The question hung in the air like the most important thing in the world.
Dante looked back at them.
"...Snacks will be there."
The explosion was imdiate.
Boo shot to the ceiling. "SNACKS AND SPORTS AND DALS!"
Drake did a victory dance right there in his seat, his tail wagging.
Luna allowed herself a small smile of satisfaction.
Kelpie splashed so hard he created a small puddle.
Rocky clapped quietly, his hands making soft sounds.
Felix nodded happily. "Snacks make everything better. Smart."
Sable whispered to Lucien excitedly, "This is the best day ever! Best day in history!"
Lucien nodded. "It is pretty good."
Drake raised his hand.
"Sir! Will there be different snacks or just one snack? Snack choice is very important."
"There will be different snacks."
Drake nodded seriously. "Good. Dragon likes choices."
Luna raised her hand.
"Sir! If soone wins running, do they get extra snack?"
Dante paused.
"...That has not been decided."
"Should be extra snack," Luna said firmly. "Winner needs more food for being happy."
Felix nodded. "Yes. That makes sense. Winner works hard."
Drake pointed at Luna. "You just want more snack."
"I want fair," Luna corrected. "Extra snack for winner is fair."
"You will not be winner so you should not worry."
Luna growled. "I will be winner."
"We will see."
Boo floated between them. "I will win at being the best cheerer! That should get extra snack too!"
Felix sighed. "That is not a ga."
"It should be!"
Dante watched the chaos unfold with the patience of soone who had long accepted that order was just a suggestion in this room.
Rocky raised his hand shyly.
"Yes, Rocky?"
"Sir, for planting, can we give our plants nas?"
"If you want."
Rocky’s eyes sparkled. "I will na mine Pebbly."
Kelpie gasped. "I will na mine Splashy!"
Drake thought hard. "I will na mine... Burny!"
Luna stared at him. "You cannot na a plant Burny."
"Why not? Fire plants could be real?"
"No."
"Then I will make them real."
Sable tugged Lucien’s sleeve. "What will we na ours?"
Lucien thought. "Sothing nice."
"Like Shadow?"
"That works."
Boo floated importantly. "I will na every plant! I will be the plant na giver!"
Felix raised an eyebrow. "You cannot na all the plants."
"Watch ."
Dante looked at the clock.
Then at the children.
Then back at the clock.
Teaching was definitely hard. You have to be present for the kids every minute and second. There’s no break, no pause, no mont to breathe. Their attention shifts constantly, questions never stop coming, and chaos can erupt from the smallest thing. One mont they’re calm, the next they’re arguing about snack rights or plant nas. And through it all, you have to stay patient, stay focused, and sohow guide them back to learning without crushing their spirits. It’s exhausting in a way nothing else is.
Another hand shot up.
"Yes, Drake?"
"One more question! Very important!"
"Ask."
"Will people cheer? I need cheering when I win."
Luna snorted. "You will not need cheering because you will not win."
"I will win AND I want cheering!"
Dante exhaled slowly.
"There will be cheering."
Drake pumped his fist again.
Sable tugged Lucien’s sleeve once more.
"Lucien, I am very excited."
"I know."
"This is the best day."
"You said that already."
"It is so good I say it twice."
Lucien smiled slightly.
Vlad Jr. raised his hand neatly, waiting until the room settled just enough for his voice to be heard. His posture was perfect, his small back straight, his hand exactly the right height.
"Sir, are plantation and Sports Day on the sa day?" he asked calmly.
Dante looked at him and shook his head.
"No. They will be on different days," he replied.
Then he added, "Tomorrow your teacher will return, and you can discuss with her how to organize these events, along with students from other classes."
For a mont, Vlad Jr. simply stared at him.
Then his eyes lit up.
Not dramatically. Not like Drake who would have jumped from his chair. But there was a definite brightness in those beautiful red eyes.
"Sir... I can really help in the organization?" he asked, almost as if he needed confirmation again. His voice was still polite, still controlled, but there was sothing hopeful underneath.
"Yes," Dante said simply.
And that was enough.
A quiet but unmistakable joy spread across Vlad Jr.’s face. His back straightened even more, which seed impossible because it was already perfectly straight. His hands rested properly on his desk, but his eyes were shining in a way they usually did not.
"Sir, I will do my best," he said, unable to hide the excitent in his voice. "I always help my mother organize tea parties and other gatherings as well. I know how to arrange seating. I know how to make schedules. I know how to make sure everyone has what they need."
He paused, then added more softly, "I like making sure everything is in the right place."
For Vlad Jr., responsibility was not sothing heavy.
It was comforting.
When things were organized, when everyone had a place, when tasks were clear and properly managed, his mind felt calm. There was no chaos, no confusion, no uncertainty. Everything moved the way it was supposed to, and he could see the result of his effort clearly.
It made him feel useful.
Needed.
Important.
And more than anything—
He liked knowing that others could relax because he had taken care of things.
Dante watched him for a mont, seeing sothing familiar in that small serious face.
"...Good," he said. "Then you will assist."
Vlad Jr. nodded imdiately, determination settling into his expression.
"I will not make mistakes," he said seriously.
From across the room, Drake leaned toward Luna and whispered loudly, "Vlad Jr. is excited. Look at his face. That is an excited face."
Luna nodded. "For Vlad Jr., that is very excited."
Boo floated closer to Vlad Jr.’s desk.
"You are going to help organize?" Boo asked.
"Yes."
"Will you put in charge of snacks?"
Vlad Jr. considered this carefully.
"Snacks will need supervision. But you would have to share responsibility."
Boo nodded seriously. "I can share. I am good at sharing snacks. Eating them mostly. But also sharing."
Felix raised his hand.
"Can I help with planning? I am good at thinking."
Vlad Jr. looked at Felix. "Everyone can help if they want."
Felix nodded, satisfied.
Rocky raised his hand shyly.
"Vlad Jr., can I help with... decoration? With stones?"
Vlad Jr. smiled slightly. "Yes. Stones would be good decoration."
Rocky bead.
Kelpie splashed excitedly. "I can help with water! For plants!"
Sable bounced in his seat. "Lucien and I can help with shadows! For cool effects!"
Lucien nodded calmly. "We can provide atmospheric lighting."
Vlad Jr. looked at all of them, his heart feeling strangely full.
"Everyone can help," he said again. "We will all work together."
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