𝐒𝐄𝐑𝐄𝐍𝐀𝐃𝐄; boysnextdoor

average ; riwoo

Y/N had always blended into the crowd. She wasn't particularly gifted at anything, nor did she stand out in any specific way. She was the kind of person whose presence was neither loud nor invisible—just average. She was fine with that. Life was simpler when no one expected too much.

Riwoo, on the other hand, was the complete opposite. Top of his class in every subject, a consistent winner in every debate competition, and the teacher's go-to example of excellence—Riwoo was the person everyone looked up to, admired, or envied. His name echoed in the hallways, his accomplishments plastered on every bulletin board.

Despite being polar opposites, Y/N and Riwoo shared a few classes together. While Y/N sat near the back, doodling in her notebook or staring out the window, Riwoo was always at the front, answering every question with sharp precision. She often overheard snippets of admiration from her classmates.

"How does he do it? He's good at everything."

"He probably doesn't sleep. That's how toppers survive."

"Do you think he even knows people like us exist?"

Y/N never joined these conversations. She had no reason to. She was content staying in her lane. Until one day, she wasn't.

It started during an ordinary math class. Their teacher, Mrs. Kang, had just announced that the midterm results were in. As usual, Riwoo had scored a perfect 100. Y/N had scored... not quite a 100. Or even close. She cringed at the sight of her grade and folded the paper quickly, hoping no one would notice.

"Alright, class," Mrs. Kang began. "Pair work this week. The highest scorer will mentor someone who needs help."

Y/N's stomach dropped.

"Riwoo, you'll be with..." Mrs. Kang scanned the room and then smiled. "Y/N."

Her head shot up.

"What?" she blurted out before she could stop herself.

The class erupted into muffled laughter, and Mrs. Kang raised an eyebrow. "Is there a problem?"

Y/N's face flushed. She shook her head and sank into her seat.

Riwoo turned around, his calm gaze meeting hers. He didn't say anything, just nodded slightly, as if to say he didn't mind. That made it worse.

The first tutoring session took place after school in the library. Y/N had come prepared to feel out of place. What she hadn't expected was how quiet Riwoo was. He wasn't overbearing or arrogant, like she'd assumed. He explained things patiently, his tone measured, and when she got something wrong, he didn't sigh in frustration like her teachers often did.

"You're overthinking this," he said, pointing to the problem in her notebook. His hand brushed hers briefly, and she stiffened. "Just break it down step by step."

Y/N nodded, trying not to think about how close he was sitting.

"Like this?" she asked, writing down the solution.

"Exactly." Riwoo smiled faintly.

It was the first time Y/N had ever seen him smile up close. It wasn't big or flashy—just a slight curve of his lips. But it was warm, and it stayed in her mind long after the session ended.

By the third session, Y/N found herself looking forward to their time together. It wasn't just about math anymore. She noticed little things about Riwoo: how he always had a mint in his pocket, how he tapped his pen against his notebook when he was thinking, how his voice softened when he explained a particularly tricky problem.

"Why are you helping me so much?" she asked one day, half-joking. "Doesn't this ruin your topper image?"

Riwoo tilted his head, as if considering her question seriously. "Helping you doesn't ruin anything," he said. "Besides, you're not as bad at math as you think."

Y/N blinked. "Really?"

"You just need more confidence."

Her cheeks grew warm at his words.

Outside of the library, Y/N and Riwoo's interactions remained minimal. She didn't expect him to acknowledge her in the hallways or during class, and he didn't. But one day, as she was leaving school, she saw him waiting by the gate.

"Y/N," he called out.

She stopped, startled.

"Walk with me?" he asked, his expression unreadable.

She hesitated, then nodded. They walked side by side, the afternoon sun casting long shadows on the pavement.

"I wanted to ask you something," Riwoo said after a while.

"What is it?"

"Why do you always act like you're invisible?"

Y/N frowned. "I don't—" She paused, realizing she did. "I don't know. It's just easier, I guess."

Riwoo glanced at her, his gaze steady. "You're not invisible, you know."

Her heart skipped a beat.

After that day, things began to change. Riwoo started greeting her in class, his quiet "good morning" catching her off guard every time. He'd save her a seat in the library during their tutoring sessions, sometimes with a cup of tea waiting for her.

"Tea helps with focus," he said when she asked about it.

"Thanks, topper," she teased, earning a rare laugh from him.

Their conversations became less about math and more about everything else. She learned that Riwoo loved photography, that his dream was to travel the world and capture stories through his lens. He learned that Y/N loved sketching, that her notebooks were filled with little doodles she'd never shown anyone.

"You should show people your art," he said one evening, flipping through her notebook.

"No way. It's not that good."

"It is."

The sincerity in his voice made her believe him, just a little.

One rainy afternoon, they found themselves stuck in the library after school, the downpour outside relentless.

"We might be here a while," Riwoo said, glancing at the clock.

"That's fine," Y/N replied, though her heart was racing. Being alone with him for even a moment felt like a lifetime.

They sat in comfortable silence, the sound of rain filling the space between them.

"Can I ask you something?" Y/N said suddenly.

"Of course."

"Do you ever get tired of being... perfect?"

Riwoo looked at her, surprised. "I'm not perfect."

"You are to everyone else."

He sighed, leaning back in his chair. "It's exhausting sometimes. People expect me to have all the answers, to never fail. But I'm just... me."

Y/N studied him, seeing for the first time the weight he carried. "You're not just you," she said quietly. "You're Riwoo. And that's enough."

For a moment, he just stared at her. Then, to her surprise, he smiled—a real, full smile that made her chest tighten.

"Thank you, Y/N."

As the weeks passed, their bond grew stronger. Y/N started to believe in herself more, not just in math but in other aspects of her life. And Riwoo? He seemed lighter, less burdened by the expectations that had always weighed him down.

One evening, as they walked home together, Riwoo stopped suddenly.

"Y/N," he said, his voice soft.

She turned to him, puzzled. "What is it?"

"I think..." He hesitated, then smiled. "I think you're the best thing that's happened to me in a long time."

Her breath caught. "Riwoo..."

Before she could say anything more, he reached out, tucking a strand of hair behind her ear.

"You don't have to say anything," he said. "I just wanted you to know."

But Y/N couldn't stay silent. "You're the best thing that's happened to me too," she whispered.