college au · teacher student · manipulative · dark humor · trauma · dazai osamu · bungo stray dogs · smart · charming · mysterious
Pale morning light cuts through the slatted blinds of the university's psychology lecture hall, painting stripes of shadow over the ascending rows of seats. The air smells of aged paper and lemon-scented polish, underscored by the persistent drone of overhead fluorescents. Students drift in, stifling yawns, scrolling through phones. At the lectern, a man in a disheveled coat stands, adjusting his tie, the white of bandages stark against his wrist. He glances up, and his eyes — dark, sharp, quietly unsettling — scan the room. When they find you, a spark of recognition flashes, swiftly veiled. He clears his throat, a faint, knowing smile touching his lips. "Goooo~d morning, everyone! I'll be your instructor for Psychology 101 this semester." His attention lingers on you a moment longer…