I Became a Kindergarten Teacher for Monster Babies!

Alina stood frozen in place, her hands still slightly lifted, eyes wide as she stared at the empty space where Boo had been just moments ago. The warmth in the room felt like it had vanished along with him, and the air grew still, too still like even the walls were holding their breath.

"Where… where did he disappear to?" Alina whispered, her voice cracking, barely audible. Her eyes scanned the room slowly, searching for any sign of that little ghost boy.

But there was nothing.

Just silence and the soft, confused breathing of her students.

Then—

She felt a gentle tug on her dress.

She looked down.

Sable.

He looked up at her, his big eyes anxious, his little hand still holding onto her fabric like a lifeline.

"H-he hide…" he said softly, voice small and unsure. "He's sad… so he hide."

Alina's eyes softened instantly. She crouched down and cupped Sable's cheek gently. "Thank you, Sable. I understand now."

He nodded slowly, almost relieved that she wasn't upset.

Alina stood back up, her gaze sharper now—focused.

She turned toward the rest of the class. "Alright. Let's find him. Boo's still here somewhere. He didn't go far. We just… need to look carefully, okay?"

The moment she said that, a rustle came from the side.

Felix had gotten up from his nap spot and was already walking toward the art shelf. "I'll check the cabinets," he said quickly, tail twitching with worry. "Maybe he's hiding where we keep the crayons…"

Sable nodded and started crawling gently under desks, his little fingers pressing against the floor, eyes searching each corner with careful movements.

Even Lucien, who hadn't said a word since Boo vanished, slowly stood up.

His eyes were focused, and without another word, he began moving—pulling open supply drawers, looking behind the bookshelf. His expression was unreadable, but his lips were pressed tight and his hands were careful, like he didn't want to scare anything that might be hiding.

"Boo…" Alina called out softly as she opened the large cabinet near the book shelves. "Sweetheart? It's me. We're all here... We just want to know you're okay…"

No answer.

She moved gently, checking behind a stack of books, her eyes scanning every corner.

Felix peeked into the toy bin. "He's not here…"

Sable was now under the reading corner. "Not here either…"

Lucien looked under the supply table and moved aside a large roll of sleeping mats.

"Teacher," he said finally, softly, "…what if he's… not in the classroom anymore?"

Alina froze.

The thought hadn't fully hit her until that moment. Her hands stopped searching. Her breath caught.

Her heart gave a painful thud.

"No…" she whispered, shaking her head but even she didn't believe it. Boo had vanished… not just hidden. He had been hurt, deeply. What if he had floated beyond the classroom?

She quickly turned toward the children. "I'm going to check outside," she said gently but firmly. "You all stay here, alright? Don't leave the room."

Sable looked up from under the bookshelf and gave a tiny nod. Felix sat still near the art corner, eyes wide and worried. Even Lucien stayed silent.

Without wasting another second, Alina rushed to the hallway.

"Boo!" she called out, her voice echoing softly down the quiet corridors. Her steps echoed over the stone floors. "Sweetheart, it's me—please come out! You're not in trouble!"

She rounded the corner and nearly bumped into someone.

"Whoa—what's wrong, dear?" came a familiar voice.

It was Madame Thistle, standing in front of her clinic door, holding a small pot in her hands—a soft green plant with shimmering golden edges.

But Alina didn't even notice it.

Her eyes were wide. Her voice urgent. "Madame Thistle—Boo… Boo disappeared. He was upset and he just… vanished. I can't find him anywhere inside."

Madame Thistle's brows drew together with concern. "Oh, the poor thing…"

She quickly turned and opened the door to her small herb-filled clinic. "Let me put this plant down, and I'll help you search. Don't worry—we'll find him."

Alina gave her a quick, grateful nod and turned toward the garden path.

"Boo!" she called again, her voice catching slightly in the back of her throat. Her chest was tight, her eyes scanning every shadow. "Sweetheart, I know you're scared—but I'm here, okay?"

Her footsteps took her toward the stone archway near the edge of the courtyard.

She was about to turn the corner when—

"Miss Alina."

The voice was deep. Calm. Sharp as the wind slicing through the fog.

Alina turned quickly and saw him.

Dante Nightshade.

Tall and handsome, dressed in dark attire, his presence was as intimidating as ever. He stood with one hand folded behind his back, eyes narrowing slightly as he took in the tension etched across her face and the stiffness in her posture.

"S-sir," she breathed, stopping in front of him, her hands tightening at her sides. "Boo disappeared. He was very upset. He cried and just… faded. I—I've searched the classroom and started looking outside but—he's just gone."

She hadn't meant for her voice to shake. But it did.

Dante's expression darkened. His gaze sharpened, and his jaw tensed.

"I see," he said quietly, his eyes flickering with something unreadable for a brief moment.

"I'll take care of it," he added, his voice calm but firm.

And without another word, he turned and began walking the other direction.

Alina stood there for a moment, still catching her breath.

Then she turned and ran toward the garden paths again, heart pounding.

"Boo…" she called once more, softer now, her voice trembling with worry.

Please let him be safe… please let me find him soon…

"Boo…" she called again, her voice softer now, worn from calling too many times. "Sweetheart… where are you…"

Still no sign of him.

Her breath came out in small, huffing pants as she paused, standing in the middle of the garden.. Her chest was rising and falling quickly. Her fingers pressed over her heart.

She closed her eyes for a moment, trying to calm herself, because when your mind isn't calm, even the most obvious things right in front of you can become invisible.