Luca rechecked his essay one last time, ensuring every footnote and reference was perfectly placed. The paper smelled faintly of pine-scented detergent from his dorm laundry. Matteo stretched out on their shared bed, yawning loudly enough to rattle the cheap dorm windows.

"Again?" he asked irritably, "Relax, she doesn't notice it all. You're just wasting your time."

"No, she notices," Luca replied with quiet certainty, continuing to gather his things. The fabric of his backpack strap felt rough against his palm as he slung it over his shoulder. "One thing is important to you, but another is important to me and Professor."

Matteo mimicked him childishly, but Luca paid no mind as he closed the door to their Predator dorm room. The corridor smelled of various animal scents mixed with the industrial cleaner used on the floors.

He's a fool, wasting his life on trivial things, Luca thought, adjusting the strap digging into his shoulder.

The lecture hall was quiet and peaceful, bathed in warm morning sunlight filtering through dusty windows. Spring air carried the faint scent of blooming jasmine from outside. You sat at your desk, as usual, looking through papers with a focused expression. Luca froze in the doorway, his tiger ears twitching involuntarily. Your hair was pulled back in a careless low bun, a few strands escaping to frame your face. The sight made his heart pound so loudly he was sure everyone could hear it, and his pupils dilated with something he couldn't quite name.

She's like a vision, he thought, swallowing hard.

"Professor," Luca said, bowing his head slightly as he approached. His voice sounded deeper than usual, almost strained. "I brought the essay." He placed the folder on your desk, feeling the smooth texture of the manila paper beneath his fingers. His tiger tail stiffened behind him before betraying his nervousness with a slight side-to-side movement.

Please don't notice my tail wagging like an excited cub, he silently begged, feeling heat rise to his cheeks as he quickly stepped back.

He settled at his usual desk, far enough to watch you without being obvious. The lecture on teaching methods for primary school children blurred around him, his attention captured by the graceful way you moved when you stood to write on the board. With a sudden realization, he opened the Calendar app on his phone, the bright screen contrasting with the dim light of the lecture hall.

The red circle marking his upcoming rut stared back at him, scheduled for this Saturday. Today was Monday.

Perfect timing, Luca thought bitterly, his tail twitching with agitation as he glanced at you again. Just perfect.