Teachers pet (COMPLETE)

Chapter 28: The Beast's Forest and Training Camp Begins

The atmosphere in the classroom is electric. Summer break is finally here, and Class 1-A can barely contain their excitement for the upcoming lodge trip. But when Aizawa-Sensei enters with his usual calm, stoic demeanor, my heart does that familiar flip. His presence alone sends a wave of warmth through me, but I force myself to focus on his words.

He informs us that the original destination for our lodge trip has been changed, and the new location will remain a mystery until the day we leave. His tone is even, but I can’t help but wonder what’s going on behind that guarded expression. Is he excited for this? Does he think we’ll struggle? My thoughts are interrupted by a glance from Momo, who seems just as intrigued by the change in plans.

He’s definitely hiding something, I think, my gaze lingering on Aizawa-Sensei a little too long. I catch myself and quickly look away, feeling the heat rise in my cheeks.

---

The day of the forest lodge trip arrives, and we meet up with Class 1-B at the bus stop. As usual, Neito tries to start something with his obnoxious comments, but Itsuka swiftly shuts him down. I chuckle to myself, exchanging amused looks with Momo and Tokoyami as Neito stumbles over his words.

We board the bus, and the excitement in the air is almost tangible. Mina, Denki, and Kirishima are already making plans about what they’ll do once we get to the lodge, their voices overlapping as they joke around. I join in, laughing, though a part of me can’t help but drift back to Aizawa-Sensei, who sits at the front of the bus, his eyes closed. His usual indifference somehow feels reassuring, like everything’s under control as long as he’s around.

When Aizawa-Sensei tries to speak up about the trip, the class is too distracted to fully listen. He sighs, letting it slide, muttering something about our carefree days being numbered. The low rumble of his voice sends a shiver down my spine, and I silently curse myself for being so easily affected by him.

Focus, Mailin. This is just a trip. He’s just your teacher. Nothing more.

---

After about an hour, we pull into a rest stop, but there’s no sign of Class 1-B. Before we can question it, two women in cat-themed costumes and a small boy appear.

Izuku, being Izuku, lights up with excitement and introduces them as the professional hero team, the Pussycats. His enthusiasm is contagious, and soon, we’re all buzzing with energy again.

Pixie-Bob, the brown-haired woman, explains that the training camp has already begun and that our first task is to reach the base of the mountain within three hours using our Quirks. If we don’t make it by 12:30 p.m., no lunch.

The panic on Denki’s face is almost comical. “What?! No lunch?!” he exclaims, eyes wide with disbelief.

Before anyone can protest, Pixie-Bob uses her Quirk to create a landslide, and suddenly, the ground beneath us gives way. My heart leaps into my throat as I feel myself falling. Dirt and debris surround me as I struggle to regain control.

---

We land in the Beast’s Forest, an eerie and thick stretch of wilderness. The tension is palpable as we realize this is the real start of our training camp. Our first challenge.

Barely a moment passes before a massive beast made of dirt emerges from the ground. It’s huge, easily towering over us. Koji tries to control it with his Quirk, but it’s no use—the beast isn’t alive. Izuku, Shoto, Tenya, and Katsuki jump into action, their teamwork seamless as they destroy the creature with ice, explosions, and wind pressure.

I watch them in awe. They’ve all faced real villains before, and it shows. But this isn’t the time to admire from the sidelines—I have to step up, too.

---

As we continue through the forest, more beasts emerge, each one more difficult than the last. I focus on using my telekinesis to lift large boulders and clear the path ahead, working with my classmates as we push through the treacherous terrain. The hours drag on, and my muscles burn from overusing my Quirk, but I refuse to let up. We have to make it.

When we finally reach the mountain base, the exhaustion is overwhelming. My limbs feel like lead, and I can barely stand. It’s 5:20 p.m. by the time we arrive, bruised, battered, but victorious.

Pixie-Bob looks genuinely surprised. “I thought you’d take longer,” she admits, giving us a wide smile. “You all did well, especially you four,” she adds, nodding at Izuku, Tenya, Shoto, and Katsuki.

Aizawa-Sensei instructs us to grab our luggage from the bus and head to our rooms. Even though my entire body is screaming for rest, I somehow manage to drag my bag along with the others. I can barely make it to the room, but the sense of accomplishment is enough to keep me going.

His voice pulls me out of my daze again. “Once you’ve settled in, head to the dining hall for dinner,” Aizawa-Sensei says. “Afterwards, you’ll have time to relax in the hot springs. Your real training starts tomorrow morning.”

At the mention of dinner and the hot springs, a murmur of excitement spreads through the class. I steal a glance at him as he turns to leave. There’s something so calm and composed about him, and despite my exhaustion, I feel that familiar flutter in my chest. I push the feeling down and focus on getting to my room.

---

Dinner is delicious. The Pussycats have outdone themselves, and the atmosphere in the dining hall is lighthearted. Momo, sitting beside me, smiles contentedly as we dig into the meal.

“This is so good,” Momo says, and I nod in agreement, savoring every bite.

Denki and Kirishima are chatting loudly a few seats down, recounting the day’s events. Mina laughs at their antics, her mood light despite the exhaustion. The camaraderie among the class makes the weight of the day feel lighter.

I glance across the room and spot Aizawa-Sensei sitting quietly at the edge of the hall, not eating, just watching us with that calm, unreadable expression. My chest tightens, and I can’t help but wonder—did he watch me during the challenge? Did he notice how hard I pushed myself?

Why does it matter so much what he thinks?

I tear my gaze away and force myself to focus on the conversation around me, but the tension in my chest doesn’t fade.

---

After dinner, the hot springs call our names. As we slip into the steaming water, the heat feels almost too much at first, but then it starts to work its magic. My muscles, sore from the day’s challenge, begin to relax, and I let out a long sigh.

“This is heaven,” Ochaco murmurs, sinking deeper into the water. “I don’t know how we’re going to survive tomorrow, but at least we have this.”

Mina grins. “Right? I thought I was going to drop dead in that forest.”

Momo, sitting beside me, nods, her posture still graceful despite the exhaustion. “We’ll need all the rest we can get. Aizawa-Sensei isn’t going to take it easy on us tomorrow.”

At the mention of his name, my mind drifts back to Aizawa-Sensei. I wonder what he’s thinking about now—probably already planning how he’s going to push us tomorrow. I try to focus on the warmth of the water, but my thoughts keep circling back to him.

The girls chat around me, but I can’t shake the feeling. This crush is getting harder and harder to ignore. Every time I’m around him, my mind is a mess. I need to get it together. Tomorrow is going to be brutal, and I can’t let these feelings get in the way.

Still, as I lean my head back and close my eyes, I wonder… Does he notice me? Does he see how hard I’ve been working?