Professor, Please Don't

The plane wheels screeched against the runway.

Seoul, South Korea — a city Yn had only seen in pictures, now her new reality.

As she stepped out of the airport, everything felt too loud, too cold, too fast.

She gripped the strap of her bag like it was the only steady thing left in her life.

Her heart was still raw from Jackson’s betrayal. From the cruel truth: she wasn’t enough.

But there was no turning back.

A Week Later – First Day at Daehyun University

The gates of Daehyun Arts & Literature University towered above her. Grand, intimidating, beautiful.

Students bustled past, laughing, chatting, alive with the thrill of youth — but Yn felt like a ghost passing through someone else’s story.

Her chest tightened as she checked her schedule.

Modern Literature – Room 402
Time: 10:00 AM
Professor: Kim Taehyung

She took the stairs slowly, her shoes echoing off the quiet hallway floors.

Her nerves twisted as she reached the door. She pushed it open — and the world tilted.

He stood at the front of the class.

Tall. Devastatingly handsome.
Dressed in a black dress shirt rolled at the sleeves, one hand in his pocket, the other flipping through a leather notebook.
His jawline was sharp, lips plush, and eyes… unreadable.

There was an energy to him. A quiet, controlled danger.

Professor Kim Taehyung.

The man every student whispered about. The one no one dared get close to — but everyone wanted.

He looked up, eyes locking on hers the second she entered.

Time slowed.

Professor Taehyung (coolly):
You must be our American transfer.

Yn (fidgeting under his gaze):
Yes… Yn Jung.

His lips twitch in something close to a smirk

Professor Taehyung: Sit. Front row. I don’t tolerate ghosts in my class.

Yn blinked, startled, but nodded and obeyed. Her heart thudded wildly as she took her seat.

What was it about him that made the air feel heavier?

Midway Through Class
Taehyung spoke like he was reciting poetry, but every word had weight.

Professor Taehyung: Romanticism isn’t about softness. It’s about desire. The kind that consumes.
The kind that breaks rules. The kind you know you shouldn’t touch — but you do anyway.

He didn’t look at anyone.

Until he looked at her.

A slow glance. Eyes dark.
Professor Taehyung (pausing just slightly):
It’s about obsession.

Yn swallowed hard.

Did he just—
No. It was nothing. She was imagining things. Right?

After Class
Students began to leave, but Yn gathered her things slowly. She didn’t want to stay.
But part of her… did.

Professor Taehyung: Yn Jung. A word.

Her head snapped up.

Yn (quietly): Yes?

He walked over, too close. Towering. His scent was warm — musky, clean, addictive.

Taehyung handing her a folder

Professor Taehyung: You’re behind. This is a week’s worth of reading. I expect your first response paper by Friday.

Yn (nodding): Yes, Professor.

But as she turned, he leaned just slightly forward.

voice low, close to her ear
Professor Taehyung: Let’s see if you’re as disciplined as your file says.

Or if America made you soft.

Her breath hitched.

She turned, stunned — but he was already walking away.

Outside, her heart was racing.

What was that?

What was he?

To Be Continued…