94 A Chance 1

(Alexandra's POV)

University O, Osaka, Japan.

In the white classroom, as I was giving a lecture on the class I elaborated a bit of Japanese culture with my foreign students. I explained the similarity between the two countries: Japan and Korea. From their early history until now.

I could see their each different facial expression or activities from the podium I stood on. Sleeping, gossiping, taking notes, feeling bored or enthusiastic with my study.

Hm, It was a unique experience! Variety is the best!

As I glanced at my watch, I held the mic in front of my lips and began explaining before the class finish.

"Okay, remember the task I gave you for next week. Each group should have each of your own presentations about the similarity between Japanese culture and Korean culture. There's no extended time with the deadline and you should be ready when I call your group. Alright, we will end our lesson today and see you next week." I said with a delighted face.

After the college lecture ended. I strode my legs out of the class and went to the direction of my lecturer office. All of sudden, my friend called me from behind. I turned to her direction and waved back. She strode to my side and asked, "Hey, how is it? Are you still having difficulty with the teaching?"

I tilted my head, pondering for a while. It has been a month I worked as a college lecturer. It was surprisingly fun and easy to do. I learned a lot from all of this experience, especially when I interact with all the students here.

I answered her, "Not much. It was fun, thanks for introducing me with this position."

She laughed and said, "What are you saying? You are one of the best students who graduated from this university. As I was your old academic supervisor, it was expected that you will get this position. It was what you wish for too, right? Now, be thankful to me." she said smugly.

I laughed when I heard her words.

She was right, I became a college lecturer because I wanted to.

As you know, I came from a military family yet it wasn't strict like Asuzawa family. Our Makoto family were not that restricted to the children if they wanted to study beside military knowledge or went to a military school. Because of that reason, the original Laura studied Japanese cultural studies at the university. While I was just her 'replacement'--or should I say 'permanent' now-- to continue her studies.

My parent suggested me to find a job in the Asuzawa Group company because I was close to Han. He may easily let me in. But, I disagree with their thoughts.

Although Han was my friend, I didn't want the people inside the company to judge me because I got a connection from him. I knew that I could just go with the normal route. But, how could you guarantee that I'll be fine in the end?

Han wasn't that kind heart friend.

So, no thanks for the job.

I asked the short girl who was in front of me. Even though, she was younger than me. She was actually a professor at this university. As she said, she was my academic advisor when I work on my dissertation, I was a little shocked of course. But, I never knew she didn't like me to call her professor.

She said it made her older than me. Well, I couldn't blame her.

Because she reacted like that, I suggested that she call me by my name while I do the same. She didn't have a problem with that and in a short time, I became her friend.

I said to her, "Don't you have a lecture next?"

"Ah! Right! I should go soon. Are you going to your workroom?"

"Yes, I am."

"Then, you should bring these papers to Prof. Matsushima, he needs it today." she gave me a stack of papers from her bag.

I held it and it was unexpectedly heavy! How could she bring this with her little hand? I ignored my judging thought and asked her, "Alright, anything else?"

Smiling weirdly she said, "Good luck. "

She gave me encouragement with thumbs up, while I sighed inwardly. I knew why she acted like that. It was because of Prof. Matsushima was really a difficult person. He was a little unpredictable. Usually, he stayed all the time on his office and he rarely showed his face to others, even when lecturing time, he will wear his ironm*n or bunny mask to cover his face.

Reason? I didn't know.

Weird? That was him alright.

Once I accidentally saw his face. When I was being interviewed by him for the newly selected lecturer, In that entire interview, he didn't realize that his mask was crook. So, fortunately, I could take a glimpse of his face. He was around thirty years old and masculine face. He could be described handsome but not handsome enough if compared with my childhood friends, Han or Stevan.

Speaking of Stevan...

Uhh...

Anyway!

Prof. Matsushima was described as an eccentric professor.

As I went to the college lecturer office. I looked at the plat name in front, 'Daiki Matsushima'. I knocked on it, but no responded from inside. Once again, when I tried to open the door, I realized the door wasn't locked.

"Pardon me," I said while came inside. His room was messy with papers, teacups, and plants. I searched for a place to put down the papers that I brought. I went to his desk side and clear some space to put it down.

"What are you doing?" A voice came beside my right ear. I flinched and looked at the person who talked to me. But, I didn't see him. Where was he?

"Down here," he said with a flat tone.

"Professor?"

He was buried inside a pile of papers. He was still laying down on the brown carpet. He while frowning, "I asked you, what are you doing here?"

"Professor, I-I was just trying to deliver this papers to you. I knocked your door already but you didn't respond, so I let myself in and put this on your desk. I'm sorry for intruding the place."

He got up from the floor and made the papers were messier than before. He didn't wear his mask. It was a little surprise for me. Inside I asked myself, did he just openly show his face to me?

His hair and clothes were messy. I could see a dark circle below his eyes. 'Perhaps he was overworking on his study research.' I thought.

He grabbed the papers that I carried and looked at it. He nodded, went to his chair and began his works again. I looked at him confusedly.

What? I can go now, right?

Out of the blue, I heard him saying something that irritated me. He asked, "You, what's your name again?"

Seriously? I looked at him and said with an obvious tone. "Uhh...I'm Laura Makoto."

He nodded without looking at me. He asked again,"Yes, do you have a plan this evening?"

"Currently, I don't."

"Then, have dinner with me."

"E-Excuse me?"

"We will meet again in Restaurant Z at 17:00 PM."

"..."

"What is it?"

"Uh...no," I said meekly.

...

What?

What just happened?

Did he just ask me out?

...

Like the promised plan. I went to Restaurant Z with him in the evening. It was a famous Italian restaurant with a reservation needed. I looked at Prof.Matsushima who had a ticket reservation. We sat on the reservation seat with a candle and red rose on the table. Ignoring the romantic atmosphere. We quickly ordered one pizza and two spaghetti.

Inside, I told myself that I couldn't finish these foods. It was too much!

Prof. Matshuhima wore his bunny mask and ate the spaghetti as if nothing was wrong with this current situation. The customers inside were all looking at us strangely, even the waiters were all frowning.

Yes, I knew it was all because of his mask!

I ignored their strangely stare as I focus on eating down the spaghetti. Suddenly his voice came to my ears, "You don't want to ask why I brought you here tonight?"

I smiled courtesy, "I am curious."

He cleaned up his mouth as he drank his juice apple. After a second, he explained, "I will be focusing on my research more and I didn't have time to have a lecture class. I will go to England next week yet I couldn't, so I want you to be my assistant lecturer as a replacement there. Ah, yes, you could treat it as a learning experience as well."

I stopped my hands and my eyes were open wide, looking at him as if he was joking. "Me? Assistant? Why me?"

"Remember the papers you brought this morning? It was the application of all college lecturer in the university, I chose you because I thought you are competent enough."

"B-But, I'm just starting to work here about a month ago. Isn't this unfair with the people who worked much longer than me?"

He looked at me as if he didn't satisfied with my answer. He clicked his tongue, gazing at me with a cold face."If an opportunity came to you, did you always refuse it?"

"No, I..."

"You were chosen because you were the best from all. So, I expect you will not disappoint me."

I was stunned. 'How can he become so scary?' I thought. I lowered my head and nodded weakly, "...alright. But, I have one question."

"What is it?"

"Why did you bother to have dinner together with me? You could just tell me this morning about it, right?"

He ignored my questions as he continued eating his dinner. I blinked a few times and followed him the same.

Was it so difficult to answer my question?

Inside, I was questioning my questions.

...

After we were finished our dinner, we went outside the restaurant and all of sudden he spoke to me. He said, "I'm hungry."

"..."

"And I'm lazy."

"..."

.

.

.

What did he mean 'hungry'?

What did he mean 'lazy'?

Did he just answer my questions from a while ago?