To those who are curious about its genre, that would be family, friendship, hurt/comfort, tragedy, suspense, mystery, romance and slight bit fantasy. Sorry but humor's not included. Really

The reason why I republish this is because I don't want to start a new story since it'll just be almost the same as its previous version anyway. I also felt bad if I'd delete TPAMD just to give way for Lunar. And I sure do can't wait for poll replies especially now that my inspiration's eating me up.

Before I forget, hi to all my kapwa filipinos and happy summer!

Anyway, I want to thank you all for the new adds and the review. It was already enough to keep me going. If there are no other notes written on the chapter, then this chapter will be in Mikan's own point of view.

Chapter two is ready.

Rubber Duckling Entertainment presents

LUNAR

-Goodbyes-

(Normal Point of View)

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The ride going to Alice Academy sure do ate up a full span of two hours. From the long ride, Mikan couldn't help but lay uncomfortably in her seat. As she looked past the opaque windows, she unknowingly played with her fingers just to pass the boredom, just to lessen the nervousness she felt within her; thus, leaving her oblivious to the conflicting auras emitted by no other than her mom and her stepdad, Narumi.

The uneasy comfort Mikan felt inside did not come to pass Azumi Yuka unknowingly. From there, the guilt feeling she had once felt for her daughter resurfaced once again. Sure thing, yes, Yuka have to admit that she doesn't want Mikan be separated from her. Well, what kind of mother would want to get separated from her own child? Once Mikan enters Alice Academy, there'd be no turning back. She knew that. Oh the hell, she does. Mikan would be separated from her for six full years, including summer and even winter vacations.

And she doesn't want that. It gives her doubts.

Besides the fact that Mikan is special, special in a way that ordinary or even Alice people couldn't understand, it seems as if Yuka wants to hide something from Mikan too –something that she doesn't want her to know, let alone show.

"Mikan will be fine. I'll protect her no matter what," Narumi whispered to her, letting go of one hand just to make sure Yuka would stop worrying.

Before it would be forgotten, Anjo Narumi is a former teacher of Alice Academy. He is a teacher who had previously filed years of absence. But, right now, he is coming back, coming back for one purpose and one purpose only –to protect his stepdaughter, Mikan. From what? He honestly doesn't know. It is actually his job as a payment for forcing Yuka to agree with his plans. His plans? He also doesn't know too. For now, all he knew is that his sole agendum is to protect her –nothing more but to protect her and give her his life. He had his word for that. As an expense for Yuka, his queen.

Yes, for the past few days, Narumi and Yuka had gotten up into a big fight. You probably had the slightest idea why, right? Or does it really have to be stated?

Well, Narumi believed that Mikan needs to be sent in Alice Academy. Though he knew what could be the probable consequences of this rash action but he knew too well too that Mikan should have to. For the sake of everything they had worked hard for, she should. Thus, the reason why he also reclaimed his title being a teacher back in the Academy. For Mikan's stay be safe, reassure Yuka, at the same time, acts as a spy. Spy to whom? He also honestly doesn't know.

But prior to what Yuka believes, there is actually no need for Mikan to go. Her precious child going to Alice Academy would just be another term for suicide. Though she also knew that they have a few people with them there but she just can't take the risk. Afraid? Probably.

This dispute going on between them was still left unresolved even until now. That's why Yuka couldn't help but blame herself as to why she had given herself up to Narumi's will. Well, she cursed herself why she wasn't able to give a better retort onto what he had said; the thing he said that made her finally shut her mouth.

"They need you and you've got to go. Whether you like it or not, they have sensed her."

-+LunaR+-

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As the blue Mustang finally entered the big bronze gates where clear wordings of Alice Academy was inscribed in a silver tablet, Mikan could no longer be seen fidgeting with her fingers. Instead, she could already be seen wiping her sweaty hands onto her jeans all over again. She knew school won't start until tomorrow but who wouldn't be nervous when you're entering as a newbie on a school you knew not of?

"Mikan, you okay?" her stepdad finally spoke, referring to the brunette seated at the back.

"Yes," she answered. No time to back out now. She'd have no other means of surviving this whole new path laid ahead of her but to put up the façade she used back in elementary once again.

But of course, she knew that elementary would somehow be quite a little bit different than high school. After all, high school is where we all got our first –that's already a saying frequently used by a teenager like her. Especially in this institution where everybody's not just the usual normal and ordinary people she sees in the street, she hinted the obviousness that high school would definitely be the time when she'll get her firsts. There could be people here more evil and more powerful than her. So, it is of utmost importance that she stays vigilant to her surroundings –that was also another thing Yuka kept on reminding her about days ago.

"Name?" one of the security guards asked as he went out of his post to go check who the new intruder might be.

"Gay Sea," Narumi replied, totally making Mikan confused. On the other hand, Mikan also didn't fail to notice how her mom covered her mouth, trying her best to stifle her own laugh. Thus, this action made her more confused.

"Gay sea, is that you?" the fat guard confronted, coming closer.

For some reasons, what Narumi had said actually doesn't sound quite new for the guard. And when he peered past the glass, "gay sea, it really is you!" he squealed in delight. O-kay, what was that? Mikan thought.

Just then, that same fat guard gave the signal to another companion of his to open the door for them to pass.

Then, he just stood there by the side with his hands entwined right behind him –his face having that idiotic smile, like a lost puppy who finally found its parents.

The moment the Mustang came closer; Narumi lowered down the car window before pulling off a smirk.

"It sure is me, black butt!" the blond teacher replied.

"Nani –get back here, Anjo Narumi!" he yelled. Sadly, Narumi had already stepped onto the gas pedal and drove further away.

"I'll get you later, you gay!"

"Adieu!" Narumi just waved, sticking one hand out of the car's window.

Yuka couldn't stop laughing.

When they were like a distance away, the unconscious Mikan couldn't help but look back and see everything fade to the far horizon. Then, their laugh made her turn back to them again.

"Ne, why are you laughing?" Mikan asked, her gaze switching to and fro her mom and stepdad.

"Who was he?"

"He was the school's guard ever since I entered here because of his strong ability to detect lies, sense trouble and remember even the tiniest detail that happened way back in the past. I used to kid around with him back then. You know, be like this mysterious, rebellious kid trying to sneak out of the campus once in a while. God, I missed those times," her stepdad narrated as they did a curve. For a brief moment, Mikan looked at the surroundings to see buildings. Well, surprisingly though, it did not give her even the slightest amazement.

"Oh. Oh wait, you once studied here?"

"U-huh. Now a teacher in fact." Why does it seem as if that news didn't quite surprise her too? Well, Mikan doesn't know it herself also. It just doesn't shock her. Does it have to be answered?

"I see. But I still couldn't find the reason why'd you both laughed," she answered as she neared them –put her head on the space between the driver and passenger's seat.

"His name was Kuroi Oshiri."

There and then did Mikan finally found the resemblance and laughed –hard along with Yuka and Narumi.

Do you want to know the real reason behind why they'd laughed? It isn't that funny but the reason why they'd laugh is because of their name's similarity to that of the nicknames they kept on calling each other. Well, it's because Kuroi means black and Oshiri, as his name, means butt. Thus, the reason why Narumi called him 'black butt.' Narumi, on the other hand, could mean the roar of the sea or another word something related to girls in Japanese. Thus, the reason why Kuroi –err, Oshiri –err, the school's fat guard called him 'Gay Sea.'

-+LunaR+-

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"Sure you'd be fine here, sweetie?" Yuka asked Mikan for the hundredth time. They had finally reached the Alice Academy Girl's Residence Halls after spending another good thirty-minute ride; and were already standing right outside of it, in between their parked Mustang and the white edifice. Some of Mikan's things were already carried inside. Only her pack was left behind, which was currently held by her mom in her hands, as if not wanting to let it go.

"Mom, I'm sure that if you'd ask me that same question again –I'd finally get nervous," she answered as she grabbed away from Yuka's grasp the pack which contained most of the important things.

"Okay, I do hope you have fun. And oh, before I forget," her mom started as she reached out something behind her neck. There and then, Mikan found herself staring at the pendant of her mom's necklace –the necklace she came to notice as the only accessory her mom wears every day with no fail.

"Here," her mom continued as she placed it in Mikan's hands for her to have a better look at it. Sure thing, the necklace all in all was just plain. The chain was in gold and the pendant wasn't that extraordinary too. It was just a not too flat crescent-shaped blue moon with weird markings, symbols and designs in it. Though it just looked simple but Mikan do indeed liked it. It's simple but elegant and sassy at the same time. But she knew she couldn't take it.

"Mom, this is-"

"It's yours now," she said as she took back the necklace and went right behind Mikan. Slowly, she shoves Mikan's brunette hair away before putting it on her and closing its locks.

And as she did so, "Naru-," Mikan gasped.

Narumi was just standing right next to her –admiring the mother-daughter scene from his own angle. But the moment Yuka had placed the necklace around Mikan's neck; Mikan could've sworn she saw something lit up right in her stepdad's fingers –something in a shade of blue. She knew the light was there but the moment she blinked her eyes, it was gone. Just then, someone's phone rang.

"And I guess it's mine," Narumi uttered before pulling out his phone from his pockets –blinking in a shade of blue. I guess it's just his phone after all.

The moment he finished his call, "what was that sweetie?" he asked.

"Nothing," she answered before facing back her mom.

"Mom, you sure about this?"

"Yes, dear," Yuka answered as she held on to the pendant, "and mommy had a request for you in return of this gift. Could you… keep it safe and secured, hidden near your heart?" she added as she slipped the pendant right beneath Mikan's shirt.

"Sure thing," Mikan replied.

"That's my girl."

The moment Yuka had made sure Mikan would be safe; she kissed Mikan's head both as a sign of her luck and a departing gesture. With a small sad smile, she finally backed away –back towards their blue Mustang once again. Narumi bid his farewell too, said he won't be seeing her for a while since he still have to take care of her entry after he'd send Yuka back.

Mikan just nod and waved her hand as the Mustang finally sped away.

This won't be goodbyes.

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The next few chapters would be all about his challenge. Who's challenge? I don't know. Find it out for yourself. And I'm planning to put a wee bit of action on the first part as a teaser. And the epic fail scene will be coming soon too.

If you want updates, keep your reviews or adds going please.