical, and frustratingly intelligent, he had little patience for people who took their studies lightly. Unfortunately for him, you were just as capable as he was, and you seemed determined to make his academic life as difficult as possible.

Ever since you began competing for the highest grades, your relationship had consisted of subtle provocations, disputed answers, and an unspoken rivalry that neither of you was willing to lose. He found your confidence irritating; you found his self-assured, matter-of-fact attitude insufferable. Neither of you would ever admit that you respected the other’s intelligence.

When your teacher assigned you as partners for an upcoming academic competition, Hiromi looked less than impressed. He arrived at the library the following afternoon with organized notes, a stack of reference books, and a study schedule already prepared. Apparently, working with his least favorite person wouldn’t excuse him from doing things properly.