I Became a Kindergarten Teacher for Monster Babies!

Miss Kelly nearly dropped her pen, staring at him. "Wait—you actually took someone's advice?" she teased. "And it worked?"

Professor Hobb shot her a glare but didn't deny it. Instead, he muttered, "Better than gifting her a pen again. At least she didn't throw this one back at me."

Gabriel choked on his tea, coughing into his sleeve as his shoulders shook with laughter. Alina covered her mouth, trying not to giggle too loudly.

"I'm glad it worked out, Professor," she said kindly, her smile warm. "Sometimes… it's just about showing you remembered and cared."

Hobb harrumphed, but his ears turned suspiciously red. He reached for his book and buried himself in it, pretending he wasn't secretly pleased with himself.

Alina exchanged an amused glance with Gabriel, and both of them had to bite back their laughter.

"Good morning," Gabriel said warmly, his angelic smile brightening the staffroom far more than the pale morning sunlight streaming through the windows.

Alina's lips curved immediately. "Morning, Gabs!" she chirped.

He tilted his head slightly, studying her with those calm eyes of his. "You look… cheerful today," he said softly, as though it was a quiet observation rather than a compliment.

Alina chuckled, brushing a strand of hair behind her ear. "Do I? Maybe I just slept well… or maybe it's because Class D has something fun waiting for them."

Gabriel's smile deepened, gentle and steady. "I see. Then I'll look forward to hearing their laughter echoing down the hall."

They spoke a few more words—simple things about the day's lessons, the children's mischief, little complaints about paperwork and then Alina picked up her books, still smiling.

"See you later, Gabs," she said softly before heading toward her classroom.

Gabriel watched her leave, his smile lingering even after the door swung closed behind her.

***

Alina could hardly keep the bounce out of her steps as she hurried down the hall, her heart racing with excitement. She couldn't wait to see their little faces when they noticed the makeover.

She opened the classroom door, ready to greet them, but barely made it two steps before—

"WOAHHH!!" she yelped, almost colliding headfirst into Boo, who was zooming through the air on top of a gigantic banana plushie.

"Techar, you crashed with Boo!!" Boo shouted dramatically, spinning in a circle and then giggling so hard he almost slipped off the banana. He steered it like it was a royal chariot and zipped past her, chanting, "Banana ride! Banana ride!"

Alina blinked, one hand on her chest, then burst out laughing. Of course. Trust Boo to turn the brand-new plushies into vehicles.

Her gaze swept around the classroom, and her smile softened. Luna, still in her wolf form, was rubbing her fluffy gray body against the freshly decorated wall, leaving faint trails of fur like she was claiming it as hers.

Near the cork bulletin board, Vlad Jr., Rocky, and Kelpie were standing in a small group, gazing intently at the glittering flower sheet they had made yesterday. It was pinned proudly in the center, sparkling in the sunlight. "It looks like treasure," Rocky whispered in awe, while Kelpie nodded so hard his damp curls bounced.

Across the room, Lucien stood silently before the wallpaper Alina had stuck up the night before—tiny stars, moons, and clouds sprinkled across the corner wall. His crimson eyes shimmered as though reflecting them.

And then, her heart squeezed when she spotted Sable. He was hugging an orange plushie so tightly against his chest it almost disappeared into him. A tiny smile played on his lips, and for just a second Alina thought—were those tears glistening in his big eyes? The sight nearly melted her on the spot.

Before she could step further inside, Boo zipped back into her path, this time with an extra passenger.

"Teacher!!" he announced grandly, giggling as Drake clung behind him on the banana plushie like it was a rollercoaster ride. "Banana taxi, now with dragon!"

"Wheeeeeee!" Drake shouted, his chubby cheeks puffed with glee. His little arms were spread like wings as he leaned back dramatically.

Alina laughed so hard her sides hurt. "Alright, everyone! Put down the toys—it's class time," she said gently, clapping her hands.

Drake groaned, sliding dramatically off the banana as though it betrayed him. Boo floated upside down in protest but slowly drifted back toward his desk, still hugging the banana plush like a baby.

"And Luna," Alina added, biting back another laugh as the wolf pup started gnawing on the corner of the beanbag, "please shift back, sweetheart. Class in wolf form isn't very convenient."

Luna froze, ears flicking, then gave a small huff and shimmered back into her little girl form, her hair sticking out in wild tufts. She crossed her arms with a pout, muttering, "But wolf Luna likes the new wall better…"

Alina chuckled, her chest filling with warmth.

"Boo, put the banana back to its place. And Sable—yes, sweetheart—the orange too," Alina said gently, pointing at the plushies.

Boo puffed his cheeks, floating dramatically upside down as though it was the greatest tragedy in the world. "Bananaaa… betrayed by teacher…" he muttered, hugging it one last time before dragging it reluctantly back to the nap spot.

Sable looked even more pitiful, his little fingers clinging to the orange plush. He walked slowly—tiny steps, like he was parting with his best friend forever. Alina had to bite her lip not to laugh at the melodrama.

Shaking her head with a smile, she picked up her notebook. "Alright, attendance time! Let's see…" She looked around the room, frowning slightly. "Where's Felix?"

Before anyone else could answer, Boo zoomed over, his little body circling like a spinning top. "Teacher!! He was sleeping on a watermelon!" Boo announced, eyes wide as though it were a crime.

Alina blinked. "…On watermelon?"

"Yes! Big one! Looked like pillow but squishy! Boo almost joined him!"

Suppressing her laughter, Alina asked, "Can someone go and call him, please?"

Lucien quietly raised his hand. His crimson eyes met hers, and he gave the smallest nod.

"Thank you, sweetheart. Can you wake your friend?" she said softly, her voice warm. Lucien nodded again, looking a little shy but determined, and slipped toward the nap spot.

Alina couldn't see Felix because nap spot was tucked away in a little room-like space she had made by arranging the cabinets.