Behind the Mask

Nice to Meet You

"Professor Myoui." Jihyo called the professor from behind.

"Park Jihyo? What's with the rush?"

"Can you do me a favour Prof?"

"Favour? Why?"

"Actually... it's not for me."

"And what made you think that I'd help you?"

"Son Chaeyoung." Professor Myoui frowned.

"Son Chaeyoung?"

"You are her guardian, right? It's about what happened yesterday."

"Yesterday?"

"Yes, professor. I saw you watching from afar and you looked worried for Chaeyoung."

"What about it?"

"You see, I saw someone recording the incident. If you'd talk to her, she might give us a copy of it. Then we'll use it as evidence. Those three should be held accountable for their actions."

"But... Why me? You could just do it, yourself."

"Sure I can get the footage but I can't talk to the president. He's so scary plus I'm just a mere student."

"Why would I do that?"

"It's because it's for Son Chaeyoung."

• • • • •

After Professor Myoui got the copy of the video of yesterday's incident, she went to the University President's office. She knocked and the door was opened by a middle-aged man.

"Excuse me?" The man asked with a frowned forehead.

"I'm Professor Myoui Mina, sir and I'd like to report a case of bullying."

"I don't think you made an appointment with me. Shouldn't you discuss it first to the students' affair chairman?"

"I think I went to the right place, sir." She showed the video to the president. "Won't you invite me to come in?"

Professor Myoui went inside the president's office while the president was watching the whole video.

"What is this? What did she do again?" He asked after he watched the video.

"She didn't do anything but those three girls bullied her."

"But why? She must have done something, right?"

"She was peacefully minding her business. You watched it, didn't you?"

"Do you know how universities work, Professor Myoui?"

"I'm fully aware of that. And I'm also aware that those three girls are daughters of our sponsors but rules must apply to all, don't you think sir?"

"It's just one kid."

"That kid is your daughter. Plus bullying is contagious."

"The sponsorship they give benefits more kids, I can provide for Chaeyoung's needs."

"Republic Act 10627, Anti-bullying Act of 2013. What would the parents feel if you let the bullies slide just because they are privileged?" Mr Son smirked at the professor.

"Just a few statements and eventually they'd forget it."

"Let's say the parents would forget it, what about the other sponsors? What do you think they'd think?"

"Again just a few statements and they'd eventually forget about it." Professor Myoui took a deep breath.

"Mr Son, do you know who hired me?"

"Human Resources Specialist, who else."

"No one. I was appointed." Mina picked her phone from the table of the president, she then showed a picture to him. "The girl is me, obviously, and do you recognise the man?"

"Mr H-Hirai... Why are you with him?"

"We're close in fact closer than you think." She showed her screen again with her contact saying Dad

"D-dad? But H-Hirai Momo is his daughter."

"I am his firstborn child and I heard he is the major sponsor? Who would he believe in, you or me?"

"What do you want me to do?"

"Just do the right thing for Chaeyoung, for the students, and for the school. By the way sir, I am Son Chaeyoung's listed guardian."

• • • • •

"So who's that girl on your screen, huh?" Somi asked Chaeyoung while chopping some vegetables.

"What is it to you, Somi?"

"Well, she's cute and look at her eyes, they're pretty. She's my type." Chaeyoung just looked at her, disgusted.

"What? Aren't she? C'mon, can you introduce her to me?"

"Shut up. She's a professor at my university."

"So you're into professors now, Son Chaeyoung?"

"What? No... I mean shut up."

"So... you're not into her? So... Can you introduce me to her?"

Somi pouted her lips to Chaeyoung hoping she'd get the favour she was asking her and Mina just arrived at the house.

"Mina... I mean professor Myoui." Called Chaeyoung.

"Uhm... This is Somi, she would be staying here for a while." Mina just stared at Somi

"And Somi... This is Mina unnie, she's one of my professors."

"Nice meeting you, Mina unnie." Somi gave Mina a smile.