How to handle rejection

“She didn't quite know what the relationship was between lunatics and the moon, but it must be a strong one, if they used a word like that to describe the insane.”

– Paulo Coelho

. . .

(September 4th)

...What.

Wait a minute, what?

Hiro blinked, his brain feeling like it had shut down and was now doing a hard reset as he stared blankly at his student for a moment or two... half-wondering to himself if the universe had somehow decided to end itself and Cassandra Lunamor just made a freaking joke right now.

Nope, she’s not laughing–not that Hiro has ever seen her laugh, or even smile–so he slowly plucked his glasses off of his face and wiped the lenses with his sleeve a bit distractedly, suddenly needing to do something as he was feeling nervous and a bit uncomfortable as he waited for her to take back what she just said…

Any moment now.

No dice.

She’s still looking at him, expectantly.

Huh.

…so, it’s really not a joke.

He coughed, awkwardly, “I’m sorry, what?”

“You heard me.”

“Did you just seriously ask me out for dinner?”

“Your hearing seems to be fine, yes.”

…Snarky brat.

His eyebrow twitched.

Hell, Hiro can’t even believe she just seriously invited him to have dinner with her. He had no idea under what context she’s asking–although he was ninety-nine percent sure, knowing Lunamor, that she probably meant it innocently even if it doesn't sound like it but still… no, it was actually a demand and that was not the point right now damn it!

“I don't...” Hiro loudly cleared his throat when his voice suddenly failed him as he placed his glasses firmly back into his face, leveling her with a cool frown, “I think that would be inappropriate, Ms. Lunamor.”

Lunamor’s lips immediately tug downwards into a very visible, unhappy frown. And when she made no move to hide her very obvious displeasure as she usually does, as well with other things she feels, Hiro secretly wondered to himself just how rare it was for people to actually turn down an actual invitation from her.

“How is it inappropriate?” she demanded.

“Ms. Lunamor, I’m your professor.”

She didn’t even blink. And somehow, in some way, Hiro was clearly able to read her bland expression as an: okay sure, so what?

Hiro resisted the sudden, very tempting urge to face-palm right there and then in front of her, especially when her expression didn’t change even after a few moments of silence, “Oh, come on... that should have explained everything!”

“Explain what?”

“I can’t be seen with you out in public!”

“Why?” Lunamor snapped this time.

Hiro felt his face growing warm as he slowly stood up from his desk which he tried to hide with a scowl when he leveled her with what he hoped to be a sharp, stern glare SO PLEASE JUST DROP THE SUBJECT ALREADY! “Ms. Lunamor, I am not sure if you are aware… but it is not appropriate for a student and teacher to be seen eating out together in public like they are having a da–”

“–well, I often eat with some of my brother’s business associates all the time. And some of them even work for or with me.” Lunamor suddenly interrupted, as if her professor hadn’t been speaking, roughly pushing a lock of hair off of her shoulder. It was a curious habit he noted she seemed to have whenever she’s beginning to get or is already irritated, “…and as far as I am concerned, having dinner together had absolutely nothing inappropriate about it. I fail to see what exactly you are fussing about.”

For a moment, Hiro actually felt like Lunamor had just made a pretty good point. He often ate with the other professors he was close enough to consider as friends and discussed about their classes together, after all…

Hiro almost agreed... when he very nearly reeled back in shock (before he verbally consented over something that could potentially get him fired) when he instantly realized the major error in that kind of logic: his student just actually compared him with a business associate and here he was, equating her with his workmates!

Dear Lord, I’m so stupid.

Even though he often discussed about her opinions on his subject rather than doing any actual teaching when it comes to her, Lunamor was essentially still his student. His favorite yes, but she was still his student.

He is not one of Lunamor’s many business associates or employees who were expected to be at her beck and call and she is not one of his workmates or colleagues. Yes, her intelligence and knowledge might as well be able to put her on their level and if Hiro was being honest, on his level too, but Cassandra Lunamor was still a student, his student.

He couldn’t let that line become blurry.

He refused.

He won’t allow it.

“That’s nice and all but I'm still your professor... and I know I shouldn’t be seen eating dinner with a student,” Hiro carefully put emphasis on some of his words, already knowing that she would get the point.

Lunamor tilted her head, as if considering.

“No one can see us at my house.”

…Nope, she didn’t get it.

“That just makes it worse, Ms. Lunamor!” Hiro resisted the urge to let out an exasperated groan as he massaged his temples with his hand at such an eloquent answer.

Just the thought of eating together at her house as though the two of them were that close enough to be seen at each other’s home when they weren’t even friends to begin with… sure, this isn’t Japan, but holy crap, what will the other students think if word gets out? What will the other professors think?

“But you said you shouldn’t be seen–”

“That’s not how it works!” he groused.

Hiro was aware that Lunamor can be extremely ignorant or indifferent (he still couldn’t decide which) regarding social cues to a fault which results to her appearing rude or disrespectful but she’s a sharp girl, her keen perceptiveness often made up for her lack of tact that so he hoped she would understand that…

Lunamor turned and left his office without a word.

Hiro stared at his half-open door now swinging into a quiet close, his jaw going a bit slack before he had a half in mind to snap it shut after a moment.

…What.

…What just happened?

Okay… okay, that was weird.

That was really weird.

Hiro wondered what the hell that had been all about. Sure, Lunamor can be weird and kind of rude at times but that was just really… disrespectful of her, that he can’t even get–

Ah, forget it.

Sighing, Hiro began to pack up his things, feeling a flare of annoyance at Lunamor’s sudden exit. That kid seriously needs to make up her mind one of these days because really... she had been the one who had asked for him to be in his office at this time in the evening and now she was essentially standing him up all because he wouldn’t come eat dinner with her.

Just how childish is that?!

Wait.

Wait a minute.

…Maybe she was just really hungry?