Determined to prove to myself that I wasn't just a flustered mess, I marched towards Professor Chou's office, my steps a little less confident than usual. I needed to remind myself that I was Sana Minatozaki, a force to be reckoned with, not a lovesick puppy.
I knocked on the door, my heart pounding a little faster than usual. "Come in," her voice, as always, sounded calm and collected.
I stepped inside, trying to project an air of nonchalance. "Professor Chou, I was hoping to continue our study session. I've found something on the ethical implications of quantum entanglement, and I have a few more questions."
Professor Chou looked up from her desk, a slight frown creasing her brow. "Ms. Minatozaki, I'm afraid I can't continue our session today. I have a guest."
My heart sank. "Oh, of course. No problem at all." I tried to sound casual, but my voice betrayed my disappointment.
As I turned to leave, I noticed a figure sitting in the corner, her back to me. Short, blonde hair, piercing doe eyes... it was Nayeon, the girl from the parking lot. My stomach twisted with a mix of jealousy and apprehension.
"Nayeon, this is Ms. Minatozaki, a student of mine," Professor Chou said, gesturing towards me. "Ms. Minatozaki, this is Im Nayeon, a graduate student who helped me with some of my research during her senior year"
Nayeon turned, her eyes meeting mine. A mischievous glint flickered in her gaze, and I felt a chill run down my spine. She was beautiful, yes, but there was something about her that made me uneasy.
"It's nice to meet you," Nayeon said, her voice soft and sweet, but with an underlying edge of confidence. "Professor Chou has been telling me all about your work. You seem to have a very sharp mind."
I forced a smile, but I couldn't shake the feeling that she was sizing me up, assessing me as a potential threat. "It's nice to meet you too, Nayeon," I replied, my voice a little strained. "I'm sure you were a valuable asset to many of Professor Chou's research."
"Oh, she is," Professor Chou said, her voice warm and affectionate. "Nayeon's been a tremendous help. We worked on some very interesting projects together."
I felt a lump forming in my throat. I excused myself as quickly as I could, my heart heavy with a mix of disappointment and frustration. As I walked away, I couldn't help but feel like I was losing ground. This wasn't just about studying quantum entanglement anymore; it was about winning a battle for Professor Chou's attention. And I wasn't sure I was ready for this kind of competition.
The door closed behind me, leaving me alone in the hallway, my heart sinking with every step I took.
.
.
.
.
.
The past few days had been a bit of a downer. Professor Chou noticed Sana had gone quiet, her usual bubbly self replaced by a kind of subdued energy. It was like a light had dimmed in her, and Professor Chou felt a pang of concern. She tried to be supportive, offering extra help and encouraging words, but Sana seemed to pull away.
One afternoon, Professor Chou found Sana in the library, asleep at a table, a romance novel clutched in her hand. She watched Sana for a moment, her heart aching for the girl who had once been so full of life.
Sana's features, usually radiant and full of laughter, were now etched with a hint of melancholy. Her lips, usually curled into a playful smile, were slightly parted.
Professor Chou decided to sit beside Sana, her presence a silent comfort. She waited for Sana to wake up, her heart filled with a mixture of concern and a longing to understand what was troubling the young woman.
Sana stirred, stretching her arms and yawning. She opened her eyes and gasped, startled to find Professor Chou sitting beside her. "Holy mother of G-! Professor Chou! I didn't see you there!" she exclaimed, her voice a little shaky as she clutch to her chest.
Professor Chou smiled gently. "I was just waiting for you to wake up. You looked so peaceful, I didn't want to disturb you."
Sana blushed, her cheeks warming under Professor Chou's gaze. "I'm sorry, I must have fallen asleep. I was reading this book, and it just... I guess I got carried away." She glanced at the romance novel in her hand, a sudden wave of embarrassment washing over her. "It's a bit silly, isn't it?"
Professor Chou chuckled softly. "Not at all. I enjoy a good romance novel myself. In fact, I have a few favorites." She paused, her eyes meeting Sana's. "I've noticed you've been a bit quiet lately. Is everything alright?"
Sana hesitated, her gaze dropping to her lap. "I'm fine, Professor. Just a bit stressed with all the work."
Professor Chou smiled "I understand. But you know you can always talk to me, right? I'm here for you, Sana."
Sana looked up, her eyes meeting Professor Chou's with a mixture of gratitude and a hint of something else, something that made Professor Chou's heart skip a beat. "Thank you, Professor," she whispered, her voice soft and sincere. "That means a lot to me."
A comfortable silence settled between them, broken only by the gentle rustle of pages turning as other students continued their studies. Professor Chou leaned closer, her eyes searching Sana's face. She wanted to understand what was going on, to help Sana.
She wondered if it was a personal issue, a family matter, or something else entirely.
Sana, sensing Professor Chou's gaze, shifted uncomfortably. "I should probably get going. I have a class in a few minutes."
Professor Chou nodded. " Of course. See you later, Sana."
As Sana rose to leave, Professor Chou couldn't help but feel a pang of sadness.
She wanted to hold onto this moment, to learn more about Sana, to understand what was troubling her. But for now, she had to let her go.
As Sana walked away, Professor Chou watched her, her heart filled with a mixture of concern and a growing sense of longing.
.
.
.
