A/N: Thank you to everyone who has reviewed. :) Since 2/3 of my reviewers were annoynomous reviewers, I decided to just respond to your reviews here. :) I am actually sorta surprised at the amount of reviews this story has gotten since I know that there aren't that many people who like the Persona-Mikan pairing. But I personally love it. *shrugs* Since I got more reviews than I expected, I decided to just upload the next chapter now. Plus, I just want to send my story to the 10,000+ words mark. lol.
Anyways:
Resty - I am very happy~ I agree with you, these two are a romantic couple~ I thought about how they were both Izumi's children and I just had a what if... What if Izumi never died and Yuka never left the academy? Since Yuka was already pregnant... if the ESP didn't harm Yuka during her pregnancy and Yuka and Izumi stayed within the academy... There would be a huge chance that Mikan would grow up with Rei since Izumi is basically Rei's caretaker... whoa... that's another plot I can do... *big smile* Maybe I will do another plot like that... I have another inspiration now. lol. Maybe I will work on that after I finish one of my fanfics. Thanks for your review.
unknown - Thank you!
TheHeideePayas - Hehe yup. Rei and the ESP are gonna be pretty OCC towards Mikan in this fanfic. :3 But I think that's sorta part of the point of my fanfic here. I am glad I gave you a new pace for Kuonji and Rei. :) Thanks for your review~
Melyss - Thank you!
OO - Lol. yeah I know. well most of the chapters are gonna be around 4000-5000 words. Just saying 1000 of those words probably came from the authors note. lol. I am glad you didn't faint. I know, right? I am not really sure Mikan is really two. I asked myself that tons of times. But I felt that if Mikan was too childish, the ESP and Rei wouldn't like her as much. Her being so mature is part of what attracts the two to her so much. :3 Thank you for reading and reviewing!
lurker - I know, right? That's why I wanted to write a fanfic like this. More often than not, the ESP is portrayed as the villain and for me, I think that if the ESP was accepted and give the care and love that many seek for, he would have had a softer side to him. :) I wanted to write that. And I wanted to write a story where the one that is 'captured' doesn't want to escape. lol. When I read "MSP and ESP as divorced couple that hate each other guts yet their only good "connection" between them in their child aka Mikan..." I was like laughing really hard. and when I read it again just now. I started laughing again. Because you are totally right, they are. lol. It is very amusing. In many ways, what you said is pretty true. Coz. Mikan is basically their child and they do sorta hate each other's guts. You will see more of that in this chapter. :D lol. I am glad you shared that with me, coz I thought of it a little when I first wrote it, but I didn't really think much about it. I love that. Thank you so much for your review. I loved it~ Very amusing.
I hope I will get more reviewers and readers in the future... I wonder if this was a natsume-mikan fanfic, would more people read it? But nah, I am so not gonna change this. I love Mikan-Persona.
Thanks so much for reviewing, everyone. Now onto the new chapter!
[Notes-]
"Konnichiwa, Hii-sama, Watashi wa Mikan desu. Hajimemashite, douzo yoroshiku onegaishimasu." Basically, she said, "Hello, Hii-sama. I am Mikan. Look kindly on me (for the future), nice to meet you." Why I did it all in Japanese? Because 1) I wanted to introduce traditional Japanese greetings to you readers. 2) I really like the Japanese culture. 3) I didn't want the thing to be in English or in part English-part Japanese.
"Hai" means "yes".
"Hime" means "princess".
"Gomen" means "sorry".
"Kawaii" means "cute".
'Sugoi" means "wow, awesome".
"-otousan" is a suffix one can use when addressing their father.
I am not sure where Rei actually lives, but it's probably in the teacher's dormitory instead of a random house in the Northern Forest. *shrugs*
Disclaimer: Nah, I don't own Gakuen Alice. Wish I did though. :3 I also wish I had Persona all to myself. :P
Another thing, you might see some typos here and there, coz even though i did proofread it, some of those changes went *poof*. Maybe coz I replaced the old copy with new copy. I am not sure. But yeah. :)
Chapter 02 - The New Life
"Greetings. What do you want?" a boyish yet mature voice called out as the figure of a teenage boy stepped into a traditional styled room.
"Always to the point as always," the woman that was lying sideways on a western-styled couch remarked. She had an out-of-the-world beauty, with her long flowing ink-black wavy hair and a skin tone that was white as the snow. The black hair was done in a simple yet elegant style that suited the purple and gold kimono she was wearing.
"What do you want?" The boy was growing impatient and he had no time for the games that this woman was playing.
"What do you want?" the beauty retorted.
"I want to leave."
"Kuonji, let me meet the girl," the women requested. No, that wasn't a request; it was a command that had the hint of a threat hidden to those who didn't know her well.
"Why would I let you do that?" Kageri said with a speckle of protectiveness.
"Because you wouldn't want me to inform Yukihira of her existence."
"You wouldn't do that." Even though those words were spoken by him, he knew that she would.
"You know better than that," the lady said with a hint of mystery.
"Leave her alone," Kageri demanded.
"It should be me who demands you to leave her alone." Although her tone was calm and even on the surface, you can hear the spite in her voice. "You have already tainted the mother butterfly; there is no need to taint this innocent caterpillar."
The only response Kageri had is silence. He knew he should stop 'tainting' the dear girl, but her company was something that is as vital as oxygen to him.
"Let me meet her," the lady demanded quietly but firmly.
"Fine," Kageri gave in. He doesn't know what he'd do if she were to be taken away from him. "But you will meet her when the basement is done remodeling, dear Hii."
"Fair enough," Hii was smiling on the inside. She had won and gotten what she wanted.
"But you better help covering up her existence in this Academy," Kageri said before turning around and walking away.
"Of course."
Three weeks later… with Mikan and Rei…
For the past three weeks, Mikan has been living with a routine that would seldom change. She would wake up at around 8:30am then she would go for a morning run that kept increasing in length every week. When she returned to Rei's house, he would have left for his lessons already with a note left behind to inform her of his schedule and when he would return. She would start doing push-ups, sit-ups, pull-ups, squats and stretches (to increase her flexibility). Once she was done with her morning exercise, she would go take a shower before having her breakfast while reading Rei's note. After all that, her schedule would be something like this:
Around 10am—Review her studies
Do her homework
Around 1pm – Have lunch
Study an hour on French (she was already somehow very fluent in English)
Work on Kageri's paperwork
Rei returns home
Around 4pm – Home-schooling from Rei
Obstacle courses (for agility)
Darts (for her aim)
Gymnastics
Around 7pm – Dinner
Free time
Around 9pm – Run. Basics (the push-ups and such)
Around 10:30pm – Read with Rei
Around 11:30 – Sleep
Whenever she was outside, she would have a chain of Alice stones as a necklace (she was taught how to use them). One for illusion, one for teleportation, one for healing, one for telepathy , one for barrier, and one for invisibility. Her speed, agility, flexibility, aim, stamina and strength improved steadily and her studies were also going very well.
"Mi-chan, dinner's ready!" Rei called out as he placed two bowls of rice on the dinner table. The table also had two other Japanese dishes on it as well as two bowls of miso soup. It was a simple dinner that was typical for them.
"Hai, hai. Arigatou, Rei-chi," Mikan responded as she stepped out of the room she currently resided in with a fresh change of clothes. Even though that was her room, she pretty much always slept with Rei-chi in his room. It gave her a sense of security and comfort.
"Here's some miso soup," Rei informed as he sat down and Mikan hopped towards her seat.
"Yay!" Mikan cheered. She loved miso soup, especially the ones Rei makes, it's always so heart-warming. 'Maybe it's because he makes it with all his heart.'
Ever since he knew Mikan was living with him for about a month or less, he had Kageri hire someone from Central Town to secretly teach him how to cook.
"Hey, Rei-chi," Mikan spoke up once she was done with her soup.
"Hm?"
"When is Kage-otousan coming again?"
"I don't know. He's been busy. Whenever I visit, he's usually doing some sort of paperwork."
"I see."
"The basement is almost ready. They just finished adding the furniture and stuff to it. Now they are just putting finishing touches at the place."
"The dolls and books are there too?" True to his words, her Kage-otousan had brought her a book catalogue and she spent half of a day going through it, picking the books she wanted in her personal library.
Rei let out a nervous chuckle before replying, "Of course."
"Yay! By the way… when are we starting on my Alice training?" Mikan questioned and she didn't miss the stiffening of Rei's body at her words.
"I…I am not sure."
Mikan raised her eyebrow at his answer. "You are the one who is my trainer. How can you not be sure about it?"
"Heh…heh… well I haven't really thought about it much," he quickly made up. In fact, he had thought about it a lot, but had to let it go through Kageri first.
"Liar," Mikan remarked, but allowed it to slide, knowing that this was a sensitive subject for both Rei-chi and Kage-otousan.
"Anyways… finish up your dinner. What are you gonna do afterwards?" Rei quickly changed the subject.
"Read maybe? Or maybe you are gonna do something with me? Anything planned?"
"Not really. We can always just sit in silence."
"True. Let's just approach that point when we get there. But first, you gotta get in the shower and I gotta wash the dishes," Mikan said as she got up and got a tiny chair to stand on while washing the dishes. She was still way too short to reach the sink's height by herself, but she was managing. She really hated that height difference.
"Alright alright. Here are the dishes," Rei said as he emptied the dishes that he collected into the sink. He was against her doing the dishes the first two days she was here, but she had managed to convince him that she can handle it by showing him her dish-washing process. Even when she passed, Rei still watched her carefully for the first week before leaving her alone and taking a shower.
"Off you go then~!" Mikan then started up on the dishes. Where she learned how to wash the dishes was still a mystery to Rei, but he kept forgetting to ask.
Rei took his shower at a moderate speed, but he was using his way-above-the-normal hearing to track Mikan and make sure she was alright. No matter how many times she reassured him, he would still worry. 'I mean, she's still a freaking two-year-old, no matter how much she acts like an adult, for Pete's sake.' As he was putting on his pants, he suddenly heard the shattering of ceramics and without thinking, he pulled up his pants and made his way out.
"ARE YOU OKAY, MIKAN?" Rei shouted out with fear as he entered the dining room where his open kitchen was located.
"Oh yeah, I am just fine," Mikan looked up from the ground where a shattered plate was.
"What in the world happened?" Rei asked with worry evident in his voice as he approached Mikan.
"Oh nothing serious. I just got startled by a bird flying by and dropped the plate. Hope you don't mind getting a new plate," Mikan said sheepishly.
"All that matters is you are okay," Rei said. 'What a cheesy thing to say…' Rei thought to himself with an inward chuckle as he scanned over Mikan to make sure she wasn't hurt.
"How cheesy…" Mikan remarked with a grin.
Rei suppressed a blush and muttered, "Mind reader," but Mikan heard him.
"Yeah yeah… so… were you planning on getting a shirt on?" Mikan asked with a raised eyebrow.
This time, Rei couldn't help the barely noticeable tint of red that appeared on his cheeks. "W-Well, I was in a hurry! Sheesh!"
Mikan let out a giggle and just turned around. "Get back to the bathroom and put a shirt on. Then come back and clean that mess up or I am gonna have to―"
"NO!" Rei immediately interrupted. "You are not touching that. Leave it to me. Stay on that chair." Rei commanded before sprinting back to the bathroom and putting on a shirt. When he returned, Mikan was just drying the dishes while humming a tune.
Mikan then stopped her tune to greet him, "Welcome back."
"I haven't even taught you presence sensing yet and you already sense me?" Rei commented as he took out the broom and portable trash bin.
"That's called familiarity and intuition."
"Whatever." Rei didn't bother arguing, knowing that he was dealing with an abnormal two-year-old.
"Hey, I am not abnormal!"
"Uh-huh and dogs can fly," Rei said sarcastically.
"Hmph!" Mikan pouted and puffed out her cheeks.
Rei just let out a chuckle at the cute expression on Mikan's face. This was a typical 'argument' between the two of them. Rei always remarking how Mikan was abnormal or how she wasn't really a two-year-old and she would always get annoyed and puff her cheeks out. 'Sometimes I wonder if I just do that to see that expression…'
"Bleh!" Mikan stuck her tongue out immaturely.
A week later or so… at Rei's place…
"Kage-otousan! You are here~!" Mikan called out happily and hopped into the teenager's awaiting arms.
"Hello, my dear Mi-chan. How have you been doing?" Kageri asked with love, an expression that only existed when Mikan was there.
"Good good~ I finished packing already! Can we go now?" Mikan asked with excitement clear from the way her body could hardly keep still and that pair of twinkling eyes she sported. Rei just watched on the sidelines. He still couldn't get used to the way Kuonji-sama interacted with Mi-chan, it was just too strange to see such a foreboding man acting so lovingly and warm. 'I bet no one would ever believe me if I ever told them about what I am seeing right now. Only Mi-chan can ever do that to someone. Look at what I have become myself…' It was true. Without Mikan, Rei realized that he would never be where he is now. He was content with himself and he couldn't help but be grateful that Mikan was there. Without her, he knows for sure that he would have become someone that was distant, self-hating, cold and someone that wouldn't be who he is now. Sure, he is still that distant and cold person on the outside, but his inside was only there because Mikan was there for him.
Suddenly, Mikan's voice broke him out of his reverie. "Rei-chi! Guess what?"
"What is it?" Rei asked as he met Mikan's excited eyes.
"Kage-otousan had a personal room built for you in my basement suite and he said that the entire basement is now under my control!" Mikan replied putting an emphasis on "my" whenever it was mentioned.
"Arigatou gozaimasu, Kuonji-sama," Rei thanked respectfully and inwardly pondered about how Mikan's new suite looks like and how the whole basement is now under her.
"You are welcome," Kageri curtly said. There was a little tension around them and you could see that they weren't comfortable with each other in this warm setting, but all that mattered to them was that Mikan was there. She was their link.
"Aw! Quit the formality! From now on, if you guys keep on being so formal around each other…" Mikan trailed off, leaving a threat hanging to their imagination.
Both Kageri and Rei felt a slight shiver coming down their spine at the unsaid threat, Mikan was truly a devil hiding with an angel's appearance. They had experienced it first-hand.
'I wonder what others would say if they heard that both Kuonji-sama and I were intimidated by a two-year-old, I bet they would think they were having illusions,' Rei thought and a grin subconsciously appeared on his face.
"What are you grinning about? What your punishment would have been?" Mikan asked with an evil glint in her eyes.
"N-No. Of course not!" Rei quickly replied back. He would never grin at the thought of a punishment given by Mikan. She was truly a devious child that can be as angelic as the angels themselves.
"Enough, Mi-chan. We don't need to scare Persona anymore. Let's go already. The new suite is waiting for us," Kageri then slightly scolded. Even though he knew Rei's given name, he never felt comfortable using it like Mikan did, especially since it was a certain someone who gave Rei that name.
"Okay! Off we go then~!" Mikan said as she turned back to face Kageri in his arms.
"Oh yeah… Mi-chan?" Kageri suddenly brought up.
"Huh?"
"The middle school principal wanted to… she wanted to meet you and I consented to letting her meet you when you return to the basement… so we are going to meet her first before going to the suite. Persona will have to go ahead of us," Kageri said with a grimace. He didn't like the idea of Hii meeting Mikan, but he knew he had to or else he would lose her and he would practically do everything within his power to prevent that.
"It's okay! I understand~ don't worry about it! Everything is going to be fine. I don't mind meeting her, I guess…" Mikan reassured with a soft smile and Rei's brows furrowed together with worry. Although Mikan didn't show it, both Kageri and Rei knew that she was feeling anxious and a little scared at the same time. She was a brave person with a lot of courage, but she had developed xenophobia, the phobia of strangers. However, she understood that she has to do this, it was a necessity. After all, she was basically living under Hii's roof.
"Mi-chan…" Kageri was worried, however unlike him that might be.
"Kage-otousan, Rei-chi… don't worry about this, please. We all knew this was inevitable." Mikan was right. Even though it was deep inside their hearts, they all knew that it was inevitable.
"But…" Rei began with worry still etched into his features.
"Rei-chi," Mikan said firmly with a tone of finality and a warning look, meaning she was done with this topic. "Let's go already! I wanna see my new suite as soon as possible!"
"Alright then, let's go," Kageri said with a small smile, knowing it's better to go along with her.
A little later… in front of Hii's place…
Knock, knock.
"Come in please," a melodious voice called out as the figure continued to fan herself gracefully. The person that she couldn't wait to meet was finally here. She had sensed their arrival into the barrier. Knowing that they were coming today, she had purposefully left their entry through the main entrance open. She had also purposely evacuated the room and told everyone not to come by since she wanted to rest without being interrupted.
"Greetings, Hii," a voice greeted formally as the door to the room slid open and Kageri entered along with a brown-and-blonde-haired child behind him that was holding onto his right hand with both of her tiny hands. She then released her hold to close the door before returning to her hiding place behind Kageri. Then subtly, curiosity caused a pair of hazel-colored eyes to peek out.
Before entering the Hanahime Palace, Mikan had questioned Kageri about what the MSP was like. Kageri had answered, "A beauty that hates men. Before you ask why, I don't know the exact reason. She has her own way of doing things. She is pretty much like a ruling queen."
And right now, she can see the truth in his words. Her aura was one of a royalty, her beauty was one of a kind and her posture and actions were performed with grace.
"Hello, little one…" Hii greeted the child. Kageri and Hii didn't bother greeting one another, they might have known each other for a long long time and have the same power, but there was obviously much disdain and tension between the two.
"Konnichiwa, Hii-sama. Watashi wa Mikan desu. Hajimemashite, douzo yoroshiku onegaishimasu," Mikan greeted shyly with a formal bow after she stepped out of her hiding place.
"Please drop the formality," Hii said with a kind smile. 'She really does resemble her… I wonder whose personality she takes after?'
"Hai," Mikan then lifted her head to face Hii with a small smile on her face. "It's a pleasure to finally meet you."
"Didn't I tell you to drop the formality?" Hii lightly scolded. "A two-year-old really shouldn't talk like that."
"I un– hai," Mikan began but remembering what Hii was saying, she immediately corrected herself. Mikan's posture loosened and she was just standing casually now.
"Good."
"So why did you want to meet me, Hii-sama?" Mikan questioned semi-formally with a tilt of her head.
"You felt the connection that I felt. Did you not?"
Mikan felt her eyes widen and looking from the corner of her eye, she saw that there were traces of shock in her Kage-otousan's eyes as well. 'So she felt that too. Hm…' Mikan thought to herself with a smile. "Yes, I did," she answered.
"That's what I thought. So Mikan dear… would you like to become one of my hime?"
"One of your hime?" Mikan questioned unsurely, shooting a glance towards her otousan quickly.
Catching the unsure glance that Mikan sent his way, Kageri quickly intervened, "Hii, what in the world do you mean?"
"Kuonji," Hii acknowledged with annoyance. She definitely hated talking to men. "I meant what I said."
"She's supposed to be living here secretly."
Hii raised her eyebrow elegantly. "And? I never said she was going to be publically known. Did I?"
"Oh?"
"Whenever my other hime are not here and when it's an appropriate time, Mikan no kimi can come here to learn from me along with being in my company," Hii explained patiently.
Mikan was interested, but she knew her Kage-otousan had to give his consent. If he didn't… well then, she would just have to use some of her persuasion skills.
"Why would I allow that?"
"Because two ruffians like you and that boy of yours would not be able to take care of her properly. I do not want such a rare hime to turn out like that particularly disgusting species."
'I wonder why she despises men so much… maybe I can ask her later.' Mikan pondered to herself.
"Ruffians?" Kageri repeated, feeling offended.
"I am sorry, but that was the kindest word I could think of to describe the two of you," Hii said unapologetically with innocence.
Mikan couldn't help but giggle at Hii's words and she could feel the glare coming from Kageri, which only made her giggle even more.
"Gomen, Kage-otousan," Mikan did sort of feel bad for giggling at him, but… "But… you and Rei-chi as ruffians?" Then Mikan burst into laughter. Hii let out a smile at the annoyed-but-can't-do-anything look on Kageri's face and the melodious giggles coming from Mikan. She knew that she wouldn't regret the decision to help care for Mikan.
"Yeah yeah. But having Mikan learn from you?" Kageri questioned unsurely.
"Kage-otousan…" Mikan called out with a sweet voice and angelic expression.
"Yes, Mi-chan?" Kageri was sure she was up to no good.
"Didn't you say that you wanted me to learn about etiquettes and all those other stuff? Like Japanese traditional dancing and all those other dances? Plus, this can help my elegance as well. We can also work on all those other stuff that you wanted me to learn but never have the time to find me a teacher," Mikan informed, making Kageri feel slightly guilty.
"W-Well…" Kageri began, trying to think of a reason for his lack of time.
"Well?" Mikan placed her arms on her waist in a classic you-are-in-trouble pose.
"Fine! If you really want to, then you can work with her! Happy?" Kageri said dejectedly, melting under the intenseness of Mikan's stare.
"Good!" Mikan exclaimed with a big smile and then she turned to face Hii, who has been watching the exchange with amusement and interest. "Well then… when do you want to start this? Preferably at night or on the weekends. I am pretty busy and occupied during the week."
"I understand. That's fine by me, we can't do anything on the day time during the week anyways," Hii replied, glad that Mikan decided to take up on her offer.
"Okay. But when should we start?" Mikan nodded her head in understanding.
"After you have finished settling in. Maybe in a week or so."
"How about after I took care of everything, I will have Kage-otousan drop my available times for you and then the next time he comes by, he can pick up your reply? Is that okay with you, Kage-otousan?"
"Yes, that's fine. That way we can avoid any chances of someone discovering your existence or Persona being here. As long as that's okay with you as well, Hii," Kageri replied with a nod and glanced at Hii, daring her to say otherwise.
"Of course that's okay, Mikan no kimi. As long as it's for you and not for those dreadful ruffians," Hii replied with a small smirk that didn't affect her elegant features at all. She had purposefully pretended Kageri wasn't there and ignored him.
Kageri didn't say anything, but his eyes did darken slightly, he obviously didn't like to be insulted.
"Problem solved then!" Mikan said cheerfully with a warm smile, ignoring the obvious dispute between the two principals. Her smile caused the other two to smile in return. She had this natural charisma that made others feel comfortable around her. "Alright. May we be excused now, Hii-sama? I would love to go visit my new suite!"
"Of course you may. Until next time then, Mikan no kimi."
"Byebye!" Mikan called out as she took hold of Kageri's hand and pulled him out of the door. Before closing the door, she turned around and bowed.
When their footsteps disappeared down the hall, Hii remarked fondly with a smile, "What an energetic and kawaii hime."
At a corridor within the newly remodeled basement…
"Okay, Mi-chan. Let's give you some quick information before entering," Kageri said as they stopped in front of a wall that was along the corridor.
"Hai! What is it?" Mikan asked anxiously.
"First of all, this in front of us is an illusion of a wall. You must have an Alice stone in order to enter. But you can't just enter with an Alice stone. You also have to be the right person handling the stone. This barrier and illusion that surrounds you is a special one. It not only rejects unwelcomed visitors, repel attacks of all kind and prohibit the usage of Alice within the barrier, but it also recognizes the people who are within it or want to control it. Using computer technology developed by Alices, my Alice scientists also enhanced the security and types of technology within the suite. Because of that, the technology here is way ahead of the rest of the world and gakuen. Plus, this suite is also sound proof, sound goes in if you wanted, but it doesn't go out. This barrier is also a one of a kind especially for you because of your nullification Alice, you can use you Alices freely as you wish, but when you do not wish to use it, this barrier will help you maintain the stability of your present and future Alices. This hallway also automatically locks the entrance, puts up the illusion of a wall over the entrance, and prevents further entry into the hallway when the authorized people are entering or exiting the suite. This only occurs if there is no one in this hallway. But if there are people in the hallway, you can check through the invisible security cameras that are along the hallway. For both situations, when someone is entering or exiting the suite, an illusion is put up of a normal hallway so if someone ever sends a bug of some sort or anything, they won't discover anything abnormal. Though if someone unauthorized or unregistered in the data base of the hallway's security system does enter the Den or is within the Den, you will get notified. This entire suite also has a forcefield of sorts that would render all tracking devices/spying technology useless." Kageri then paused for a moment to let all of the information be absorbed before continuing.
"Second of all, once you start learning how to use your Alices, one of the first things that you learn will be how to manipulate your natural and acquired Alices to suit your needs and control it so that it doesn't get out of control. You will also learn how to use your Alices to enter and control the suite instead of using Alice stones. When you have mastered your original Alices and begin to learn the acquired Alices, they will be divided into different sets. The first Alices that you are going to copy and learn are mind-reading, telepathy, telekinesis, barrier, flying, x-ray, illusion and possibly different pheromone Alices. Also, Alices that involves enhancing your senses like sight and hearing might also be learnt. After you master all those, you are going to move onto the elements Alice and other basic offensive Alices before moving onto those other ones," Kageri explained with Mikan listening intently. She was excited that her Alice studies are finally going to start. Being able to use her Alices freely and at will seems to be very fun.
"Hm… Kage-otousan…"
"Yes?"
"For the first set of Alices that I am going to learn… am I allowed to place the 'placing a soul into a stuffed toy' Alice into there as well?" Mikan asked with sparkling hope-filled eyes.
Like Rei, Kageri is also slightly scared of the thought of Mikan's stuffed toys having a soul in them, but those eyes are so persuading and she would be so happy too… 'No no! Must not let her eyes affect me or else…' Kageri mentally shivered. "Unfortunately, no." Mikan's eyes immediately transformed into sad puppy dog eyes that breaks Kageri's heart, but he must not give in. "One, you would have too many Alices to focus on. Two, we need you to learn all of those Alices that I listed first and you need to learn control. Third, you need to be older before you may learn how to handle a needle and sew an actual stuffed toy if you wanted to make your own stuffed toys."
"Alright… I guess I understand… but aren't darts more dangerous than a mere needle?" Mikan agreed reluctantly.
"No. Because those darts you are using right now are mere magnetic darts."
"Fine. Anyways, can we go inside now?"
"Sure."
Kageri pulled out two smooth-looking stones from his pocket and held in his hand. One of the stones began to glow and in front of them, the illusional wall disappeared and there was a pair of mahogany door in front of them. Then the other stone began to glow and Mikan could see the appearance of an opening around the door.
"The Alice functions of this suite are powered by Alice stones. Right now, I am having my scientists develop the use of Alice stones so that we don't have to use up the stone as quickly. Possibly in the future, it's likely that the suite won't only rely on Alice stones," Kageri informed.
"Well after I master my Alices, I can help. But is there a special Alice for that technical stuff?" Mikan asked, turning her head to face Kageri.
"Yes, there are. There are Alices of invention, chemistry, cooking, sewing, drawing and others. Those Alices will probably be part of the third set of Alices that you are going to master."
"I see. Well then, about when―" Mikan began but was interrupted by the sound of a door opening. Quickly, Kageri and Mikan jumped back to avoid the door slamming into them.
"What the heck?" Mikan cried out as she landed on the floor safely.
"What― huh?" A voice questioned as the door pushed completely open, revealing a black-haired child.
"Rei!" Mikan shouted when she saw the person that almost caused her to be injured. "You almost hit both Kage-otousan and I!"
"Oh?" Then understanding flashed in his eyes. "Sorry! Mi-chan, are you okay?" Rei asked worriedly with panic as he suddenly appeared in front of Mikan and examined her for injuries, not noticing the look of annoyance Kageri sent him.
"I am fine…" Mikan sweatdropped at the over-protectiveness shown by Rei.
"Sorry sorry. I was wondering why you guys took so long and I had finished checking out the suite, so I was planning on waiting for you guys out here or near the Den's door."
"Uh-huh, the meeting with Hii-sama took a while. But we worked something out," Mikan nodded her head in agreement and her words were spoken with excitement.
"Huh?" Rei asked with confusion. "Mind informing me what you guys talked about?"
"I am going to become one of her hime and I am also going to start taking lessons of dances and other stuff from her. We are also going to be working on my elegance and grace."
"Seriously?" Rei questioned and looked at Kageri for confirmation. Kageri nodded his head and Rei's eyes widened. This was obviously a shocking piece of information for him. He knew that the two principals didn't get along and that Hii is not just anyone who would offer her help like that. 'Who is Mikan? Now that I think about it… Kuonji-sama never did inform me the background of Mikan. What I know about her is learnt from conversations with her. Who is she?' Rei thought as he stole a glance at Kageri.
"Yup! She was also so nice and pretty!" Mikan commented. "Uh… can I finally go into my suite now? I have been waiting for way too long. I want to know what it turned out like."
"Oh! Okay. Sure, it's was a very well done job," Rei said as he jumped off to the side
"Obviously, only the best for Mikan," Kageri spoke up with a satisfied grin.
"Thank you, Kage-otousan~! Let's go in then!" Mikan took hold of Rei's and Kageri's hand, dragging them with her as she entered the suite.
Later in the suite…
"Sugoi! This place is SO pretty and awesome!" Mikan said when she finished touring around the entire place. It really was.
The suite was mainly done in gold, purple, white, black, and silver. The furniture was also very elegant and modern with comfortableness in the materials and features. Three words that would describe the room would be elegant, modern and awesome. It was practically a dream house. Kageri didn't lie, everything was the best here. The best kitchen, the best library (yes, she loved that library, it was just so awesome), the most advance training grounds, her own swimming pool, her own music rooms (yes rooms, they were also all sound proof), her own ice-skating rank, her own dance studio, and her own personal robot maid to do the chores and serve her.
This suite is also multistory with at least seven levels to it (how Kageri had his workers dig so deep without anyone noticing is a mystery). The most bottom level is the swimming pool along with the skating rank and dance studio, the negative sixth level is her training grounds, the negative fifth level is her library, the music rooms and a few studies. The negative fourth level is her master bedroom with two other rooms (one is especially for Rei). Her room had a huge build-in closet, a personal bathroom with the most relaxing bath and shower, a king-sized bed, a mahogany desk and other furniture that was scattered around the room. The theme of her room was gold and purple and it was made to be comfortable yet elegant. The negative third level is the other free rooms with their own personal bathrooms. The negative second level was the kitchen with the dining room. The most top level (where the door to the suite was located) has the living room, game room and recreation room. There were also two elevators and two pair of stairs within the suite and they both require identification in order to use it, but like the illusion and barrier Alice that's used on the suite, it recognizes you. If it didn't, then it would deny you access even if you use an Alice to pretend to be the people with the authorization.
"I am glad that you like it, Mikan," Kageri said with a proud smile.
"I love you, Kage-otousan. This is the most awesome house ever!" Mikan declared as she ran towards Kageri to give him a big hug full of thanks. "Thank you so much!"
"Anything for you, Mikan."
"I know," Mikan whispered softly as her hold on Kageri tightened.
Thanks for reading this new chapter. :) I hope you guys enjoyed it. I think Mikan no kimi is what the MSP calls Mikan, correct me if I am wrong. Don't you love this new place that Mikan owns? lol. The ESP just doesn't seem like the kind of person who would let Mikan, his beloved daughter, live in a dungeon that is dirty and such.
It would be nice if you guys leave your feedback.
Bye~ Until next time~
~Zenophobiaz
Published: 12-12-10
Edited: 12-13-10Thank you to lurker for pointing out my mistake in Mikan's introduction, when I read it I felt SO stupid~! I accidentally had mikan introduce herself as Sakura Mikan when she is clearly not able to remember the last name she had. lol. Thanks so much, lurker~! But i wonder why no one else caught that (including myself)... lol. :D But yeah, now it's fixed.
Edited: 03-15-11 Meh... found more mistakes while I was reading through it, so here's the new edited version.
Edited: 10-07-11
