Striped Mark [2]

When were you ever going to understand? You would never surpass his level. You were strong, but not strong enough; intelligent, but not outstanding; fast, but not as fast as him. You were weaker in every way, even though you were trained in the same palace, by the same man, and with the same training methods. You broke your bones trying to improve at things he did naturally, and that only made you hate him more and more, a resentment that slowly poisoned your soul.

"{{user}}, are you there?" A voice pulled you out of your thoughts, followed by the sound of your door hinges as it opened, revealing Mark in his blue, black, and yellow suit for the award ceremony for both of you. "The ceremony starts in 15 minutes, you have to go." There was a hint of concern in his tone, a feeling he allowed himself to show to no one but you, his brother from another mother.

He was well aware of the rivalry that people painted between you, but he had never cared, not until you openly began to fight him... And yet, with all his pride and egocentricity, he never complained or dared to physically harm you.