ATTENTION Derp1Derp2: Not in this chapter sorry, but the next one.
Here's chapter 3
Disclaimer as per usual.
The gang were all gathered together in Natsume's dorm, processing the information of seeing Mikan, after four years, standing on the stage announcing something dire. She was different, completely different compared to four years ago. She was different in the way she acted, the way she carried herself. It was like she was somebody else.
And what exactly the hell was Alice Guardian? Who is Rin Kimura? Where did they go? Why didn't she tell them anything?
Koko groaned. "Guys guys, please, you're giving me a headache."
A few of them apologised.
"This is so weird." Mochu sighed.
"Can't agree more with you there." Kitsu replied.
"We should head back to class." Iinchou suggested.
"Do you think Mikan's gonna be in our class?" Ruka asked as they all filed out of Natsume's room.
Hotaru scoffed. "I highly doubt it. If they're serious about this war preparation, she won't be in any classes, she'll be teaching them."
"Yeah, you're right."
Natsume hung back at the back of the crowd to think some more. While up on the stage, he tried to figure Mikan out, but it was hard when he couldn't even get past her outward changes. Her hair was shorter, neck length and almost looked choppy. Her eyes no longer had the wide and innocent look in them anymore. There was a seriousness about her expression and seemed a little gaunt. There was a rather large scar from the middle of her left cheek down to the right side of her neck. He knew she wasn't okay because he saw himself in her.
And so, the question they should all be asking was, what happened?
"Natsume, c'mon man."
Said teen realized he stopped walking and the rest were a few meters ahead of him. He caught up and they entered the classroom to resume their daily routine of learning.
"Rin and Hayate, train the elementary kids. Mikan and Hajime on the middle school students, and Rui and I on the high school students." Persona ordered when Friday came around. "Remember, three hours with each class."
The three pairs separated from their rendezvous point at the National Alice Academy Headquarters (NAAH).
Rin was excited to be teaching children. Contrary to popular belief, he was one of the small percentage of the male population, who wasn't a father, that liked kids and working with them. He loved feeling pride whenever a child accomplishes whatever they set their mind to, no matter how small or big it was. Encouraging children to be better was what he liked to do because it showed that he was making a difference in the world. Their happy smiles full of joy and pride was one of the best things in the world.
"Why am I teaching kids?" Hayate asked. Because honestly, he wasn't fit to. What if he says something mean or push them too hard in their training? He'd be held responsible and feels that he's not ready for that. Besides that, he once called Nobara a creepy stalker or something along those lines when she hadn't even hit the double digits in her life yet.
"Because Persona says to." Rin answered before looking at the older boy with a raised brow. "You're worried."
Hayate shrugged. "Well yeah. They're children. They're fragile."
Rin scoffed. "Children are a lot tougher than you think. Besides, you're here to help them, not break them. You'll be fine."
Hayate sighed. "I'll take your word for it."
Rin smirked. "You should."
They entered their first class and multiple pairs of innocent eyes stared at them with curiosity. Hayate gulped. Rin smiled.
"Who's ready to learn how to fight?"
"Me!"
Persona internally groaned. Why he chose to partner up with Rui was beyond him. The man was talking his ears off. Hajime would have been a better choice.
"…and look at you! No mask, no nail polish, no high heeled boots, no Alice controllers, and less black! You look so much better! But I'm more excited to see Tsubasa-kun and Nobara-chan. How do you think she looks now? I bet she's a beautiful young woman and all the boys are flocking to her…"
Persona tuned him out once the thought of Nobara didn't pass. She was the only one to not have been affected by his Alice upon first contact. He didn't know why but he was glad for it. And how was she, he wondered. Had she made anymore girl friends since Mikan's disappearance? Does she have friends at all? He remembered that people never dared to go near her because of her Alice and she was also too shy to make friends. Was she confident now?
"Ahh, how nostalgic."
They stopped outside of the high school division's building. Rui took the moment to take in the sight and reminisce.
"Okay, I'm done. Let's get this show on the road!"
Persona shook his head. Hajime would've been a really great choice. But, Rui's harshness does compensate. He could tolerate his enthusiastic self. After all, he did put up with Mikan and Rin whenever they were together.
Mikan gave a shaky sigh as her and Hajime walked through the halls of the middle school building to their first class. It was going to be hard and awkward seeing her friends again. Especially with how she left and currently treated them. And then they'll ask questions she can't answer.
Great.
"Nervous?" Hajime questioned. She seemed so confident last week on the stage.
"Yup." Mikan answered. "It's going to be hard to interact with people you never said goodbye to."
"Harsh."
Mikan nodded. "How about you, nervous to teach immature and rebellious teens?"
Hajime scoffed. "My general presence and disposition will be enough to keep them in line, add to that my Alice."
Mikan gave a short laugh. "I can't agree more with you on that."
They stopped at Class A and was happy to note that it was quiet behind doors. Maybe these teens weren't as rebellious and immature as they had expected.
Author's note:
Just to explain something, the story in the previous chapters and from now to the war, will be told in little snippets as you've already read, just to get the story going. When the war part comes, that's when I'll put more details into the chapter, hopefully I don't forget and fulfill what I just said.
As for the three graduates that were once DA students, I apologize if they seem OOC. But seeing their character from a logical point of view, they would've grown, matured, or changed since leaving the academy. Plus, in general, adult life changes people, hence, a conversational (if you can call it that from what you've read) Hajime.
Reviews are greatly appreciated. Hate is not tolerated. Constructive criticism are well accepted. Questions will be answered in the next chapter or expect a message.
