The Touch of Memory
Professor Chou's touch. It was weird. Not the touch itself, but the way it made me feel. Like it unlocked a door to a past I couldn't remember. Totally creepy. And it made me think about Professor Tzuyu. I mean, she's my teacher, and totally out of my league, but... well, she's beautiful, and smart, and... Okay, I need to stop.
So, I decided to test this whole "touchy-feely" theory. My target? Professor Tzuyu, the queen of cool and aloof.
I kept trying to get close to her, like, subtly. A quick brush of hands while passing a textbook, offering her a pen, even a casual touch on her arm during class. But every time, she'd totally dodge me.
Like, flawlessly dodge me. It was insane. And kind of... disappointing. I mean, I know she's my teacher, but I can't help but feel a little... rejected.
She's so graceful, it's almost like she can read my mind or something. Every time I tried, she'd move away, like she was avoiding a disease or something.
It was starting to get to me, you know? Like, I was getting rejected, but not in a mean way, more like... confused. And maybe a little bit hurt. Am I a disease?
One day, during a lecture, I was totally drawn to her desk. I wanted to ask a question, but as I reached out to touch her arm, she flinched, her eyes went wide, and she practically jumped back.
She even put her hand over her chest, like she was scared.
"Professor Tzuyu, are you okay?" I asked, worried.
She forced a smile. "Yeah, Ms. Minatozaki, I'm fine. Just a bit startled, that's all."
It was clear she was avoiding my touch.
"Is everything alright?" I pressed, trying to sound casual. "You seem a little... off."
She hesitated, looking away. "I'm fine, really. Just a bit tired, I guess."
The almighty elegant beautiful Professor Chou is tired!?
This whole thing with Professor Tzuyu, it was like a puzzle, but a really weird one.
It's like we're playing a game, but neither of us knows the rules. And it's starting to feel like it's getting more intense, you know?
Arghh I don't even know anymore!
I kept trying to break through her barrier. I started small, asking for a book she had on her desk, my fingers brushing against hers as I handed But as quickly as the touch almost happened, it was gone, she withdrew her hand as if burned.
I tried again, this time asking for her coffee thermos. As I reached for it, she stepped back, her eyes wide. "Oh, sorry," I stammered, "I didn't mean to startle you."
"It's alright, Ms. Minatozaki," she said, her voice strained. "I just... I'm not used to being so close to people."
Not used!? What about that Nayeon!?
My heart ached. I knew she was a private person, but her avoidance felt almost… deliberate. Like she was trying to keep me at arm's length, both physically and emotionally.
One day, I decided to be more direct. I walked up to her desk after class, a research paper in hand. "Professor Tzuyu," I said, "I was wondering if you could take a look at this. I'm having some trouble with the analysis."
She took the paper, her fingers brushing against mine for a moment. I felt a jolt of electricity, a feeling that was both exhilarating and terrifying.
There it was again, That headache and a passing memory.
But as quickly as it happened, it was gone. She stepped back, her eyes wide with apprehension.
"I'll take a look at it, Ms. Minatozaki," she said, her voice tight. "I'll let you know what I think."
I felt a wave of frustration. I wanted to understand why she was so resistant to my touch, but I didn’t want to push her. I wasn’t sure what to do, but I knew I couldn’t just let it go.
Later that week, I found myself hanging around the library, hoping to bump into her. I knew it was kind of stalker-ish, but I couldn't help it. And guess what? She was there, surrounded by books, looking like a goddess. I tried to act cool, but I couldn't help but stare.
She looked up, caught me staring, and her eyes widened. She quickly averted her gaze, and I felt my cheeks flush.
"Ms. Minatozaki," she said, her voice a little shaky. "What are you doing here?"
"Oh, just, um, studying," I stammered, feeling like an idiot. "I, uh, thought I'd see if you were here."
She didn't say anything, just stared at me. I felt a strange mix of fear and excitement.
"I, uh, I was wondering if you wanted to continue the session after class," I blurted out. "I mean, if you're not too busy. I just have a few questions about the lecture."
She hesitated for a moment, then nodded slowly. "Okay," she said. "I'll be free."
I felt a surge of joy. She said yes! But then I remembered the way she'd flinched when I'd touched her arm. And I wondered if she was only saying yes because she felt obligated. Or maybe she was just curious.
As we sat in her office, I tried to be casual, to make her feel comfortable. But I couldn’t help but feel a strange tension between us.
