<Chapter 15>

I sliced the bread and prepped the fruit. I squeezed a small amount of jam into a tube for easy use and divided a handful of unfamiliar, exotic-looking nuts into small bowls.

‘That should do it.’

With everything neatly arranged on a tray, I headed to the dining room where Valentin was waiting.

“Ta-da! Today, we’re going to use the bread like a canvas and paint a picture on it!”

“You’re not supposed to play with food,” he said, flatly.

“This isn’t playing. It’s a way to make breakfast more fun.”

I gently tried to persuade the serious-faced Valentin. After stroking his chin in thought for a moment, he finally gave a small nod.

Valentin spread strawberry jam across the pristine white bread. Then he neatly arranged slices of banana on top and carefully added the nuts, one by one.

‘Most kids draw pictures with the jam.’

Valentin’s work was more like a sculpture than a drawing. Everything was placed with such precise spacing, like it had been measured with a ruler.

He was definitely more of a STEM kid than an artsy one.

“Wait a sec. The nuts are in a repeating order. Is there a reason for that?”

“I arranged them by how much I like them. There’s lots of banana, but only four of the snacks.”

So that’s why he’s repeating the order. I nodded as I caught on to what he meant.

“I want to see yours too, Teacher.”

“Sure. I just finished mine.”

Proudly, I showed him the slice I decorated. It had a face drawn with jam that resembled Valentin pretty closely.

‘He’s totally going to be happy I drew his—’

“W-wait! Are you planning to eat me, Teacher?!”

Valentin recoiled in shock, completely ruining my expectations.

“Is it weird to eat bread with your face on it? You can be honest. If you don’t like it, I’ll just grab another slice.”

“I’m just curious. Why did you draw my face?”

“Why? Because I like you.”

“Like me?”

Valentin tilted his head in confusion.

“You have to really look at someone in order to draw them, right? And when you look closely, you notice things you didn’t before. That’s why whenever I like someone, I try drawing them at least once.”

“What did you discover?”

“What did I discover, you mean.”

I gently corrected his wording and continued.

“I found out you have a little mole under your chin and your right canine is longer than the left.”

Valentin touched his chin and both his fangs with a stunned expression. Then a small smile spread across his lips, and he nodded.

“Next time, I will draw you, Teacher.”

“I’ll be looking forward to it. Now, shall we eat?”

Valentin ate slowly, chewing each bite carefully. Watching his cheeks puff out like that was impossibly adorable.

‘I’m gonna feed him well and grow him big and strong.’

My unofficial class goal was “Valentin Expansion.”

“I want to try your favorite nut, too.”

“This is called airak-seed. It is savory.”

The nut, which looked like a sunflower seed, was oily but rich and nutty in flavor.

“So that’s your taste. I bet you’d like mayonnaise too. Hold on, I’ll get the one Chef Jiho made.”

We continued chatting and munching on our self-decorated toast while the morning sun began to rise.

* * *

Jiho arrived as the morning light grew brighter.

“You stayed here all night? Ah… I shouldn’t have left you alone.”

“It’s okay. Valentin was with me.”

“You’re too dedicated. I mean that. It’s actually kind of inspiring.”

Jiho shook his head, saying he could never do the same.

“You must’ve had a rough night too. Your name’s… Valentin, right?”

“Good morning.”

“I’m Jiho. Nice to meet you, little vampire.”

He smiled warmly and reached to pat his head, but missed. Valentin stepped back just before his hand could touch him, hiding behind me with wary eyes.

“That’s a little cold.”

“Well, you just met. Gotta build trust first.”

Valentin was especially guarded. It would probably take a long time for even me to earn a head pat.

“By the way, the Director dropped by last night.”

“Oh, that guy.”

Jiho’s brow twitched at my mention of him.

I’d already explained everything about Lian, mostly so he wouldn’t freak out when he eventually saw him.

The problem was… Lian had never actually shown himself to anyone else.

“What kind of person is this Director, really? He’s like a phantom. Never around.”

“He’s tall, has black hair and violet eyes. And he’s very capable.”

“Really?”

“He got us new blocks out of nowhere in the middle of the night. You should stop by the classroom later. You’ll be surprised.”

Between Jiho and Youngja-unnie, Lian had basically become some kind of mystical fairy tale figure.

‘Once we set the picnic location, I’ll make sure to invite him along.’

Even for me, who was constantly moving between the daycare and the Human Special Autonomous District, the idea of a picnic was exciting.

Whoosh.

A sudden gust of wind blew through the room. Valentin got swept off his feet and slammed into the wall.

“Valentin!”

“What the heck? Why are you rolling on the floor? I almost stepped on you.”

Paul had flown in through the window, oblivious to the fact that his wings were the cause of the commotion. He glanced at the fallen Valentin with zero concern.

“Are you okay?”

“I-I am fine…”

I rushed over and helped Valentin back up. He looked pale again as he slowly stumbled back into his coffin.

‘He’s gone back to sleep…’

Looked like I’d be struggling with vampire care until I got the hang of it.

I stared blankly at the boy and pulled the curtains shut so not a single ray of sunlight would reach him.

* * *

In the afternoon, the kids made houses with blocks.

“Okay, everyone! Once your house is done, what’s the next step?”

One by one, the kids answered.

“Put furniture inside.”

“After that?”

“Add books to the shelves and decorate the garden…”

Ardishu mumbled shyly.

“Make another one.”

“But you just finished this one?”

“What good is one house? Rares are better in multiples.”

Paul had some pretty ambitious goals.

“Invite family. And Teacher.”

Valentin, yes! That was exactly the answer I was hoping for.

“Great idea. Since the houses will be done tomorrow, let’s have a housewarming party!”

“What’s that?”

Ardishu tilted her head.

“It’s when you show off your house to visitors. But here’s the key point! When you go to someone’s housewarming party, you have to bring a gift.”

“A gift? Like… a crown used by ancient royalty?”

…Huh?

My eyes widened at Paul’s completely casual suggestion.

What, an ancient royal crown?

“Or the holy grail offered to the first-ever temple? Ugh, I’ll have to dig through some treasure chests when I get back to Rare. Such a hassle.”

I was too stunned to respond. Seriously, what’s with this kid and dragon-scale-level gifts?

“W-wait, new rule! The gift has to be made using stuff from the classroom.”

“Boo.”

Paul looked disappointed, but yeah, gold and jewels would be a bit much.

Soon, the kids were all busy preparing their own housewarming gifts.

Valentin cut strips of colored paper and rolled them into loops. He strung them together until they became a necklace.

“Look at that, another pattern. Did you start with your favorite color again?”

“Yes. That is correct.”

The necklace began with red, the same color as his eyes.

Paul, meanwhile, stacked small blocks like Legos to make a dagger.

“A dagger, huh? And you even detailed the handle. Nice!”

“Yeah.”

He responded half-heartedly, but he kept sneaking glances at me.

Classic sign that he wanted more praise.

“Mind if I give it a swing?”

“Why would you? You’re not a kid.”

“You don’t really know a weapon until you test it out. Let’s see how well our little Paul built this one.”

Drawing out my words playfully, I reached for the dagger. Paul handed it over with an exaggerated sigh. I gave it a light swing.

“Ooh, solid! If this wasn’t well-built, the blocks would’ve flown off.”

“That’s just the basics.”

“Our little Paul is a block master.”

I ruffled his hair. Even though he clearly wanted the compliment, he still blushed a little in embarrassment.

Meanwhile, Ardishu was writing a letter, folding her own envelope out of colored paper with great care.

“Ah! Don’t look!”

“Sorry, sorry.”

When I tried to peek, she quickly blocked the letter with both arms.

“What gift are you preparing, Teacher?”

“That’s a secret.”

“But I’m curious…”

Ardishu pouted. Despite being more mature than Paul or Valentin, in moments like this, she was just like any other child.

“You don’t know? I do.”

“Why do you know?!”

When Paul chimed in, Ardishu turned toward him with wide, accusing eyes. They started to glisten with frustration.

“You actually believed that? I was totally lying.”

“Y-you little—!”

The two had definitely grown closer recently. Watching them bicker fondly, I suddenly had an idea.

“Ardishu.”

“Yes, Teacher?”

She immediately turned to face me.

“Can I ask you for a favor?”

“Then do I get to be an ‘Assistant Teacher’ too?”

Her eyes sparkled with excitement. She must’ve been a bit jealous of Paul, who earned that title when helping move Valentin’s coffin.

“In a way, yes. Valentin just started coming here, so everything still feels new to him. Can you help him out?”

“Leave it to me!”

She agreed with a bright smile.

‘There’s only so much help an adult like me can offer.’

But another kid could do a lot more to help him adjust. And since Valentin was such a sweet, good-natured boy, I had no doubt he’d adapt quickly.

“H-hey… Can you teach me how to make that necklace?”

“You will need lots of colored paper.”

The sight of Ardishu and Valentin sitting together, making necklaces, was absolutely heartwarming.

‘Our classroom is perfect in every way.’

I was watching them with pride when suddenly—

“Ow.”

Ardishu nicked her finger on the edge of a paper strip.

I started to rush over, but then stopped myself. It was better to see how the kids handled it on their own.

“You say ‘ow,’ and I will blow on it for you.”

“I’m fine. Doesn’t even hurt.”

Valentin looked concerned, but Ardishu calmly replied with her finger in her mouth.

Good thing I didn’t interfere. Watching fondly, I pulled out my notebook and jotted down my observations.

<Valentin (Vampire): Showed care by helping a friend with folding and showing concern when she got hurt.>

Valentin really was adjusting smoothly to daycare…

“Blood…”

Wait, what?

“…Looks delicious.”

His words snapped me out of my thoughts. I turned my head sharply. Valentin’s red eyes were now blank, unfocused.

“W-what’s wrong?”

Ardishu asked nervously.

“Valentin!”

I dashed toward him, but he was faster.

His sharp fangs glinted as they flashed toward Ardishu.
 

<To be continued>

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