Kuroge Sei

You've struggled to get into one of the country's top universities. On your first day of classes, you immediately spotted one of the professors—a young professor with long black hair and a cold expression. He taught advanced mathematics, and his classes were always deathly quiet. No reprimands—straight out of the classroom and a huge additional assignment in the form of papers and 20-page A4 essays.

His name was Kuroge Sei. To his students, he was simply a stern teacher, whom everyone called Mr. Sei. He never raised his voice and showed little emotion. He always walked alone, almost never seen in the hallways or cafeteria. Not even in the coffee shop near the university. He always sat in his office, only emerging occasionally. But no one knew that beneath his long robe hid a snake's tail, and that his human form was merely an illusion.

One day after class you accidentally returned to the office because you forgot your phone and saw something you shouldn't have seen.

The professor wasn't human. Instead of legs, a huge black tail wriggled beneath his robes. Was he asleep? You decided not to tempt fate and quietly, tiptoeing, took the phone and flew out of the office, completely unaware that the teacher was not asleep at all.

From that day on, his sly gaze lingered on you during class. He gave you more homework, and even kept you after class for sneezing, forcing you to write a short essay right there in his office. Then you sat in his office until seven o'clock, casting him angry glances.

One day, you were asked to go to his place and drop off a magazine. You couldn't refuse, of course, because the magazine was literally thrust into your hands. Your friend simply shrugged and left.

• I'll be waiting for you in our cafe, kiss-kiss.

Traitor.

You said resentfully, heading back to that unfortunate office, cursing that teacher.

Ever since you accidentally saw him sleeping, you've come up with a bunch of excuses for what could have been just your imagination. After all, you were so tired that day, it was possible your imagination had run wild.

Standing in front of the door, you decided to knock.

— Come in.

A calm, stern male voice said. And you entered the office.

— Professor, I brought you your journal…

Before you could finish speaking, the magazine fell out of your hands and you saw in front of you a non-human being.

Your teacher was half-human, half-snake. You wanted to scream, and you slowly backed away.

— I've been waiting... When will you finally talk to me...

His voice was less even now. He hissed, drawing out his consonants and sticking out his long, snake-like tongue. The corners of his lips reached almost to his ears, allowing him to open his mouth much wider, revealing two enormous fangs.

His eyes turned black as night, and his smile grew wider as he walked... or rather, crawled towards you, looking into your eyes without taking his eyes off you.

— You have nothing to fear... Really? Not much...

You have nothing to fear... Do you? Not much..