I Became a Kindergarten Teacher for Monster Babies!-Chapter 436 Shy boys

"Do you like this?" Alina asked again, her voice bright and soft like a little bell as she held up another tiny outfit for Lucien to see. The store was a quiet, peaceful world of its own, filled with soft, bright light that made everything look gentle. Racks and racks of little clothes stood in neat rows, tiny shirts in colors like the sky and new grass, little pants with dinosaurs or trucks on them, soft sweaters that looked like they would feel like a hug. To Alina, it felt like stepping into a beautiful daydream she didn’t even know she had been carrying inside her. Every little sock, every tiny jacket with animal ears felt so perfect and sweet that she couldn’t stop herself from wanting one of everything for her babies.

Lucien looked at the small shirt and pants she was holding. He studied them with his usual serious dark eyes, then gave a single, firm nod. He had been nodding yes to almost everything she showed him. It wasn’t that he loved every single outfit. It was that he loved watching her. He loved the way her face would light up, her eyes sparkling, a happy little smile touching her lips every time she asked, "Do you like this?" seeing her grew excited over picking clothes for him made a soft, beautiful warmth spread through his heart.

The older lady working in the store noticed right away. A big, warm smile spread across her face, making the kind lines around her eyes crinkle deeply. She walked over, clearly enjoying the sight. "Oh, ma’am, but look at this one," she said, her voice friendly and eager. She held up a little white T-shirt. It was so soft it looked like it was made from a cloud. On the front was a beautiful, delicate print of a soaring bird. "This will look even sweeter on your little boy."

Alina’s eyes went wide with delight. "Oh, that’s just precious," she breathed, already picturing Sable wearing it. Then she turned to Sable, bending her knees so she wasn’t so tall, coming right down to his level. "What do you think, Sable? Do you like this one?"

Sable stared at the shirt with the bird. Then he looked up at Alina’s face. His eyes, usually so thoughtful, were shining now like two little stars caught in the store lights. He nodded quickly, his whole head bobbing up and down. His small hands reached out and gently touched the soft fabric, holding onto the edge like he didn’t want to let it go. "I like it," he whispered, his voice full of a quiet sort of wonder.

A happy laugh bubbled up from Alina’s throat. Her heart felt so full it might overflow. "Alright then," she said, her voice warm. "This one goes in our basket, too." And she added it to the growing pile in the shopping basket without a second thought, not worried at all about how much was collecting there.

Meanwhile, Dante stood a few steps away, his arms crossed loosely over his chest. He had nothing to do but watch, and for once, he found he didn’t mind simply standing still. His eyes followed Alina as she moved from one rack to the next. He listened to the soft, excited sound of her voice. He saw the way Lucien and Sable watched her every move, their little faces full of complete trust and something that looked like awe. The saleswoman kept smiling and chatting, Alina kept finding more sweet little things, and the basket grew heavier and fuller.

A quiet thought came to Dante, one that surprised him a little. He had never, not once in his life, thought about shopping like this. For him, clothes were things you needed. You got them because you had to wear something. It was a simple, practical task. But watching Alina, the way her fingers would gently smooth a tiny collar, the careful way she checked a seam, the pure joy she took in imagining the boys in these little outfits, made him see it differently. It wasn’t just shopping. It was a kind of caring, a quiet love made visible in the choosing of soft fabric and the right size.

"Ma’am, the fitting rooms are just over there," the saleswoman said kindly, pointing to a corner of the shop where soft, cream-colored curtains hung. "You could have them try a few things on, make sure the size is just right before you buy."

Alina nodded right away, already gathering her favorite choices and draping them carefully over her arm. "That’s a wonderful idea," she said, her tone cheerful. She looked down at the boys, her smile growing even bigger. "Come on, you two. Let’s go try these on. I’ll help you."

The moment the words were out of her mouth, both Lucien and Sable went completely still.

Their eyes grew very wide, two pairs of round, surprised moons.

"No, no," Lucien said quickly, his voice firm even though a faint pink blush was starting to climb from his neck to his cheeks. He pulled his small shoulders back, standing up very straight, as if to show he was already a capable young man. "I will do it myself."

Sable’s head bobbed up and down in fast, eager agreement. "Yeah, yeah," he added, his small hands nervously twisting the bottom of his own shirt. "We can change ourselves." His ears felt suddenly very, very warm.

Dante watched this sudden change, and a slow, amused smile began to pull at the corners of his mouth. It was unexpected. Just a little while ago, in the noisy mall, they had been clinging to Alina, seeking shelter. Now, in this quiet store, they were suddenly shy about something as simple as getting help with new clothes.

Alina blinked, surprised. Then a soft laugh escaped her. "It’s really okay," she said gently, crouching down again so she wasn’t towering over them. "I can help. There’s nothing to be shy about."

Both boys shook their heads at the exact same time, a perfect, synchronized refusal.