Decision

"Ah… M-Miss Serena… the government just announced a lockdown for all citizens."

"I can see that, dumbass!"

"…"

"But more importantly–my apartment! I need to get in there!"

Now, there was no other choice. She had to ask the building manager for permission to break the lock. Luckily, she had her phone with her.

She quickly dialed his number.

Ring… ring… ring…

No answer.

She tried again. Same result.

By the ninth consecutive call, Serena was gripping the phone tightly, her jaw clenched.

"Why aren't you picking up?!" she shouted in frustration.

"Maybe he's just busy," Mike suggested. "The lockdown was announced out of nowhere– he's probably dealing with a lot right now."

Serena sighed, running a hand through her hair. "You're right, but… what am I supposed to do now? I have to get into my apartment somehow."

For the first time, there was a visible sadness in her expression, a hint of vulnerability she never showed in the daylight.

Mike didn't like seeing her like that. He felt something unfamiliar stir within him something he couldn't quite place.

He hesitated, then took a step closer.

"If you want… you can stay here for longer."

Serena's head snapped up, eyes wide.

Realization hit Mike like a truck. His words hung in the air, heavier than he had anticipated. What the hell did I just say?!

Inviting his teacher to stay in his apartment? Just the two of them? In a lockdown? It sounded… too much like a live-in relationship!

Panic set in.

"A-Ahh! I-I think I said too much!" Mike stammered, taking a quick step back. "T-That's not what I meant, Miss! It just- it just slipped out! I swear, I wasn't being serious!"

Desperate to change the subject, he quickly blurted, "W-What if we just break the lock of your apartment instead? Why wait for the manager's permission? Yeah! That's a great idea!"

Serena stared at him for a moment before sighing. Her voice was flat but serious. Taking her deadly gaze off him she said,"If you ask me now… I don't really think breaking the lock is a good idea."

"B-But why?"

"Why? Firstly, if we break the door, we'll still need a locksmith to fix it. So what's the point of breaking it if we'd have to call one anyway? Secondly, a locksmith isn't going to come easily during a lockdown. Which means if the door is broken, it'll have to stay open for who knows how long. And thirdly, if the virus somehow spreads into my apartment because my door was constantly open, then what? The whole building could be at risk!"

"I… see," Mike muttered. "You're actually right, Miss."

He let out a small sigh, scratching the back of his head. Do teachers always need to explain everything in detail? she could've said all that in a fewer words.

"I'm left with no choices," Serena said, locking eyes with Mike. They stared at each other for a moment, a strange silence settling between them. Just as Serena opened her mouth again, her voice quieter than before—

"Th-the thing you said... about me stayi-"

Her phone rang. It was the building manager.

The sudden vibration shattered the atmosphere, making Serena flinch. Mike, on the other hand, felt like punching a wall.

Wow, great timing you bastard. Couldn't you wait for a sec there? He cursed the building manager internally. But then reality hit him.

Wait...

Why am I even think about it? I don't have a chance with her, She out of my league, Yeah, That's the thing. She's my teacher. I shouldn't be even thinking about it in the first place...

Serena answered the call, discussing her situation with the building manager. After a few minutes, she hung up, letting out a deep sigh.

Mike hesitated before asking, "So, what did he say?"

"He said he'll manage to get a locksmith… but I'll have to wait for at least a week or two."

Mike's face lit up before he could stop himself. "Oh, a week? That's great!"

Serena raised an eyebrow. "Huh?... What's so great about that?"

Realizing his mistake, Mike panicked. "Uhh, I-I mean, it's great that you'll be able to go back to your apartment soon! Hahaha…" He let out a nervous laugh, rubbing the back of his head.

Serena narrowed her eyes slightly, not entirely convinced, but chose to let it slide.

"Anyway," she said, crossing her arms, "so I'll be staying in your apartment for the time being… Is that alright with you?"

Mike's grin widened. It was as if he had been waiting for this moment. "Yeah, sure! I'd be happy to help my teacher."

Serena took a step closer, her expression turning cold. Mike gulped.

"Btw," she said casually, "I found something interesting in your room."

Mike blinked. "H-huh? What do you mean?"

"You seem to be a big fan of adult magazines, huh?"

A wave of panic hit him like a truck. "Wh-what?! A-adult? What? I-I don't know what you're talking about, M-Miss!"

I'm fucked up! Why didn't I hide it somehow the last night when I had the chance...

Serena smirked, tilting her head slightly. "Mmm, don't play dumb with your teacher. I saw it lying on your desk. You didn't even bother to hide it. Almost as if… you wanted me to see it."

"Ah-hh, you see… it's a good thing to have as study material. You know… for anatomy study and drawing practice..." Mike blurted out, his voice shaky. Serena raised an eyebrow, arms crossed. "You do art too? I didn't know that. You're full of surprises, Mike."

Mike let out a nervous chuckle, but Serena only sighed, watching his face turn red with embarrassment.

She wasn't sure why… but she kind of liked it.

Seeing him all flustered, stammering in front of her, it was amusing. Yet, at the same time, something about it made her feel strange. Why do I even care? It's not like he's the only student who keeps this type of stuff at his age. And this is his house. Who I am to tell him what he should or shouldn't do here?

Then why?… Why I'm enjoying it?

Serena exhaled slowly, shaking off the thought.

"Look," she said, her tone softer, "I'm not saying you can't keep this kind of stuff. Just… at least hide it better when other people are around."

Mike blinked, his panic fading. Wait… she's not scolding me? He had expected her to be angry, disgusted even. But instead, she was just… giving him advice?

It was a rare moment one where she felt less like his strict, untouchable teacher and more like an actual person. Maybe, just maybe, beneath that cold and distant exterior, there was something warmer.

"Uh… okay," Mike mumbled, still processing everything.

Now that everything was finally settled, Serena was going to be living with Mike for the time being.

It was an arrangement neither of them had planned for, yet here they were two unlikely individuals, forced to share the same space under one roof. The cold, distant teacher and the awkward yet kind-hearted student. For at least a week, maybe two, they would be waking up in the same apartment, crossing paths in the kitchen, the living room, and the hallways.

A strange tension lingered in the air, an unspoken awareness that neither of them voiced.

Mike, still reeling from the whirlwind of events, glanced at Serena. She, too, seemed lost in thought, as if still processing the fact that she'd be stuck here with him.

This is insane, he thought. The soulless beauty... living with me?

Serena finally broke the silence. "Well, I guess I'll be in your care, then."

"Y-yeah, of course! Make yourself at home."

Her expression remained unreadable, but for the first time, there was a faint softness in her voice. "Just don't try anything weird, alright?"

Mike nearly choked on his breath. "Wh-why would I?! I'm not some creep, Miss!"

Serena smirked. "Good."

And with that, their strange new life together had begun. What would happen in the days to come? Would they drive each other crazy, or would something unexpected bloom between them? Neither of them had the answer yet.