Partners
(Tsubasa x Misaki)

Disclaimer: I don't, and never will I, own Gakuen Alice.

"Andou Tsubasa. Harada Misaki. Please stand."

With wide eyes, she stood up slowly while Tsubasa put down his bag and looked at Narumi, too. Narumi's right eyebrow rose when he looked at them.

"Oh, so you're seated next to each other," Narumi said. She was getting nervous. "Are you two dating?"

They both shook their head in defense. "We just met each other the other day, sensei," she answered.

"Oh, is that so," Narumi said, rubbing his chin a little. "Then, Harada-san, please answer my questions about what you wrote here, and simply answer what I ask you. How many bedrooms did you want for your dream house?"

"4, sir," she answered.

"Andou-kun, why four?" Narumi then turned to Tsubasa, as if she was asked about what he wrote, not what she wrote. She looked at him in confusion.

"Well, I wanted three kids, and they should get their own rooms but I was hoping I'd get two boys who'll just share one room and one girl, the spare room can be a guest room," Tsubasa said, scratching his head. Misaki's eyes almost popped out.

"Style and house type?" Narumi turned to her again.

"Mix of classic and contemporary styles," she answered. "Single-detached two-story medium-sized house."

Narumi faced Tsubasa with a face that said, 'explain, mister.' "Suburban but still homey. It's a bit of a luxury house but still perfect for a family, you know, comfortable. Single-detached house for a bit of privacy for my family and a lawn to run around in. All rooms are upstairs. It's a bit bigger than the typical house, like a small compact villa."

"Other rooms like rec room, family room." "Family room would be the living room, no recreation room, but there's a separate reading room."

"The living room will be the visitor area, the family area and also the recreation room. It's to keep the family together. They can watch TV together, play video games and such there. And then there would be a mini library with a fireplace and a reading nook by a bay window. It's also like a family area but for peace and quiet times," Tsubasa was now a bit relaxed.

This went on, with Narumi asking her about things that she wrote in her paper and then asking Tsubasa to explain as if they were the same person.

"Okay, Harada-san, what can you say? You two didn't talk about the activity, did you?"

She shook her head. "Uhm, why is he explaining everything I wrote?" Tsubasa looked at her, surprised.

"Class, these two wrote the same thing," Narumi announced. Everyone looked at the two. "And I am positive they didn't copy from each other. Andou-kun didn't explain the details he wrote. What I asked Harada-san, were the things Andou-kun wrote. Harada-san, on the other hand, wrote everything in detail, with explanations as to why things are this and that. They didn't talk about this, and Andou-kun explained the choices according to his own reasons, which are also almost the same reasons Harada-san wrote here. Hey, you two, get married."

The lecture hall roared with laughter and much teasing. She blushed and Tsubasa scratched his head again.

"You may sit down. So, for self-introductions, I guess you can see that Andou-kun's personality is laid-back, shown in his no-details paper and way of explaining. Harada-san, meanwhile, seems like she'll be a diligent student, and a careful planner, making sure of every detail," Narumi said when the class recovered. "What I noticed is that most of you were thinking of houses that suited your individual lifestyles. And then there are people like these two that are family-oriented. I prefer the family-oriented thinking for this course, actually. After all, it is inevitable that most of you would have a family of your own. If your house has the latest high-end gear, has a bedroom occupying the whole upper floor, the perfect bachelor's pad, then where are you going to place your kids?"

Narumi then started calling the other students to give a brief description of what they wrote in their papers. It took up most of the class time.

"Okay, that's about everyone. So we all have an idea of who each person here is through their descriptions. But this activity has one other importance," Narumi said as he tapped the stack of papers on his free hand. "This will also be your final output in this class. Right now these dream houses of yours are just words, and we only get a vague idea of how it would look like. Some of you have most of the details down, but that can still change. As we go on our lessons, you will also start drawing the plan for your dream house. Well, actually, more of a sketch, none of the complicated materials, lighting, wiring considerations. If you guys are lucky enough, I'd be your professor on that also, later on."

Narumi looked at his watch. "That's what I don't like about self-introductions. It takes up the entire first week, but I do love to get to know all of my students. Anyway, read up on the first part of the book. Yes, the entire first part," she opened her book and saw that there are five chapters for the first part. "You don't have to read it word per word, but the entire part can't be discussed in parts, it has to be in whole, it's all about the basics. Oh, and is that grumpy, Jinjin, still the math teacher for architecture majors? He's a bit traditional, but do listen to his class, it's important to this course. Well that's it for today, don't forget to read up and bring those pencils and drawing notebook. Actually, always bring those pencils and drawing notebooks. You may go."

She and Tsubasa both let out a sigh of relief.

"Oh, and Harada-san, Andou-kun, I'm giving you the chance to work as a pair for the final output, who knows, there might be another outcome," Narumi joked. Everybody laughed again. Her face turned red.

"But you two really aren't going out?" a pink-haired girl who was seated on her other side asked them. She shook her head. "I'm Anna, by the way. She's Nonoko."

The dark-haired girl with glasses beside her waved at them. "Are you eating lunch at the cafeteria? Want to eat together?"

"Sure," Tsubasa said to them with a smile. He then looked at her and nodded his head, gesturing them to go. She followed him and walked beside him while the two girls followed behind.

They stayed together even in the next class. After that, Nonoko and Anna, both dormers in the North Girls' Dorm, left immediately to go back to their dorms for a while before Physics, which was near their dorm. She and Tsubasa decided to check out the fair at the activity center before going.

There were various clubs, most of them limited to Architecture majors, while some are open to other majors. Upperclassmen were cheerfully asking passers-by to join their clubs.

"Are you a member of any club in the university?" she asked Tsubasa. "You and Kaname-kun were talking about soccer yesterday, are you in the varsity?"

"Nah, don't like to commit to those, soccer is just for fun. Kaname and I usually play with some of our dormmates," Tsubasa said as they looked at the stands showing a map of the fair. "But I plan to join an architecture-based one this semester. Good way to get connections."

"Me too," she smiled. A particular club name then caught her eye. "Look, Tsubasa, this one looks interesting, let's check out its booth."

She lifted her head from the stands and scanned the fair. She then pulled Tsubasa to its location.

"Hello, join the Special Club for Architects, SCA for short! Where architecture meets entrepreneurship!" a short brunette with glasses, possibly a 3rd year, cheerfully welcomed them when they approached. She also gave them fliers. "We're having an orientation tomorrow afternoon, please come if you want to know more about us."

She scanned the flier. The club was a social entrepreneurship organization applying architecture in its projects. "This seems interesting, Tsubasa."

"Yeah, I think I heard about them from some of the upperclassmen in the dorm, said it's a good organization for both training and experience," Tsubasa was studying the flier. "Want to attend the orientation tomorrow? It's at 5 so we can probably get Kaname to go with us. Let's also look at the other booths."

They took a flier from all the booths before heading out to the Physics building. They met Anna and Nonoko at their room and showed them the fliers.

"We're members of a club already, but it's not architecture-based, we both love cooking so we joined a cuisine club, it's university-based rather than college-based," Nonoko told them.

"Architecture is a busy course, we don't really want to add more to our load," Anna said. It is true that their course is a pretty busy one. Handling two clubs in addition to that is suicide, or close to it.

The professor then arrived and they all placed their attention in front.

Kaname was standing in front of them talking animatedly when he suddenly stopped, his gaze locked at the door at the back end of room. Tsubasa and Misaki turned to look at the reason loudmouth Kaname would suddenly stop talking. Coming in the room was a fair-skinned petite girl, her icy-blue hair held up by a ribbon, with some of the wavy locks falling near her temple. She was beautiful, and she also seemed gentle. Misaki had no doubt she was a daughter of a rich businessman.

"That's the girl," Tsubasa whispered to her. "She was absent last time."

She nodded. "No wonder Kaname-kun liked her." Nonoko and Anna then arrived from the other door. They were still looking at the blue-haired girl.

"Misaki-chan, here's yours," Nonoko gave her the juice can.

"What's with Kaname-kun?" Anna asked them, moving Kaname aside to see them. Anna and Nonoko were seated in front of them. They were just about to tell them about the girl when said girl approached them. The seat beside Anna, which was in front of where Kaname was seated, was vacant.

"Hi, is someone already seated here?" the girl spoke gently. Kaname was still frozen. Anna smiled brightly.

"Nope, you may sit here," Anna replied then laid out her hand. "I'm Anna, by the way. This is Nonoko, Misaki, Tsubasa, and Kaname."

"I'm Ibaragi Nobara, nice to meet you all," the girl shyly took Anna's hand while she bowed to them.

"Oi, Kaname, sit down, she can't see us," Tsubasa pulled Kaname and forced him to sit down. He then looked at Nobara. "Sorry, he's usually the loudest here."

Nobara smiled at them. "I was absent last meeting, was there anything important the professor said?"

"He went into lecture immediately," she answered.

"Oh, is that so? I probably missed a lot," Nobara's expression turned worried.

"Do you have the book already? It's all in there anyway, but you may copy my notes if you want," she smiled.

"I haven't bought any of the books we need. Since I got sick last Tuesday, I didn't know the books I need for some of the subjects," Nobara said. "Are you in the 3rd block too?"

"Misaki-chan, Tsubasa-kun, Nonoko-chan, and me are in the 2nd block, but Kaname-kun here is in the 3rd block, same as you," Anna answered her.

"Oi, Kaname, we don't have the same professor for some of the subjects, did you take down notes in your classes?" Kaname nervously shook his head.

"But we're using the same books," he then said. "I'll give you the list of the books we need. And notes on each professor, which class you can sleep in and be late."

"Only you and Tsubasa need that, Kaname-kun," Misaki almost whacked him. "What she probably needs is someone to go with her in buying the books. Do you know that book shop in 11th street, Nobara-san?"

"Yeah, but I haven't been there myself, Rei-san, my father's assistant, usually buys my books for me," Nobara shyly said. "I want to go there myself, though."

"I—We can go with you, if you'd like," Kaname quickly said. Tsubasa just nodded.

"By the way, we were talking about attending SCA's orientation later, it's at 5, do you want to come too? It's an architecture organization. It seems interesting," she said.

"Oh, that's the one I wanted to join too," Nobara said. "Until what time is it?"

"It says here 6," she said, looking at the flier she just took out from her bag.

"Then, would you like to go with me to the bookstore afterwards? Maybe we can have dinner after. It might be a bit late already, though," they all grinned at that.

"Nobara-san, it's college. 7 is still early for a night out with friends," she grinned. Nobara was obviously sheltered. "Let me guess, you have a chauffeur, don't you?"

Nobara nodded. "You live here in the city, don't you? All of us are from different prefectures so we're all staying in the dorms, except for Misaki here who has her own apartment, it's near 11th street, actually." Tsubasa said with a friendly smile.

"Is that so? Then I'll drop you guys off after, it's the least I can do if you're all going with me to buy my books," Nobara lightened up. Kazu then arrived and class started.

They ate lunch together then split up for their respective classes. Tsubasa, Kaname, Nobara and she grouped together for the orientation at 5, Nonoko and Anna will meet up with them after.

"Hello! Welcome to Special Club for Architects' orientation! I am Tanaka Chiaki, head of the recruitment team, and I will also be the emcee for tonight's orientation," it was the petite brunette with glasses. "So first, we have a welcome speech from SCA's Vice President for Corporate Projects, Tonouchi Akira. He'll also be discussing what SCA is."

A tall guy with long black hair who was standing at the side earlier came in front and took the mic. "Hello, ladies and other hopeful architects, I'm Tonouchi Akira, but I'm usually called Tono."

"Flirt," she and Tsubasa said at the same time. Nobara just laughed. Tono proceeded to discuss what SCA is and its projects. He was followed by the head of the recruitment team who discussed the application process of the organization which would take the entire semester.

After the orientation, they already decided that they would all apply for SCA. They all took an app kit from the table before heading out of the room.

"Oh, it's Andou-kun and Harada-san, you guys wrote the exact same details for the dream house," while they were signing up, a lean guy with glasses beside them recognized them. "I'm Megane, I'm in the 2nd block too."

"Is that our identity now?" he laughed. "Yeah, that's us, you can call me Tsubasa."

"Hi, I'm Misaki," she smiled. "This is Kaname and Nobara, they're from the 3rd block."

The two waved at Megane. Anna and Nonoko were already outside the building, waiting for them. "Well, see you guys in class tomorrow," Megane went off, he stays at the north boys' dorm.

"Hey, Anna-san, Nonoko-san, these two got recognized by a classmate for that dream house activity," Kaname told the two. "I have a feeling these two will be getting a huge fanbase in our batch. But man, how can you two write the exact same thing? Are you sure you didn't talk about that or do you really know each other from before? You're both from Shizuoka, right? You're actually childhood sweethearts, aren't you?"

"We've been roommates since last year, I think you'll know if I have a girlfriend," Tsubasa whacked Kaname.

"Wait, you two are not boyfriend and girlfriend?" Nobara's eyes widened.

"No!" she shook her head furiously. "We only talked to each other this semester. What? You really thought we're dating?"

"I really thought you two are dating, plus Kaname-kun was so sure you two planned the dream house together," Tsubasa whacked Kaname again, this time harder.

"What, you can't talk about anything so you talked about the two of us, huh," he then gave Kaname a noogie.

Anna and Nonoko just giggled. Nobara's car was already waiting for them at the gates. They went to the bookstore and ate dinner at a pizza place in the same street.

"So you're all applying for SCA?" Anna asked. They nodded. "When does the application start?"

"Next week. We have to submit the application form tomorrow but they said they'll be accepting applicants until next week. There will be tasks, we'll be asked to submit plates, plans, I think even project proposals. We'll also be required to attend some events of the org," she said. She then faced Tsubasa, as he was removing the onions in her pizza and putting it on his. "By the way, let's submit ours tomorrow."

He nodded as he took the last piece of onion strip. She then picked up her slice and ate it. The four looked at them, confused.

"She doesn't like onions," he told them before stuffing the pizza in his mouth. "We were eating burger yesterday, she removed the onions."

"I thought it just came naturally like the dream house," Kaname teased them.

"Get over the dream house, Kaname," he retorted back then faced her. "Remind me about the form tomorrow, I might forget it."

She nodded. Kaname then clapped. "There's an acquaintance party tomorrow for the college, are you guys going? Let's all go and meet the people from other year levels."

"I'm going home tomorrow, we're only 'til 3 tomorrow, I'll be home early if I leave right after class," she said.

"Come on, Misaki-chan, we're also attending, let's just all go home on Saturday morning," Nonoko said. She looked at Tsubasa.

"He pestered me last night," he pointed at Kaname. "I also wanted to go home right after class, but I guess I'll be going on Saturday morning."

"I'm also going, Misaki-san, I think it'll be fun," Nobara said with a smile. She looked at them and sighed.

"Fine, I'll go too," she gave up. They all laughed. Afterwards, as Nobara promised, she dropped them off, first Misaki in her apartment building, and then the four at the university.

"Oh, you're early today," Misaki had just arrived at the building, walking to her first class, when she saw Tsubasa who had just arrived also.

"We got up early to jog, Kaname set his alarm clock but I was the only one who woke up to it," Tsubasa said as he caught up to her. They started walking to their classroom.

Just then, a blue spiky-haired boy who seemed too sleepy he was dragging himself, passed by in front of them. "Oh? Hayate, what are you doing?"

The boy opened his eyes, and looked at them. "Tsubasa, 'morning. I'm going to my next class. Ahh, I'm sleepy and I'm hungry. What was breakfast in the dorm?"

"Omelet, what else?" Tsubasa answered. "Just grab something from the cafeteria before going to your next class."

"Oh, you're right, I should do that, thanks, dude," Hayate then walked passed them, still dragging himself.

"Sorry, forgot to introduce you. That's Hayate, he's my classmate since grade school and he's got a crush on my younger sister's best friend. A total sleepyhead, I don't know why he took the first block," Tsubasa said and scratched his head.

They went on to their classroom. Anna and Nonoko weren't there yet but they saw Megane who waved at them when they entered the room.

"Did you guys submit the application form already?" he asked them.

"Ah, I told you to remind me, we should have submitted it when we passed by the fair earlier," she tapped her forehead.

"I forgot to fill out the form, I told you to remind me about it last night," Tsubasa quickly rummaged inside his bag for the form. "Hey, what did you write in this part? Can I see yours?"

She gave him her form. "Oi, are you really a girl, Misaki? I have a nicer penmanship than you." WHACK!

And it started.

Wow, can't believe I'm releasing my second chapter now. Hi dear reader, I'm really glad you reached this part of the story. As I publish this, I finished writing a future chapter and will continue to the following chapter until I publish the third chapter and it'll go on until I finished the whole fic. So this means I'll update weekly, whatever happens. I hope you liked this chapter, this was actually what started this story. Please do leave a review though, especially about my writing and the plot, because I really want to improve through this fic. :)