About the Characters – Chapter 1
Riki
Riki is the school heartthrob—confident, daring, and impossible to ignore. He can talk to anyone, yet keeps parts of himself carefully hidden. He gets into fights when needed, carries a dangerous confidence, and has a charm that draws attention. Girls confess, he rejects, and love has never been his thing—until Y/N. Beneath his teasing smiles and playful demeanor, a softer, vulnerable side lingers, one that even he doesn't fully understand.
Y/N
Y/N is quiet, shy, and often lost in her own world. Sensitive and caring, she is easily hurt by others and keeps her emotions carefully guarded. She is protective of those she loves and dreams of a life bigger than her small, quiet existence. Though she appears innocent, a playful side emerges when she feels safe. Falling for Riki was never part of her plan—but sometimes, life has its own rules.
Mala
Mala is loud, bold, and fearless. She loves teasing her friends and shipping couples, always turning small crushes into full-blown stories. Her energy is chaotic but infectious, and she thrives on drama and fun.
May
May is calm, patient, and observant. She prefers to watch and listen before giving advice, carefully thinking through situations rather than rushing to conclusions.
June
June is honest, straightforward, and practical. She says exactly what she feels and doesn't overthink, adding realism and balance to her friends' chaotic lives.
Max
Max is Riki's loyal friend, always nearby and part of his conversations. He often doesn't fully understand Riki's feelings but provides humor, support, and insight into his actions.
Benchmate
Y/N's benchmate notices small things happening around her but is unaware of the full story. Her innocent observations often add comic relief or create tense, awkward moments in class.
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Chapter 1: Dreams, Smiles, and Stolen Glances
Y/N's POV
He came into my dreams before he came into my life.
At first, I didn't even know who he was. No name. No voice. Just a presence that felt strangely familiar. I ignored it—because dreams are just dreams, right?
Then came his birthday.
I didn't plan to notice him, but there he was—Riki. Dressed in crisp traditional clothes, standing like he owned the moment. Everyone crowded around, laughing, admiring, but my eyes found only him. My heart skipped. Just like that, I fell.
That night, he came into my dreams again. And the next morning, his presence lingered in my mind like an unfinished sentence.
I told Mala.
Big mistake.
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Mala's POV (brief)
"Wait… you're telling me you dreamed about him?!" she shrieked, eyes wide with excitement.
"Shhh!" I hissed. "It's nothing—just a dream."
"Nothing? Y/N, come on! This is gold! I'm shipping you two already!"
I groaned. I didn't need this kind of energy right now.
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Y/N's POV
One day, she shouted my name in the middle of the hallway. My stomach flipped.
And then I saw him. Riki. Smiling. Not the bored, polite kind. A real smile—warm, teasing, impossible to ignore.
For a second, just one stupid second, I thought… maybe he likes me.
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Riki's POV (brief)
I didn't believe in love. Never had.
Girls confessed. I rejected. Simple. But she… she was different. Quiet. Observing. Always watching, always careful.
The moment I saw her, I couldn't look away. That stupid smile I gave her even surprised me.
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Y/N's POV
Summoning all my courage, I tried to sit near him—just once.
Instead, he called Max to sit beside me… on purpose.
My cheeks burned, and a knot formed in my stomach. Hurt, embarrassed, confused—I felt all of it at once. That day, I promised myself I was done. I would ignore him. Forget him.
Mala stopped shouting my name.
I told myself I was done.
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Riki's POV (brief)
She ignored me. She looked away every time.
And that… bothered me more than I expected. I didn't want her close. But I didn't want her gone either. Something about her made my carefully constructed world feel… shaky.
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Y/N's POV
Later, I saw him talking to Max about some girl. I glanced up by accident.
Our eyes met.
I froze.
"She saw me… yaaay," he said, voice playful, eyes glinting.
Max laughed. I wanted to disappear.
I told May later. She whispered, "He likes you. Believe me."
I didn't. I was tired of his teasing. Tired of the games.
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Y/N's POV (later that day)
Everyone chattered around me. I bent over my notebook, pretending to write. And then—I looked up.
He was staring. Not smiling. Not joking. Just… looking. Straight into my soul.
I swear, I died there.
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Riki's POV (brief)
She looked away quickly, but I caught everything. Her hesitation, her surprise, her heartbeat against the silence.
I don't believe in love.
But for the first time, I didn't want to look away.
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Y/N's POV
My benchmate whispered,
"Is he looking at us or beside us?"
I didn't know what to say.
So I said,
"I don't know."
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Y/N's POV (Language Period)
I sat at the back with May and June.
I looked at him. He looked at me.
Not once. Not twice. At least ten times.
He smiled every time.
I told May and June. They said,
"He likes you."
I laughed. I didn't believe it.
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Riki's POV
I don't fall in love.
But I kept smiling.
And I didn't know why.
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Y/N's POV (Last Period)
Everyone was chit-chatting.
I bent over my table and looked at him.
He saw me.
Then he did the same.
And smiled.
That moment didn't need words.
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Riki's POV
I'm not interested in love.
But for the first time…
I didn't want to look away.
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Y/N's POV (Closing)
And just like that, my carefully planned, quiet life had been invaded.
By him.
By Riki.