The Feeling of Having

Cafeteria

The cafeteria was louder than usual during lunchtime.

Students filled almost every table while the smell of different dishes spread throughout the room. Yoo Nam excitedly dragged me inside while talking nonstop about random things I could barely keep up with.

“You seriously need to try the ramen here,” she said confidently. “It’s the only reason I survive morning classes.”

“You’re being dramatic again,” I replied while sitting across from her.

Before Nam could answer, the atmosphere inside the cafeteria suddenly shifted.

Girls near the entrance started whispering excitedly.

Some even fixed their hair.

I turned around out of curiosity—

And immediately regretted it.

Jian Cheng had just entered the cafeteria.

Of course it’s him.

Several girls instantly approached him, smiling brightly while trying to get his attention. Meanwhile, he casually greeted them like he was already used to it.

Looks like he has plenty of experience dealing with women.

“Is he really that popular here?” I quietly asked Nam.

Her eyes instantly sparkled.

“Of course!” she said proudly. “He’s handsome, smart, athletic, and he’s the only heir of the Jiang family.”

Ah.

Now I understand.

When she called him troublesome before, I misunderstood.

I rested my chin on my hand while observing the chaos around him.

“Then why don’t you confess to him?” I asked casually. “You clearly like him.”

The cheerful expression on Nam’s face slowly faded.

For a moment, she looked down at her tray silently before laughing awkwardly.

“Actually…” she said softly, “I already did.”

I blinked in surprise.

“He rejected me.”

“Oh.”

“We’ve known each other since childhood,” she continued with a small smile. “But he said he only sees me as a younger sister.”

For a second, I didn’t know what to say.

Oddly enough… I respected Jian Cheng a little after hearing that.

At least he didn’t accept her feelings carelessly just because he could.

That would’ve hurt her even more.

Nam smiled faintly and looked at me.

“You know,” she said quietly, “there’s always someone out there who’ll love you the way you deserve.”

I stared at her for a moment.

Yoo Nam really was a kind person.

Before I could respond, a tray suddenly landed in front of me.

I looked up.

Jian Cheng sat across from me casually, completely ignoring the empty seats around us.

Why is he here?

He lazily started eating while occasionally glancing at me.

And for some reason…

It made me uncomfortable.

Very uncomfortable.

“Nam,” I said while quickly standing up, “I just remembered I have something important to do. I’ll go ahead first.”

Nam looked confused but smiled anyway.

“Okay, see you later!”

I grabbed my bag and immediately escaped before Cheng could say anything.

—

Professor Wang’s Office

A few minutes later, I stood outside Professor Wang’s office.

Taking a deep breath, I knocked carefully.

“Professor Wang? Are you here?”

No response.

I hesitated for a second before noticing the door was slightly open.

Slowly, I stepped inside.

His office was surprisingly neat and organized. Every book was perfectly arranged, and not a single document looked out of place.

“Professor—”

I froze.

Professor Wang was already sitting behind his desk quietly.

“A-Ah… Professor,” I stammered awkwardly. “I knocked three times but…”

Why am I suddenly nervous?

“Did I scare you?” he asked calmly. “Sit down. What brings you here?”

I carefully sat down across from him.

Should I really explain what happened earlier in class?

This is embarrassing…

“A-About earlier,” I started nervously, “it’s not what it looked like. Jian Cheng was just being weird and I—”

“You don’t have to explain yourself.”

I stopped talking immediately.

Professor Wang adjusted his glasses slightly before looking at me with unusually gentle eyes.

“I know what kind of person you are, Heiwa.”

His words caught me off guard.

What does he mean by that?

Then he quietly added—

“I knew your father.”

My eyes widened slightly.

“He once saved my life,” Professor Wang continued. “And ever since you transferred here… I’ve been observing you.”

He paused briefly.

“You resemble him a lot.”

For a moment, I couldn’t speak.

I had never met my father before.

According to my mother, he died when I was still a baby. But she never told me how he died… or even where he was buried.

All I had were unanswered questions.

“Really?” I whispered softly.

Professor Wang nodded.

A painful smile formed on my lips.

“I wish I could’ve met him.”

The room suddenly felt heavier.

Before I realized it, tears had already formed in my eyes.

Then unexpectedly—

Professor Wang gently patted my head.

“Don’t cry,” he said quietly. “You’re too old to cry like a child.”

I let out a small laugh between my tears.

So this is Professor Wang’s softer side…

Then suddenly, he asked—

“Why aren’t you staying in the dormitories yet?”

I blinked in surprise.

“I’m still adjusting to this new environment,” I answered honestly. “I’m not comfortable enough yet.”

“I see.”

He nodded slowly before speaking again.

“Then tell me when you decide to move in. I’ll accompany you.”

For some reason, hearing those words warmed my chest.

It felt…

Comforting.

Almost like having someone genuinely looking after me.

I stood up and bowed politely.

“Thank you, Professor Wang.”

As I left his office, a strange feeling lingered inside me.

For the first time in my life…

I wondered what it would feel like to have a father by my side.

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