**DISCLAIMER: Gakuen Alice is an original story of Higuchi Tachibana. No copyright infringement intended. **

"Hey, hey Mi-chan. Hang on, don't close your eyes. I'm here. I'll protect you. No matter what it takes, no matter how much it costs, no matter how difficult. I'll protect you."

I woke up with a start.

What was that about? Where am I?

My head is pounding and my vision is hazy. I closed my eyes and opened them again. I looked around and realized that I'm in my room. I woke up too early. I knew it from the amount of light squeezing its way through my window curtain and the alarm clock on my bedside table confirmed my theory.

It shows 5:39 in the morning.

"Ugh, too early."

I'm debating whether to wake up and bask in the glory of the morning or go back in the comforts of my bed. The smell of the pancake and bacon hitting my senses made me decide.

"Wake up, it is."

I walked to my window and drew the curtain wide open to let the rays light the room while drinking in the scent of cherry blossoms. I stretched my stiff limbs. Somehow, I can't shake the feeling that it's been awhile since I had felt anything, weird as it sounds. It's like I've been deprived of all my senses and now I'm craving for everything that will require to utilize any of it. Then I heard my stomach grumble.

"It looks like I can't wait any longer." I said with a chuckle.

I trudged my way through the kitchen where I found my grandfather making some hot chocolate.

"Good morning Jii-chan!" He jolted and slowly turned around to face me. He look so startled and his paleness even accentuated that expression.

"M-m-m-i-i-k-k-a-a-n!?"

I bursted out laughing seeing that reaction from Jii-chan. I wiped some tears off of my eyes and was about to talk to him when I felt his frail arms around me. His hug emits relief and gratitude which baffled me greatly but the soft sobs were what prompted me to voice out my befuddlement.

"Jii-chan, what's wrong?" He tightened his hug before he pulled away but kept me at arm's length. That's when I noticed that he looked so much older than the last time I saw him.

"Are you sick? Why do you look so stressed out?" I fired anxiously.

"My child, I never thought I'd see you so energized in the morning again. Oh, how I missed you so, my sweet child! Don't ever make me worry like that again, you brat!" he scolded.

I was perturbed.

"I'm sorry if I made you worry." I apologized guiltily. I tried to remember what I did to distress him to this extent.

Wait, that's strange.

I do remember following Hotaru to her school to properly say goodbye, but I don't remember anything from the time I finally step in front of the gates of the academy. I don't remember coming back here too.

That's odd. How come I don't remember anything after I found the academy.

"Jii-chan, I'm sorry for being so irresponsible and for stealing money from your jar." I squeaked out the last part, " But may I know how I manage to get back home?"

He gazed at me softly and gently asked "What's the last thing you remember, my dear?"

I told him what I remembered last and he explained that I met an accident and was in a coma for two years.

What!?

"W-what?! How about my school? What grade am I in now?!"

Oh my gosh! I missed so much stuff and, and many MATH! Oh no!

How am I going to catch up? And I'm already having a hard time with a regular pace, what more are two years worth of catching up with the subjects I missed?

Well that explains why Jii-chan looks older.

"Relax my child. I had that arranged for you. You'll be home-schooled for a short while so that you can catch up then you'll start regular school as soon as you're ready. You should be in your first year in middle school."

I can't believe it. I missed two years of my life! That explains why my body felt so rigid when I woke up. My stomach grumbled again in protest making my Jii-chan chuckle

"Now, now my child, let's satisfy the monster you have in there first. I'm sure you'll figure things out after you have eaten." I nodded in response and chowed down on my breakfast.

After breakfast, Jii-chan went out to talk to the tutor who's going to help me catch up with academics I missed. I took a bath after washing the dishes and decided to take a stroll. I figured my legs could definitely use the exercise since I wasn't able to use them for quite a while.

I went to the park near our house in the village.

I wonder if my friends still remember me?

Speaking of which, I don't remember getting the chance to talk to Hotaru when I tried visiting her. I guess I'll ask Jii-chan later. It would really suck if I was not able to talk to Hotaru or even see her at the very least. I mean that would only mean that I wasted two years of my life for nothing.

"Do you intend to scare all of the animals away with that scowl?" a deep, husky voice startled me.