As the sun dipped below the horizon, casting a golden glow over Seoyeon High School, Ji-eun sat alone in the empty classroom, her mind a whirlwind of emotions. The debate had ended hours ago, but the echoes of Min-ah’s daring questions lingered in the air, as palpable as the scent of chalk dust and determination.

Ji-eun replayed the moment Min-ah revealed the love letter, her own secret words exposed to the world. She felt a mixture of betrayal and admiration; betrayal for the invasion of her privacy, and admiration for Min-ah’s strategic play. It was a move Ji-eun hadn’t anticipated, a rare oversight in her otherwise logical armor.

The chapter unfolds with Ji-eun’s introspection, her struggle to reconcile her feelings of defeat with the newfound respect for her opponent. She realizes that Min-ah’s questions weren’t just a ploy to win the debate but a genuine attempt to understand the depths of Ji-eun’s heart.

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As the night deepens, Ji-eun decides to confront Min-ah, not with anger or accusations, but with the honesty that was stripped from her in the debate hall. She finds Min-ah on the rooftop, the city lights a distant constellation below them.

“Min-ah,” Ji-eun begins, her voice steady despite the turmoil inside, “you won the debate, but at what cost?”

Min-ah turns to face her, the moonlight casting her features in a soft glow. “I wanted to win, but not like this, Ji-eun. Not by hurting you.”

The two stand in silence, the weight of unspoken words between them. It’s Ji-eun who breaks the silence, her decision clear.

“Let’s have another debate,” she says, “but this time, let’s debate about something that matters to both of us. Let’s debate about love.”

Min-ah’s eyes widen, a mix of surprise and curiosity. “Love?”

“Yes,” Ji-eun affirms, “the one thing that’s illogical and yet drives all our reasoning. The rhythm of reason that beats in our hearts.”

And so, they agree to meet again, not as rivals, but as two souls seeking to understand the most complex of emotions. As Ji-eun walks away, she feels a sense of peace. The rhythms of reason have led her to a new beginning, one where hearts are unveiled, and love becomes the subject of debate.