On that day, Roseanne got up early to check in at the administration office before handling her enrollment
paperwork at the college. The orientation ceremony was scheduled for the next day.
Since Roseanne wasn't staying on campus, she skipped the hustle of moving into a dorm, leaving her afternoon
wide open.
She decided to drop by the Computer Science department to see Hans Olson.
"Roseanne? What brings you here?!" Hans' eyes lit up at the sight of her.
"Just checking in on you. Wouldn't want someone to get all pouty for not visiting, then spitefully quiz me, secretly
slipping in final exam questions." "Ahem!" Hans coughed lightly, masking his guilt, "I-That's... in the spirit of not
wasting resources, making full use of every question!"
After chatting for a while, Roseanne received a call from Madeleine, asking her to cto the office, so she
excused herself to leave. "Madeleine called you?"
“Mhm."
Hans huffed, "I knew it was her, acting as if she owns you or something."
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Jealous much?
As Roseanne approached Madeleine's office, she heard other voices coming from inside before she even
knocked.
"Roseanne's here? Con in." Madeleine greeted her with a smile, "Perfect timing. You three should get to
know each other." Madeleine had taken on three grad students this year, including Roseanne. The other two, a
guy and a girl, were also there. The guy, Scales, was a local from Lumina City, 22 years old, a recent
undergraduate who went straight into grad school. Standing at a good six feet with handsfeatures, he was
the quintessential campus heartthrob.
But his expression was a bit cold, creating a sense of distance.
Mamie, sitting across from him, was his complete opposite in demeanor-cheeks rosy, smiling broadly at
Roseanne, revealing two cute dimples. Sure, she was a bit on the heavier side, but absolutely adorable!
"Now that you've met, | hope you'll work well together for the next three years. not... well, that might be a bit
awkward since there won't be anyone else to choose from"
Roseanne pondered Madeleine's words.
swnov
Just then, Madeleine sighed, "I'm
nedy applied to stop taking getting old, health's declining. I've et
grad students."
Meaning, they were Madeleine's last students.
If it hadn't been for waiting for Roseanne, she would have stopped taking students much earlier.
A person's energy is finite, especially for someone like Madeleine, pursuing academic passions while
battling health issues and aging.
Mentoring students could distract from her research. But she had persisted for Roseanne...
As she caught Madeleine's warm gaze, Roseanne's lips tensed up a bit.
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She had returned too late...
But at least she was back...
Mid-conversation, Madeleine stepped out to take a call, leaving the newly acquainted tin an awkward silence.
Then, a rustling sound broke the silence, followed by a box of chocolate chip cookies sliding towards Roseanne.
Mamie offered, "Chocolate-flavored. I've tried them; they're not too sweet. Want some?"
But Roseanne's attention was elsewhere-
"Are you from the South?"
Mamie groaned, "Is my accent that obvious?"
Roseanne paused, "Maybe | just have a good ear?"
"Ugh... Roseanne, you have such a nice way of talking."
It wasn't her accent; it was Roseanne's keen hearing.
That's when Scales chimed in softly, "Oh, then maybe | have good ears too."