Boy is it hot in here, thought Mikan even though it was only midway through spring. She wanted to disappear into the ground badly, but she knew her Alice wouldn't help her in that department. She pushed herself up off the floor, not daring to look at the class.

"Well," said Misaki-sensei, clearing his throat, "Why don't you introduce yourself to the class."

Sweat was running down her face and pooling above her upper lip, nearly smudging her dark purple lipstick. She could only pray that her mascara was in tact. Mikan tried to comprehend what the teacher was saying but he seemed to be speaking a completely different language.

Then she remembered what Reiko had told her:

"There is nothing wrong with being afraid, Mikan, but when you're in a pit full of snakes don't let your fear show. Snakes can smell fear. Always remember that."

Feeling a bit more courage she looked up. That's right. They're just a pit full of snakes. They can smell fear.

"My name is Sakura Mikan, pleased to meet you."

The rest of the class just gaped at her. One girl with purple eyes was especially surprised. Come to think of it Mikan had seen her somewhere. But there was no way that that girl could be the girl Mikan thought she was. That's just impossible, thought Mikan, she can't be here of all places.

"Now then, why don't you take the empty seat in the back by the window? You can just watch for this lesson." Misaki-sensei went back to teaching but no one was paying attention. I knew I should have changed, thought Mikan, but then she changed her mind remembering Reiko.

"In this world, Mikan, people scorn us for being different. Once you're too afraid to be who you are, they've won."

That's right, thought Mikan; I'm a Kamikaze Girl no matter how you look at it. Reiko would be disappointed if she knew I was ashamed. Reiko… I wonder what you're doing. She looked out the window longingly. Being part of a racing gang wasn't all that fun. To be honest some of the girls scared her, but when she jumped on her moped and sped down the street, she was able to forget about her pain. She got a thrill out of not know whether she would crash or not. Besides if Reiko hadn't found her she didn't know how she would have survived on the streets. Onee-chan how is the gang? I bet Momoko and Rheina are glad I'm gone. Today was the big race, but I'm sorry; I missing it.

Mikan sighed. Today had been far too tiring for her. She sensed someone looking at her. It was the blond guy who sat two seats away from her. "Nani? What do you want?"

The boy immediately looked way. Honestly, thought Mikan, I know I look weird but don't these people have any manners?

"That's all for today. See you all tomorrow." And with that Misaki sensei left the room, leaving Mikan in a pit full of snakes without a snake handler.

"Don't think you can scare us all," said a curly haired girl suddenly. "You may think you're tough, but you're no match against us."

"I wasn't aware that I was scaring anyone. In fact you're scaring me a bit, Permy."

"P-PERMY???"

"Yeah, I have a knack for making knick names. Like it? I think it suits you well."

"S-Shut up. I'll get you for this. C'mon girls, I don't want to waste anymore of my free time on this street rat when I should be looking for Natsume."

Mikan just shrugged. "I'd like to see you try, Permy."

Permy just turned around with a "humph!" and walked out of the room with her posse tailing behind her.

"Anyone else have a problem with me?" Mikan looked around.

"What makes you think you're so big?" piped up a boy with purple hair. His face curled into a mischievous smile and he started to stare at Mikan intensely.

"Not now. Lets go see what's up with Natsume, he should be back by now if his plan didn't work," said the blond haired boy sitting two seats away. The majority of the class left giving Mikan angry and scared looks.

There were only two students left. The purple eyed girl and a timid boy with glasses. "Welcome to Alice Academy, Sakura-san," said the boy shyly, but respectfully all the same, "My name is Tobita Yuu, but everyone calls me Iinchou." Mikan was glad at least one person in the class had manners.

"Call me Mikan," Mikan said shortly, "What's with the rest of the class? It's like they've never seen a street thug before."

"Well, some of them haven't seen the outside world since they were five."

"Five? But I'm sure some of them must have—"

"Tobita, you're needed at the student council meeting," said a boy who poked his head into the classroom.

"Yes, I'll be there in a second! Bye Mikan! It was nice meeting you," said Tobita.

Mikan raised a hand in the air as a response and put her feet up on the desk in front of her. She wasn't sure where she was supposed to go so she decided to just wait there. Then she remembered the purple-eyed girl, who looked painfully like someone she once knew. The girl was staring at her intensely but little emotion played across her face.

"Why don't you take a picture? It'll last longer," Mikan said irritably. The girl said nothing. "Is there something that you want? You know I really hate it when people st—"

"Mikan?" said the girl.

"Yes, as I've told everyone, that is my name," Mikan snapped.

"Mi…kan" said the girl dazedly.

"Look you're really starting to freak me out, so—"

"It's me, Hotaru."

Mikan's eyes went wide.

"H-Hotaru?"