Don't Feed the Professor! - Chapter 53

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This chapter was translated by Lunox Novels. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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I’d said that, but the truth was that what Bibi had said just moments ago was nagging at me.
“Do you really think that? He didn’t make you feel that way, did he?”
Either way, I’d ended up taking Mallo’s side. Over Bibi—the same species as me, an operative of the Agency—I’d chosen someone whose very identity remained a mystery.
“Lee Yuri?”
But I couldn’t just say that outright.
“I think… I was just sticking my nose where it didn’t belong. How stupid of me.”
“No, you did well enough.”
When I looked up at him with a puzzled expression, he smiled down at me.
“It was all necessary.”
Just as I was about to ask what he meant, he turned toward me.
A shadow fell across my head, and then Mallo wrapped an arm loosely around my shoulders, drawing me close.
I found myself pulled toward him, collapsing into his embrace.
“Huh? Um…?”
My vision completely blocked out, I went rigid and could only manage flustered sounds.
Stooping because of our height difference, Mallo patted my back gently. He spoke from above my head.
“You did well.”
“…?”
It was then that I came to my senses and shoved him away hard.
“W-what, what are you doing right now!”
Mallo stumbled back surprisingly easily.
“You looked upset, so I was comforting you. You said that’s what close people do.”
“B-but that’s not—! And another thing, professor, aren’t you being a bit too… forward? Lifting people up without warning, grabbing me by the—!”
Mallo blinked as if he didn’t understand.
“Why would it be?”
My words caught in my throat.
“Because it’s… I mean, it’s inappropriate…?”
“Lee Yuri.”
Mallo let out a soft sigh. Then he stepped closer, gazing into my eyes.
“Why worry about such things when you’re with me? I told you—there’s no need to overthink it.”
“That’s true, but…”
“You’re right, you do have a point. It might be inappropriate. You’re not at an age where you should be embracing just anyone anymore. So something like this…”
Cool hands cupped both my cheeks. He tilted my head gently, making me look at him.
“…should only be with your professor, yes?”
“…”
I was speechless.
Rationally, I knew his words held no logic. Yet I couldn’t bring myself to refute them.
‘I’m being manipulated.’
I couldn’t tell if he was truly trying to control me, the way Bibi worried. But one thing was certain—I was letting him do exactly that right now.
Frozen solid, I could barely move my lips.
Then, finally, the elevator chimed and opened.
“Professor…”
“Hmm?”
“Let… let me go.”
Mallo released me. He watched me stand there dazed, that familiar smile playing at his lips.
“Your face is red.”
“It’s just… hot.”
“Shall we go?”
I nodded. For some reason, I couldn’t meet his eyes.
* * *
That night, after showering early, I sat down at my desk.
On the desk lay the photographs I’d received today and the Communication Device Bibi had given me.
This afternoon, I’d thought I’d stumbled into trouble by accident. But now that my head was clear, I found myself thinking it might not be coincidence at all.
Could this be another clue? I couldn’t yet imagine what lay at the end of that thread, but the possibility nagged at me.
“…I’m exhausted.”
Today had been overwhelming. Exhausted as I was, I’d be useless at planning anything.
It was as I opened a drawer to store the Communication Device and documents away.
Rattle.
“Huh?”
What rolled out from the depths of the drawer were four Egg Candies wrapped in gleaming paper—the very ones Mallo had given me on my first day at the Fortress.
“I’d completely forgotten about these…”
I picked up the candies and laid them on my palm.
I’d been suspicious of them and simply shoved them away, but looking at them now, they seemed quite appetizing.
Then my phone chimed. I glanced over at it, hesitated a moment, then checked the message.
[Momo]
I felt a wave of relief and read on.
[You’re looking for Black Market info, right? Want to meet tomorrow morning for a bit?]
Had Bibi told her? Perfect timing, actually. I’d been wondering how to bring it up.
I typed “Yeah,” and was about to hit send when I added a few more words.
[Let’s go to the cafe. I need to talk to you about something. I’ll buy the coffee.]
Ding.
The reply came back quickly.
[Sounds good! But where did you and Russell go today? When I saw you on the first floor earlier, you looked like you’d lost everything lol]
I smiled softly. “Russell”—that would be Bibi, of course.
[Just uh lol did you have class today? How was it?]
I couldn’t exactly reveal what had happened at the Nest Building, so I steered the conversation. Her reply came back in less than a second.
[Class was fine but trying to be a college student when it’s not my fate is driving me crazy ㅠㅠ]
[? sudden surveillance]
Momo and I chatted away for a while.
I’d noticed recently that despite my first impressions, we talked quite well together. Even in idle conversation, I found myself naturally playing along.
[ah that was fun would’ve called if not for house rules]
[lol sleep well]
[sleep well amelie see you tomorrow]
Even after the conversation ended, I held my phone for a long while without setting it down.
‘Is this… what having a friend is like.’
Lost in such a thought, I felt oddly self-conscious.
“…I should just sleep.”
I tidied up my desk and crawled into bed, the candies in the drawer completely forgotten.
* * *
At an outdoor table in front of the Academic Building under morning sun, I found myself in an awkward situation.
“What’s the problem then? Is he just possessive and controlling and all that?”
Momo took a bite of carrot cake, her expression uncomprehending.
“It’s not like that…”
I sighed. It was hard to pin down a clean explanation.
All the way back to the Dormitory in the car yesterday, Mallo had acted no different than usual. I’d been too busy pretending everything was normal.
“So you don’t dislike him either. I take time out of my day for this, and all you need counseling on is your love life?”
Russell cut in sharply, arms crossed.
Momo set down her fork with a clink.
“How dare you speak to Amelie like that! We’re sitting here sipping coffee without a care in the world only because Amelie’s been kind enough to indulge us!”
Russell rolled her eyes.
“That’s only temporary. Superior Beings’ affection is fickle. Don’t bother analyzing or trying to understand—you’ll just exhaust yourself.”
Momo nodded as if agreeing with what Russell had said.
Russell might be right. Her words had the weight of experience behind them. But this wasn’t really a matter of understanding or not—it was more like…
“I’m just anxious, I guess.”
Momo nodded knowingly.
“I told you—he’s the possessive type. He says it’s not like that now, but be careful. He’ll probably show his true colors soon enough.”
“…That’s not it.”
Besides, even if she warned me, what could I possibly do against a Superior Being?
Watching me wrestle with my thoughts, Russell spoke up.
“That’s the trap of the Teacher-Student Relationship. You fall for your professor’s words and actions more easily.”
“Right. Being rejected so pathetically might actually be a blessing for Russell.”
When Momo started teasing, Russell’s expression crumpled.
“Shut it.”
“Why? Getting sad thinking about it? Your eyes are getting watery, aren’t they? You’re pining for your lost love and shedding tears?”
Momo laughed and patted Russell’s shoulder. Even I thought it was mean.
I was about to keep watching when I noticed Russell gritting her teeth. Before the atmosphere turned too ugly, I redirected the conversation.
“Let’s drop that. Going back to the Painkiller Pump you used during Course Registration—that’s a Black Market item, right?”
“Yeah, but that was almost ten years ago.”
Ten years?
“Wait, ten years? You’re saying you were at the Fortress ten years ago too?”
I’d heard she participated in Course Registration five years prior, but five years and ten years were completely different.
But Momo and Russell both shrugged as if it was no big deal.

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This chapter was translated by Lunox Novels. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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