Yohan paused in front of the nameplate on the office door, confirming it really was Professor Kim's office.

"Thanks for your help," he said to Lisa. "I would've spent all morning searching if not for you."

She let out a soft chuckle, a faint blush warming her cheeks. "You're giving me too much credit. You would've asked someone else eventually."

"Maybe," he said, "but I doubt they'd walk me all the way down here. So… thanks."

She shifted a little, then lowered her voice. "Yohan, before you go in—just a warning. Professor Kim is one of the most feared and respected lecturers in the entire department."

He raised a brow. "Feared?"

"Even if she likes you," Lisa said, "you still have to be careful. One mistake around her can get you in real trouble..."

She paused, then added with a small shrug, "Maybe that doesn't really apply to you since you aren't really a student… but it won't hurt to be a little cautious."

"Alright," Yohan said with a small nod.

He pushed open the door and stepped inside.

The sight that greeted him stopped him mid-stride. Professor Kim was leaned back in her chair, arms folded loosely, eyes fully shut—asleep.

Yohan quietly closed the door behind him, waiting for several long seconds.

She's sleeping… this early in the morning?

The day had barely begun. To find her like this…

He wondered whether he should wake her, but that felt inappropriate, even rude. So he stayed still, quietly taking in the office—and her.

Now that I actually look at her… she's really pretty, he admitted to himself.

The first time he'd met her was in class, and then that incident with Chloe happened—back then, her commanding presence had made it impossible for him to see her as anything other than a strict authority figure. A force of discipline. Someone sharp enough to cut glass with a glance.

But like this—relaxed, unguarded, almost gentle?

It felt like he was looking at a completely different person.

With her eyes softly closed and her bright red lips catching the light in a subtle gloss, she had an allure he hadn't noticed before. A quiet allure that was easy to admire.

'Even her breasts…'

His gaze dipped for a moment—her blouse rose and fell lightly with each breath, the faint outline of her chest accentuated by the posture she'd fallen asleep in.

'I wonder how soft it is…'

Yohan quickly pulled his eyes back up, feeling a flush of guilt creep into his chest.

'What am I doing?'

He cleared his throat—gently at first, then a bit louder.

Professor Kim stirred. Her brow furrowed slightly, and she let out a soft groan before her eyes fluttered open. For a moment, she squinted at him in confusion, as if trying to remember where she was, or who he was.

Then her expression shifted—recognition, followed immediately by alarm.

She sat up too quickly, wincing as she did. One hand flew to her temple.

"Ah—" she hissed under her breath, eyes squeezing shut again.

"Professor Kim?" Yohan asked carefully. "Are you alright?"

She didn't answer right away. Instead, she took a slow breath through her nose, then exhaled shakily. Her other hand pressed against the armrest of her chair as if steadying herself.

When she finally opened her eyes again, they were bloodshot. Tired. There was a tightness around her mouth that hadn't been there before—or maybe it had, and he'd just never noticed.

"I'm fine," she said, though her voice was hoarse. She straightened in her seat, smoothing down the front of her blouse with one hand while the other still cradled her forehead. "Just… didn't sleep well."

Yohan hesitated. The air in the room felt heavier now, like something unspoken was pressing down on both of them.

"Should I come back later?" he offered.

"No." She said it quickly—almost too quickly—and then softened her tone. "No, it's fine. You're already here."

She reached for a water bottle on her desk, unscrewed the cap with trembling fingers, and took a long drink. When she set it down, she avoided his gaze.

"I apologize for the… state you found me in," she said quietly. "It's unprofessional."

"It's okay," Yohan said. "Everyone has rough mornings."

She let out a bitter laugh—short and humorless. "Rough mornings. Sure."

There was a pause.

Then she leaned back again, this time more carefully, and finally looked at him properly. Her eyes were guarded, but there was something else there too. Something fragile.

"I had a bit too much to drink last night," she admitted, her voice barely above a murmur. "It's… become a habit."

Yohan didn't know what to say to that.

She glanced away, toward the window. The morning light spilled across her face, highlighting the faint shadows under her eyes.

"Do you know what it's like," she began slowly, "to go home to an empty apartment every night? To pour yourself a glass of wine just so the silence doesn't feel so loud?"

Her voice cracked—just a little—but she caught herself, swallowing hard.

"I didn't think I'd end up like this," she continued. "Alone. Drinking myself to sleep because it's easier than lying awake wondering where everything went wrong."

Yohan stood there, frozen. He didn't know this woman—not at all—but in that moment, he saw past the sharp edges and the stern standards. He saw someone who was lonely.

"Professor Kim…" he started, but she held up a hand.

"Forget it," she said, forcing a weak smile. "You didn't come here to listen to me wallow in self-pity."

She straightened again, trying to pull herself together. But the mask didn't quite fit the way it used to.

"Have a seat," she said, clearing her throat. "The job you are required to do, isn't too difficult, especially for someone as talented as you,"

She continued with a straight face, "All you have to do is push yourself to the limit and show me how much you can take, can you do that for me?"

"Sure thing, ma'am," Yohan responded confidently.

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