I know it can get confusing when people make requests like this; People will always recommend My Derelict Favorite where the FL ends up with the guy who was 2nd ML in the ORIGINAL story (he was the 1st ML in the actual webtoon), but I want an endgame that is unexpected in the actual story that I myself am reading.
We can all sense who is the expected endgame and who is not... It becomes very clear when he gets more screen time (panel time?) and has a more complex/deeper relationship with the FL (hate to love maybe, or extreme and unmasked devotion).
I would really love to read a story where the FL is definitely headed on a trajectory towards ending up with the "typical 1st ML", giving him the screentime, relationship development, but then suddenly changing and surprising the readers by shifting towards a relationship with the (expected) 2nd ML.
I think >!True Beauty!< is a good example of this, in the first part anyways. >!Suho exudes endgame energy; he was icy towards Jugyeong and then warmed up to her, he knew about her insecurities early on, and he just had the godly face. Plus Jugyeong knew him before Seojun and started out liking him. Seojun was a pretty typical (but still enjoyable) 2nd ML. Tsundere nature but bantering, not cold, secondly introduced, a FRIEND. !<
>!Then the author surprises the reader by allowing Jugyeong to have a romantic relationship with Seojun. After a time skip, which is reasonable, since it gives realism to Jugyeong's getting over Suho and developing feelings for a new person, her long-time friend. !<
>!I think this would be a perfect example of what I want if the story ended before !<>!Jugyeong and Seojun broke up and the story went back to Suho being the love interest.!<
The only piece of media I've ever consumed where the FL actually ends up with the expected 2nd ML is >!Daytime Shooting Star!<and I've read a good number.
I don't want to be too picky about what I want because I know there are few stories where the FL truly ends up with a typical 2nd ML so give me what you got!