Epex Oneshots (short stories) /imagines

Yewang- Rivals

Yewang had never had much patience for people who didn't take school seriously. For as long as he could remember, he'd been at the top of his class, winning academic awards, setting records, and planning his future down to the smallest detail. He took pride in his reputation as the smartest, most driven student at school. So when Y/N showed up and threatened to steal his spot at the top, he was... let's just say, less than thrilled.

They had been rivals from the very start. Y/N was sharp, witty, and just as competitive as he was. Every time he managed to score a few points higher on an exam, Y/N would be right there the next time, pushing past him in another subject. And it wasn't just her scores that bothered him — it was her confidence, the way she would smirk whenever they were handed back test papers, the little glint in her eye that seemed to say, "I'll beat you next time."

At first, Yewang had written her off as just another challenger. He'd seen plenty of people come and go, but none had ever managed to threaten his spot for long. But with Y/N, it was different. She kept pushing, kept challenging him, kept making him try harder than he ever had before. And slowly, without him even realizing it, his annoyance with her began to turn into something else.

It all came to a head one afternoon in their school library. They were both there after school, sitting at opposite ends of a long table, reviewing notes for an upcoming chemistry exam. Yewang was going over the formulas when he heard Y/N sigh dramatically from across the table.

He looked up, raising an eyebrow. "Something wrong?" he asked, unable to keep the slight edge out of his voice.

Y/N rolled her eyes, leaning back in her chair. "Just wondering how many times I have to read this before it finally makes sense," she said, running a hand through her hair. She glanced at him, a smirk tugging at her lips. "But I guess you wouldn't understand that, would you, Mr. Perfect?"

Yewang felt a flush of irritation. "Believe it or not, I have to study too, just like everyone else," he replied, trying to sound calm. "Besides, I thought the 'genius' wouldn't have any trouble with chemistry."

She scoffed, but there was a softness in her eyes that made him pause. "Even geniuses have off days, believe it or not." She hesitated, then added, "You know, you're not as perfect as everyone thinks you are."

Yewang blinked, caught off guard. "What's that supposed to mean?"

Y/N looked at him thoughtfully, her expression serious. "Just... I've seen you pushing yourself, more than anyone else. You don't let yourself slip up even a little. And while I respect that, it's... exhausting, don't you think?"

He swallowed, her words hitting closer to home than he cared to admit. She was right — the pressure he put on himself was relentless. But hearing it from her, his so-called "rival," made him feel strangely vulnerable.

"What about you?" he asked, trying to regain some control of the conversation. "You act like nothing gets to you, like you're just breezing through everything."

Y/N laughed, a sound that was softer and more genuine than he'd ever heard from her. "Please. I'm just good at hiding it. You're not the only one who's a little obsessed with winning, Yewang."

There was a long pause as they looked at each other, a silent understanding passing between them. For the first time, Yewang realized that maybe they weren't so different after all. Maybe their rivalry wasn't about trying to prove who was better — maybe it was about pushing each other to be their best, even if they never admitted it.

After a few moments, Yewang found himself speaking without really thinking. "Do you... maybe want to study together? I mean, just for today," he added quickly, trying to keep his voice casual.

Y/N seemed surprised but didn't hesitate. "Sure. As long as you don't get too competitive," she teased, scooting her chair closer.

They spent the next hour going over chemistry problems, discussing concepts, and occasionally arguing over the right answers. But the tension that usually simmered between them felt different, lighter. They laughed, shared tips, and for once, Yewang found himself actually enjoying their time together.

At one point, Y/N looked up at him with a small smile. "You know, you're not so bad when you're not trying to one-up me."

He laughed, feeling a warmth spread through his chest. "I could say the same about you."

From that day on, their rivalry softened into something more complex. They continued to compete, of course, but there was a newfound camaraderie, a sense of respect that hadn't been there before. They'd challenge each other during class debates, but afterward, they'd share a laugh or a high-five. Yewang started looking forward to the little back-and-forths they shared, the way she'd roll her eyes whenever he'd beat her by a single point, the way she'd smirk when she came out on top.

Gradually, the competitive edge turned into something warmer, something he couldn't quite define. He found himself wanting to be around her even when there wasn't an assignment to tackle or a test to study for. Her confidence, her wit, the way she seemed to understand him in a way no one else did... it all made him feel things he'd never felt before.

One evening, after they'd wrapped up a particularly intense study session at the library, Yewang walked her home. The sun was setting, casting a soft, golden light over everything, and they walked in comfortable silence, neither of them quite ready to say goodbye.

When they reached her doorstep, Y/N turned to him, an unreadable expression in her eyes. "Yewang... can I ask you something?"

"Of course," he replied, trying to keep his voice steady.

She hesitated, looking down at her hands before meeting his gaze. "Why did you ask me to study with you that day? I mean, we've always been rivals, so... why?"

Yewang felt his heart race, his mind scrambling for the right words. He could feel the weight of all the moments they'd shared, all the unspoken feelings between them, building into this one question.

"Because..." He took a deep breath, gathering his courage. "Because I realized that I don't just want to compete with you. I... I want to be around you. You push me to be better, and I don't think anyone else has ever done that."

Y/N's eyes softened, and she took a small step closer. "So... this isn't just about being rivals, is it?"

He shook his head, a nervous smile tugging at his lips. "No. It hasn't been for a long time."

She smiled, a soft, shy smile that made his heart skip a beat. "Good. Because... I think I've felt the same way."

Before he could second-guess himself, Yewang reached out, taking her hand in his. It was warm, familiar, and perfect. They stood there, close enough to feel each other's breath, the rivalry that had once defined them melting away, replaced by something much deeper.

"You know," she said with a playful smile, "I'm still going to try to beat you in every class."

Yewang laughed, feeling lighter than he had in years. "I wouldn't expect anything less."

And as they stood there together, the golden light of the setting sun washing over them, Yewang knew that he'd found something far more meaningful than any academic victory. In Y/N, he'd found his equal, his partner, and his first love.