As I finished getting dressed, I glanced at the clock and realized the time. My eyes widened in panic.
"Damn, I completely forgot," I muttered under my breath.
Aiko poked her head out of the bathroom, her expression curious. 'Forgot what?'
"I have a mandatory day at college," I explained hastily, grabbing my bag. 'It's some kind of orientation or something, but they said it's absolutely crucial to attend. I can't miss it.'
Aiko looked slightly surprised but nodded. 'Oh, right. I didn't realize you had something important today.'
"Yeah," I said, avoiding eye contact as I rushed to the door. "I really have to go. Sorry... I can't stay for breakfast."
Without waiting for her response, I slipped out of the room and closed the door behind me.
My stomach growled, but I didn't care. I needed to get out of there before things got any more complicated.
...
As I walked down the street, frustrated with no taxi in sight, I pulled out my phone and quickly dialed a familiar number.
"Hello? Sael, this is Ryo."
Sael's voice was calm on the other end. "Hey, man. What's up?"
"I know this is last-minute, but I'm in a bit of a jam. I need a ride to campus, like, right now. No taxis are stopping, and I'm already running late."
There was a brief pause, and then Sael chuckled. "You know I got you. I'll be there in five. Hold tight."
I hung up, feeling a wave of relief wash over me. Sael always came through, and with the kind of car he drove, I knew I'd make it in style.
True to his word, within minutes, I heard the low, rumbling purr of an engine approaching. A sleek, jet-black Rolls-Royce Cullinan pulled up in front of me, catching the attention of everyone nearby. The doors swung open, and Sael grinned from the driver's seat.
"Get in, man," he said, motioning for me to hop in.
I slid into the passenger seat, sinking into the luxurious leather as the door closed with a satisfying thud. "You seriously brought the Cullinan?" I asked, shaking my head in disbelief.
"Of course," Sael replied with a smirk. "If you're going to be late, might as well show up in style, right?"
We sped off toward campus, and I could already feel the stares of people on the street, their heads turning to catch a glimpse of the car.
When we finally arrived at the college, the sight of the Rolls-Royce pulling up caused an instant stir.
A group of students milling around the entrance stopped mid-conversation, their jaws practically hitting the ground. Whispers and murmurs spread through the crowd as I opened the door and stepped out.
"Dude, who's that?"
"Is that a Rolls-Royce Cullinan?"
"Must be some kind of celebrity."
I could feel their eyes on me, some in awe, others clearly wondering how a guy like me was getting dropped off in one of the most expensive cars in the city. I tried to act casual, but the moment felt surreal.
"Thanks, Sael. I owe you big time," I said, nodding as I shut the door.
"Don't mention it, bro," he called out with a grin. "Catch you later!"
As the Cullinan drove off, I could still feel the weight of everyone's stares, but I shook it off and headed toward the entrance. The whispers didn't stop, but I kept my head down, hoping to just blend in after the grand entrance.
But I knew that wasn't happening anytime soon.
I hurried through the campus, trying to ignore the lingering whispers about my flashy arrival. My mind was racing, and I wasn't even sure which class I was supposed to be in—until it hit me.
Chemistry. The thought sent a chill down my spine. Not because I hated the subject, but because of her. Professor Sayuri Nakamura.
She was known for two things: being incredibly strict and being impossibly beautiful. At only 30 years old, Professor Nakamura was a legend among students.
Long, jet-black hair, sharp, elegant features, and a confidence that radiated authority.
I wasn't looking forward to the inevitable scolding that awaited me as I sprinted down the hallway toward the lecture hall. Bursting through the door, I was greeted by the sound of her firm voice.
"Mr. Ryo," she called out immediately, her eyes locking onto me from across the room.
I froze. The entire class went silent, heads turning to watch the spectacle unfold. Professor Nakamura was standing at the front, arms crossed, her expression sharp.
"You're late," she said, her voice calm but with a dangerous edge. "Care to explain why you think it's acceptable to stroll into my class ten minutes after it started?"
I cleared my throat, trying to find my words, but my mind went blank. Her gaze was intense, and I felt the heat rising in my face.
"I—uh, had some car trouble," I stammered.
She raised an eyebrow, clearly unimpressed. "Car trouble? I'm sure that's what they call it when you roll up in a luxury vehicle outside the college gates." Her tone was laced with sarcasm, and I could hear a few snickers from the back of the class.
I winced. Of course, she had seen the Rolls-Royce. No chance of blending in now.
"Take a seat," she said, her voice low but commanding. "And next time, try not to let your... car troubles make you late."
I nodded quickly and found a spot near the back, sinking into my chair as quietly as possible. The lecture resumed, but I could still feel the tension in the air. Every so often, I'd catch Professor Nakamura glancing in my direction, her dark eyes full of scrutiny.
I tried to focus on the lesson, but it was hard to ignore the fact that she was even more stunning up close. Her long black hair fell perfectly over her shoulders as she wrote on the board.
She had that intimidating beauty, the kind that made you feel small and unworthy just by standing in her presence. But there was something else about her too, something I couldn't quite place—something that made me want to be noticed by her, even if it meant being scolded.
My daydreaming was abruptly interrupted when she turned to face the class again, her eyes landing squarely on me.
"Mr. Ryo," she said, her voice slicing through my thoughts. "Since you seem to have enough energy to be distracted, perhaps you can stay after class for extra work."
I blinked, my stomach sinking. What?
"Extra work?" I muttered, confused.
"Yes," she replied, her eyes narrowing slightly. "Since you clearly have time to be late and distracted, I'm assigning you extra study hours with me."
The entire class was staring again, some of the students suppressing giggles. But I felt my pulse race for a different reason entirely. Extra classes? Alone with her?
"Uh...?" I stammered, trying to keep my voice steady.
"Yes," she confirmed, her tone leaving no room for argument. "You can stay until nightfall, and we'll make sure you catch up on everything you've missed."
The way she said it sent shivers down my spine. I was about to spend hours alone with her, and not just any hours—until night.
My thoughts immediately went places they shouldn't, imagining scenarios that would never happen, but I quickly shook them off, trying to stay focused.
As the lecture droned on, I struggled to concentrate. The clock ticked away, each second inching closer to the end of class—and to my impending fate. I couldn't shake the feeling of anticipation mixed with anxiety.
Finally, the bell rang, signaling the end of class. Students began to gather their things, and the chatter filled the room. I could see some of them whispering and shooting glances my way, probably still shocked that I'd been called out by Professor Nakamura.
"Class dismissed," she said, her voice cutting through the noise. "Except for Mr. Ryo, of course. You can stay behind."
Everyone else filed out of the classroom, some still chuckling, while I sat there, fidgeting with my notebook. The door clicked shut, and suddenly it felt like the world outside had vanished, leaving just me and Professor Nakamura in the empty room.
She leaned against her desk, arms crossed, her dark hair cascading over one shoulder. "Well, Mr. Ryo, it looks like we have some time to catch up. I trust you're ready to put in the effort?"
I swallowed hard, nodding. "Yeah, I'll do my best."
"Good. Let's start with the material you missed," she said, her tone more serious now. "I expect you to be focused and ready to learn. No distractions this time."
As we delved deeper into the lesson, Professor Nakamura walked back to the board, her graceful movements catching my eye.
I couldn't help but notice how she carried herself—confident and poised. Each step highlighted her solid figure, a physique that many women would surely envy.
The scent of her perfume wafted through the air, a subtle yet captivating fragrance that made it hard to concentrate.
It was a mix of floral notes with a hint of something warm and inviting, and it seemed to wrap around me like an embrace.
After writing down a particularly complicated formula, she turned and, to my surprise, sat down right beside me. The sudden closeness made my heart race, and I caught a glimpse of her profile. Her long black hair fell over her shoulder, and I could see the delicate curve of her neck.
"Hmm, let me see the notes you took," Professor Nakamura said, leaning slightly closer, her dark eyes studying me intently.
I swallowed hard, suddenly aware of the complete blankness of my notebook. The truth was, I hadn't made a single note at all.
I had been too entranced by her presence, too captivated by the way she explained things, and now I felt the heat rise to my cheeks.
"Uh, well…" I began, fumbling through the pages in a panic, searching for something—anything—that could pass as notes. "I, um, I was just… uh, thinking about the concepts."
She raised an eyebrow, a slight smirk playing on her lips. "Thinking, huh? It seems like you were thinking about something else entirely."
I could feel her teasing tone, but the playful glimmer in her eyes made me nervous. "I swear I was paying attention!" I blurted out, desperate to defend myself.
"Really? Then explain this formula to me," she challenged, her voice low and smooth, yet with an undeniable edge.
I looked at the equation on the board, my mind racing as I tried to recall anything I'd learned. I opened my mouth to speak, but nothing came out. Instead, I found myself lost in her gaze, feeling as though she was pulling me into her world.
She sighed softly, clearly unimpressed. "Ryo, if you want to succeed in this class—and in life—you need to take this seriously. You can't just rely on charm or luck."
"Right, right," I said, feeling the weight of her words. "I'll do better, I promise."
She leaned back, folding her arms, and her expression softened slightly. "I believe you, but it starts now. We have some time to catch up. No more distractions, okay?"
"Okay," I replied, attempting to muster some focus. But as she began explaining the formula again, I couldn't help but be distracted by the way her voice flowed, how her eyes lit up when she was passionate about the material.
"See this part here?" she said, pointing at the board, her arm brushing against mine as she moved. "This is crucial for understanding the rest of the topic. You need to grasp this before moving forward."
I nodded, trying to absorb her words, but my mind kept wandering. It felt impossible to concentrate with her so close, her scent lingering in the air, and the warmth radiating from her body.
"Are you even taking this seriously?" she asked, turning to me with a pointed look.
"Of course! I mean, yes!" I stammered, finally pulling my gaze away from her to focus on the board. I picked up my pencil, ready to jot something down, but instead, I just ended up doodling absentmindedly, my thoughts drifting away once more.
Professor Nakamura sighed again, though this time with a hint of amusement. "If you keep this up, I might just have to keep you here longer."
The thought sent a jolt of excitement through me, but I shook my head, trying to clear the fantasy from my mind. "I'll focus! Really! Just give me another chance!"
She chuckled softly, shaking her head, but I could see a spark of encouragement in her expression. "Alright then. Let's see if you can redeem yourself."