"Uhm—" he cleared his throat, his gaze shifting away for a brief moment before returning to me—but this time, it lacked that earlier intensity, as if something had slightly unsettled him.
"So?" he continued, his tone regaining its usual cold edge. "Why did you waste my precious time coming here… when you never intended to be a tutor?"
His words weren't as harsh as I had imagined.
Still—
They hit.
"Because—" I started, but the words got stuck again.
"Because what?" This time, his voice sharpened, his patience clearly thinning.
"Because you are a male—" I blurted under pressure, only to freeze midway.
"Huh?"
He stared at me, utterly confused now, his brows knitting together even more.
"Uh… no—no, you are not a male—" I let out an awkward laugh, completely panicking as the words tumbled out without permission. "I mean—"
What am I even saying?!
I peeked up slightly.
And there it was.
A vein subtly popping at his temple.
Then suddenly _
A chuckle broke from behind.
I turned slightly.
A man with light brown hair and a relaxed posture leaned against the doorway—his bright eyes amused as he watched the scene unfold.
Shion.
I almost sighed in relief.
Okay..maybe a little less tense..
Ryan shot him a sharp glare.
The kind that said leave.
Immediately.
Shion raised his hands in mock surrender, still chuckling as he stepped back. "Alright, alright… I saw nothing."
And then he was gone.
The tension snapped right back.
"Are you insulting me?" Ryan stepped closer again, that earlier intimidating presence returning just as quickly.
"N–no—" I shook my head hurriedly.
"Then what did you mean by what you just said?" His voice dropped, controlled but dangerous.
"I—I meant…" I scrambled, my mind racing. "You are… a male… alpha."
"That's right—an alpha male," I added quickly, nodding vigorously with a relieved smile, as if I had just saved myself.
He blinked.
Once.
"Alpha male?"
"Yes!" I nodded again, a little too eagerly now. "Like in those wolf stories on—"
"Shut up."
I flinched.
His sharp voice cut me off instantly, snapping whatever confidence I had managed to gather.
"Stop talking nonsense."
Okay… yeah… that didn't help.
And just then_
Footsteps.
Felix came in with a backpack slung over his shoulders,His soft blonde hair was a little messy, catching the light, and his warm brown eyes scanned the room until they landed on us. looking like he had just returned from school… or somewhere else—because it was Sunday.
Huh? He is just returning..then why did he ask me to come earlier ?
Before I could think further, Felix rushed toward me, his steps quick and light, excitement written all over his face.
I let out a breath I didn't even realize I had been holding.
"Are you my tutor?" he asked, looking up at me with a bright, warm smile.
I couldn't help it.
I smiled back.
And nodded.
Maybe it was to escape the suffocating presence behind me… or maybe I just didn't have the heart to disappoint the little one standing in front of me with such hopeful eyes.
"That's right."
Ryan stepped in between us.
Felix's attention shifted instantly to him,
but mine—
I could still feel his gaze.
"It's—" Ryan started, about to introduce me, before pausing and glancing back.
"Name?"
"It's… Cynthia."
"You can start from tomorrow."
"What? I thought—
The demo session…
"What do you expect?" he cut in flatly.
"He just came back from another session. He needs rest."His tone left no room for argument.
And just like that—
It was decided.
___________________
A few hours later, I was back in my room, sitting on the edge of my bed before my café shift, the earlier tension slowly fading as my thoughts began to settle.
When I replayed everything in my head—
I let out a small breath.
…I had panicked too much.
Being Felix's tutor wouldn't really change anything.
Righ..it wouldn't have a direct influence to the story .
"Plus, his character..didn't have much influence either"
"It's basically the same as being another background extra," I added, nodding slightly as if convincing myself.
That thought alone made things feel easier.
Lighter.
"I'll just go there, teach him, and leave… nothing more."
No getting involved.
No standing out.
I leaned back slightly, staring at the ceiling.
"And honestly…"
A small frown formed.
"So scary…"
"When I read others' descriptions of him in the novel, I thought they were just being overdramatic…"