Teachers pet (COMPLETE)

Chapter 112: Family News

Mailin’s POV

The excitement from the shopping trip still lingers as we return to the dorms, but there’s a new kind of nervous energy building inside me. I glance at Shota, who walks beside me, his usual calm and collected demeanor in place. But I know him well enough by now to notice the slight tension in his shoulders.

We’re about to tell Shinsou and Eri.

It feels surreal—almost too soon, yet somehow perfect at the same time. Shinsou and Eri already know about us in a way, but telling them we’re engaged is different. It’s a big step, not just for us, but for our little family.

Shota pauses just before we reach the door to our apartment. He turns to me, his dark eyes meeting mine with a soft, steady gaze. “Are you ready?” he asks, his voice quiet but reassuring.

I nod, though my heart is racing. “Yeah. I think so.”

We step inside, and Eri’s giggles fill the air. She’s sitting at the table with Shinsou, the two of them engrossed in some kind of puzzle. They both look up when we enter, curiosity flickering in their eyes.

“Hey, you two,” Shota says, his voice warm in the way it always is with them. “Can we talk to you for a minute?”

Shinsou immediately straightens, his sharp gaze flicking between the two of us. He’s always been observant—too perceptive for his own good sometimes. “Sure,” he says slowly, glancing over at Eri, who’s watching us with wide, innocent eyes.

I sit down next to Eri, offering her a soft smile as I gently ruffle her hair. “How’s the puzzle going?”

Eri beams up at me, her red eyes shining. “It’s almost done! Shinsou helped me with the hard parts.”

Shinsou shrugs, leaning back in his chair with a casual smirk. “She did most of it. I just provided moral support.”

I chuckle, but there’s still that nervous flutter in my chest. I exchange a quick glance with Shota before taking a deep breath. “We have something to tell you.”

Both of them go quiet, their attention fully on us now. Shinsou crosses his arms, eyebrows raised in that familiar way of his, while Eri’s small face scrunches up in concentration, clearly sensing that this is important.

Shota clears his throat, his voice steady as always. “Mailin and I... we’re getting married.”

For a moment, there’s complete silence. Eri’s eyes widen even more, and she looks between the two of us as if trying to process the information. Shinsou, on the other hand, blinks a couple of times, his expression a mix of confusion and surprise.

“Wait... you’re getting married?” Shinsou asks, his voice steady but filled with disbelief. “Like, to each other?”

I nod, suddenly feeling a bit awkward under his intense gaze. “Yeah. I know it’s probably... unexpected.”

Shinsou stares for a moment longer, then lets out a half-laugh, half-sigh, rubbing the back of his neck. “It’s not that I’m against it, but... Mailin, you’re my age. It’s just... weird.”

I bite my lip, unsure how to respond. He’s right—it is strange when you think about it. Shinsou and I are the same age, and yet, here I am engaged to the man who adopted him. I glance at Shota, who’s watching Shinsou carefully, his expression unreadable.

“I get it,” Shota says after a beat, his tone calm. “It’s... not the most conventional situation. But it doesn’t change how I feel about you two being part of this family.”

Shinsou gives him a long look, then shrugs. “I guess it’s just going to take a minute to get used to the idea.”

Eri, meanwhile, seems to have processed the news differently. Her face breaks into the biggest smile I’ve ever seen, and she practically bounces in her chair. “Really?! You’re getting married?” she squeals, her excitement bursting out of her.

I laugh, feeling some of the tension ease as I reach for her hand. “Yes, really.”

Eri immediately jumps up and wraps her tiny arms around both Shota and me, her face beaming with pure joy. “Does this mean I get to wear a pretty dress?” she asks, her voice filled with awe.

Shota chuckles softly, ruffling her hair. “Yes, Eri. You’ll get to wear whatever dress you want.”

Shinsou, still leaning back in his chair, eventually gives a small, genuine smile. “It’s weird, yeah, but... I guess I kinda knew this was coming. You two have been... well, obvious.”

I can’t help but grin at him. “You’re not too weirded out?”

He shrugs again, then smirks. “I’m still processing, but if it makes you both happy, then it’s cool. Besides, Sensei’s been... different. Happier. You’re good for him, Mailin.”

Shota clears his throat, looking slightly embarrassed, and I bite back a laugh. Leave it to Shinsou to call him out like that.

I smile at Shinsou, appreciating his honesty. “Thanks. I know it’s... unusual, but I’m glad you’re okay with it.”

Shinsou gives a slow nod, his gaze softening. “Yeah. I’m good with it.”

Before I can say anything else, Eri tugs on my sleeve, her eyes wide with excitement. “When’s the wedding? Can I be a flower girl? I wanna be a flower girl!”

I laugh, pulling her into a hug. “Of course, you’ll be the best flower girl ever.”

Shota wraps his arm around my shoulders, his expression soft as he watches Eri and Shinsou. “We haven’t set a date yet,” he says, glancing at me with a small smile. “But it won’t be for a while. After Mailin graduates.”

Eri’s face falls slightly, but she quickly brightens again. “That’s okay! I’ll wait!”

Shinsou rolls his eyes fondly. “I guess I’ll have to work on my best man speech then, huh?”

Shota gives him a long look, but there’s warmth in his gaze. “I’ll hold you to that.”

We spend the rest of the evening talking, laughing, and planning little details, with Eri’s excited voice filling the room as she talks about dresses and flowers. Shinsou occasionally throws in sarcastic comments, but I can tell he’s just as happy as Eri, even if he’s trying to play it cool.

As the night goes on, I feel a sense of peace settle over me. This is my family—Shota, Shinsou, Eri. And soon, we’ll make it official.

When Shota pulls me aside later, his hand resting gently on my back, he leans down and whispers, “I think they took the news well.”

I smile up at him, my heart full. “I think so too.”

He presses a soft kiss to my forehead, his voice low and filled with love. “I’m glad you’re a part of this family.”

And in that moment, surrounded by the warmth of the people I love, I know there’s nothing else I could ever ask for.