Teachers pet (COMPLETE)

Chapter 87: Unraveling Emotions

Mailin's POV

I can feel the weight of his eyes on me long before I turn to meet his gaze. The room feels too small, the air too thick, and all I can think about is him. Shota.

My breath catches the moment I see him leaning against the doorframe, his arms crossed over his chest, that ever-present serious expression resting on his face. But it’s not just the stern look in his eyes that gets me—it’s the way his hair is pulled back into a tight, perfect bun, leaving nothing but his sharp, jawline in view.

God, why does he have to look like that?

My heart pounds in my chest, each beat louder than the last. I force myself to focus on the papers scattered across my desk, but it's impossible. Every time I try to distract myself, my mind betrays me, dragging me back to him, to the way he walks, the way he talks, the way his deep voice sends shivers down my spine.

“Mailin,” his voice cuts through the haze of my thoughts, low and steady, but commanding all the same. “You’ve been quiet lately. Is something wrong?”

Wrong? Everything’s wrong when he’s this close, when he’s watching me with those deep, penetrating eyes that see right through me.

I clear my throat, forcing myself to stay calm, but my words betray me. “N-No, it’s nothing. Just... tired.”

His gaze doesn’t waver, and I swear I see the faintest hint of a smirk tugging at the corner of his lips. Damn him. He knows. He always knows.

“You’ve been pushing yourself too hard,” he says, moving closer. Too close. The air between us crackles with something unspoken, something I can’t put into words. His capture weapon hangs loosely around his shoulders, but the way it wraps around him, the way it moves with him, only makes my heart race faster.

Before I can respond, he steps even closer, his hand brushing against my shoulder, sending a spark of electricity through me. I bite the inside of my cheek, praying that he doesn’t notice the way my breath hitches at the contact.

“We need to work on your control,” he continues, his voice smooth, but laced with something else. Something deeper. “You’re not alone in this. I’ll be with you every step of the way.”

The way he says it—the promise in his voice—makes my heart skip a beat. I try to swallow the lump in my throat, but it’s impossible. How can I focus on anything when he’s standing so close, when every inch of my body is hyper-aware of his presence?

“I... I know,” I whisper, but it's weak. Pathetic.

His hand lingers on my shoulder for just a second too long before he steps back, giving me space to breathe, but it doesn't help. The heat from his touch lingers, burning into my skin, and I feel like I’m unraveling, piece by piece.

He turns as if to leave, but then he pauses, glancing over his shoulder at me, his eyes locking onto mine. And there’s that smirk again, faint but undeniably there.

“You’re tense, Mailin,” he says, his voice a low rumble that sends shivers down my spine. “You should try to relax more.”

I swallow hard, my throat suddenly dry. “Relax?” I choke out, trying to maintain some semblance of composure.

“Mhm.” He steps closer again, his eyes never leaving mine. “You know, I could help with that... if you need.”

His voice is teasing now, the smirk on his lips widening just slightly as he watches me, gauging my reaction. He knows exactly what he’s doing.

The air between us feels electric, charged with something I can't ignore. My heart pounds in my chest, and I’m sure he can hear it, sure he can see how flustered I am, how much his presence is affecting me.

“You seem... distracted,” he adds, his tone casual, but there’s a glint of something mischievous in his eyes. “Is it me?”

I feel the heat rising in my cheeks, my face burning with embarrassment. Damn him. He’s toying with me, and I know it. But the worst part is... I can’t stop him. I don’t want him to stop.

“I-I don’t know what you mean,” I stammer, my voice barely above a whisper.

He chuckles softly, the sound low and rumbling, sending another wave of shivers through me. “You don’t?” He leans in slightly, his breath brushing against my ear, and I swear my knees go weak.

“Come on, Mailin,” he murmurs, his voice like velvet. “You think I haven’t noticed the way you look at me? The way you react when I’m near?”

Oh god.

I open my mouth to say something, anything, but nothing comes out. My brain is short-circuiting, unable to process anything other than the fact that Shota Aizawa is teasing me, deliberately and unapologetically.

His fingers brush against my arm, light and fleeting, but it’s enough to make my breath hitch again. “You’re not as good at hiding your feelings as you think,” he adds, stepping back just enough to meet my gaze again.

And then, with that same infuriating smirk, he turns and heads for the door, leaving me standing there, flustered and completely undone.

Before he steps out, he pauses, glancing back at me one last time. “If you ever want help... relaxing,” he says, his voice teasing, “just let me know.”

And then he’s gone, the door closing softly behind him.

I stand there, staring at the spot where he just was, my heart racing, my mind spinning. How the hell am I supposed to survive this man?

---

Aizawa's POV

I see the way her body tenses when I’m near, the way her breath catches when I speak. It’s hard not to notice.

She’s not the only one affected. But unlike her, I’ve had years of practice keeping my emotions in check, hiding the way I feel. Still, that doesn’t mean I can’t have a little fun with her.

Watching her squirm under my gaze, seeing the way she reacts to the smallest touch, the slightest tease—it’s... satisfying.

I shouldn’t push her too far. But a part of me wants to. A part of me wants to see how far she’ll go, how much she can take.

She’s strong—stronger than she knows. But when it comes to this, when it comes to us, she’s completely out of her depth.

And for now, I’m content to keep her guessing. To keep her on edge, waiting for the next move.

After all, it’s only fair. She’s been driving me crazy for long enough.