The library was my usual escape from campus chaos.
I was hunched over a table, trying to decipher 18th-century poetry (ugh, why did we have to read this stuff?), when I spotted her.
Professor Chou, looking all elegant and composed, was at a nearby table, nose deep in a book.
My heart did a little flip.
This was my chance! I had to make a move.
I took a deep breath, gathered my courage, and sauntered over.
"Hey Professor Chou! Didn't expect to see you here."
She looked up, barely a flicker of surprise crossing her face. "Ms. Minatozaki," she said, her voice calm and steady, like a soothing melody.
"I didn't realize you were a fan of 18th-century poetry."
"Oh, I am," I said, trying to sound knowledgeable. "It's just...so...complex."
"Indeed," she said, going back to her book, her focus unwavering. "It requires a certain level of dedication."
I cleared my throat, trying to think of something to say. "So, Professor Chou," I began, my voice a little shaky. "What's your favorite poem?"
She looked up again, her expression unreadable. "I'm afraid I don't have a favorite," she said. "Poetry is a matter of personal taste, and I find it difficult to choose."
"But you must have one that you find particularly moving," I persisted, my voice a little too high-pitched. "One that speaks to your soul, Just like the poems from the 'devil's Poet', Sally Lucher's"
She sighed, going back to her book. "I'm afraid I'm not in the mood for philosophical discussions right now, Ms. Minatozaki. I'm trying to concentrate on my work."
I bit my lip, feeling a little deflated. But I wasn't giving up. "Okay, okay," I said, trying to salvage the situation. "How about this: What's your favorite type of tea?"
She looked up again, a hint of amusement in her eyes, but her tone remained neutral.
"I'm afraid I don't drink tea, Ms. Minatozaki. I prefer coffee."
"Oh, right," I said, my cheeks flushing a bright red. "I forgot. You're a coffee person."
She gave me a small smile, a flicker of warmth that sent a shiver down my spine. "Yes, I am," she said. "And I'm afraid I must get back to my work now. Enjoy your reading."
I nodded, my heart pounding with a mixture of disappointment and excitement. Just as I was about to turn away, she did something that completely caught me off guard.
She reached into her bag and pulled out a sleek, stainless steel thermos bottle. "Would you like some?" she asked, her voice calm and steady.
My eyes widened in disbelief. "Um...sure," I stammered, my voice a little shaky. "But...I thought you said you didn't drink tea?"
She gave me a knowing smile. "I don't," she said, her voice a soft whisper. "But I always carry a spare thermos in case someone needs a caffeine boost." [1]
She handed me the thermos, her fingers brushing against mine. I took a sip, my heart pounding in my chest. The coffee was rich and bitter, just like her.
"Thank you," I said, my voice a little breathless. "This is...amazing."
She smiled, her eyes twinkling with amusement. "Enjoy," she said. "And try not to spill it on your precious 18th-century poetry."
I nodded, my cheeks flushed with a mixture of embarrassment and excitement. She turned back to her book, her composure as unshakable as ever.
I took another sip of coffee, my mind racing with a mixture of confusion and exhilaration. What was going on? Was she playing with me? Or was she simply being kind?
Whatever it was, I was hooked. I couldn't wait to see what she would do next.
.
.
.
The classroom was buzzing with the usual pre-lecture chatter, but I was totally zoned out. My eyes were glued to Professor Chou, captivated by the way her voice, normally so calm and collected, got all passionate when she talked about Quantum Entanglement.
It wasn't just her words, though they were fascinating. It was the way she moved, the way her brow furrowed in concentration, the way her lips curved into a subtle smile when she found a particularly insightful passage. I was completely mesmerized.
Suddenly, a familiar voice broke through my trance. "Sana, honey, are you even listening?"
Jihyo, my best friend and resident chaos agent, was leaning over my shoulder, her eyes twinkling with mischief. "You're practically drooling on your notes."
I blushed, trying to regain my composure. "I am listening, Jihyo! Professor Chou is just...really interesting."
"Oh, I know," Jihyo said, her voice dropping to a conspiratorial whisper. "But have you noticed how she keeps looking at you? She's totally smitten."
"She's not," I protested, my cheeks flushing even redder. "She's just being…professional."
"Right," Jihyo snorted. "Professional. Like the way she keeps sneaking glances at you, or how she just handed you her personal thermos filled with coffee? That's so professional, Sana."
I tried to ignore her, but Jihyo was relentless. She kept up a steady stream of whispered jokes and teasing comments, each one more outrageous than the last. I tried to focus on Professor Chou's lecture, but it was impossible. I was too distracted by Jihyo's antics, and by the way Professor Chou kept shooting me knowing glances.
Finally, Professor Chou paused mid-sentence, her gaze sweeping across the classroom. "Ms. Minatozaki, Ms. Park," she said, her voice calm but firm. "Perhaps you could spare me the distraction and focus on the lecture?"
I felt a wave of heat rush through me. My heart was pounding in my chest, but not from embarrassment. It was a mixture of embarrassment and excitement. Professor Chou was paying attention to me!
"Sorry, Professor Chou," I mumbled, trying to hide my smile. "We'll be good."
Jihyo, however, was unfazed. "Professor Chou," she said, her voice dripping with mock innocence. "We were just admiring your incredible teaching skills. You're so inspiring!"
Professor Chou raised an eyebrow, but her lips twitched into a barely perceptible smile. "I appreciate the sentiment, Ms. Park," she said. "But please, try to focus on the lecture."
She continued teaching, her voice a soothing melody that washed over the classroom. But I couldn't help but feel a thrill of excitement. Professor Chou was paying attention to me, even if it was to scold me. And that, in itself, was enough to make my heart skip a beat.
I stole a glance at her, catching her eye for a fleeting moment. She gave me a small, almost imperceptible smile, and then turned back to the board.
.
.
.
The classroom emptied out, a wave of relieved sighs and chattering students washing over me. I was still buzzing from Professor Chou's lecture, even though Jihyo had managed to distract me for a good chunk of it.
"So," Jihyo said, her voice practically vibrating with excitement, "what do you say we celebrate the end of this torture with a celebratory drink at the pub tonight?"
I gave her a look. "Celebrate what? The fact that we survived another hour of quantum entanglement?"
Jihyo just laughed, her eyes twinkling with mischief. "Come on, Sana, you know I'm just teasing. But seriously, a drink sounds amazing. We need to unwind after that intense lecture. Did you catch that part about the spooky action at a distance?"
"Yeah," I said, "I think I did. It was a bit confusing, though, right? All those particles and probabilities and stuff."
"Totally," Jihyo agreed. "I'm pretty sure I only understood half of it. But Professor Chou's explanation was so captivating, even if I wasn't entirely sure what she was talking about."
I chuckled. "I know, right? She has a way of making even the most mind-bending stuff sound interesting."
"Exactly!" Jihyo exclaimed, grabbing my arm and pulling me towards the door. "And besides, you're not going to say no to a drink with your best friend, are you?"
I hesitated, torn between my desire to avoid further embarrassment and my need for a good dose of liquid courage. "Fine," I said, my voice a little shaky. "But only because you're my best friend, and because I need to unwind after that intense lecture."
Jihyo grinned, her eyes sparkling with triumph. "That's the spirit! Meet me at the pub in an hour. We'll catch up and gossip over a few pints."
I rolled my eyes, but couldn't help but smile. Jihyo was a whirlwind of crazy energy, but she always knew how to make me feel better. And maybe, just maybe, a few drinks would help me forget about the awkward encounter with Professor Chou.
.
.
.
The campus was eerily quiet, the usual Friday night buzz replaced by an almost ghostly stillness. I was sitting on a bench outside the library, nursing a single can of soda and feeling a little out of my element. Jihyo, true to form, had already disappeared, She said that she'll just withdraw some cash in a nearby ATM, leaving me alone with my thoughts.
"Aish, That freak"
I was about to pull out my phone and call her when a familiar voice startled me. "Ms. Minatozaki."
I turned, my heart skipping a beat, to find Professor Chou standing before me, her expression unreadable. "Professor Chou," I said, my voice a little shaky. "What a surprise."
"I was just leaving the library," she said, gesturing towards the building. "And I saw you."
"Oh," I said, my cheeks flushing a bright red. "I didn't realize you were still at the university this late."
"I often stay late to catch up on work," she said, her gaze lingering on me for a moment longer than necessary. "I was wondering if you might have some time to help me with a project. I'm working on a paper about the ethical implications of quantum entanglement, and I could really use a fresh perspective."
My breath caught in my throat. This was it, my chance! I had to play it cool. "I'd love to help," I said, trying to sound nonchalant. "I'm actually quite interested in quantum entanglement."
She smiled, a flicker of warmth that sent a shiver down my spine. "That's wonderful," she said. "I'll send you an email with the details. I'm free tomorrow afternoon."
"Perfect," I said, my heart pounding in my chest. "I'll be there."
Just as she was about to turn and leave, she paused, her gaze meeting mine. "And Ms. Minatozaki," she said, her voice a soft whisper. "Please, try not to drink too heavily tonight."
I blinked, taken aback by her sudden concern. "Oh," I said, my cheeks flushing even redder. "I'm not drinking tonight. I just had a soda."
Why did I lied!?
She gave me a small smile, a flicker of warmth that sent a shiver down my spine. "Good," she said. "I'll see you tomorrow."
And with that, she turned and disappeared into the night. I stood there for a moment, my mind racing with a mixture of excitement and confusion.
What had just happened?
Was she really asking me to help her with her research?
Or was this some kind of elaborate prank?
