Love Me, Sensei

4

Win had left his home without having breakfast and the extra classes made him skip his lunch as well. And as if that wasn't worst, he finds out he's disqualified from the second round of moot court competition despite performing well.

Win is hungry and dead annoyed. His mood is highly strung since morning, causing a snowball effect, ruining everything since then and now he's guilt tripping himself for venting his anger out on Fong who only wanted to cheer him up. He's too engrossed in finishing his paper that he seldom realises when the students leave. When he raises his head, stretching his body to get rid of the knots, he finds himself alone in the class and it's already getting dark.

"Hey kid!" a guard shouts across the window, "go home. Gotta lock the doors."

Win reaches to the ground floor and  hears faint giggles coming from the corridor. His steps slow down as he cautiously walks up to the roundabout.

Prof. Chivaaree is hugging a woman about his age, big smiles plastered on both of their faces.

Win freezes where he is but the very next moment, he turns back, stumbling into the vending machine.

"Fuck!" he hisses in pain as his left knee vibrates from the jab.

Win still runs away.

...

Bright bids Irin goodbye, saying he's in hurry and rushes towards the auditorium. He saw Win going there. 

"Hey" he says, slowing down, "you okay?"

Win springs his head up, eyes wide to see Bright followed him here. He curls his knees in, bending eyes on the icy floor he's sitting on.

"Umhmm"

Bright frowns at the snippy response but still settles himself next to the boy.

Win bites his lips as their shoulders almost touch and the heat from the other's body keeps melting him down.

"I'm okay, Mr. Chivaaree" he stutters, "you should go."

Bright simply hums, not budging the slightest, letting the awkwardness of their silence envelope the air.

Win wants to run away again but what he wants more is to be there, stealing warmth from the man next to him and savouring whatever happiness he can derive from this moment. Although, he knows it's nearly impossible considering what he just saw before coming here.

A faint whimper impregnates the thick silence before Bright's eyes widen.

Win is weeping softly, bringing his knees closer to the chest. Bright is startled, not able to understand, let alone know what he should do. Of course, he has dealt with students breaking down in front of him but this feels oddly different. He doesn't know why though.

Win cries hard and loud for a couple of minutes until he finally stops, wiping his face with Bright's handkerchief (he's really gonna keep it with him forever, isn't he).

"I feel like a loser" he chuckles hoarsely, "sorry I am sometimes pathetic."

Bright slides closer, wanting to comfort the other but not sure how to and so he settles with patting the other's head which turns out to be more awkward than he had estimated in his mind especially with how Win visibly stiffened at the touch.

"Expressing your pain doesn't mean you're pathetic. It means you're a sensitive person. And that's not a bad thing, Metawhip."

Win chuckles weakly, "it's Metawin, Mr. Chivaaree."

"Sorry" Bright says sheepishly.

Win sniffles, muttering a thank you but he actually means God i love you so much please kiss me.

"You're welcome."

With that, Bright offers to drop Win home but he refuses vehemently, saying he's fine but Bright doesn't buy it. He reminds Win it's his duty to reach out to his students in need and Win agrees, suppressing the bitterness arising in him. Bright chuckles lightly when Win's stomach grumbles. He flushes red, knowing the professor is not meaning to mock.

"There's an amazing Korean eatery I know. Let's go?"

....

"How's your practice for moot court coming along?" Bright asks, his third attempt at striking up a conversation because Win seems too tensed to talk.

He chuckles bitterly, "I got disqualified. Staying up all night  preparing wasn't enough, I suppose."

Bright tilts his head down to see the other's face clearly.

"Is this why you were crying?"

"That's not all" Win replies, after an eternity, "my parents again got into a  fight because of me. They don't care what I feel about it. Also, I shouted at my best friend for no reason. I feel awful. And then..."

Win pipes down, careful not to spill much but Bright raises his brows in pure concern and Win lets go of the leash.

He stares at his food, desperate to speak but afraid to be heard.

He mumbles, "there's someone I've liked for a long time and today, I saw them with somebody else. I guess that was my last straw."

Bright opens his mouth but then shuts it again. He repeats the same for a couple times because he has no idea how to react. Win throwing caution out of the wind and talking about it is definitely not something Bright would have anticipated. How could he? Win has never done anything more than staring from afar.

Win apologizes as they get in car for being the only one whining about his problems. Bright dismisses him gently saying he is okay but when the car stalls at the crossroad, Bright vaguely knows how to make the other feel better.

"Uhm.. well I had a rather good day actually" he begins, coughing awkwardly, "classes were productive, I had somtam in lunch. And oh, my ex girlfriend is getting married. I think  you saw her when she gave me the invitation."

Win gapes, "she was your ex?"

And then immediately, apologizes for prying so informally.

"It's fine" Bright assures, "yeah. We dated for some time in college. I met her today after four years. Glad she met someone good."

"Right" Win says, suddenly his spirit elevating to the normal level and he shifts in the seat restlessly.

It doesn't improve his chances at all but nonetheless, decreases his pain a lot. Ex.. that sounds better. 

"You'll be okay, Metawin" Bright says as he stops his car in front of Opas-iamkajorn abode, "just learn to fight for things you want. Don't give up, okay? Who knows you might have a chance.."

Win's eyes flutter as he stares at his teacher who looks godlike in this proximity. Somehow, Win can't help feeling that the professor's words imply something beyond the boundaries of professionalism, almost as if he is giving Win his permission to - impossible, totally impossible, his mind chides him.

Yet, his words hit him at all the right places and Win nods before stepping out.

"I'll try, Mr. Chivaaree" he says.

Their eyes lock and two hearts flip, each faster than the other.

"I am looking forward to it."

🖤🤍