Warning the Tutor
The moment the tutoring teacher stepped through the front door, Ella's gaze locked onto her appearance. She looked to be in her mid-thirties. Neatly combed-back hair, a plain face with hardly any blemishes. She was pretty, sure. But not the striking kind of beauty that turned heads. Closer to ordinary, really. The type that didn't stick in your memory.
Another plain one, Ella thought, pretending to welcome her while scanning her up and down. The first tutor had been the same. A middle-aged woman past her prime, looks below average. And yet that man had taken an interest in her.
No, more than interest. She was half a plaything for him.
He'd even gone so far as to craft a fake hairstyle to fool Ella, using her as material.
No way... he doesn't prefer the plain, mature type, does he?
The thought made Ella's fingers twitch slightly. She was still young. She didn't have that mature air yet, like this tutor. If that man liked plain and mature women? Then this one might catch his eye too.
No, that's jumping to conclusions. Ella tried to shake it off, but her mind was already flooded with the idea.
Unconsciously, she glanced at him. He sat on the sofa, sipping coffee, watching her. His usual blank expression. But Ella strained to read beyond it. How was he looking at the tutor? Was there even a flicker of interest in those eyes?
"Nice to meet you, Ella. I'm Lisa, your new teacher. Looking forward to working with you."
Lisa. Ella repeated the name silently a few times.
"Alright, let's get down to business. Ella, I'm curious—how far have you gotten so far?"
"…"
"Ella?"
"Oh, yes. I've finished most of the intermediate course. Reviewed the basics too."
"Wow, that's impressive! Then we can prep for advanced starting now. We'll take it slow, no rushing."
Lisa's tone was warm and kind. It grated on Ella. Did that man fall for this sweetness? Or was it the plain looks?
No, that's not it. He doesn't feel emotions like that.
Ella steadied herself. That man didn't understand human feelings. He just chased amusement. So she had to think beyond looks or tastes. Tutor position. Close to Ella. Plain but with her own appeal.
...Might actually be more dangerous.
Even an ugly woman could draw his attention if her position or situation was special.
The thought tightened Ella's chest.
"Ella, anything you want to say?" Lisa asked cautiously.
Plenty. Watch out for that man. He's a monster. Dangerous. He might use you. The words rose in her throat, but then Ella realized something.
If I warn her, won't that just make the teacher more aware of him?
That couldn't happen. Lisa couldn't start noticing him.
Ella clenched her fist.
"Ella?"
Lisa asked again, and Ella took a deep breath. Then she spoke carefully.
"Teacher."
"Yes?"
"Be careful."
Lisa's eyes widened slightly.
"Careful of what?"
She laughed awkwardly, confused. Ella stared straight at her, enunciating every word deliberately. As if carving them into her brain, word for word, intensely.
"Exactly what it sounds like. Be careful not to stand out."
Lisa looked baffled. Of course. She couldn't possibly understand.
He only needs to look at me. Ignore everyone else. This is my role alone, so he should only look at me.
Lisa gave an awkward smile and changed the subject.
"...Haha, got it. I'll be careful. So, shall we talk about the lessons proper?"
Ella nodded and scooted right up next to Lisa. First a warning to stay low-key, now clinging too close for comfort. Lisa couldn't adjust to the girl's personal space.
"Um, could you... sit a bit farther...?"
"It's fine."
"R-Really...?"
Throughout the lesson, Ella couldn't focus. Half pretending to listen, half obsessing over his thoughts.
When the lesson ended and Lisa left, Ella headed straight for him as the door clicked shut.
"How was the lesson?"
"No issues."
"Like the tutor?"
"Nope."
"Want me to kill her?"
His words turned Ella's mind blank. Kill? Why bring that up out of nowhere? Was that his taste? Really? His taste?
The next instant, he laughed and raised both hands.
"Kidding. The vibe's too tense. Be a little nicer."
Even then, Ella couldn't calm down.
I have to stop it. No matter what.
As Lisa packed the last textbook, she said admiringly,
"Mr. Kyle, Ella's really at academy entrance exam level now. Finishing advanced in a year... She's the best student I've ever taught."
I sipped my coffee, listening.
"When I first took her on, I was honestly worried. Intermediate not done at her age? How's she gonna get into the Academy? But now? Total change of heart. Gotta be a genius like this to make it in."
"Thank you, teacher. You've worked hard."
"Oh no, it's an honor. Getting to teach a kid like Ella..."
The tutor bowed and turned to leave. Just before the door, she glanced back.
"Mr. Kyle, um, maybe too late for this, but... take good care of Ella. She just seems kinda..."
She trailed off, face showing her dilemma—should she say it?
"What's wrong?"
"...Ah. Ella seems a bit lonely. Not bad, just... love her lots, okay?"
"Sure. Hope we meet again sometime."
The door shut, her footsteps fading. Ella's prep was done. Just get her into the Academy.
Problem was Keres. Timing her enrollment was key. Academy ran on semesters, so match them up to Keres's schedule.
I'd dangled the Academy bait, but no detailed intel. Kiel had vanished after his suicide attempt.
My fault for pushing him to it, but still.
Reappear at the right time, give her a nudge? Motivation's probably set. I'll lean on her giving up revenge too.
I was sketching scenarios when—
"Who're you thinking about?"
Sudden voice. I turned. Ella stood at the living room entrance. Her eyes held a sharp, obsessive edge unlike before.
"Just now. Who?"
Her gaze bored into me. Piercing, almost greedy fixation.
"Nothing much. Just your enrollment timing."
"Yeah, sure."
She didn't buy it. Lately, she'd been watching my moves, memorizing habits, prying into who I met.
"So, who was it? Tell me."
Her eyes burned. Like she knew I'd answer.
"The tutor."
Her eyebrow twitched faintly.
"Why?"
"Your reaction's different. You didn't cry last time."
"Was she pretty?"
"…"
I paused.
"Was she?"
I stared at her a moment.
"Hard to say pretty or not matters much, but not my type anyway."
Ella smiled faintly. Same as a year ago—desperate to stay in my sights.
...Not normal.
My diagnosis of her state. Before, she had a prickly edge; now, full stalker.
Mission sense twisted into mania. Familiar pattern.
Isolate me from others → Divert my attention → Monopolize it.
Probably her thought process. Obsession that others suffer if she fails had cornered her mentally.
Yeah, definitely.
Still mostly mission-driven, though.
Soon, my communicator buzzed.
Keres had submitted her enrollment application.