I Became a Kindergarten Teacher for Monster Babies!

Finally, when the faint silhouette of the kindergarten gates appeared through the fog, Alina let out the breath she didn't realize she had been holding. Relief washed over her shoulders like warm water, loosening the tension she had carried all the way through Blackleaf Forest. As the car rolled to a stop, she quickly turned off the headlights and sat for a moment, calming her racing heartbeat before stepping outside.

Locking the car door, she turned toward Dante, who had already stepped out. "Good night, sir," she said softly, a small, genuine smile tugging at her lips despite her exhaustion.

He studied her for a moment, those green eyes calm but unreadable, then gave a short nod. "Good night, Miss Alina." His tall figure disappeared into the darker path leading to his side of the grounds, his presence fading like a shadow blending with the night.

The moment he was gone, the silence pressed in heavier than before. Alina hugged her bag closer to her chest and made her way quickly to her little house. Every crunch of gravel under her shoes made her flinch. The lamps lining the pathway flickered faintly, their glow barely pushing back the heavy darkness of the grounds. She glanced around, half-expecting something to leap out, but of course, it was just her nerves.

Her fingers fumbled at the lock before she finally managed to push the door open. Once inside, she shut it quickly, leaning her back against the wooden door as though holding it closed against the night. She exhaled shakily, slipping off her shoes, but the uneasiness didn't leave her chest.

Too drained to think about dinner, she hurried to the bathroom. Her shower was quick, almost frantic, as if washing away the lingering chill of the forest.

After her shower, she locked the window, drew the curtains tightly, and slid beneath her blanket as if it were her only shield. Only then, wrapped in the cocoon of soft covers, did she feel even a hint of safety. Still, her heart thudded hard in her chest, the sound echoing in her ears with every beat.

She closed her eyes, clutching the blanket tighter around her. Slowly, the rhythm of her breathing matched the quiet ticking of the clock, and her body gave in to the exhaustion of the day. Within minutes, fear melted into dreams, and she drifted into sleep.

The next morning, Alina woke early, feeling surprisingly refreshed after the previous night's fright. She dressed neatly, tied her hair back, and made her way to the staffroom.

"Good morning," she said politely as she stepped inside.

Professor Hobb gave a grunt and a nod without looking up from his newspaper, but even that was an improvement from his usual grumpy silence. Miss Kelly looked up briefly, adjusting her spectacles, and gave a small nod too. Alina's lips curved into a smile—progress.

Then her eyes found Gabriel, who was already seated with a stack of papers. "Good morning," she said warmly.

He smiled back, his voice kind and unhurried. "Good morning, Lina. Ah—my mother sent this for you." He held out a small box wrapped with neat paper.

"Really?" Alina blinked, stepping closer curiously. "She's so sweet. What is it?"

"Just some sweets," he said modestly.

Alina's eyes lit up as she carefully opened the lid. Inside were little sugar-coated pieces, glistening like they had been dusted with starlight. She plucked one, popped it into her mouth, and her eyes widened. "Mm! It's so sugary and addictive," she said happily. "Please tell your mom thank you! She really didn't have to."

"Try another," Gabriel said, chuckling softly at her delight.

Instead, she held the box toward him. "Only if you take one too."

He gave a helpless smile and picked a piece. She quickly closed the box and slipped it into her bag. "Do you mind if I share these with my students later? They love sweet things, and I won't be able to finish them all alone."

"I don't mind at all," Gabriel replied gently. "In fact, I think she'll be glad to know you shared."

"Thank you," Alina said, her heart warm, before checking the clock. With the morning almost beginning, she straightened and excused herself to head toward Class D.

As she opened the classroom door, a smile tugged at her lips. No matter how tired she felt, the sight inside always made her happy. The pastel wallpapers of stars, moons, and fluffy clouds gave the room a dreamy glow. The large cork bulletin board proudly displayed their glittery flower project, while the smaller older board was filled with crooked but adorable artwork.

The cozy nap nook with its soft colourful mats, pillows, and plushies looked so inviting she almost wanted to curl up there herself.

"Techar good morniiiing~~!" Boo's voice rang out first, dramatic as always.

The rest quickly followed, voices overlapping in their own rhythm. "Good morning, teacher!"

Alina chuckled, shaking her head. "Boo, it isn't techar, it's teacher," she corrected softly. She had noticed that sometimes he slipped into that odd pronunciation, stretching the sound like he was announcing her to the heavens.

"Teacher, techar, same same!" Boo said proudly, spinning mid-air. "Everyone knows who Boo is talking about anyway!"

A few of the babies giggled, and Alina just sighed in defeat, her smile widening. Honestly, with Boo around, mornings were never dull.

"Good morning, is everyone present?" Alina asked, her voice warm as she glanced around the classroom.

Boo floated lazily to the middle of the room, sticking his tongue out. "Nooo… Vlad Jr. and Drake are absent!" he announced proudly, like it was breaking news.

Immediately, a sleepy groan came from the back. Drake, who had been half-dozing on his desk with his cheek pressed against his little arms, shot up, eyes wide. "WHAT?! I'm right here!!" he shouted indignantly, his wings giving a dramatic flap.

Boo snickered, spinning upside down in mid-air. "Boo only said truth! You were absent in your spirit, dragon boy!"

"I was just resting my eyes!!" Drake argued, cheeks puffing out in protest. "I wasn't absent!"

Alina chuckled, covering her mouth. "Drake, sweetheart, you did look very close to dreamland a moment ago."

Drake crossed his little arms and turned his head away with a pout. "Hmph! Then tell Boo to stop lying!"

"Boo never lies!" Boo declared, twirling dramatically before pointing a ghostly finger at Vlad Jr. "And look! Vlad Jr. is also absent! He's hiding behind his desk!"