Teachers pet (COMPLETE)

Chapter 40: The Provisional Hero License Exam-Jealousy Unleashed

Mailin's POV

The morning sun casts long shadows across the pavement as we stand outside Takoba National Stadium, the weight of the upcoming Provisional Hero License Exam hanging heavily in the air. I try to steady my breath, focusing on the goal ahead: earn my license, prove myself. But there’s a knot in my stomach that won’t go away, an uneasy feeling I can’t quite place.

"Alright, Class 1-A," Aizawa-Sensei says, his voice steady and calm as always. "This is your chance to prove yourselves. Remember the training you’ve done. Stay focused, stay sharp."

I find myself watching him a little too closely, as if by some miracle he’ll notice me in the sea of my classmates and give me some kind of silent encouragement. But his attention stays on the group as a whole. His usual cool, detached demeanor doesn’t waver, and for some reason, that stings.

I force myself to focus. Now is not the time to let my feelings get in the way. Especially not with this exam ahead of us.

Suddenly, a whirlwind of energy barrels into our huddle, and I hear a voice—a loud, almost obnoxiously enthusiastic voice.

"I’m SO excited to compete against U.A.!" A student, a tall boy with a beret, beams as he bows deeply, smashing his head into the ground with so much force it makes me wince. Blood trickles down his forehead as he continues bowing. "It’s such an honor!"

The entire class stares in shock. Who is this guy?

"Kansai’s Shiketsu High," Aizawa-Sensei mutters to us, his voice clipped. "He’s Inasa Yoarashi. Top scorer in the U.A. entrance exam. Could’ve been your classmate if he hadn’t declined his offer."

I glance at Aizawa-Sensei, noticing the brief glint of recognition in his eyes. Another top student, huh? And now we’re supposed to face him. Great.

Inasa finally leaves after much bowing and bleeding, and just when I think things couldn’t get any more chaotic, I hear a woman’s voice cut through the air.

"Shota!"

I freeze. My heart skips a beat.

A woman walks up to us, a big grin plastered on her face. She’s loud, and… friendly. Too friendly.

"Smile Hero: Ms. Joke," Aizawa-Sensei says, his tone flat and uninterested. "What do you want?"

Ms. Joke laughs heartily, leaning in way too close to Aizawa. "Come on, Shota, don’t be so grumpy. Let’s get married already!"

What?

My heart slams into my chest, my stomach twisting into knots. I feel my face heat up, my breath catching in my throat. She’s joking, right? Please tell me she’s joking.

Aizawa’s response is as deadpan as ever. "No."

But Ms. Joke just keeps laughing, leaning on him like it’s the most natural thing in the world. "Oh, you’re always so serious! That’s why we’d make a perfect pair!"

I feel like I’m going to explode. My mind is screaming. How can she just say something like that? In front of us?

"Tsuyu," I hear someone say behind me. "Look how close they are. Do you think they—"

"I… I don’t know," Tsuyu replies, glancing over.

I swallow the lump in my throat, trying to focus on literally anything else. But it’s too late. My blood feels like it’s boiling in my veins, a mixture of confusion, frustration, and something else—a raw, bitter jealousy.

"Shota and I go way back," Ms. Joke continues, her smile never faltering. "He’s always so stoic, but I know deep down he’s got a soft spot for me."

I can’t stand this.

Aizawa’s expression remains neutral, but I can’t help but notice the slightest twitch of annoyance in his brow. "We’re not getting married," he says flatly.

"Oh, we’ll see about that," Ms. Joke teases, her voice sing-songy. "You can’t resist my charm forever!"

I can feel the jealousy bubbling up inside me like an unstoppable tide. My heart aches in a way I’ve never felt before, and I hate it. I hate that I’m feeling this way. I hate that I care so much.

"Mailin?" Momo’s voice pulls me back to reality, her face concerned. "You okay?"

"Yeah," I lie, forcing a smile. "Just… focusing on the exam."

But my gaze drifts back to Aizawa and Ms. Joke, and I feel that familiar pang in my chest. It’s stupid. I shouldn’t be feeling this way. I’m just his student. Why do I care so much?

---

Aizawa's POV

Ms. Joke is at it again. Same joke, different day.

She’s been teasing me about marriage for as long as I’ve known her, and while her antics can be irritating, I’ve learned to let it roll off my back. But today… something feels different. The way she leans in too close, the way she’s laughing too loudly—it’s drawing attention, and I can see the reactions from my students.

And then there’s Hoshino.

I glance at her out of the corner of my eye. She’s quiet, more so than usual. Her shoulders are tense, her eyes distant, and there’s a faint red tint to her cheeks. Is she… jealous?

I push the thought aside. It’s inappropriate to even consider. But I can’t deny that there’s something about her reaction that tugs at me, makes me more aware of the tension in the air.

I can’t let this affect the way I conduct myself. I’m her teacher. That’s the role I need to focus on.

Ms. Joke throws another teasing remark, but I barely hear it. My focus is on Hoshino now, on the way her body language speaks louder than her silence.

"Alright," I say, cutting Ms. Joke off mid-sentence. "Enough. We have an exam to focus on."

She pouts playfully, but I don’t engage. My attention shifts entirely to my students, and most of all, to Hoshino. I need to keep things professional. But I can’t help the nagging feeling that something has changed. And I’m not sure how to deal with it.

---

Mailin's POV

I try to shake off the gnawing feeling of jealousy as we make our way toward the exam site, but it clings to me like a heavy cloud. My thoughts are swirling, filled with doubt and frustration. Ms. Joke’s teasing, Aizawa-Sensei’s cool dismissal—it’s all too much.

And the worst part? I can’t do anything about it. He’s my teacher. That’s it. That’s all it will ever be. I keep telling myself that, over and over, but it doesn’t stop the ache in my chest.

I glance back at him, watching the way he walks, so calm and collected. His face gives nothing away, but that’s just who he is.

I shake my head, forcing my focus back on the exam ahead. I need to pass this. I need to prove to myself that I can. For once, I need to forget about him and focus on me. On being the hero I know I can be.

But no matter how hard I try, the jealousy still burns, and I wonder how much longer I can keep it buried inside.