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“Professor Anaxa! Let's have a bet: If I graduate this class with the highest marks, you have to kiss me.”
“What utter foolishness has taken root in your brain, Phainon? Also, it's A-na-xa-go-ras. For the nth time.” Anaxa coldly retorted that suggestion before handing him the graded essay he'd had him compose: Why Dromas Surpass Titans. Honestly, Phainon forgot that he'd even turned said paper in, and it was extremely obvious that it was bound to be forgotten anyways— as you can see by the multiple red, almost blood-like markings in each paragraph.
“So, is it a no?” He pushes his luck, giving his poor lecturer his usual charming grin, ignoring the very obvious score written on his essay and how he used that shortened name that he knew Anaxa loathed. The mint haired man stared at him, deadpanned, as his pen circled the mark. “There's no such thing as shame in your vocabulary, is there?”
“I try to live by your teachings, Professor.” Phainon casually answered back. “I mean, you did teach us that we have to be confident during a debate, yes—”
“And so I did,” Anaxa nodded, which gives Phainon a bit of hype because he's being acknowledged, but he'd never say that, nope! “Although, I do recall emphasizing on a certain word, hm.. What was it, again?”
Eh?
“Does credibility ring a bell, Phainon?” And that smug, evil, nasty, and terrible smirk comes out as a personal threat to the white haired male. That aside, Phainon just gives Anaxa a defeated smile. “How cruel, Professor..”
“You make your grade, I only input it. Redo this again.” His smile drops, sliding over the sad essay towards Phainon before leaning in forward, taking in the man's surprised expression. “And also, Phainon..”
“Yes?” He perked up, as if he were a dog that was expecting a head rub or praise.
“Review the lecture notes from last week. You'll need it for improvement.” Ah. A solid rejection from none other than the difficult and uptight Anaxagoras. You'd be more likely to find a living being in the nether realm than see Professor Anaxagoras indulge in flirtations and affectionate acts. And aside from that, everyone thinks he's lost his mind on top of the blasphemous comments, so associating with him would land you in a land of ostracization. But Phainon was brave. A little too much, if you were to observe, judging by how he takes Anaxa's critique as a challenge, beaming at him—
“Then I guess I'll need to try harder.” He pouts as Anaxa pulls away from him, taking his equipment with him to conclude that their make-up class was done. The lecturer spared him a single sigh before he left, but that was it. “See you tomorrow, Prof A!” He takes that as an opportunity to tease Anaxa, to which the man yelled out a simple— “Anaxagoras!”, loud enough for the entire Grove to rattle in confusion by the outburst. Phainon chuckled before following suit, making his way out as well.
Well, it's nice to know that Anaxa didn't kill him for the suggestion.. Merely pointing him to an improvement, to “try harder”.
And to try harder, he shall!
—
The simple graduation ceremony still left the students hyped, holding onto their certificates that reflected their hard work and passions, taking photos with their friends and families using their teleslates. Some talks have already surfaced about eating out as a celebration for finally finishing all the grueling theses, research, and academic activities.
“Castorice! Could you take a photo of me holding my diploma? Hehe, I'm going to frame it!”
“Ah.. Okay.”
It had been a few long years of enduring academics, but luckily for Phainon, he'd gained the consistent title of Professor Anaxagoras’ best student. Which, honestly, he prided himself in that achievement alone! Who knew that a transfer in course awarded him with such a high and mighty title?
As he sets down the camera at Castorice's feet, he gets into position, holding up his diploma like it was some sort of spoil from war. With the brightest grin on his face, he waits as the girl angles the camera, directing it— “Okay, three, two, one—”
Click!
“Woah! You're getting better at taking photos, Castorice! You really got my good side.”
“Ah.. Lord Phainon, in the background.”
“Hm?” Looking at Castorice's pointed finger, (it was a bit hard to look from a distance, considering her condition) he notices a familiar figure in the background of his picture.
…
“Hold onto my photostone, Castorice!”
A bright idea was born that moment.
–
“Professor! What a surprise!” Phainon beamed, making his way towards the scholar, somewhat feeling nostalgic as the man turned to look at him. You attended the graduation ceremony.”
“What do you take me for? I also get a say in the celebration because I spent at least six years enduring all your mediocrity, don't I?” Anaxa squinted, to which Phainon laughed merrily— “Well, you have a point, professor.. Oh, before anything else, can you come with me?”
“For what?”
“Let me have at least one photo with you, then with the whole class! It'll be like a souvenir!” The suggestion was bold. To ask Anaxa, of all lecturers, to take a single photo. Luckily for him, something must have shifted within the scholar for he'd just crossed his arms, walking off, expecting his company. “Fine. You are my best student, after all.”
“So it's true, the professor likes to play favorites, hm?”
“I just acknowledged your hard work, is that so wrong?”
Coming back to a still Castorice, Phainon wraps his arm around Anaxa, holding up his diploma once more. “Pardon the wait, Castorice! We're ready!”
Anaxa gazed at Phainon's hand on his shoulder, before turning to the camera, sighing. “Just this once, Phainon.”
“I'm thankful for the professor's kindness~!” Both gazes towards the camera, Castorice signals— “Three, two, one..”
“Oh, Phainon, another thing.”
“Hm—”
Chu!
Click!
“Oh,” Heard from behind the camera, Castorice spoke out, observing the final product.
“Congratulations, top student. You've worked hard.”
Phainon's hand landed on his cheek, eyes widened as he stared at the attacker, who stood in front of him: an unassuming stare, and arms crossed. “A-Anaxa?!” He was shocked, rightfully so. Did he imagine that, or did it happen? No, it did happen— judging by how Castorice was looking at the photo!
Anaxa, after taking in that hilarious expression, opened his mouth. “Don't tell me you forgot about your bet?” Seeing Phainon's confidence drain as he processes his words makes Anaxa want to research dogs next, a curt smile on his face.
“Ah.. Wait, you remember that—?! Eh? Anaxa! Where are you going?!”
Too bad, the professor has already left to congratulate other students and families. Ah, that guy was always so difficult! Phainon pouted, but he still felt giddy about that reward, turning to Castorice—
“.. You got that on camera, right?” He begged to know, and thankfully, Castorice answered him with a simple nod of the head, placing down the photostone for Phainon to grab for his own.
He thanks Castorice, taking a quick and candid shot of her as a thank you for enduring that surreal exchange, promising to send it over to her later on.
Looking back at the photo taken, despite its black and white appearance, Phainon just smiles, silently celebrating to himself.
The professor, kissing his cheek in a photo.
…He's definitely framing this when he gets back.