I Became a Kindergarten Teacher for Monster Babies!

"Contentment and happiness has a gentle way of stealing time, turning long days into fleeting moments without us even noticing."

Alina had heard that phrase before, read it in books, heard it from older teachers, but she had never truly understood it until now. The days had blurred together like watercolors bleeding into one another—first days of term, parent meetings, plantation day, sports day, the attack, the healing, the quiet moments in between.

And now, somehow, impossibly, it was over.

Not forever. They weren’t leaving the kindergarten entirely. They would still be here, in the same building. But they wouldn’t be her students anymore. They were moving up to the upper class. New teacher. New classroom. New routine.

She would still see them. At lunch. At assemblies. In passing. But it wouldn’t be the same. She wouldn’t be their main teacher anymore.

Today was their last day in Class D.

Today was farewell.

She stood in front of the mirror in her room, staring at her reflection. Her eyes were filled with peace, a deep quiet calm that had settled into her bones over the past months. But there was something else there too. A hint of sadness that she couldn’t quite shake. A small ache in her chest that grew heavier with every passing hour.

She touched her reflection’s cheek.

"You did good," she whispered to herself.

Then she smiled and turned away.

Today, she wore red, deep and rich, like autumn leaves or sunset clouds. The dress fell to her knees, simple but elegant, with delicate lace at the collar. She had chosen it weeks ago, knowing that today needed to be special. Today needed to be memorable.

She pinned her hair back, letting a few curls frame her face.

A soft knock came at the door.

"Come in," she said.

Dante entered.

He was wearing a black shirt, crisp and fitted, the fabric stretching across his broad shoulders. His dark hair was tied back, revealing the sharp line of his jaw, the slight curve of his lips. His horns, dark and elegant, curved back from his temples, catching the light. And his crimson eyes, usually so cold and commanding, were soft today.

Soft with pain for her.

Because he knew. He knew how much she loved those children. He knew how much this was breaking her heart.

"You look beautiful," he said.

"Thank you."

"Are you ready?"

She took a deep breath. Her hands were trembling slightly.

"I think so."

He held out his hand. She took it.

Together, they left for the kindergarten.

Alina walked towards her classroom hallway and remembered her first day.

She had been so scared then. Now she was scared of letting them go.

She pushed open the door to Class D.

Inside, the room had been transformed.

Streamers hung from the ceiling in every color, red and blue and green and gold. Balloons floated near the windows, tied with ribbons that swayed gently in the breeze. The desks had been pushed aside, replaced by long tables covered in white cloths, laden with food.

There were sandwiches cut into tiny triangles. Bowls of fruit with berries stacked like jewels. Plates of cookies shaped like stars and moons and little animals. A large cake sat at the center, frosted with the words "Goodbye, Class D" in swirling letters.

The children were already there.

They looked happy.

Luna was standing near the window, her red dress matching Alina’s, her hair braided with small silver clips. She was talking to Kelpie, who wore a blue suit that somehow managed to stay dry despite the water droplets still forming around him. They were arguing about something, probably who had won more races, but their voices were softer than usual.

Rocky was sitting at a table, carefully examining a plate of cookies, picking out the ones with the most sprinkles. He had a small box beside him, filled with stones he had collected throughout the year. His best ones. He had told Alina he was going to give them to her as a goodbye gift.

Felix stood beside Rocky, arms crossed, pretending not to be interested in the food. But Alina saw him eyeing the cookies. She saw him reach out and take one when he thought no one was looking.

Sable was bouncing on his heels, pointing at everything, his shadows rippling with excitement. Lucien stood calmly beside him, nodding at each of his brother’s observations, his red eyes soft.

Vlad Jr. was helping arrange the chairs, his posture perfect, his expression serious, as if this were an official event rather than a goodbye party. He had made a schedule for the day. He had written it in his neatest handwriting and pinned it to the wall.

Drake was sitting near the back. He was trying to smile, but his eyes kept drifting to Alina, and every time they did, his smile wavered.

And Boo was floating near the ceiling, his cap slightly tilted, his ribbon trailing behind him, his face bright with joy. But there was something in his eyes too. Something that looked like sadness hiding beneath the smile.

"Teacher!" he shouted when he saw her. "Teacher, you’re here! We saved you a seat!"

Alina laughed. "Thank you, Boo."

She walked into the room, and the children crowded around her.

"Your dress is pretty," Luna said, her golden-brown eyes studying Alina’s face.

"Thank you, Luna. Yours too."

"I like the color," Kelpie added. "It’s like fire."

"Or like apples," Rocky said.

"Or like love," Sable said.

Everyone looked at him with narrowed eyes.

Sable shrugged. "What? Teacher talks about love a lot."

Alina’s eyes filled with tears. Happy tears. Sad tears. All the tears.

She hugged them. Each one.

Luna first. The little wolf stiffened for a moment, then melted into the embrace, her small arms wrapping around Alina’s waist.

"I’m going to miss you," Luna whispered.

"I’m going to miss you too."

Then Kelpie, who smelled like water and sunshine. He hugged her tightly, his water droplets soaking into her dress.

"You were the best teacher," he said.

"Thank you, Kelpie."

Then Rocky, who hugged her carefully, gently, as if he was afraid his stones might hurt her.

"I brought you my best rocks," he said, holding up the box. "For when you miss us."

Alina’s heart cracked. "I’ll treasure them."

Then Felix. He stood in front of her, arms stiff, face red.

"You don’t have to—" Alina started.

He hugged her. Quickly. Briefly. Awkwardly.

"Thank you," he muttered, stepping back.

Alina smiled. "You’re welcome, Felix."

Then Sable. He wrapped his shadow arms around her so tightly she almost couldn’t breathe.

Then Lucien. He hugged her quietly, his small body warm against hers.

"Thank you for being our teacher," he said.

"Thank you for being my student."

Then Vlad Jr. He hugged her perfectly, as if he had practiced, his posture still straight even in the embrace.

"I have prepared a schedule for our visits," he said. "So you will know when to expect us."

Alina laughed. "Of course you have."

Then Drake.

He walked toward her slowly, his wings drooping, his tail dragging on the floor. His eyes were red like he had been crying and trying to hide it.

"Teacher," he said, his voice thick.

Alina opened her arms.

He fell into them.

He was bigger now, stronger, his body heavier than it had been at the start of the year. But he still fit perfectly in her embrace.

"I don’t want a new teacher," he mumbled into her shoulder.

"I know."

"I want you."

"I know."

"I’m going to miss you so much."

She held him tighter. "I’m going to miss you too, Drake. More than you know."

Then Boo.

He floated in front of her, his silver eyes wide, his cap slightly tilted.

"I’m going to miss you the most," he said.

"You are?"

"I am. Because I’m your most favourite."

Alina laughed and pulled him into a hug. His translucent body was cool against hers, but she could feel him trembling.

"I’ll miss you too, Boo."