Summary: "I want to see the world once more, but this time I want to see it through your eyes". Most on Mikan's POV

Disclaimer: Gakuen Alice is not mine

Chapter 1

"He's a lost cause."

"He's been confined here for the last five years."

"Avoid him at all costs; he can be hostile most of the time so it is best if you will just avoid him. He's the most aggressive person in this place"

Those were the words that kept on repeating inside my head as I slowly opened the door that will show me another side of the world which I have never seen before. Today is my first day of internship in Alice Asylum- a small rundown mental institution at the outskirts of Tokyo. I am in my senior year in Tokyo University and taking up a Bachelor's degree in Psychology. I never imagined that I will be taking up this course because first of all, my dream was to become a good pre-school teacher since I am really fond of little kids but everything has changed two years before I entered college thus the change of my course.

Two years before I applied for college, my usual happy family went haywire when my dad had a heart attack and died after reaching the hospital. The doctors tried their best to revive him but all efforts were futile and after more than 30 minutes of resuscitation, my father finally succumbs to death. My mom and I were there, crying helplessly and endlessly praying for a miracle to happen but it was no use. It was only then that we found out that my dad has a serious heart disease for a long time. We are unaware of it since he is showing no signs that he is ill. We were completely dumbfounded upon hearing what the doctors said. My dad loves us so much to the point that he hides his sickness from us so we will not be worried. After few days of mourning my dad's sudden death, our lives had its drastic change.

The usual happiness that I see on my mother's eyes starts to fade. It's as if life is taking happiness away from her. She began having mood swings, one minute she will laugh so hard and then after some time she will just cry and scream. My mother, Yuka who hates alcohol starts consuming cans of beer every day. There are times when I see her hugging the picture of my dad and she will mumble "Take me with you. I don't want to live anymore" and she will cry once more.

For months, I endured the pain of seeing my mother suffer so much and I cannot even do anything to help her. Of course, I tried to console her but it was no use. There are times when she will shout at me telling me to leave her alone and let her die so she can be with my dad. This pains me so much. It hurts to see my mother like that. I must do something about this.

One evening, I began to browse the internet looking for anyone who can help my mother. I searched for any social care group that is near our community and I joined an online forum for people who are having problems within their families. I wrote a post regarding our family's situation, hoping that someone will give us suggestions on what we need to do. I was about to lose hope as nobody is replying to my thread post in the last 2 days but I suddenly received a notification from the forum that somebody replied to my inquiry. I hurriedly opened the website and read the response of an anonymous person. It was short but it was all that I need at that moment.

"Your mother should see a psychologist."

That's it.

I need to find a psychologist.

Soon enough, I finally met a psychologist- Dr. Hikari Hanazawa who is working in a distant hospital in Tokyo. I immediately set up an appointment with her and brought my mom. At first, my mother was reluctant to go out with me. But after promising her that we will visit my dad's grave after our scheduled appointment, she finally agreed.

Meeting Dr. Hikari might be the best thing that ever happened in my life ever since dad passed away. After being diagnosed with depression, Dr. Hikari started to conduct counseling with my mom and gave her activities that can help in diverting her attention from my dad's death. Dr. Hikari became our pillar of support and I cannot thank her enough. After few months of therapy, my mother improved a lot. She began seeing life in a positive way. Slowly, she is returning to what she was before. And that is when I realized that I want to pursue a career that will help other people who are just like my mother. I decided to pursue a degree in Psychology.

"On your first internship, you will be working in pairs and will stay at your designated facility for 2 weeks. To practice fairness in this internship and to avoid conflicts when choosing a facility, I will call your group and your representative will pick a paper from this fish bowl. Whatever the facility that you have picked, you will do your internship there whether you like it or not" Ms. Ayane, our clinical instructor stated.

"Hotaru, let's be partners for this internship!" I happily exclaimed as I grabbed Hotaru's arm. Hotaru Imai was my best friend since childhood and she knows what happened to my family. She was the first person I informed when I decided to take Psychology and to my surprise, she told me that she will be with me and pursue the same course even though she wants to be an engineer at first.

"Okay, okay. You will be the one to pick our facility. You better pick a good one" Hotaru replied nonchalantly.

"Alright. But don't get mad if I could not pick the facility you want. I know you've been eyeing to train at Sapphire Valley Mental Institution" I replied.

"Of course I love to train there. Sapphire Valley is the best institution in Tokyo" Hotaru shot back.

I was about to retort when our instructor called our names. We walked in front of the classroom and halted in front of the table. I closed my eyes and wished that I could pick a good facility, Sapphire Valley if lucky enough. I moved my hand towards the fishbowl and randomly picked a paper. I handed over the paper to Ms. Ayane and I silently prayed as she announced where we will stay for 2 weeks.

"For Mikan Sakura and Hotaru Imai, they will spend their internship at…" Ms. Ayana started.

I held my breath. I felt like I was in a competition of some sort, waiting for the announcement of the winner.

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"…Alice Asylum"

End of Chapter 1

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