The consequences

“If the moon smiled, she would resemble you. You leave the same impression of something beautiful but annihilating.”

–Sylvia Plath

…

“Megan, please wait a minute!” Hiro called as he frantically ran out of the cafeteria in search of his boss, leaving Lunamor behind.

Some of the students glanced at his direction curiously, probably wondering why the Math professor sounds like he’s in trouble or something... maybe because yeah, he’s probably in big trouble but Hiro pointedly ignored them all as he continued running after Megan who was hurriedly walking in the hallways, already a good distance away from him. Thankfully, Megan seemed to hear him shout as she stopped walking and turned around.

…Oh, thank God!

Once Hiro stood in front of her, Megan crossed her arms and shook her head, as if in disappointment, “So... I guess there really is some truth in those rumors, huh? With an attitude like that, no wonder two of her professors gave up on her. That girl’s a lost cause, I tell you.”

Hiro stiffened, sensing resentment practically oozing from the older woman’s tone, but Megan only smiled lightly at him, “Oh no, I’m not angry at you, Hiro. Don’t worry.”

“But… L-Lunamor,” he fidgeted, “Megan, I’m so sorry– “

Megan waved a hand dismissively, “Your student is a grown woman, Hiro. I can’t hold you accountable for her disrespectful actions just because you happened to be her teacher.”

Still, Hiro felt very guilty about what just happened (that he practically allowed it), despite what Megan says. Megan had been nothing but friendly and Lunamor just insulted his boss while he just literally watched all of this happen right in front of him… like some sort of useless mannequin.

“As her teacher, I still like to apologize on her behalf, Megan. It’s just… not that I’m defending my student, but Lunamor wasn’t normally like that, not in my classes, I swear–”

Megan frowned, “Ah yes, about that…”

He froze, “…W-What?”

“I was concerned about Lunamor’s attitude because of the rumors floating around her but now, seeing it in action?” Megan shook her head slightly in disbelief, a dry chuckle escaping her lips.

Hiro winced, “I… I’m sorry”

“It’s not your fault. Stop apologizing.”

“But the way she talked to you– “

“Yes, that attitude is alarming, isn’t it?”

Hiro silently fixed his glasses for a moment, not liking where their conversation is heading, “Look, I know, I know… and I’m really sorry for that Megan, but I can handle it, I promise. Lunamor is usually in silent mode when the class is in session anyway– “

Megan suddenly raised a hand to stop him from rambling out his excuses... and Hiro automatically snapped his mouth shut at the serious expression on his boss’ usually smiling face, “I’m not worried about your teaching abilities. But I am worried that girl might be too much for you to handle when she suddenly starts to show that kind of attitude.”

“But… b-but I…!”

“Don’t get me wrong Hiro, I just don’t want you to be one of her unlucky professors who resigned next. I know how much you need this job, after all. So, I will be taking over the class where Lunamor is in… starting tomorrow.”

But I handled her pretty well for almost an entire month without anyone hearing an issue from me while you couldn’t even handle five minutes without walking out on her, Hiro could stop himself from thinking resentfully, feeling the slightest bit of insulted as he forced to keep himself from saying just that, his hands curling into tight fists by his sides.

“Are we clear?” Megan asked.

Hiro bit his lip.

“…yes, ma’am,” he finally muttered.

“Good,” Megan was all smiles again as she clapped him on the shoulder and despite that, Hiro still couldn’t force back a smile in turn, “Believe me, it’s for the best. At least it’s one less stressor for you, am I right?”

And that’s one less class out of my paycheck. Yeah right, that’s just what I need... Hiro found himself nodding along at that without a word, he was already thinking and calculating about the things he'd have to cut out from his budget, because seriously, who was Megan trying to kid here?

Besides, for all he knew, Megan just probably wanted to get back at Lunamor for what happened in the cafeteria because as far as Hiro was concerned, Megan is obviously no match for Lunamor.

Megan couldn’t even handle Lunamor back-talking at her, and Hiro obviously had managed… although he wasn’t able to control her attitude or stop her from insulting everyone the kid decides she did not like, at least Hiro can stand up to her unlike the other professors who turns a blind eye or ends up running off.

And who was he kidding?

As if he had a say in this!

Whether Hiro liked it or not, Megan is still a higher-up... if she wanted to take away one of his classes for the rest of the semester, then there is absolutely nothing he could do about it.

Well… he supposes he could complain to the dean about this, but he figured that would be way too much trouble than it is worth. And quite frankly, he’s still very annoyed with the stunt Collins had pulled and Collins was annoyed with him for being vocal about his complaints regarding Lunamor's situation too.

Almost out of nowhere, the school bell suddenly rang.

Saved by the bell, he thought.

“I still have some classes…” Hiro muttered, stepping away from Megan, suddenly having a childish urge of slapping her hand off of him but thankfully, he restrained himself, “I’ll be on my way now.”

“Right, see you around, Hiro.”

“Yeah… you too, Megan.”

But despite Hiro’s irritation, he quickly realized that he didn’t really want the older woman to be bullied around by Lunamor again. Sure, he’s annoyed but he didn’t want Megan to be the next professor out of the university.

Although he knows he shouldn’t be too worried about Megan… or even Lunamor–this wasn’t his business anymore and Lunamor was usually mute (or taking a nap) in class anyway. But who knows what that girl will do or say should Megan tried to… to pester the kid just to include her in a class discussion or accidentally wake her up?

There’ll be hell to pay.

As Hiro made his way back to his office, he found himself genuinely hoping that Lunamor would ignore the sudden changes of one of her many professors… but there was something in his gut that tells him that it’s probably going to be wishful thinking.

Sighing, Hiro reluctantly took his cell phone out of his pocket and sent a quick email to his… ex-class (he seriously didn’t feel any better):

“Good afternoon, everyone! So yeah… long story short, I guess I wouldn’t be able to make it for our next meeting. Mrs. Megan Griffins will be taking over the class but don’t worry, my office hours still haven’t changed. Any of you can still schedule a meeting if you guys ever need me.”

Hiro fixed his glasses, suddenly feeling ridiculously tempted to mention Lunamor right there and then to tell her to please ‘be nice’ to Megan or something.

Maybe he should send a separate email to her… just in case?

Tch.

As if that’ll work.

Just as quickly the thought came, Hiro decided against that… because something in his gut was telling him that it might fan the flames and do more harm than good.