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After the talk in class, things seemed to settle down, but the whispers never fully went away.

The campus was small, and news traveled fast, no matter how much we tried to downplay it.

It was hard to ignore the sideways glances and occasional teasing from some of my classmates.

But as time passed, the rumors started to die down—mostly because there was nothing else to feed them.

And still, life moved forward.

I found myself getting more comfortable in my classes, even though the lingering tension between me and Professor JM was something I couldn’t quite shake.

I could feel his eyes on me more often now, not in a disapproving way, but in a way that made my stomach flutter every time our paths crossed.

Our interactions had become a bit more.

.

.

personal.

Not in any overt way, but there was a subtle shift in how we communicated.

Small talk, brief exchanges, and the occasional word of encouragement from him during class kept me wondering where this was going.

Was it just me, or did there seem to be something unspoken between us?

---

One day, as I sat in the campus cafe sipping my coffee and reading over my notes for an upcoming exam, I noticed Professor JM walking toward me. He looked as composed as ever, but there was a certain hesitation in his step that made me wonder what was going on in his mind.

He stopped in front of my table, a small smile on his face. “Mind if I sit?”

I blinked, taken aback. “Oh, no, of course not.” I quickly moved my bag to make space.

He sat down, the air between us a little tense, though I couldn’t tell if it was just me feeling that way. “How’s the studying going?” he asked casually.

“It’s going okay,” I replied, trying to stay calm despite the sudden rush of nerves. “Nervous about the exam coming up.”

He smiled. “You’ve been doing well so far. I’m sure you’ll do great.”

I smiled back, feeling a wave of relief at his encouraging words. But there was something else—an underlying current I couldn’t ignore. We weren’t talking about academics anymore. It felt like there was a weight to the conversation, a question unsaid, hanging between us.

There was a long pause before I finally spoke up. “Professor, can I ask you something?”

He raised an eyebrow. “Of course.”

I hesitated for a moment, unsure if I should ask the question that had been on my mind for days. But I figured now was as good a time as any. “Are you okay? After everything that happened... with the text exchange and the gossip, I mean.”

His smile faltered just slightly, and he leaned back in his chair. “I’m getting through it,” he said, though there was a hint of tiredness in his voice. “It’s been a little difficult, but nothing I can’t handle.”

I nodded, but my curiosity couldn’t be contained. “You know, I’ve been wondering... why me? Why did you share that stuff with me?”

Professor JM seemed to consider this for a moment, his gaze drifting out the window as if searching for an answer.

Finally, he turned back to me, his eyes meeting mine.

“I don’t know. I suppose, in some ways, you’re one of the few people I felt comfortable talking to. Sometimes it’s easier to confide in someone who isn’t too involved in your personal life, someone who isn’t going to judge you.”

I wasn’t sure how to respond to that. His words were honest, and though it made sense in a way, there was something about it that still felt too personal. I had become part of his inner world in a way I never expected.

“I appreciate that, sir,” I said quietly. “But I hope you know I’m not going to judge you. I just... I hope you’re doing better.”

He smiled again, but this time it was softer, more genuine. “Thanks, Junno. That means a lot.”

For a moment, there was an understanding between us. It was unspoken, but real. And in that moment, I could feel that perhaps things were shifting in a way I wasn’t sure I was ready for.

---

The weeks that followed were filled with the usual stress of university life.

Exams, assignments, and social events came and went.

But despite the chaos, I found myself looking forward to the moments when I could cross paths with Professor JM.

I didn’t know if it was the shared understanding between us or something deeper, but each interaction left me with a sense of anticipation, a curiosity about where this was all headed.

One evening, as I was leaving the library after a long study session, I ran into him near the campus gates. He was standing alone, looking at his phone. As I approached, he looked up and smiled.

“Late night studying?” he asked, his tone light but with a hint of concern.

“Yeah,” I replied, stifling a yawn. “I’m trying to get through all of this material, but it’s a lot.”

“I can imagine,” he said, glancing at my stack of books. “You’ve been putting in a lot of work. Don’t overdo it, though. You deserve some rest.”

I chuckled, grateful for his consideration. “I’ll try. It’s just that everything’s piling up.”

“Well, if you need a break, I’m around. You know where to find me,” he said, his voice softer than usual.

I nodded, a small smile forming on my face. “Thanks, sir. I appreciate that.”

As I walked away, I couldn’t help but feel like there was something more to our exchange than just casual small talk. It felt like he was giving me an opening, an invitation, but I wasn’t sure if I should take it.

---

The days began to blur as the exam week drew closer.

I was lost in a sea of textbooks and notes, but as I sat down to study one evening, my mind kept drifting back to Professor JM.

There were so many moments between us, so many subtle signs that made me wonder what this all meant.

Was it just the stress of university life playing tricks on my mind?

Or was there something deeper happening between us that neither of us was willing to acknowledge?

I didn’t have an answer, but for the first time since arriving in La Trinidad, I was uncertain of what the future held.

The campus was small, and our lives had become intertwined in ways I never imagined.

And though I had tried to focus solely on my studies, there was no ignoring the fact that I was no longer just a student in his class.

The lines were becoming blurred, and I had no idea where they would lead.

But one thing was clear—I wasn’t ready to let go of whatever this was, whatever it might become.