Obsession

The days passed, each one blending into the next, but the quiet tension that hung in the air between Tul and Mew grew more palpable. Tul couldn’t shake the feeling that something was slightly off. Mew’s behavior, though still outwardly friendly, had begun to crawl under his skin in ways he couldn’t ignore. His presence was suffocating in its constant proximity, like a shadow always hanging just a little too close, always just a little too aware.

At first, Tul chalked it up to his own paranoia. He was exhausted, after all. Juggling lectures, grading papers, attending meetings, and managing the university’s ongoing projects left him little time to relax, and his mind was starting to play tricks on him. Maybe he was just imagining things—Mew had been one of his most devoted students for a while now, always eager to learn, always willing to go the extra mile. There was nothing unusual about that, right?

But it was the way Mew watched him now that unsettled him the most. During class, Mew's gaze would linger a moment too long whenever their eyes met. When they spoke, Mew’s voice, though calm and polite, seemed to carry an unspoken intensity. And it wasn’t just that—Mew’s gestures had changed too. Where once he might have sat quietly in the back row, now he lingered near the front, always seeking out Tul’s gaze, always somehow managing to be in the same place at the same time.

Tul tried to brush it off, but it was becoming harder to ignore.

One evening, after another exhausting day, Tul decided to treat himself to a quiet dinner at his favorite café, hoping for some peace and solitude. The small café was nestled in a corner of the city, an unassuming place with warm lighting and cozy corners that made it the perfect spot to unwind. Tul ordered a coffee and sat at a table by the window, staring out at the dimming sky, hoping the solitude would clear his mind.

But as he took a sip of his drink, he felt a sudden chill—like the weight of someone’s gaze. He looked up slowly, and sure enough, there was Mew, sitting at a table across the room, his eyes fixed on Tul with an intensity that made his skin crawl.

Tul’s breath caught in his throat. He hadn’t seen Mew enter, hadn’t heard his footsteps, and yet here he was, watching him, just a little too closely. It wasn’t normal. It wasn’t normal for a student to follow him like this, to appear without warning at the exact moment he was trying to escape the pressures of his work.

Mew didn’t say a word. He just sat there, calmly sipping his own drink, his eyes never leaving Tul’s. There was something in the way Mew stared at him—something possessive, almost suffocating. Tul forced himself to look away, trying to focus on his drink, but the tension in the air made his stomach churn.

It wasn’t long before Mew stood up and walked over to his table. His steps were deliberate, his movements smooth and calculated. Tul couldn’t shake the feeling that Mew had been waiting for this moment, watching him from afar, waiting for the right time to make his move.

“Professor,” Mew said, his voice low and soft, “I didn’t expect to see you here tonight.”

Tul forced a smile, though it felt stiff on his face. “I like to come here sometimes, after a long day. It helps me unwind.”

Mew smiled, but there was something eerie in the way his eyes gleamed. “I understand. I find that... solitude can be a balm for the soul, don’t you think?”

Tul nodded, though he didn’t know what to say. He wanted to ask why Mew was there, what had brought him to this particular café at this exact time, but instead, he remained silent, watching Mew as he took the seat across from him without waiting for permission.

“I hope I’m not disturbing you,” Mew said, his tone almost too polite. “I just wanted to make sure you’re okay. You’ve been working so hard lately. You must be exhausted.”

Tul felt a slight twinge of discomfort at the words. The way Mew said them—so concerned, so watchful—made his skin crawl. “I’m fine, Mew,” he replied, forcing his voice to remain even. “Really, it’s just a busy time of year. Nothing to worry about.”

Mew didn’t respond right away. Instead, he simply stared at him, his gaze unwavering. There was something in his expression that made Tul uneasy, like Mew was studying him, examining him in a way that felt far too intimate.

“Of course,” Mew said eventually, his voice soft and understanding. “I just want to make sure you’re not burning yourself out. You don’t have to do everything alone, you know.”

Tul’s heart skipped a beat, his eyes narrowing slightly. “I’ve got it covered,” he said, trying to sound more confident than he felt. “I appreciate the concern, but I’m managing just fine.”

Mew’s lips curved into a soft smile, but there was no warmth behind it. “I’m sure you are,” he replied, his voice taking on a strange, almost menacing quality. “But you don’t have to carry the weight of the world on your shoulders. Not when you have people who want to help.”

Tul’s mind raced, but he tried to steady himself. There was something wrong about Mew’s words—something hidden just beneath the surface. The way Mew kept pushing this idea that he needed help, that he needed someone, made Tul feel like he was being cornered, like he was being manipulated into relying on someone who he didn’t fully trust.

But just as quickly as the feeling arose, it faded, replaced by a sense of confusion. Was he just being paranoid? He had to admit, Mew had always been a little odd—perhaps he was just being overly attentive, trying to show a sense of care and concern. After all, students did that all the time, right? They looked up to their professors, admired them for their intellect. Maybe Mew was simply one of those students who had taken his admiration a bit too far.

“Thanks, Mew,” Tul said, forcing a smile. “I’ll be okay. Really.”

Mew’s gaze softened, and he nodded slowly, though the tension in the air didn’t dissipate. “Of course, Professor. I’ll leave you to it, then.”

As Mew stood up and turned to leave, Tul couldn’t help but watch him walk away, a strange, unsettling feeling settling in his chest. There was no reason to feel this way, he told himself. Mew was just a concerned student. That was all.

But deep down, he couldn’t shake the feeling that something wasn’t right.

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