Teachers pet (COMPLETE)

Chapter 77: Everyday Moments

Mailin’s POV

The soft patter of rain against the window creates a peaceful rhythm, a kind of music only the quiet knows. I curl up beside Shota on his couch, his strong arms wrapped securely around me. His fingers thread lazily through my hair, and I feel the familiar warmth of his body close to mine, steady and constant.

We’ve shared these moments before—moments where the world fades away and it’s just the two of us. But tonight, with the rain painting a lullaby outside and the glow of a warm lamp casting soft light across the room, it feels different. Like the air between us is heavier with unspoken words, yet neither of us is in a hurry to break the silence.

I nestle closer to his chest, the steady beat of his heart beneath my ear. It's so calming, like it’s the only thing grounding me in this peaceful bubble we’ve created together. His lips brush lightly against the top of my head, and I feel him shift slightly.

“You comfortable?” His voice, low and gentle, vibrates through me.

I smile, pressing my lips lightly against the fabric of his shirt. “Always.”

He tilts his head down, the warmth of his breath brushing across my forehead, and I look up to meet his gaze. There’s a softness in his eyes—a tenderness that’s only ever meant for me. In moments like this, I feel like I’m the only person in his world, and it fills me with a quiet kind of joy.

Without thinking, I lean up and press my lips softly to his jawline, just below his ear. It’s barely more than a whisper of a kiss, but the simple act makes my heart race. His hold tightens around me, and I feel the steady rise and fall of his chest shift slightly.

His lips find mine in a soft, unhurried kiss. The world slows as I lose myself in the warmth of his touch, in the gentleness of the kiss that says so much without needing words. It’s not intense or hurried, but a kind of kiss that speaks of something deeper—something that’s grown between us in quiet moments like this one. A promise, almost, that whatever happens, we’ll face it together.

I smile against his lips, pulling back just enough to rest my forehead against his. “I could stay like this forever,” I murmur, tracing light patterns across his chest with my fingertips.

A low hum rumbles in his throat as he presses a kiss to my temple. “Me too.”

For a while, we stay like that, wrapped up in each other, the rest of the world forgotten. These moments, when it’s just us, feel like they could stretch out forever, and I wouldn’t mind one bit. The way Shota holds me, like I’m the most precious thing in his life, fills me with a sense of peace I never knew I needed.

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Eri’s Room - Later That Evening

After leaving Shota’s side for a moment, I find myself drawn toward Eri’s room. She’s had trouble sleeping lately, her horn glowing faintly some nights. It worries me, and I want to make sure she’s okay before we settle in for the night.

I peek into her room, and there she is, sitting by the window with her knees pulled to her chest, hugging the black cat plushie I gave her. The sight tugs at my heart, and I step inside quietly.

“Hey, Eri,” I say softly, not wanting to startle her.

She looks up at me, her eyes lighting up with relief. “Mailin,” she says, her voice small but warm.

I kneel down beside her, brushing a stray lock of hair away from her face. “Couldn’t sleep?”

She shakes her head, clutching the plushie tighter. “My horn was glowing again. It feels... weird.”