Looking straight in the eyes of Hayato, Sayu wondered what is wrong with this guy?
She just had quite the attention she never wanted because of his casual yes. It had been an eventful morning—from gossip to confusing glances—but now she was just praying for a quiet, boring class.
"So...did you think about where we should go on our date" he softly said.
Rin and the girls were shocked, mouths slightly agape.
But Sayu had had enough of his playboy act.
"I told you. No thanks."
Her voice was clear and firm.
Hayato's expression shifted just enough — a flicker, barely noticeable.This one was different. She was playing 'hard to get' a little too well.
* * *
The lecture hall was wide and circular, with polished wooden floors and tiered rows of desks arranged amphitheater-style. Large windows let natural light pour in, and a single projector glowed against the front wall. The soft chatter of students dimmed as the door opened, and in stepped their professor.
A tall man in his late 30s with square shoulders and a lean frame, dressed in a neat navy-blue blazer, stepped up to the podium. His thick-rimmed glasses gave off a strict intellectual vibe, and the slight scowl on his lips promised zero tolerance for disruptions.
"Okay, okay," the professor clapped his hands, his voice loud and commanding. "Quiet everyone, we're about to begin your first class today."
The class immediately hushed, turning their attention to him, Hayato too stopped his conversation and focused on the class causing Sayu relief.
"Since it's the first day, we'll begin with a simple introduction."
He gave the class a brief sweep with his eyes before continuing. "My name is Professor Croft, and I'll be your psychology teacher."
The name Croft whispered a few surprised murmurs among students. Rumor had it he used to work in forensic consulting.
"Now, what is psychology?" he asked, crossing his arms with a sly grin. "Do any of you know any terms in psychology?"
The room fell silent. He pointed at a girl sitting in the front.
"You. What do you think it means?"
"Eh..um..Brain?"
Laughter was heard across the room; he then stopped it by subtly raising his hand.
Then he pointed at a boy near the second row, causing him to jolt upright in surprise.
"U-Uh… reverse psychology?" the boy answered nervously.
"Excellent! Sit down," Professor Croft nodded. "Reverse psychology is one of the most well-known concepts in the human psyche. Many people mention it, but few truly understand why it happens."
He stepped away from the podium and walked slowly between the rows, his footsteps echoing lightly.
"When someone tells us not to do something, or that we can't have something, it stirs a reaction within us. A challenge. A defiance. 'Why not? Why can't I have it? Why can't I do that?'"
The class watched intently. Sayu, sitting besides Rin and Mio, leaned forward with interest. She wasn't expecting to be this into it.
"You see it a lot in romance movies," Croft continued. "The male lead gets rejected by the female lead, and suddenly—he's interested. 'She's the only one who ever treated me like that,' he says."
The class chuckled, Sayu included. Rin whispered dramatically, "Too real."
But Hayato didn't laugh. He sat still, arms crossed, a strange look shadowing his eyes as he stared down at his notebook.
"Yes, it sounds cringe," Professor Croft said with a smile, addressing the laughter. "But those scenarios are rooted in real emotions."
He turned toward the class more seriously. "Imagine being that guy. You've had everything handed to you—attention, approval, admiration. But one girl doesn't react like the others. One girl says no."
Sayu tensed slightly.
"You ask yourself—why? What does she see that others don't? Your brain focuses on the one problem in a sea of affirmation. You begin to fixate. You feel challenged. And just like that… you're hooked."
A heavier silence filled the room. Even the gigglers from earlier were listening now.
Professor Croft concluded, walking back toward the front. "So, reverse psychology isn't just about tricking someone. It's about the thrill—the chase—the desire to earn what feels out of reach."
He glanced at the clock.
"Alright, we'll stop here for today since it's just the first session. Enjoy the rest of your day, and don't forget to reflect on how your brain messes with you sometimes."
The students clapped politely and started packing their bags.
Sayu blinked, still processing what she just heard. She turned to Rin, who whispered, "Creepy how accurate that felt."
"Yeah…" Sayu murmured.
Then she noticed Hayato brushing past them, silent and thoughtful.
As she stared at his retreating figure, she couldn't help but wonder—was he thinking what she was thinking too?
* * * * *
After finishing psychology class, Sayu and the girls decided to grab something to eat. Thankfully, they had a one-hour gap before their next lecture.
The cafeteria was lively — trays clinking, chatter filling the air, the aroma of kimbap, curry rice, and sweet soy chicken wafting through the space. The girls weaved through the crowd and placed down their trays near the window where light flooded in through patterned glass.
"O.M.G, did you guys see the way Prof. Croft was talking?" Rin gushed between bites of bulgogi. "God~ he was so cool. Like seriously, his voice? He could teach me anything and I'd listen."
Kanna raised a brow as she munched her salad. "At this point, you might as well switch majors."
Rin flicked her chopsticks toward her. "Honestly? I'm considering it."
Sayu chuckled, finally relaxing a little. "I know, right? Who knew college would have these little surprise perks?"
Mio, cool as always, sipped her tea. "I heard he's popular even with the female professors."
Kanna added thoughtfully, "My roommate said someone caught him playing classical piano in the faculty lounge. With gloves on."
While they chatted, laughing and nibbling, the sound of a tray slamming beside Sayu broke the peace.
Slam.
"Hey—did you miss me?" came that voice.
Sayu's chopsticks froze mid-air. Her head slowly turned to her side.
Hayato Arisaka. Again.
He sat down with the casual arrogance of someone who belonged anywhere he wanted. His tousled hair fell over his brow as his lips curled into a cocky smile.
'Sigh… just when I thought I got rid of you,' Sayu thought, visibly wilting.
Gasps echoed lightly from a few nearby tables. Students whispered, some subtly pointing, others just staring with wide eyes.
"Can you please let us eat?" Sayu muttered, her voice tired.
"What?" Hayato raised a brow, clearly amused. "My girl can't be hungry like this."
He grabbed his spoon, scooped up a bite of rice and sweet egg, then held it out toward her face.
"Here. Ahhh—"
Sayu's eyes widened. "W-What are you doing?!"
"Come on… just one bite."
"Hey! Stop—seriously!" she waved him off, flustered and glancing around. "People are watching!"
Rin leaned toward Kanna and whispered, "This is so embarrassing… yet I can't stop watching."
Mio nodded. "They're a public drama."
Despite Sayu's protests, Hayato persisted, teasing her as if feeding her was the most natural thing in the world.
Sayu, cheeks puffed with frustration, snatched the spoon and stuffed it into her own mouth just to shut him up.
"I can eat fine by myself." she glared.
Hayato leaned back, almost about to laugh.
But before Sayu could continue sulking, a familiar voice interrupted.
"Hey, Sayu. Can we talk?"
She turned her head sharply.
Hayato did too.
Standing a few feet away, hands in his pockets, expression unreadable—was Hans.