Checkmate

Five Years Later (Special)

"If this compensatory mechanism doesn't work, you'll start to notice the physiological manifestations of the disease."

Joshua Tien raised his hand. "So, does everyone manifest these symptoms?"

"Case-to-case, but they're definitely a starting point. It might not be as visible in one as in the other, but that's because our bodies vary." The young man crossed a leg over the other as his foot anchored him on the taller chair. "However, we have a basis of how normal physiology works, so it's not impossible to tell."

The wide-eyed students nodded back to their lecturer, others rushing to write down his words on their tablets.

"Instead of mindlessly memorizing your textbooks, think. Once you understand the concept, correlation becomes easier for you." Elijah scanned the familiar faces and randomly picked one out. "Ms. Youn."

Katie stood up, her cheeks flushed. "You're making me nervous, Prof. Xia."

The comment made most students chuckle. Surely. Who wouldn't be nervous under the scrutiny of such a smart person? But then, everyone knew Professor Xia was one of the most considerate professors they had. With him facilitating the discussion, their ideas would be entertained in a non-judgemental, academic space. They had never heard their professor shame a wrong answer or ditch a question. The young man would even reply to inquiries at 2 am.

But aside from that, there was a catch.

Elijah Xia was only about two years older than them, same age as their seniors. But there he was, on stage, giving out lectures students would die to attend.

"Given a person has kidney disease, which physiological manifestations are easily observable?," Elijah asked. He reached for his bottle, turned sideways, and snuck a drink as the girl heaved a deep breath. "Give me one."

"Uh... darker skin?," Katie slowly replied.

"Because? Why do you sound so unsure?" Elijah smiled, raising a brow in amusement. "Answer's correct, but I need to know why."

The girl's chest felt lighter, her confidence boosted a little. "When there's kidney problems, toxins will pile up and..."

Seeing as the girl struggled to formulate her ideas and turn them into words, he smiled reassuringly and gestured for her to sit down. "That's correct, Ms. Youn. When toxins accumulate, it triggers apoptosis or cell death. Increased apoptosis may cause inflammation and melanin production. When this happens, what's next?"

"Hyperpigmentation," the class replied almost simultaneously. As expected, their young lecturer explains concepts in the most simplified manner while seamlessly weaving through one topic to another. He was a wonder.

"Good. Next is?"

Dr. Tan could only shake his head helplessly as he watched his beloved student from behind closed doors. Elijah was a natural, thriving in the place he loved most. He belonged there more than anyone Ulysses Tan had seen in his whole life- even more than himself.

Another senior professor practicing legal medicine watched in awe. "I am thrice that boy's age, but his confidence on sitting through that lecture is marvelous. I can't believe it's only his first year."

"Why, he's my student, of course!," Dr. Tan bragged. "The brightest one among the crop. He's probably taken after me."

"Huh, what are you? His dad?"

♟️

"Professor Xia, class is over?," the young woman exclaimed when she found him waiting outside his apartment. Still in the white long sleeves and black slacks he would often wear to his lectures, Elijah leaned against the door, his hand readily positioned on the knob. She waved the paper bag of food in the air, her voice shaking from the excited motion. "I've brought takeouts!"