✔️Mafia's Lover, Enemy's Prey

2. The Mask We Wear

Raejin stood in front of his lecture hall, his gaze sweeping across the rows of eager faces. The large classroom of Sungjin University was filled with sunlight streaming through the tall windows, casting a warm glow on the students seated with their notebooks open, ready for his words. Raejin, dressed in a light pink shirt with his sleeves rolled up, looked the part of the charismatic professor. His black hair, neatly falling onto his forehead, framed his sharp features and piercing gaze.

He started with a calm but engaging tone, "Today, we are going to talk about something we all do... whether we realize it or not. The masks we wear. In psychology, we call this impression management, and it’s fascinating how we present different versions of ourselves depending on where we are or who we are with."

He paused, letting the idea sink in. A few students nodded, intrigued by the concept. Raejin continued, "For example, how many of you can say you are the same person in front of your friends as you are in front of your parents?" Several students exchanged knowing glances, some laughing softly.

One student, Ha-eun, raised her hand with a playful smile. "Definitely not, Professor. My parents think I am an angel, but my friends know better."

Raejin chuckled softly. "Exactly. We all do it to some extent. We’re constantly adjusting our behaviors, our words, even our emotions to fit the situation. And that’s not always a bad thing, it's a survival skill, something we have developed as humans to navigate social interactions. But what happens when you start losing track of who you really are under all those masks?"

The room grew silent, his words pulling them in. Raejin leaned against his desk, continuing, "The danger comes when the mask becomes so strong that it no longer feels like a mask at all. You might start to forget the difference between who you really are and who you are pretending to be. It’s one of the reasons why people often feel lost or disconnected from themselves."

He picked up a piece of chalk and wrote False Self on the board. "In psychology, this is called developing a 'false self.' It’s common in people who feel the need to constantly please others or live up to impossible standards." Raejin turned back to the class with a smile. "So, think about the masks you wear. How often do you wear them, and for whom?"

The students were engrossed, scribbling notes quickly, when suddenly the door creaked open, interrupting the lesson. All heads turned towards the figure standing at the doorway.

Jeon Jungkook strode in, tall and confident, his dark eyes locking with Raejin’s. He was wearing a black leather jacket, with one arm fully inked in intricate tattoos that peeked out from the rolled-up sleeves. A silver lip-ring glinted in the light, and his smirk was as bold as his entrance.

Raejin raised an eyebrow but maintained his composure. "Can I help you?" His voice was calm but sharp.

Jungkook gave a half-smile, tilting his head slightly. "I am a new student. Joined today. Heard you are the best professor of psychology, so I thought to join your class." His tone was casual, as if he belonged there despite his tardiness.

Raejin studied him for a moment, his gaze flicking from the lip-ring to the tattoos, to the leather jacket. "If you have heard about me," Raejin replied coolly, "then you must also know I don’t tolerate lateness. Nor do I appreciate students who lack discipline."

Jungkook’s smirk deepened, his eyes glinting with amusement. "Sorry, sir," he said smoothly, his voice carrying a mocking edge.

Raejin didn’t flinch. He simply crossed his arms and leaned back slightly. "What’s your name?" he asked.

"Jungkook," he responded, his voice low and firm.

Raejin’s face remained neutral, "Jungkook, huh?" Raejin repeated. He paused, the tension in the room thickening as the students looked between the two. "If you are serious about attending my class, you can come tomorrow on time."