Disclaimer: No, I do not own Gakuen Alice.

Hotaru the Unhelpful One

It's Valentine's Day. Oh shit.

I woke up early today expecting loud bangs on my door. And I was right to do so because hyperactive girls are breaking my door open right now, while I'm wearing my uniform. So, hearing that I cannot exit through my room door, I leaped down the window and an eagle caught me. These are the moments I thank God for my Alice, curse my good looks and February 14, desperately wish for a girlfriend and think of a hundred reasons why you should be afraid of girls. Seriously.

It's Valentine's Day today, and as tradition, girls are giving their crushes chocolates. My Valentine's Day memories mostly comprise of running away, and this year is nothing different. Although I should take note those girls grow more and more aggressive as the years pass. I was told that am a heartthrob at school with my best friend, Natsume. But since he already has a girlfriend, I am now faced with the challenge of running away from them alone. That lucky bastard.

The eagle dropped me somewhere near the edge of the Northern Forest. Even from above, I could see girls chasing me and it's only a matter of time before they catch me. I ran as fast as I could towards the heart of the forest. Right now, the stories about the dangers here means nothing to me. All I care about is my safety from girls who badly wants to feed me with their chocolates. Yes, feed me, not give me chocolates.

I did some really unexpected turns in the bushes, so the girls won't easily track me. I also tripped several times causing me to embrace the ground. By the time I was face to face with a girl with purple eyes, short, black hair with the unmistakably Baka Gun on her hands, I was full of dirt, twigs and leaves. And seeing her now was one of the rare times I am very glad she's there.

Click! Click! Click!

Or not.

"What the –? Imai!"

"It's Valentine's Nogi, these pictures will really sell, you know," Hotaru Imai, my blackmailer, drawled out monotonously.

"Okay, fine, whatever. Why are you in here? Don't tell me you're also running away?" I asked, out of breath.

"From a loud-mouthed girl who gives away chocolates that I don't think are edible at all, yes," she answered.

Well, at least she's luckier. Really, who runs away from her best friend? Apparently, only Hotaru Imai does that. I almost grinned at the thought but Hotaru's figure slowly walking away made my panic come back. I grabbed her wrist.

"Hotaru, I need your help," I said with a small voice. Begging really doesn't work on her, but I've got to try. "I swear you can take pictures of me this whole week." I looked at her with the puppy eyes and pouting lips. I know I looked ridiculous, but I really, really, really, needed her help. She raised her eyebrow. I wish that's a yes.

"What do you need, Nogi?"

Jackpot. I smiled inwardly, and I didn't really care if it showed.

"I need to turn off the girls who are chasing me," I said.

She raised her eyebrow yet again.

"What? You think they are robots that you can turn off and turn on?" she asked sarcastically.

I wish they were. I almost rolled my eyes and she sighed. She faced me, her impassive eyes staring straight back at me. She leaned in close enough to whisper in my ears.

"I don't know how to turn off people," she paused and I can feel the smirk on her lips. "I only turn them on."

And as if to prove her point, I blushed. Damn.

She started to walk away and I was there, standing like a moron. Then I heard the girls calling me. I ran.

Author's Note:

I know it's too late to have a Valentine's Day Special fic, but this just suddenly came up when I couldn't sleep last night. And hey, it's better late than never. So, yeah. Leave a review and you will be loved.

Vectress