Responses
For me,I don't think the prof liked the ex-manager romantically. More on he's the first person has seen the true heejae and understood him. That's why when the ex manager left,it left a deep scar on him.(sorry for bad grammar,English is not my first language:>)
No
A part of me thinks he did like his ex manager romantically and a part of me agreed on what you said. (Also not at all your English made perfect sense to me have more confidence queen! )
Has it ever been mentioned that the professor and his ex-manager were actually a thing? What I think is that the professor did like or hold affection for his manager, but they never had a relationship.Again am not denying the fact that the professor did like his ex manager romantically.
I also don't think the professor is projecting his feelings for the manager onto Garam in a romantic sense. Rather, I think Garam reminds him of how he couldn't polish the manager into the gem he believed he was or help him leave a trace by becoming a pianist or performing in front of an audience before his death. That's why the professor said something along the lines of making sure Garam doesn't die without leaving a trace.I think the prof loves Garam as Garam or thats what I like to believe.
Of course, this could just be me trying to cope because I too feel shitty abt the manager popping up frequently and I feel for Garam.Apologies if am misinterpreting, this is just my take and thoughts.