" There are plenty of philosophical views when it comes to the nature of humanity. One of the most famous theory in human nature is Aristotle's ideology about the human as composite of soul and body," 

Professor Shin stated while writing the keywords of his lesson on the white board. I could hear the audible sound of the temporary marker as he continuously made strokes of the alphabet included on the board. 

My classmates were quiet as if they were really listening to Professor Shin's lecture. According to my keen observation, this classroom that was composed of chairs and desks built up with iron wood, is just being filled up with students who never really cared about theoretical views related to life. Some of them are secretly using their phones underneath their desks. I don't really care about what they were doing, but I seem inquisitive to see what face they would carry if Professor Shin would catch their misconductive actions. 

" Mr. Gal, would you mind guessing what Aristotle's theory was all about? " 

On the spur of the moment, I heard my name being called by the professor. I pretended to make a face filled with curiosity. But to tell you the truth, I already knew about that theory when I was still 10 years old.

After my mother's death, all of my family abandoned me. They seem to be scared of my existence. I'm not even doing an action that could threaten their life. Because of financial problems, I read a lot of books to tutor students who are even older than me. That's how I gripped into the matter they call 'living'.

" I.. I forgot to have an advanced reading professor," I answered while pretending to stutter. From my back, I could feel Kai's circle of friends giving their glances to me and laughing behind my back. 

" It's okay Juno, just take a guess, or maybe anyone from this classroom?" Professor Shin exhorted while tilting his head towards the other students. From his movement, a necklace that he was wearing caught my attention. 

I went to his office yesterday but I never noticed the silver necklace that he was hiding under his clothes… or maybe, he just bought it yesterday? No- that can't be, I've been observing and scrutinizing Professor Shin for a long time. Aside from his expressions, I could clearly tell myself that I stared at some areas of his body and that includes his collarbones, neck, arms, shoulders and so on. He's definitely the type of a person who would be irritated if a necklace would be wrapped around his neck.

Maybe his special person gave it to him?

" Professor Shin, can I volunteer?" An inaudible thin voice of a female surrounded the whole classroom. Clarisse is probably the most quiet student in this room. I rarely see her volunteering when it comes to recitation. I stared at her as she stood up. Her face was blushing. It really looked like she was facing professor Shin but in reality, I could see from my perspective that her eyes were not really direct to the professor's eyes. She was staring at the Professor's forehead.

I couldn't help myself but to wear a smirk. I don't really get why most of the students are attracted to Professor Shin. Everybody says that I'm Professor Shin's favorite but why couldn't they just absorb in their mindset that there is nothing special about Professor Shin?

" Yes Ms. Liu?," he remarked while bearing a little bit of astonishment. 

" S-since it was Aristotle's theory, I think it will be more on the difference between human and animal's way of thinking," Clarisse surmised while maintaining her tiny high tone of voice.

As she answered the question, the wind passed through the double wing of windows. The air wobbled her long black wavy hair and slightly curled bangs. She reminded me of the woman who saved Riko's life when he was about to drown himself in the sea. 

I got disgusted remembering those moments. At this point of time, I just wanted the hands of the clock to move quickly. 

" Your answer is almost accurate. Anyway, thankyou Ms. Liu for volunteering. Let's proceed. Aristotle's theory actually revolves about how and why the body and soul are necessary so that an organism could be called a living being. A being could not be considered alive if it is missing a body or vice versa. The soul and body must exist at the same time in order to…" 

Professor Shin's voice moderately faded into my mind as if it was a dying sound like what a morendo is… when it comes to musical terms. 

My thoughts were grilled up with the scenery of what happened a month ago. It swiftly filled up my mind like the speed of the fetid smell of a decaying body. 

As I recreated those scenes in mind. I imagine Riko letting the waves of the sea slowly eat his whole body. As he will run out of breath like what happened to my mother before she died- death would completely greet Riko's body. And after his death, I would try to recover his body from the sea… 

And then… keep it inside my apartment, stare at it and practice myself to cry for someone's death. Or maybe I could even watch his body slowly decay? 

Maybe after 24 hours, his dead body would reach a postmortem… as the cells of his body begin to decompose, his body might also begin to expel funky and acrid smell.

" Mr. Gal, I'm asking you," 

I came back to my senses when I heard Professor Shin phonated and mentioned my name. I flinched as I realized that his breath is close to the back of my neck. 

I looked around and saw that the classroom was already empty.

I didn't even realize that the class was already over.

" Sorry Professor Shin," I answered him with a soft but serious tone of voice. The rays of the sun were lighting his face. He leaned his body to my desk and again… His face was too close to mine. One more mistake, one more movement, my lips could touch his plump yet pinky lips.

" Is there something wrong? Or do you have something in your mind, Juno? I was observing you throughout the class and I could tell that you were distracted," he marvelled while staring at my face.

For the very first time, I could hear my heart beating so fast as if I was running out of oxygen. 

This is the very first time that the speed of my heartbeat went spiked- except to those times when I ran or did some physical activities.

If I am running out of breath without even doing an overload activity… 

Then is this the thing they called "dying"?

" Well, if you didn't hear my question. Let me repeat it… Would you mind accompanying Riko for the Musical Competition next 3 weeks? "