I Became a Kindergarten Teacher for Monster Babies!
Chapter 88 You smell… weird

Chapter 88: Chapter 88 You smell... weird

Alina blinked, surprised by how soft he felt. Her arms wrapped around both of them now, her chest full of warmth she didn’t know she needed.

She gently let go of Capi and the floral boy, smoothing down their little shirts with a fond smile.

"Okay, okay— Teacher needs to breathe too," she chuckled softly, brushing a petal out of her hair.

Gabriel chuckled softly from the side. "Looks like you’ve been claimed."

"I don’t mind," Alina laughed, brushing her hair behind her ear. "They’re sweeter than sunshine."

One of the butterfly-winged girls fluttered closer, shyly holding out a tiny flower pot with a single daisy.

"For you, Miss Alina," she said in a tiny voice.

Alina blinked again, stunned. "For me?"

She took it with both hands and smiled, feeling something shift quietly in her heart.

Then her eyes landed on a quiet little boy sitting cross-legged by a pot of soil, carefully digging a small hole with a wooden spoon.

He had soft silver-blonde hair that shimmered under the morning sun, and long, pointed ears that twitched slightly whenever the wind passed. His little brows were furrowed, completely focused on planting a tiny sprout.

Alina walked over and knelt beside him, keeping her voice soft so she wouldn’t startle him. "Hi, sweetheart," she said gently. "What’s your name?"

The elf boy paused mid-scoop, turning his face toward her slowly. His large, sea-glass-colored eyes blinked at her like he hadn’t expected to be spoken to directly.

Then, in a voice so soft it almost got carried away with the wind, he whispered, "Aurelian."

Alina smiled, tasting the name gently in her mind. "Aurelian... that’s a beautiful name."

The boy looked down quickly, cheeks pink as he focused on patting the soil. "It means light," he murmured. "My grandma said I was born with sun in my eyes."

Alina’s smile softened, her chest squeezing at the quiet pride in his voice. "Well, I think that’s perfect. You’re like a little sunbeam with ears," she said, tapping one of his pointy ears lightly.

Aurelian’s ears twitched, and his lips curved just the tiniest bit like a smile he’d been saving just for someone kind.

She sat with him for a little while, watching how carefully he placed the flower into the soil and pressed it down with both palms like he was tucking it into bed.

"You’re doing great," she said, brushing a bit of dirt from his cheek. "Your flower’s lucky to have you."

Aurelian didn’t answer. But as she stood up to leave, he looked up and whispered, "Bye, Miss Alina..."

It made her heart do a tiny flutter.

Alina reached her classroom just on time, a bit out of breath. Her forehead was slightly sweaty from walking fast — and maybe also from the three group hugs she’d just survived in the garden. She smoothed her hair down quickly, took a breath, and opened the door.

"Good morning, Sweetheart," she said softly, stepping inside.

Most of the babies turned toward her with their usual bright smiles.

Drake waved immediately. "Teacher! Good morning!"

Kelpie peeked up from behind his notebook and gave a tiny nod.

Boo floated toward her with a happy grin. "Did you go somewhere fun teacher? You look smiley today."

Sable blinked up but said nothing, as usual, quietly observing.

But one tiny figure... didn’t smile.

Luna.

She sat at her desk, arms crossed over her chest, her little nose twitching.

Her eyes narrowed slightly as Alina walked past. She gave one sniff. Then another. Then leaned forward and sniffed again.

Alina paused, blinking. "Luna?"

Luna didn’t answer. She just stared at Alina like she was solving a crime.

Alina tilted her head, confused. "What’s wrong, sweetheart?"

Luna’s lips pressed into a firm line. "You smell... weird."

Alina blinked again. "Weird?"

"Like..." Luna’s nose wrinkled. "Leaves. And other babies."

Alina froze for half a second, then smiled guiltily. "Ah... well... I did visit the garden this morning. Gabriel was planting flowers with some of the older kids."

Luna’s eyebrows twitched.

Alina clapped her hands gently, signaling the start of class. The room slowly settled, little chairs scooted forward, and notebooks opened.

"Alright, everyone," she said with a bright smile, "let’s begin today’s class."

But as she looked around at her sweet babies, her eyes landed on Luna — still sitting with her arms folded, her lips pressed tight, nose slightly scrunched.

Still angry, Alina thought with a quiet sigh. What’s gotten into her this morning?

She tilted her head. Luna hadn’t said much since sniffing her earlier. Her golden-brown eyes kept sneaking little glares every few minutes.

She’s definitely mad I hugged other kids, Alina realized. Even though it wasn’t betrayal!

Trying not to laugh at how serious it all felt, she turned toward the table beside her where she’d placed a small shopping bag.

"Well," she said, trying to sound cheerful but soothing, "before we begin math, Teacher has something special for you all."

The babies sat up straighter, their tiny ears perked — some literally.

"I brought you gifts," she said, slowly pulling them out. "Each one is something I thought you might like."

One by one, the babies settled down with their new gifts — touching, examining, showing off.

Drake kept flipping through his dragon notebook, already doodling little flames in the corner of every page. "I’m gonna draw Teacher riding a dragon!" he announced proudly.

Boo stuck two ghost stickers on his forehead. "Call me Sir Boo the Third. Ruler of invisible secrets!" he declared, floating dramatically in circles.

Alina’s heart glowed watching them.

Luna still didn’t say anything, but she wasn’t frowning anymore.

With a smile tugging at her lips, Alina clapped her hands once again. "Alright, everyone — let’s begin our language class, shall we?"

A soft chorus of "Yes, Teacher!" filled the room.

She walked to the board, writing today’s topic in soft letters: ’Describing Ourselves’.

"We’re going to learn how to talk about ourselves," she said warmly. "Who we are, what we like, and what makes us special."

The babies leaned in, listening.

Alina’s voice was steady, calm, as she began explaining simple phrases.

But just as she turned to the board again—

Knock knock.

A sudden, firm knock echoed from the classroom door.

Alina paused, chalk in hand.

All the babies turned toward the door at once.