Ajin opened the door with words Director's Office etched neatly across its glass panel.
"Sir, you called me?"
"Yes, Ajin. Come in, sit," the Director said from behind his desk. His coat looked freshly pressed, his hair a suspiciously shiny brown that resembled a wig more than anything natural. His small belly pressed against his shirt buttons, yet his face still carried the softness of someone in his thirties, even though he was nearly fifty.
The moment Ajin sat, the director folded his hands. "This morning, your mother called me."
Ajin's eyes tightened with worry.
The man noticed and continued gently, "She said you received two offers from big companies, and that you rejected both. Is that true?"
"Yes sir. Maa registered me without telling me and pushed me to take the tests and interviews."
The director nodded thoughtfully. "Ajin, you know I respect you, don't you?"
"Yes sir."
"Do you know why I respect you like an adult even though you are still a student?"
Ajin stayed quiet.
"Because you are the university topper, and the youngest student to become college president. And, frankly, the best president this place has ever had."
"I don't know about that, sir. I just do what I should do."
A small smile touched the director's lips. "Honesty. That is exactly what I like about you. So be honest again. Why did you reject those offers?"
Ajin took a breath. "I already planned my career, sir. I want to graduate, then study in another country. After that, I want to research, invent a product useful for society, and eventually attend business school. Then I plan to start a company using my inventions. But no matter how many times I tell Maa, she does not listen."
The director chuckled softly, amused by Ajin's rare complaint. "That matches exactly what she told me. Still, if you have a clear plan, I will not interfere."
"Sorry for making you worry, sir."
"It is my job to look after students. Worry is part of the package. Not that I need to explain that to you, of all people."
Ajin lowered his head slightly. "You always expect too much from me. I am not sure if I can keep up."
The director smiled wider. "You already exceed every expectation I have."
Ajin exhaled, unsure how to respond.
After a moment, the director leaned back. "Your mother also mentioned something about you not using your scholarship money?"
"Yes sir. I'm saving them for my future plans. I do not want to burden Maa and dad, so I am saving everything I can."
"I see."
"And I have a request."
"Go ahead."
"Maa thinks I only get enough scholarship to pay my fee. Please keep it that way, sir. Do not mention my actual scholarship amount, and also… please keep last year's rewards a secret."
The director's brows lifted, but he didn't speak.
Ajin continued quietly, "If she finds out, she will blame herself, no matter what I say."
After a thoughtful silence, the director nodded. "Alright. I will keep it confidential."
"Thank you so much, sir."
"If that is all, you may return to class."
Ajin hesitated. "I have another request."
The director blinked. "What is it?"
"I barely slept last night because of college work and assignments. Our ma'am is just revising old lessons right now. So… may I take a break and rest for a while?"
"If you are sure you will not miss anything important, then yes. You may rest in the infirmary."
Ajin's smile brightened, warmer and wider than usual. "Thank you, sir."
The director softened at the sight of it. "Ajin, before you go, one more thing."
Ajin paused at the doorway.
"Many students and lecturers talk about your warm smile. They say it makes them forget their worries for a moment."
"I hear that often, sir, but I still do not know why."
"I am not complaining. I am one of those people. Your smile is special. I hope you keep it with you throughout your life."
Ajin bowed his head slightly. "It means a lot to hear that. I will try my best to keep it, sir, and not trouble you anymore."
"I had more to say, but I do not think I need to. You can protect that smile."
"Thank you, sir."
"Alright. You may leave now."
After a while, the classroom buzzed with urgent scribbling, students racing to copy the long formulas the teacher scrawled across the board. Chalk dust hung in the air like mist.
"Excuse me, madam," a familiar voice called from the doorway.
The teacher stepped out. A moment later, the lecturer from the earlier class walked in, his expression tight with fury, his steps sharp enough to slice through the room's noise.
He held up two sheets of paper. "These are two assignments. Both belong to Ajin."
His gaze shot straight to Jason.
"When I checked the bundle, yours was the only one missing."
A ripple of murmurs filled the room.
"Ajin and Jason, stand up," he barked.
The murmurs died instantly. Ajin and Jason rose slowly.
The lecturer stepped toward Ajin. His voice thundered across the desks. "Explain this."
Ajin swallowed. "Jason asked me to write his name before submitting. I think I accidentally wrote mine."
The lecturer leaned forward, placing both papers into Ajin's hands. "Oh? That explains it then. But I wonder why the handwriting on both is identical."
Ajin stayed silent, eyes lowered.
The lecturer turned to Jason. "When I compared the handwriting with previous assignments, do you know what I found, Jason?"
Jason froze, lips parting but no sound escaping.
"I found that both assignments were written by Ajin. And I found no assignment in your handwriting at all ever."
He shifted back to Ajin. "Did he force you to write his assignment?"
"No sir," Ajin whispered. His warm smile was gone, replaced by a faint twitch around his eyes.
The lecturer sighed sharply. "Ajin, you are a terrible liar. Anyone can see it."
He turned on Jason. "Look into my eyes."
Jason reluctantly lifted his gaze to meet the lecturer's blood shot glare.
"Can you see how angry I am, Jason?" the lecturer roared.
He stepped forward slowly, each movement deliberate and heavy. Standing directly before Jason, he asked quietly, dangerously, "This anger… it has nothing to do with the assignments. So what do you think it is about?"
Jason could not speak.
"Let me give you a hint," the lecturer continued. "Do you remember the first-year student who was 'supposedly' injured after slipping in the restroom?"
Jason's face drained of color.
The lecturer bent closer, voice low and sharp. "We were not foolish enough to believe that a boy covered in bruises simply slipped. We lacked evidence, and we did not want a riot on campus."
Straightening, he addressed the room. "Someone, perhaps a friend of Jason's, uploaded a video."
Students jerked upright. Hands flew into bags, pockets, desks as they scrambled for their phones.
The lecturer fixed his cold gaze back on Jason. "The video shows everything that happened in that restroom. It was even posted on the college website."
Jason's forehead grew slick with cold sweat.
"Do you know what was in that video? Sorry, wrong question. Do you remember what you were doing in that video?"
Jason's lips trembled.
"Do you remember how brutally you attacked that kid? How he cried? How he collapsed? Or how you nearly attacked Ajin when he tried to stop you?"
Jason's entire body shook.
"We discovered the video at the beginning of fifth period. Ten minutes later, the director received a call from the National Anti Ragging Helpline. Someone sent them the same video."
Jason's eyes filled with tears.
The lecturer continued mercilessly, "You are scared now? You should be. They did not call just to say they received evidence. They called to inform us that they are taking charge of your case and that we must hand you over. Do you understand what that means, Jason?"
He leaned in so close Jason could see his own quivering reflection in those furious eyes. "It means your life is ruined."
For a moment, the lecturer studied Jason's frozen, petrified form. Then he stepped back.
He addressed a student in the next row. "What is your next class?"
"We do not have one, sir," the student answered.
"Good. Everyone leave the classroom now. But before you go…" He pointed toward Ajin. "Give a huge round of applause to the president who tried to stop this monster."
The room erupted in claps and cheers. Students praised Ajin as they filed out, surrounding him with admiration as they left together.