HOW TO GET THE GIRL: A LOVERS GUIDE

HOW TO GET THE GIRL: A LOVERS GUIDE

CHAPTER NINE: about jiwoo. (1.6k)

WARNINGS: angst, reader is referred to as woman.

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Weeks have gone by since you started tutoring Riki. To say you've started to like him more was a vast understatement. Once you dropped your "cold" act that lasted for a mere 3 sessions, You started to become accustomed to him.

Although you had gone many years without interacting with each other, it felt like the spark you had imagined between you two never left.

The both of you had grown comfortable with each other to the point you started to interact with each other outside of the usual library doors.

At first, it was embarrassing to have your name shouted at the other end of the hallway, however, it turned into a typical routine where instead of keeping your head down and speed-walking away from him to avoid lingering eyes, you'd wave back.

During these study sessions, you learned more and more about him. How he microwaves his strawberries, he has a dog named Bisco, he can play piano, and he has a large fear of bugs that you've sadly had to learn the hard way after he accidentally pushed you aside to run away from a nearby wasp.

Something else you learned about Niki was that his grades did not match up with his knowledge. Sure, he was inconsistent with his attendance and would rarely turn in classwork if any at all, but he was smart and an extremely fast learner.

It had gotten to the point where you'd just set a small bulk of his past-due assignments in front of him and study for your other classes until he finished.

The study sessions quickly turned into more of a hangout. Staying in the library together hours after completing whatever workload had stacked up over the week to share hushed laughter and talk about everything under the sun until the library had to close down for the night.

You'd even go as far as to call him your friend, and so would members of the Newspaper Club.

"You're in a rush." Lily offhandedly mentioned as she typed away on the school's computer. Her posture had straightened at the sound of you hastily packing away your belongings but her eyes refused to stray away from the screen.

"Hm? Oh, yeah. I'm supposed to meet up with Riki." you answered before slinging the book bag over your shoulder.

"To do what exactly? It's a Friday and I thought you only tutored him on Sundays." J suddenly butted in, a playful yet accusatory tone to her voice as she suddenly invested herself in the conversation.

"I don't know actually, he asked to meet me at the school gates when our session ended."

"Oh? Is he walking you home? That's pretty cute." Yoon commented, a teasing smile growing on her face. "I don't know why he would, I mean— he's never done it before. So, I don't see why he'd want to do it now." You replied with fake unconcern.

You were being honest when you said you didn't know why Riki had suddenly made this decision to meet you at the school gate, but if it was to start walking you home on a frequent basis, you're 100% sure your knees would give out.

"Did you guys need any more help before I head out?" You suddenly questioned, trying to shift focus away from your last comment.

"Nope, we got it from here. Only thing we have left to do anyway is restock the printer paper." J assured with a small smile before hoisting herself up to sit on a desk.

"Okay, I'll see you guys later then." You quickly replied as you made your way towards the exit,

Lily only hummed in response to your statement before saying "Have fun, don't get into any trouble."

A smile crept onto your face as you resisted the urge to roll your eyes at how much she sounded like a Mom sending her daughter off. "And text us when you make it back home!" Seeun responded, suddenly bordering out of the storage closet with a box filled to the brim with different bulks of paper.

"Okay, Moms, will do."

"About time." Riki groaned out, loud enough for your approaching figure to hear as you made your way into eye view. "Oh, shut up," you said as he pushed himself off of the gates.

"I feel like I've been waiting for forever." He whines as he follows behind your figure. "Yeah, right. Couldn't have been waiting that long since it looks like you went home to drop off your backpack." You pointed out, silently relishing in the feeling of freedom as you got farther and farther away from school grounds.

"I didn't feel like carrying that thing around all day. Plus, it'll be easier to carry yours." He stated nonchalantly.

He reached over to slip your bag off of your shoulders before flinging it across his own, his delicate fingers brushing over your own as he did so. But just as quick as his touch arrived, it was just as quick to leave.

His simple actions shouldn't ruffle you like they do, yet it still happens. You know that when Riki does things like this he never has an underlying intention which makes it all the more pathetic when you feel your stomach brim with butterflies the moment you make skin-to-skin contact with him.

You cleared your throat before wrapping your arms around your stomach, a meek attempt at trying to calm the raging storm of feelings that was happening inside of you.

"So, why did you want to walk me home all of a sudden?" You asked, shifting your gaze around the growing shrubbery to avoid looking in his direction.

"Oh, right. I wanted to ask you something." He shyly uttered, his free hand that wasn't holding your bag made its way to the back of his neck, nervously rubbing it as he looked down at his sneakers.

You glanced in his direction to see that whatever was on his mind had been weighing in on him for a while. "Yeah, what's up?" you asked softly before shifting your gaze forward.

"Um, you're friends with Jiwoo, right?" he asked, out of the corner of your eye you could see him turn towards you. Trying to gauge your reaction and see what you'd say.

It took a moment for the question to fully translate in your mind as if he was speaking a foreign language you had never heard before. Once it did register in your head you couldn't help the shock that overtook your body, nearly making you stumble over your feet.

You opened your mouth to speak but no words came out, it was as if you were a fish out of water. Your mouth had suddenly gone dry and it felt as if you saw the fantasy of your TV romance crashing in front of your eyes. "Yeah, Jiwoo and I are really good friends." You finally managed to push out.

"Why do you ask?" You quickly follow up, your eyebrows unknowingly furrowing.

"I asked because I wanted to know if she was single." He replied, his tone went from nervousness to giddiness in a matter of seconds.

You couldn't turn towards him because you could hear the smile in his voice at the mere mention of her name. You were afraid that if you saw how he beamed at the thought of her that the butterflies that were swarming in your stomach just a few seconds earlier would escape onto the concrete in front of you.

"She's single," you affirmed with a stiff nod.

"Do you think you could set me up with her?" He immediately asked, a hopeful tone in his voice. Each word that came out of his mouth felt like a blow to the gut, killing off each butterfly one by one.

Your head shook 'no' before you could even form the words. "I-...I don't think I could."

"Oh, come on, please?" He suddenly pleaded, turning towards you once again. He wanted you to look at him, whether intentionally or not he knew that if you made eye contact with him you'd fall into his trap just like everyone else.

"Just get one of the basketball players to help. Or one of their cheerleader girlfriends." you tried to reason. "It's not the same," he muttered, tilting his head towards the sky, another whine threatening to come out of his mouth.

"Come on, you'd be the perfect wing-woman. you're good friends with her so it'd be easy and less weird when someone she barely knows tries to set her up with me," he argued, adding onto why he wanted you to set him up with her.

You bit your lip in contemplation. It felt like the obvious answer was 'NO!' but another part of you wanted to agree to set them up. You were happy with the relationship you and Riki had started to build together and you didn't want an elementary crush to get in the way of that.

There was always the lingering possibility that you and him were only ever meant to be friends and nothing more, and maybe, just maybe, Jiwoo was the one for him.

"What do I get out of this?" You quietly asked after the lingering silence.

"Anything you want. If you do this for me I promise I'll pay you back" He swiftly responded before stopping in his tracks, instinctively making you stop alongside him. "Please, just do this for me." He begged, his hands fidgeting with the rings on his fingers as he waited for your answer.

"Fine, I'll help you."

TAGLIST: @sakiimeo @sakuxxi @ilyjxdz @artstaeh @rosas-in-the-garden @k1ttylvr @stilesks @enhagvrl @yourssincerely-mimi @rizzanna-soda @saursoob @haechansbbg @nishislcve @winuvs @kyrojackson @suhiiiies-blog @rikisgeef @soobs-things @jumigurumino @ssukiyakii @baribaaari @eleanorheartschishiya @rikibun @seunghancore @wonik1ss @sheepgardenbahhhh @rksbae @lukesboo @moomis @luvvvash @conwunder @yvjw @bunnbam @eilidiii @riksaes

HOW TO GET THE GIRL: A LOVERS GUIDE

OFFC. TAGLIST

@sakiimeo @sakuxxi @ilyjxdz @artstaeh @rosas-in-the-garden @k1ttylvr @stilesks @enhagvrl @yourssincerely-mimi @rizzanna-soda @saursoob @haechansbbg @nishislcve @winuvs @kyrojackson @suhiiiies-blog @rikisgeef @soobs-things @jumigurumino @ssukiyakii @baribaaari @eleanorheartschishiya @rikibun @seunghancore @wonik1ss @sheepgardenbahhhh @rksbae @lukesboo @moomis @luvvvash @conwunder @yvjw @bunnbam @eilidiii @riksaes @thenastone @gweoriz @n1k1mura @chweverni @engene28 @cosmieu @rikizm @rishki @jakeyverse @lilifiedeans @betterthanrose @kyanmeai @starfallia @moonpri

CHAPTER SIX: niki is an idiot.

i apologize for my absence for so long, i had finals. but im all done now so expect frequent updates :)

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TAGLIST: @sakiimeo @sakuxxi @ilyjxdz @artstaeh @rosas-in-the-garden @k1ttylvr @stilesks @enhagvrl @yourssincerely-mimi @rizzanna-soda @saursoob @haechansbbg @nishislcve @winuvs @kyrojackson @suhiiiies-blog @rikisgeef @soobs-things @jumigurumino @ssukiyakii @baribaaari @eleanorheartschishiya @rikibun @seunghancore @wonik1ss

HOW TO GET THE GIRL: A LOVERS GUIDE

CHAPTER EIGHT: making progress...(726)

WARNINGS: none :)

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The next few days went by much faster than anticipated and you found yourself perched in front of the double doors of the school library. You raised your phone to your face watching as another 5 minutes went past.

You and Riki had a brief conversation the night before planning out the time and place of your first study session.

An agonizing 30 minutes went past before you finally decided to enter the library, it was quiet and nearly empty as you looked around to find a comfortable spot to set up.

You didn't want to lack faith in Riki but your expectations of him coming to any of your tutor sessions were quite low. Because of his position as star player on the school's basketball team, he was able to easily wiggle himself out of academic trouble without any harsh punishments and barely a slap on the wrist. You couldn't help but envy him a little because of it.

While pouting at the thought of the unfair treatment, your mind couldn't help but wander to him. His quiet charm, his tall, muscular but slim figure, his alluring goofy smile, and contagious laugh..

An unknowing smile reached your lips as you fiddled with the loose thread of your cardigan. You were so lost in your thoughts that you had failed to notice the approaching figure of the boy you were daydreaming about.

The thud of his backpack slamming onto the table startled you from your fantasies as your eyes looked up to meet the worried gaze of Riki.

"I'm really sorry." he quietly muttered out, lowering himself into an apologetic bow. You opened your mouth to refute his apology but was soon cut-off by his insistent rambles.

"I got stuck at the convenience store, I-um wanted to get you a drink and something to snack on but I didn't know what you liked." He reached into his bookbag before pulling out a strawberry cream soda and a chocolate bar.

Your confused and slightly startled expression softened into a grateful one as you reached out for the treats and placed them in your own bag. "There was also this really long line and-"

"Riki, it's fine." You softly interjected, putting a halt to his jumbled mutters. "Thank you, I really appreciate it." you continued with a gentle smile before gesturing to the seat across you.

He hesitantly nodded in acknowledgment before sitting down. Your eyes hadn't left his figure since you were made aware of his presence but now that he was directly in front of you and less jittery you were able to take in more of his appearance.

His chest was heaving in heavy breaths while beads of sweat gathered at his forehead. "Riki, did you— did you run here?" You asked slightly exasperated, knowing that the closest convenience store to the school was a mere 10 to 15 minute walk.

"Is it that obvious?" He asks, a weak attempt of a laugh escaped as he grabbed the rest of his needed supplies.

"Riki, you didn't have to do that. And you could've texted me to let me know you'd be a bit late."

"I know I didn't have to, I just wanted to." He responded while flipping through his notebook. "And I was going to text you but I didn't want to spoil the surprise so I decided against it." he added on, his eyes briefly leaving the blank page of his notebook to connect with yours.

You froze for a moment. You felt trapped by his gaze until you suddenly remembered the impassive act you were supposed to be playing up. Funnily enough, you had already failed when you started daydreaming about him but your ego refused to let him get off as easy as he was used to.

You cleared your throat before lowering your head to your books. "Let's start at page 56." You quickly suggested, The lingering stare from the boy sitting across you went unnoticed as you tried your hardest to shift your focus onto the task at hand.

Riki mentally gave himself a pat on the back at your expression, being a mix of shocked and fondness at his simple yet thoughtful gesture.

"Making progress." he thought to himself before looking down at his own book, failing to conceal the growing smile on his face with his fist.

TAGLIST: @sakiimeo @sakuxxi @ilyjxdz @artstaeh @rosas-in-the-garden @k1ttylvr @stilesks @enhagvrl @yourssincerely-mimi @rizzanna-soda @saursoob @haechansbbg @nishislcve @winuvs @kyrojackson @suhiiiies-blog @rikisgeef @soobs-things @jumigurumino @ssukiyakii @baribaaari @eleanorheartschishiya @rikibun @seunghancore @wonik1ss @sheepgardenbahhhh @rksbae @lukesboo @moomis @luvvvash @conwunder @yvjw @bunnbam

heloo new oomf > <

hi new oomf!! <3 i read some of your work and omg your writing is so good 😭🫂

HOW TO GET THE GIRL: A LOVERS GUIDE

CHAPTER ONE: tutoring who? (1k)

WARNINGS: none :)

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You couldn't help but sigh in relief as the end of the school day approached. A lack of sleep and the constant build up of assignments further dug you into a tiresome zombie-like state.

You repeatedly tapped your pencil against your opened notebook with pages that remained blank. Your unwavering blank gaze watched as the once vibrant green leaves turned into a warmer palette indicating the approach of your favorite season. Nothing felt more serene in that moment as you watched the pretty mix of oranges, and yellows carelessly flow through the air and land to create an intricate pattern.

The peaceful motion of the leaves lulled you into a peaceful state, your eyes and head getting heavier by the second. You fought the flutter of your eyelids as long as you could before finally deciding to succumb to sleep, but before the darkness could fully take over the final bell had rung, signaling to your relief that it was finally time to pack up and head home.

Your once wearied body made quick work of packing all of your belongings, tuning out whatever your teacher had continued to ramble on in a haste. The only thing that seemed to pull you out of your autopilot-like state as you were preparing to leave the class was your deskmate, Yoon, who linked her arms with yours after slinging her backpack across her unoccupied shoulder.

"I'm so ready to go home." she whined with a forced pout. Yoon had complained to the group earlier about her lack of sleep as well, which after some bribing and forced puppy dog eyes to lily, she was able to get the meeting moved back to tomorrow. "You and me both." you sighed out before slinging your own backpack across your shoulder.

"Feels like i've been here forever." you added on as the both of you slowly trailed behind the other bustling students. "We're gonna grow old and die in this place." Yoon murmured with a tired smile, making you quietly laugh beside her. "God, I hope n-"

Before you could finish your sentence, your teacher, Ms. Park had called your name. Her tone laced with an uneased urgency making both you and Yoon snap your heads towards her desk.

She beckoned you over with a gentle smile. Slowly you untangled your arm from Yoon and headed towards her desk. "I'll wait for you outside." she reassured you with a gentle pat on the shoulder. You nodded back before slowly making your way to sit in front of the now open chair placed beside Ms. Parks desk.

She gave you a reassuring smile despite her patent anxious demeanor.

As all of the students cleared out of the room and the hallways started to get quieter and quieter she finally spoke.

"Well, first I want to tell you that you have nothing to worry about. You're excelling in my class with the highest grade and you turn all of your work in on time." she quietly consoled while fixing her glasses.

Her efforts to comfort you were futile as you knew you did well in her class, the only thing you were anxious about was the sudden disruption of your exit, and why.

"Do you know the basketball team's star player?" she suddenly asked, her once busy and frantic hands now stilled as she brought a packet up to her face.

"Nishimura Riki?" you questioned with a slight tilt to your head. Of course you knew him, you had been making fake scenarios of the two of you so you were able to sleep at night since you were 13.

She hummed in response before pushing the stack of papers over to you. "These are your current grades." she informed before clasping her hands together.

You slightly hunched over her desk to view the papers. Both of your names were highlighted, yours sitting at the top with a grade average of 99.7, while his remained at the bottom with a grade average of 28.6.

Your eyes widened at the gap but in the end you weren't that surprised. He had been absent for most lessons and if he did end up attending once every blue moon, he'd have to leave in the middle of it because of practice.

"Well, as you see his grades aren't the best, and now that the basketball team is training for their upcoming winter game, he's become more occupied than before."

You nodded along quietly as you fidgeted with your fingers, you had a burning feeling in your gut that you knew where this conversation was headed and you couldn't tell if it excited you or made you want to throw up.

"And since you're my top student in class and have tutored other students before who have come out with great results— I was hoping that you'd be able to take some time throughout the week to tutor him?"

She continued to drawl on and on about why she picked you but it landed on deaf ears as you drowned out her rambles. Tutor, Nishimura?

The kid you had a crush on since you were 11 because he sat and ate lunch with you when nobody else did? The boy who would give you his umbrella if you forgot yours because he knew you had a longer walk home than him? The Nishimura that hadn't spared you a glance now that you were in highschool and he was popular, while you were stuck reporting about his achievements?

The both of you were mere acquaintances back then but it still stung when you two stopped interacting altogether. Even when your interactions dispersed into nothing, your feelings still lingered and possibly even grew stronger.

"Are you up for it?" she suddenly asked, her hopeful and soft tone drawing your once occupied gaze away from the paper in front of you and back onto her.

Your mouth sat agape for a moment as you went over the information in your head again and again. Ms. Park seemed to sense your hesitancy in accepting her offer which made her add on to her proposal.

"If you're willing to do this i'd really appreciate it. You're the only student I fully trust to take on this task considering many of the other self-proclaimed tutors don't take it as seriously."

Another lengthy moment of silence passed through before you released an exhale you didn't even realize you were holding.

"Okay, I'll do it."

𓂃 . ࣪ ˖ ∿

"YOU'RE TUTORING WHO?!"