12. Entangled Relationships
12. Entangled Relationships
Anyway, Isabella officially became my disciple.
Of course, it's just a fancy way of saying disciple—it's not like the whole neighborhood is gossiping about it, and I'm at a complete loss about what, how, or where to even start teaching her...
"Will it be alright to put it here, Elise nim?"
"Yep! You're working hard again today! I brought in quite a lot of books this time, so there's a lot to move... Haha."
"This is nothing compared to last time. I think I can finish it quickly."
"Then I'll go get us some drinks~!"
What's good is good, and Isabella's face looked bright.
The sight of Isabella's back as she effortlessly lifted and moved the heavy boxes of books to help Elise.
She seemed much more composed than I had worried she would be.
"Hmm. I suppose I can count it as saving one person...."
But the real problem was from here on out.
I've managed to play the teacher role somehow with the little kids who can't even handle mana, but I'm absolutely hopeless when it comes to magic theory...!
'First, I should at least get some textbooks. Maybe I'll ask Marian later.'
I let out a small sigh and quietly slipped out of the church. As if it were the most natural thing, that Argol fellow had subtly attached himself to my back before I knew it.
What a diligent guy.
"Argol. You seem to have gotten a bit closer to Ibel lately. Can you tell me how it felt?"
"Quite a decent human. Bought me food."
"......."
I was a fool for expecting anything.
Tch, I clicked my tongue softly and waved my hand.
"Don't follow me today. I have somewhere to go personally."
"......."
The guy stopped right there and seemed to be staring at me. I could somehow sense a feeling of disappointment.
Maybe getting this unemployed orc a job would be the least I could do. Ha, I don't know. He'll figure it out himself.
I paid no mind and just headed into the alley.
===
"Whew... This should do it, right?"
Wiping the sweat from her forehead as she set down the last box of books in the storage room, Isabella.
"Ibel nim! Why not just bury your bones here at the church...! Our church needs someone as strong as you, Ibel nim! Everyone here is just a weakling, you know?"
"Haha... I'm glad I could be of help. Burying my bones is a bit much, but, um. More than that, you're a bit too close...."
"Ah, my apologies."
Elise, who had been passionately speaking with her face brought right up under Isabella's chin, finally took a step back.
The church's attire was quite provocative,
and even if less so compared to Irene or Noah, Elise's appearance was also nothing short of what you'd call a beautiful girl.
It couldn't help but feel a bit burdensome to Isabella.
With a slightly flushed face, she picked up her things and spoke.
"W-well then, I'll be going to rest now."
"Yep! If I get any snacks, I'll bring them to you!!!"
Leaving Elise's enthusiastic thanks behind, Isabella hurriedly moved her steps.
Naturally, along that path was the room of her teacher, Noah.
Peek—
'Did he go out?'
There was no sign of anyone in Noah's room as she passed by and looked in. She had even seen him passing by briefly while helping Elise earlier.
As a disciple, pretending not to know would be improper behavior, and if the teacher had gone out, as a disciple, she should at least make a show of finding out where he went...
Just thinking about Noah made her lower body ache.
"I shouldn't be like this...."
Isabella shook her head and entered her own room. She immediately locked the door, lay sideways on the bed, and let out a sigh.
Though not intentional,
Isabella was blatantly avoiding Noah.
"Impure thoughts about my teacher. This is no good. It's just not right...."
She raised her arm and pressed it firmly over her eyes to cover them.
Blocking her vision, she tried to imagine.
One sheep, two sheep, three sheep...
She tried to count numbers to somehow calm her erect cock, but her imagination was quickly overwhelmed by thoughts of her teacher.
Four teachers... five teachers...
Gulp.
"Haa...."
It was a sight she simply couldn't forget.
She might not be able to forget it for her entire life.
She had never imagined her teacher Noah would act like that. He didn't seem like that type of person at all. Rather than thinking of him as promiscuous, she thought of him as beautiful, you could say.
From the start, Isabella was in a state of complete positivity toward Noah.
A promiscuous elf?
— Elves are a long-lived race. They must have lived several times longer than humans. So, they must have had that much more experience, so it's not strange that Teacher is skilled in such matters...!
The reason Teacher followed me?
— I was the suspicious one! From the standpoint of a teacher looking after children, it's only natural to investigate a suspicious person!
She was in a state of interpreting any action of Noah's with forced logic to justify it. In terms of favorability, it meant she had hit 100 percent.
In other words, a choroine (obsessed fan).
But if there's a problem here...
"How can I face Teacher...."
Let me say it again: Isabella was currently erect.
Since when? When Elise came so close it was almost touching? No. It was just a bit burdensome, but my cock didn't react then.
Exactly when passing by Teacher's room.
Just thinking about her teacher, Noah, made blood rush to her cock.
Looking on the positive side, at least it didn't get erect arbitrarily in front of other women like Elise...
Looking on the negative side, every time she thinks of Teacher, her cock gets erect with no way to stop it.
The naked body of Teacher she saw yesterday.
Just recalling it again was driving her crazy.
"Kyaaaah...!"
Clutching her head, she rolled around on the bed this way and that.
No matter how much she thrashed about, she couldn't erase it from her mind. How should she deal with this torment?
Should she masturbate?
While thinking of Teacher? Impossible. Out of the question. As a disciple, it must not be done.
Should I use an onahole?
This is also masturbation in the end. I can't erase the thoughts of Teacher.
If that's the case... should I go see 'that woman' at the brothel?
"Sigh... I feel sorry for her, but now...."
Isn't it trashy to go see another woman just to relieve sexual desire?
'Even though I have no relationship with Teacher or No. 1... I feel guilty....'
I just don't get it. I don't know.
I don't know how to resolve this...
Isabella rolled around on the bed like that for a long while, groaning. It continued until the sound of Noah's presence was heard as the door to the next room opened.
===
For the past few days,
Isabella's attitude has been strange. It's not just a little strange. Since 'that day'... even though I accepted her as a disciple, the number of times we've properly faced each other and talked can be counted on one hand.
To the point where I wonder if she's avoiding me.
"... Was it actually hurtful?! Is she just pretending to be okay and smiling through it?!"
I clutched my head and buried my face in the desk.
Thud—!
Haaa— I let out a long sigh and turned my head to the side. On the desk were piled the magic textbooks I borrowed from the Count's house to teach Isabella.
How many nights have I stayed up studying these for the past few days?
It's one mountain after another. She seemed fine, so I worked hard preparing lessons, only to realize belatedly that she's actually avoiding me. What the hell.
Is it actually that only I think we became teacher and disciple?! No, that can't be. Then I'd just end up being such trash.
After all I did for her...!
I shot up from my seat. First, I'll sit her down and have a proper talk.
I left the room to find Isabella.
Finding her was easier than I thought. If I just headed in the direction where Elise was humming and carrying snacks, Isabella was definitely there.
Sure enough,
Today as well, Isabella was sweating while helping with garden maintenance. Instead of approaching her directly, I stopped Elise, who was walking briskly with a piece of cake.
"Elise."
"Huh? Yes? Noah nim! What is it?"
"Don't tell her I called, but can you tell her to come to the storage shed? I have something important to discuss briefly."
"... Uh, um. Yes! I'll tell her that!"
The kind Elise agreed without much suspicion.
If I approached her, she'd probably make some excuse and run away. So, I just needed to block her escape route and wait.
I hid myself near the storage shed using [Magic to Erase Presence] and waited for Isabella to arrive.
"Wasn't the storage shed cleaned up last time...?"
"She's here."
She could've at least eaten the cake. Isabella came running to the storage shed so quickly after being called.
I waited for her to go inside the storage shed and then immediately followed her in.
And, I locked the door.
Creak, clunk!
"... Huh?"
"I called you for a brief matter."
"N-Noah nim?"
A small storage shed located slightly away from the main church building. With the windows covered by curtains, it was practically a sealed room.
I took a step toward her.
Step, step.
Simultaneously, Isabella took steps backward.
Step, step.
"We are still teacher and disciple, aren't we? But if that disciple runs away every time she sees me, how should I take that? Perhaps you no longer want to be a disciple or...."
"N-no! I'm really happy to be Noah nim's disciple!"
"Then why on earth are you avoiding me?"
"T-that is...."
"That is?"
One more step. I approach.
One more step. She retreats.
But the storage shed wasn't that wide. Soon enough, Isabella's back touched the wall. There was nowhere left to retreat.
Isabella's figure, unable to meet my eyes and turning her head slightly aside as she caught her breath.
'I'm sorry if I'm being forceful but....'
It seemed like this situation would continue indefinitely if I just stayed still.
"Can't you tell me the reason? I need to know the reason so we can fix things together. As teacher and disciple, for now."
"......."
Silence flowed for a moment.
And after hesitating for a long while, Isabella finally parted her lips.
"I'm too embarrassed... to say it...."
But it wasn't a very nutritious answer. With a face red as a beet, she hung her head low.
"......."
"......."
Hoo. I guess there's no helping it.
Pushing too hard isn't good either, so next time...
Just as I thought that and was about to turn away,
Isabella grabbed my wrist and cried out.
"S-sorry! I didn't mean to disappoint you... really...."
"No, it's fine. I wasn't disappointed in the first place. The fault was on my side. If it's something that needs time, then there's nothing to be done."
"It's not that...."
"...?"
Isabella took a deep breath.
And then she raised her head and looked straight at my face.
Her face was still bright red, but her eyes had a somehow desperate feeling. What on earth is she trying to say...
Isabella opened her mouth.
"When I look at Teacher, I just can't hold back anymore... Even now, like this...."
"I-Ibel?"
She pulled the wrist she was holding straight toward her crotch! Truly, incredibly boldly.