I Became a Kindergarten Teacher for Monster Babies!-Chapter 286 Why does it bother me?

Dante stopped walking and looked at her, his expression unreadable. "No trouble at all," he said quietly. Then, without saying anything more, he stepped closer and pulled her into a brief, firm hug.

Alina froze at first, startled, but the warmth of his coat and the calm rhythm of his breath made something inside her soften. She didn’t think much in that moment; she simply stood there, letting the comfort sink in.

But Dante’s expression changed slightly as he held her. His eyes darkened, a shadow of jealousy flickering across them as a memory passed through his mind—an image he had once seen of Alina in another man’s arms. He didn’t like it. Not one bit.

He drew in a slow breath, his jaw tightening before he relaxed again, pressing his hand lightly against her back. She smells different now, he thought, calmer, softer. A faint, possessive smile touched his lips. Her scent’s mine again.

Alina pulled back slowly, her cheeks flushed and her voice small. "Sir... thank you," she said, smiling shyly. "You’ve been so kind."

Dante smiled, his gaze softening though his thoughts were far from innocent. "No problem, Miss Alina," he said lightly. "Just make sure you take care of yourself too."

"I will," she promised.

As they walked again, she felt lighter, unaware of the quiet look Dante gave her from the side, half fondness and half something darker.

******

"Sir... you’re here?" Gabriel blinked in surprise, nearly dropping his water glass. The staffroom fell into a soft hush as everyone turned toward the door. Dante stood there, tall and calm, his usual unreadable expression making the entire room freeze.

It was unusual, no, shocking. The principal had never stepped into the staff dining area before. Not once. People exchanged confused glances, their spoons hovering midair as if afraid to move.

Miss Kelly whispered under her breath, "What in the world..." while Professor Hobb nearly choked on his food.

Alina, however, didn’t seem nervous at all. She smiled brightly, her voice light and cheerful. "Sir is having lunch with us today!" she announced, as if it were the most natural thing in the world. 𝒻𝓇𝑒𝘦𝘸𝑒𝒷𝓃ℴ𝑣𝘦𝑙.𝒸ℴ𝘮

Dante gave a polite nod, his gaze softening slightly when it fell on her. "I thought I’d take Miss Alina’s advice for once," he said in that low, calm tone that carried easily through the room. "Lunch is apparently important."

A small wave of laughter rippled among the staff, though it was more nervous than amused. Miss Kelly blinked rapidly. "Of course, Sir, it’s an honor."

Professor Hobb, on the other hand, stared between Dante and Alina, utterly bewildered.

Gabriel, sitting near the window, didn’t laugh. He watched them quietly, a flicker of something unspoken passing through his eyes. The way Dante walked beside her, close but casual, the way Alina smiled up at him without hesitation, made something twist faintly in his chest.

Why does it bother me? he thought, his hand tightening around his glass. She’s just being kind...

But when Dante placed a hand on the back of Alina’s chair to pull it out for her, Gabriel’s stomach tightened again. The principal’s movements were calm and refined, but there was a strange ease between them, something that made him look away, pretending to focus on his food.

Across the table, Miss Kelly whispered to Professor Hobb, "Did you see that?"

Hobb nodded mutely, his brow furrowed. "I did... and I think we’re seeing history."

Meanwhile, Alina sat down, unaware of all the eyes quietly following her. She looked up at Dante with her usual warm smile. "Thank you, Sir," she said softly.

Dante’s lips curved, just slightly. "It’s nothing." His gaze lingered on her a moment longer than necessary before he finally took the seat beside her.

Gabriel sat quietly, trying to focus on his food, but his mind kept drifting back to the pair across the table. He could hear their voices now and then—Alina’s soft laughter blending with Dante’s calm tone—and it stirred something uneasy inside him.

He had never seen her like this before.

Usually, whenever the principal appeared, everyone stiffened, speaking in short, careful words as if afraid to breathe wrong. But Alina looked completely at ease. She smiled when Dante spoke, asked him small, friendly questions, and even teased him once about skipping meals. And Dante, who was always cold and distant, actually responded, quietly amused, like he didn’t mind being drawn into her light.

Gabriel’s hand tightened around his fork.

It wasn’t jealousy exactly, or maybe it was. He couldn’t tell. He only knew that watching them together made his chest feel strangely heavy. Every time Dante’s eyes focused on her or his voice softened when he spoke her name, Gabriel’s stomach twisted tighter.

Why does she seem so calm with him? he thought, his gaze flicking toward her again. Everyone else trembles when he’s near, but she just smiles like he’s ordinary. She used to fear him too, right? When did she become so comfortable around him?

Dante leaned closer to say something, and Alina laughed again, her cheeks glowing with warmth. That sound, soft and genuine, hit Gabriel harder than he expected. He looked down quickly, pretending to eat, his throat dry.

He didn’t understand why it bothered him so much. Maybe it was because Alina had always been kind to everyone, but this time... this felt different. There was something in her eyes when she looked at Dante, something he couldn’t name.

Miss Kelly nudged him from the side, whispering, "You’re awfully quiet today."

Gabriel forced a small smile. "Just thinking."

But deep down, he wasn’t just thinking. He was watching. Watching how effortlessly the principal’s cold presence melted around her, and how Alina didn’t even notice the effect she had on him.

***

Boo had seen something he could never forget.

He had been floating down the corridor, minding his own ghostly business, when his glowing eyes caught sight of something shocking—Miss Alina hugging the Principal!

For a few seconds, Boo didn’t even blink. His eyes went wide like two full moons, and his mouth hung open so wide that a tiny squeak came out.

"What... Boo saw that?!" he whispered to himself, spinning in a small circle. His whole body flickered like a lamp that couldn’t handle the excitement.

He hid behind the wall immediately, clutching his little hands together. "This is big! This is very big!" he muttered, grinning like a mischievous ghost who had just found treasure.