"Sable, aren't you sleepy?" Alina asked gently as she walked toward the quietest corner of the classroom, where Sable was still sitting with his arms wrapped around his little knees.
He looked up slowly, his big round eyes meeting hers, so soft and silent, as if searching for something in her face.
He shook his head lightly, his messy dark hair bouncing a little with the motion. He didn't say a word, but his eyes followed her, quietly.
Alina's heart softened at the sight. Her fingers itched to hold this small, sweet child close and tell him everything would be okay.
"T-ha-k yoyyu," Sable said softly, his little voice shaky and full of babyish tones.
Alina blinked, then let out a small laugh, full of warmth. "Oh, sweetheart, why are you saying thank you?"
Sable's cheeks flushed a little as he looked down, then up again shyly. He whispered, "C-choklate," his voice barely there, and his tiny hand rested over his chest as if he was truly thankful from the bottom of his heart.
Alina smiled so brightly her eyes crinkled. "Aww… sweetheart, you don't have to thank teacher for that. But yes, if someone helps you or does something kind, it's good to say thank you. That's called being gentle and kind-hearted."
She sat beside him on the floor, knees folded, watching him with warmth in her eyes.
Sable stared at her for a moment like he couldn't believe it.
Why wasn't she calling him weird?
Why wasn't she scared of him?
Miss Clara used to call him "creep," just because he didn't talk much… just because he liked writing in notebooks with his bad handwriting and sitting quietly instead of playing like the others.
But Miss Alina was different.
She wasn't looking at him like he was strange.
She was laughing.
She was kind.
And her laughter didn't feel cold. It felt like… like sunlight in a dark room.
"Alright then," Alina said sweetly. "Since you're not feeling sleepy… how about we talk a little? Teacher's also not sleepy right now."
Sable looked at her for a long second, his wide eyes blinking slowly. Then, he gave the tiniest nod
Alina smiled softly. "Hmm… so what should we talk about?" she asked, tilting her head playfully as if she was thinking very seriously. "Should we talk about the stars? Or maybe games? Or… hmm, maybe cookies?"
At the word cookies, Sable's eyes brightened a little, his lips twitching like he wanted to smile but didn't know how to.
Alina leaned closer and whispered like they were sharing a very important secret, "You know, I make the best cookies in the world. Maybe I'll bring you one tomorrow."
Sable gasped very softly and covered his mouth with his tiny hand like it was the biggest surprise in the world. Then he nodded, eyes sparkling.
"You like chocolate?" Alina asked softly.
Sable nodded again, and this time his voice came out in a very small whisper, "And… marsh-mello…"
Alina laughed quietly, hand covering her heart. "Oh, you have good taste, little one."
And for the first time, Sable smiled. Just a small one, barely there but real. The kind of smile that breaks your heart a little and makes you want to protect that child forever.
Outside the window, the wind moved gently through the trees.
***
From the doorway, partially hidden behind the shadows of the corridor, Dante Nightshade stood tall and silent, his arms crossed as he leaned slightly against the wall. His crimson eyes narrowed in careful study.
Ever since the incident with Clara, he had stopped placing blind trust in anyone, especially when it came to the children of Class D. One mistake could be dangerous. One carelessness could cost lives. And Alina Hart—this new human teacher was still unknown.
He had every reason to doubt her.
And yet… as he watched her now, he said nothing.
Inside the quiet classroom, Alina sat cross-legged on the floor beside the smallest child, Sable. She wasn't trying to control him. She wasn't ignoring him either. She was simply talking to him… like a person. Like he mattered. Her expression was open and full of warmth, her smile gentle—not forced. Her voice, though soft, carried comfort with every word she spoke.
And then… Sable smiled.
That rare, almost impossible-to-see smile. The boy who never laughed, who never played, who barely spoke… smiled.
Dante's gaze shifted slightly. A flicker of recognition passed through his mind. Not many could do that. Even Clara couldn't reach Sable. And yet this human—this young, fragile thing had managed it in less than a week.
His jaw tightened. He shouldn't be impressed. He had promised himself he would not be.
But he was.
He continued to watch silently as Alina gently brushed back a strand of Sable's dark hair and chuckled when the boy tried to mimic her smile.
Something in Dante's cold exterior cracked just a little. No matter how much he wanted to stay distant, his instincts both as principal and as a father told him she might actually be different.
She wasn't perfect. She was clumsy, forgetful, and clearly still adjusting to this supernatural world.
But she was trying.
He lowered his head slightly, shadows hiding the thoughtful gleam in his eyes.
"She's not bad with kids…" he muttered under his breath, almost grudgingly. Then, with one last glance at the soft moment unfolding between Alina and Sable, Dante turned and walked away.
But the slight nod he gave himself?
That was all the approval he would offer—for now.