"I wonder if this is the right place," a girl said to herself. A breeze whisked over her face. She peered through the filigreed swirls in the wrought iron. Her crystal blue eyes widened as she couldn't believe how huge it was. She looked at the sign looming over the entrance – a big, archway that read 'ALICE ACADEMY'.

She looked at her paper once again. Yup, this was the place. The new school she was going to study. She couldn't help but feel a bit nervous. Today, she decided to go alone and tour around the school before tomorrow.

She sighed. Just a moment ago, she refused her father and nanny to company her to come to school. She insisted that she should go alone because she needed to learn how to depend on herself, not like a fragile princess. But right now, she really wished that her nanny was here with her.

"What are you doing here, little girl?" a kind, feminine voice said behind her, snapping her out from her trains of thoughts.

The girl nearly jumped out of her skin in surprise. She spun around and saw a beautiful woman with long curly blonde hair that hung down her back. Her almond-shaped sky blue eyes sat beneath beautiful arched eyebrows. Her skin was smooth and perfect. She was wearing an elegant light pink dress that reached her knees.

The girl immediately bowed, as she greeted, "My name isTenoh Emiko. Please to meet you."

"My name is Morisato Natsumi. Please to meet you, too, Emiko-chan," the woman said, flashing a warm smile at her. She bended over so she could be on the same eye-level with Emiko.

She seems friendly and kind, Emiko thought, but she sure is beautiful.

Natsumi studied the girl. Emiko was a pretty ten-year old girl with long, slithering brown hair which she tied into a high ponytail with a crystal blue ribbon that matched with her eyes. Her flawless, pale skin matched her round, innocent face. She was wearing a light blue dress flowed down to her ankles and moved freely with the breeze, with a beautiful decorated feminine collar and a matching ballet shoes.

"So you are the new student that going to study here tomorrow?" Natsumi asked kindly, remembering her name from the report card last week ago.

"Yes," the little girl answered shyly.

"Do you want a tour around the school?"

Emiko's face lit up and nodded her head eagerly.

"Wait here for a moment," she said. Natsumi walked to the further side and Emiko finally realized there was a guard standing there. The beautiful woman began to talk to him but then the guard said something as he shook his head. Natsumi then gently touched the man's cheek and unexpectedly, the man seemed to be...hypnotized. He nodded and went back to his post.

Natsumi walked straight towards Emiko and smiled. "Let's go, Emiko-chan" she said. She led the little girl to stand closer to the gate. Just then, the big iron gate swung open.

"Come on in," the older woman said.

The sun was shining and the sky was so blue it didn't look real. Emiko followed Natsumi's lead, walking into the courtyard of her new school. She glanced at everything in sight with awe.

"Wow..." she said breathlessly.

All kinds of full bloomed flower trees were all lined up at the courtyard, the wind swaying in the breeze, the petals falling gracefully from its branches. Countless of roses, lilacs, daffodils, chrysanthemums, daises, irises and other flowers and other flowers were seen as well.

Numerous students were lingering about, walking, or sitting on benches, all talking to their old friends, catching up on what the other missed, giggling and laughing. Emiko suddenly felt a pang of longing and sadness surged through her heart.

Friends.

She had to make new ones but this time, the result might be different. After all, the students in the Alice Academy were different from normal students. She just hoped they would be friendly enough.

She sighed. How pathetic, she thought bitterly, I already miss my friends back at my old school.

Natsumi noticed the sadness look in the young girl's eyes and knew what was on her mind. Emiko missed her friends and she didn't actually wish to come to this school. Then an idea struck her. "Emiko-chan, do you like garden?"

Emiko's smile brightened. "Yes, I love garden."

"Great. I will show you the garden right now," Natsumi said excitedly.

When they reached there, Emiko could feel her breath caught in her throat. The garden was definitely one of the most beautiful places in this whole school. The plants; Sakura trees, beds of roses, lilies, tulips, and a beautifully carved fountain, she couldn't help but admired the beauty. She walked to a tree and placed her hand on the hard trunk. She could feel the tree's happiness and joy and she knew the garden was greatly taken care of.

Emiko turned around to see Natsumi smiling at her. She could feel the wind blowing on her face and her long high ponytail began to twist around her. She began to like this school even though she only loved the beautiful garden.

"Natsumi-sensei?"

Natsumi and Emiko turned around to see a boy, about Emiko's age, with short straw-coloured hair and kind ember eyes. He seemed to be quite timid for a boy.

"What's wrong, Yuhi-chan?" Natsumi asked, smiling.

"Asano-sensei is calling for you, Natsumi-sensei," the boy, named Yuhi, answered.

Sensei? Is that why she allowed letting me in the school? Emiko thought, scolding herself at the same time. Why I never thought about that before? How stupid can I get?

"Asano-sensei, huh? I see. Alright, I'll go," she said, then turning to face Emiko. "I'm sorry, Emiko-chan. Can you wait here for me for a while? I will be back soon."

"Oh no, I don't mind. Please take your time, Natsumi...sensei."

Emiko watched the two walked away and into the tall building. When they were out of sight, she decided to explore the beautiful garden. It was indeed big and filled with trees and flowers. She could hear birds singing their melodious song. There was a soft wind blowing, whispering against her ear and with it caring the soft petals of Sakura trees.

Suddenly she felt someone's presence behind her. She spun around, her long side bangs whipped around her face. And there, not too far away, she saw something or someone looking down at her from a branch of a tall tree.

The first thing she noticed was a pair of beautiful piercing brown eyes, staring at her.