"Originally, we wanted to let you choose to either go back to the Academy or stay here and live as a quasi-Alice user. But of course, somebody had to give you the stone first." Shiki-san glances at Natsume. Natsume ignores the glimpse of Shiki-san. Shiki-san continues.

"Apparently, there are Alice-Hunters, who followed the former ESP, but they are targeting Alice-users outside of the Academy, and you are one of the few top Alice-users that the Alice-hunters are targeting. So there's no guarantee for your safety here, since you've gotten back your Alice. If you hadn't gotten your Alice back, then it would be a different story." Suddenly, I feel like my heart is yearning for another soul. Hotaru! Hotaru! That's the only name I can remember. I hold my chest and ask.

"My chest cringes when I hear the name 'Hotaru'. Who is she? Why do I feel so sad?" Narumi-sensei explains.

"Only a few of us still remember Hotaru. But we all know that she's your best friend, Mikan." A sudden flashback of a promise from Hotaru spins in my head. Even if you lose your memory, I will find you no matter what. I sniff a bit before making my decision.

"I want to meet this girl. I feel it in my heart that she's waiting for me to find her. So please, let's go back to the Academy!" I wipe away my tears and give a subtle smile.

Back at the academy for Alice users, I am shock to hear that Ruka-pyon and Natsume both skipped grades and already graduated at the age of 16. I also learned that former ESP is under heavy surveillance jail time for eternity, and since technology has advanced, serving the government is now optional.

It's the first day of officially, entering my second year of Alice Academy High. I sigh because Natsume and Ruka are away on missions outside of the Academy. But I remember Natsume whispering into my ears last night.

"I'll come back to you, always." My heart jumped, and we embraced each other in a long hug. As I think about him, Yu Tobita walks beside me and stays silent. I don't realize his presence until I look to the side.

"Hey! Yu-kun, I'm so happy you're with me. I'm kind of nervous for my first day back." I cheerfully smile.

"Don't worry. You have me and our former 2B classmates. It's gonna be alright!" Yu Tobita, the representative of class 201B says with a grin on his face as we both enter classroom. All new faces stare back at me. Oh no! It feels like I'm back from elementary school... I shake that thought away and smile at everyone.

"Hi! I'm Mikan Sakura. I'm a new transfer student. I hope to get along with all of you this year!" I bow. A guy with red spiky hair calls out from the back:

"Hey Mikan is it? I have a question for you. Why are you back? We heard rumors that you ran away 3 years ago." I almost blush like its déjà vu. But I think of Natsume as my courage booster and gulp before answering.

"Firstly, I'm not a little kid anymore. So it would be nice if you could first tell me your name and then I can answer your question." The guy with red hair frowns.

"The name is Dakucheri Bakuto."

"Dakucheri Bakuto, you want to know why I came back? Well, it's to graduate of course." I smirk. That's how it's done Mikan! I boost my confidence. The class laughs as Jinno-sensei walks in.

"Quiet down everyone. Class is about to start. Hi Mikan, it's nice of you to join my class again." He then talks softly to me.

"Don't think that you've come back as a heroine, and think that I will go easy on you." I step away.

"Oh no sir. Of course, that would be unfair to the class." I say out loud. Jinno-sensei leers.

"Well then, if you can understand that, then please take your seat over there." Jinno-sensei points to a seat in front of Dakucheri. As I walk in confidence, I hear whispers of some group of girls snickering.

"Do you buy that? I heard rumors that she's Natsume's girlfriend." I almost trip at that phrase because a few days ago, I was nobody's girlfriend, now I'm someone's girlfriend. WOW! I spot Anna Umenomiya and smile at her when our eyes meet.

"Hurry up Mikan. We don't have all day." Now that's how Jinno-sensei's suppose to act. I thought it was a fluke when he was being nice to me.

After math period, it was fifteen minutes break time, Dakucheri taps on my head.

"Hey! Silly bun!" I smile to that. Natsume usually calls me much worse things than that. You, Dakucheri, on the other hand, don't bother me at all. I ignore Dakucheri when suddenly, a group of three guys walk towards Dakucheri. Dakucheri smirks at me. One of the guys says.

"You there! Don't treat our Master like he is nothing. He's the new Natsume Hyuuga!" All the girls glare at Dakucheri. Dakucheri can't stand the pressure of having all the attention on him, so he stands up, grabs the guy and pushes him on the ground.

"Who's the 'new Natsume Hyuuga'? I'm Dakucheri Bakuto, the one and only in this school!" As a fist fight starts up, I walk backwards until I bump into a group of girls who were snickering on me before.

"Oops! Sorry!"

"Sorry doesn't count new girl. You purposely pushed me, didn't you?" One of the girls asks out loud. Anna is close by and does not want trouble, so she brings a bag of cookies to those girls.

"Cookies? I made Walnuts this time!" One of the girls is about to take one when the leader stops her.

"No Raya, this girl always likes to bribe us with food. She wants us to get fat, so that the guys won't look at us anymore." Anna is about to protest when the leader of the girls' group continues.

"And besides, we heard rumors that Mikan Sakurai made Natsume Hyuuga fall in love with her, so that she can gain instant popularity!" I want to tell them off. Fortunately, a gust of wind blows into the classroom and halts this cat fight. Two dark figures stride into class.

"Mikan Sakura? Mikan Sakura, you are reported to the head's office." Based on the voice, I know it's Natsume and his best friend Ruka Pyon. I join up with them when a Baka Gun fires near my head. My heart starts to ache because I feel like only a close friend of mine could do that. I look back at the girl in confusion. She warns me.

"You aren't going anywhere. The leader's not done with you." I am about to use my Steal-Alice when Natsume snaps his finger and a small fire ball appears near the girl's wrist.

"Ahh!" She drops the Baka Gun. Natsume lifts me off the ground and runs away. Ruka takes the Baka Gun from the floor and follows us out of the classroom.