Some extra info about an attempt at making MC x Kieran work. I think this is perfect as an addendum to the analysis.
As we already pointed out, the rivalry between Kieran and MC is intense, with Kieran being extremely goal-driven. His focus is solely on winning and proving himself, so any feelings for MC during this time would be driven by obsession, not romantic love. But, if we wanted to try to look at this as a “rivals to lovers” trope, the most logical interpretation would be that Kieran’s feelings evolve over time as he experiences the MC’s growth and determination. It’s possible that, once he starts seeing them as more than a mere obstacle, he begins to respect them as a competitor and maybe even finds admiration in their ability to challenge him.
The problem is, his jealousy would still persist. If anything, that just adds a layer of complexity to the relationship, where Kieran might try to suppress or mask his competitive side, but it’s never going to fully disappear. He’s always going to want to be the best, and that tension could either create a dramatic, tortured love story or an emotionally unhealthy relationship.
2. Obsession and Redemption Arc:
If we were to see Kieran and MC’s relationship in the light of a redemption arc, it’s possible that during his “evil mask” phase, Kieran’s feelings for MC could be interpreted as a form of obsession. Maybe he’s so blinded by his desire to prove himself that he mistakes it for love. If we wanted to explore a healthier side, it would require Kieran going through some deep self-reflection, realizing how toxic his obsession was, and then working through his emotions. But even then, his jealousy would remain as a residual feeling.
This isn’t a bad foundation for a story, but the challenge would be showing how Kieran deals with those feelings, and whether MC would be willing to tolerate his complexity and past mistakes. It’s not an easy road for either of them.
3. Deep Respect and Gradual Connection:
Another interpretation could be that, at some point, Kieran might stop seeing MC solely as a rival and start seeing them as someone with whom he shares a deep, mutual respect. They push each other to grow, and their bond could evolve into something more grounded. Here, his focus might shift from competing with MC to being more about growth together, though his drive to win could still remain.
This interpretation still faces the same problem though: Kieran’s pride and competitive nature would continue to add tension to the relationship. It could be a long, slow burn where Kieran struggles to open up emotionally, but over time, he learns that being vulnerable and allowing someone else into his world isn’t as scary as he once thought. But it’s a tough sell because, at the end of the day, Kieran is still Kieran with his intense focus and jealousy issues.
In conclusion, while there are a couple of logical ways to interpret Kieran and MC’s relationship, they all involve acknowledging Kieran’s deep-rooted flaws—his obsession, jealousy, and need to prove himself—and finding ways to either resolve or work around them. However, none of these interpretations allow for a perfect, easy relationship. It’s going to be complicated, and it’s going to require both Kieran and MC to do some emotional heavy lifting.
So yeah, there are other interpretations, but none of them would make the relationship magically flawless or without drama.
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