*[Continued from Chapter 2]*
*Professor Han (gripping his spectacles tight, his chest heaving as his panicked voice booms down the stairwell):* Come tomorrow to my cabin!
My entire body freezes on the spot.
*Me (silently, locking eyes with him):* _Why, sir?! I have no idea where I found the audacity to stare right back at him like that. Ren and I were simply hurrying toward our bus when his sharp, thunderous "STOP" ripped through the courtyard. Instantly, every head on campus snapped toward us. He marched straight down the stairs, targeting me with an unreadable expression while a hundred curious eyes pinned us down. Ren and I exchanged a wide-eyed, frantic glance. I wondered if she could actually hear my heart hammering against my ribs._
Whispers ripple through the crowd:
*Student 1:* What on earth did she do?
*Student 2:* No way... do you think sir already knows her?
*Student 3:* How could he? She’s from a completely different stream.
*Student 4:* Maybe they’re related or something?
Without knowing a single shred of truth, the entire courtyard began buzzing with gossip about me.
*Professor Han (softening his tone, though a tense, stern edge remains):* Actually... I need to discuss something with you. So come tomorrow to my cabin.
*Me (swallowing hard):* Okay, sir.
*Me (grabbing Ren’s arm):* Let's go, Ren. Quick.
We practically sprinted onto our bus, the lingering, piercing stares of the crowd burning into my back with intense embarrassment. Did he really have to scream it across the entire quad? Couldn't he have just told me earlier?
*INSIDE THE BUS*
*Ren (leaning in, eyes wide):* Everyone was literally staring at us! He’s a commerce professor—what business does he even have with you? Does he already know you from somewhere?
*Me:* Of course not! I saw his face for the very first time this morning.
*Ren:* Did something happen between you two earlier today?
*Me:* No, just that ridiculous mix-up I told you about. I guess he wants to clear that up.
*Ren:* Right. Well, you'd better spill everything tomorrow after you meet him!
*Me (a faint, nervous smile creeping up):* You know, I'm pretty sure half the campus is waiting for the updates too.
Ren and I burst into quiet giggles, shaking off the stress by poking fun at how dramatic the professor had acted.
*MEANWHILE – PROFESSOR'S CABIN*
A man runs both hands frantically through his hair, pacing the length of his desk and muttering curses under his breath.
*Professor Han (internally spiraling):* _Why am I so ridiculously impulsive?! She’s a student... well, not my direct student, but a student nonetheless! Why did I have to yell at her in front of the whole world? I could have easily sent a messenger, yet I ran down those stairs like a madman. Ugh! I’ve made a complete fool of myself, and now I have to fix this mess. Otherwise, the image of those tear-filled eyes is going to haunt me all night. If she mentions this to her friends or her department head, it's going to blow up into an absolute disaster._
*AT HOME – HOUSE 07*
Fresh out of the shower with damp hair spilling over her shoulders, a girl in an oversized black rabbit t-shirt and cozy shorts vigorously rubs her face with a towel while hanging on her friend's every word.
*Dodo (exploding with dramatic outrage):* HOW DARE HE! Has that man completely lost his marbles?! And he didn't even apologize to you on the spot?! If I were in his position, I would have apologized a thousand times over—in fact, I wouldn't be dumb enough to make such a clumsy mistake in the first place! Don't you worry, Mochi, I'll roast him in my own special language! You don't deserve to be sad over this!
*Me (doubled over with laughter):* Hahahah, Dodo, please chill out! I know you’re a genius with a delightfully silly side. And I'm not sad anymore—talking to my favorite dumbo completely fixed my mood. Hehe.
*Dodo (pouting playfully):* Hey! Are you calling me a dumbo, Mochi? Fine, fine, as long as it brings your smile back. Just make sure you tell me every single detail tomorrow—I'll be on standby, ready to scold him for you!
*Me:* Deal! I'll keep you updated. I'm gonna go grab some lunch now. Take care!
*Dodo:* Bye-bye, Mochi!
*AT HOUSE 10 – OVER THE PHONE*
*Ren (holding the receiver, her voice full of disbelief):* What are you saying, Aaki?! A girl in your class actually picked a fight with the boys yesterday?
*Aaki (sighing heavily):* Yes! Her name is Juji. Our professor was bogged down with some urgent paperwork, so he just took quick attendance and left. That gave her the ultimate opportunity to unleash her drama. And guess what? She didn't even show up to class today!
*Ren:* Wow, how bold! You know, Jiji told me the professor completely mistook her for Juji, which is why he called her over to his cabin in the first place.
*Aaki:* What?! Are you serious? So what happened after that?
*Ren:* Nothing much. Once he realized he had the wrong girl, he sent her back to class.
*Aaki:* But I actually heard from some other girls that he called her back to his cabin for tomorrow. I really wonder why?
*Ren:* Yeah, that is so strange... Anyway, why did your classmate Juji start a fight in the middle of class?
*Aaki:* Honestly, she has zero basic manners! She was shouting and throwing around foul language, so one of the guys politely asked her to tone it down because he was trying to study. She took it as a massive personal insult and started screaming random nonsense—claiming boys get away with everything while girls always get judged. A tiny request turned into a full-blown war, and even the chill guys lost their temper.
*Ren:* That makes zero sense. He literally just asked her nicely to lower her voice—she was totally in the wrong.
*Aaki:* Exactly! Anyway, let's catch up more tomorrow at college!
*NEXT MORNING – COLLEGE CAMPUS*
A sharp, furious voice suddenly shatters the peaceful morning air: How dare you!!
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