Chapter 19 Going on a Date with Professor Ichiban

He saw her car pull up to the curb, sleek and polished, just like her. She stepped out, her sharp heels clicking against the pavement, her lab coat fluttering slightly in the breeze. Even from a distance, she exuded an air of confidence and intelligence that left Kataomoi in awe. He quickly adjusted his tie and smoothed down his uniform, trying to look as presentable as possible.

As she approached the gates, he greeted her with a polite nod, his voice steady despite the flutter in his chest. 

“Good morning, Professor Ichiban.”

“Good morning, Kataomoi-kun! Still holding down the fort, I see. You know, if you keep standing there looking so serious, people might start thinking you’re a statue. So? How’s everything this morning?”

“Quiet, as usual, Professor Ichiban. Just doing my job. Someone’s got to keep the campus safe from… well, whatever might threaten a university.” 

 He always tried to keep their conversations brief, afraid that if he said too much, she might notice the way his voice wavered or the way his eyes lingered a little too long. But today, as always, she seemed oblivious to his nervousness.

She laughed, a light, melodic sound that made his chest tighten. 

“True, true. Though I have to say, the most dangerous thing I’ve seen around here is the cafeteria’s meat. Have you tried it? I’m pretty sure it’s a science experiment gone wrong.”

Kataomoi chuckled, shaking his head.

  “I’ve been avoiding it, actually. I value my stomach too much.”

“Smart man,” she said, wagging a finger at him. 

“You’re clearly the brains of this operation. Maybe I should recruit you for my lab. We could use someone with your keen sense of self-preservation.”

He laughed nervously, scratching the back of his neck. 

“I don’t think I’d be much help in a lab, Professor. I’m better at keeping people out than figuring out what’s inside a test tube. I think I’ll stick to guarding the gates.”

She smiled, enjoying his reaction.

  “Suit yourself. But if you ever change your mind, you know where to find me. Anyway, I’ve got a busy day ahead. Meetings, lectures, and then I’m off to Helios-9 this afternoon. Hopefully, nothing happens while I’m there.”

Kataomoi’s stomach dropped at the mention of Helios-9. He had heard rumors about the facility—whispers of high-security projects and experimental research. The thought of her being there, so far away and out of his reach, made him uneasy. But he forced a smile, not wanting to let his concern show.

“Well, if anyone can handle it, it’s you, Professor. Just… be careful, okay? And try not to blow anything up. We kind of need you around here.”

She laughed again, the sound like music to his ears. 

“Don’t worry, Kataomoi-kun. I’ll leave the explosions to the action movies. You just keep holding down the fort, okay? And if anyone tries to sneak in, give them your best ‘serious statue’ impression.”

He chuckled, nodding. 

“Will do, Professor.”

As she walked past him, Kataomoi’s eyes followed her, his gaze lingering on the way her lab coat swayed with each step. He couldn’t help it. She was everything he admired—brilliant, composed, and effortlessly beautiful. But she was also everything he could never have. How could he, a lowly security guard, ever hope to catch the attention of someone like her? She was a professor, a scientist, a woman who moved in circles far beyond his own. And he? He was just a man standing at a gate, watching her walk away.

Still, he couldn’t help the way his heart raced whenever she was near. He couldn’t help the way his thoughts drifted to her when he was alone, imagining what it would be like to tell her how he felt. But he never would. He couldn’t. The risk was too great. What if she laughed? What if she looked at him with pity? No, it was better to keep his feelings hidden, locked away where they couldn’t hurt anyone.

As Professor Ichiban disappeared into the campus, Kataomoi let out a quiet sigh. He adjusted his cap and returned to his duties, his mind still filled with thoughts of her. The day stretched ahead, long and uneventful, but he knew he would see her again tomorrow. And that was enough.

Kataomoi stood at his post, his eyes scanning the empty pathways. It was one of those slow afternoons where time seemed to stretch endlessly, leaving his mind free to wander for hours. And wander it did—straight to Professor Ichiban.

He leaned against the guard booth, his gaze drifting toward the science building where she spent most of her days. A small smile crept onto his face as he let himself daydream, just for a moment, about what it would be like to go on a date with her. In his mind, the scene unfolded like a movie.

He would muster up the courage to ask her out.

Their date would begin at a cozy little restaurant tucked away in the city. They’d sit across from each other, and she’d tease him about his nervousness. 

After dinner, they’d take a walk through the city. They’d talk about everything—her work, his job, their favorite books. She’d tell him stories about her experiments, and he’d hang on every word, amazed by her brilliance.

At some point, they’d stumble upon a small park with a fountain at its center. The water would sparkle under the moonlight. 

He’d close his eyes, his heart pounding, and silently wish for this moment to never end. When he opened them, she’d be smiling at him, her face bathed in the soft glow of the fountain.

 As the laughter died down, they’d sit on the edge of the fountain, their shoulders touching.

Kataomoi’s daydream was reaching its peak. In his mind, he and Professor Ichiban were sitting by the fountain, their faces inches apart. The world seemed to fade away, leaving only the two of them. He could almost feel her breath, warm and soft, as she leaned in closer. His heart raced, his eyes fluttering shut as he prepared to—

“Ugh… stupid fence…”

The sound of grunting and the clatter of shoes against bricks snapped Kataomoi back to reality. His eyes flew open, and he immediately straightened up, his guard instincts kicking in. Someone was climbing over the fence, trying to sneak onto campus unnoticed.