Hi guys. I'm back after more than a month. Sadly, our computer was not working for the whole month I'm out that's why I couldn't update. Also, I was busy for our final exams -_-
That's why, to make up for it, I made a longer chapter than my usual chapter. Hope you like it. Thanks for those who understand. :D
Chapter 3
MIKAN's POV
The car came to a halt. I peeked through the window and saw an enormous gate with intricate design. Shiro went out of the car and talked to the guard. After a few minutes, Shiro went back in the car.
"Are you ready, Mikan? We're going inside the academy now." He questioned. Using my transformation alice, my wavy auburn hair turned to straight black with some curl locks at the end while my hazelnut eyes changed to cold azure. I looked at my reflection in the window, and then nodded in response.
As the enormous gate opened, I immediately saw three huge buildings, probably one each for elementary, middle school and high school division. We headed to the largest of the three buildings.
Shiro opened the door of the car, signalling me to come out. A teacher wearing a pink frilly dress matched with tight white pants. I sweat dropped. 'Wow. Is he gay or what?'
"Welcome to Alice Academy, Suzuki-chan! We've been expecting you for a while now. I'm Narumi and I'll be your homeroom teacher in Class 2-J. Here in this envelope contains your important papers including your admission slip, keys to your dorm, and a map of this school. If you have any questions or clarifications, don't hesitate to ask me, neh?". I nodded and smiled.
"Thank you, Narumi-sensei." He grinned in response.
"No need to thank me, it's my job anyway. Oh, your class will start tomorrow so you can rest later after our tour. Your uniform has been delivered ahead to your room already." He already started walking away, so I followed him. I looked back and saw Shiro following with the two luggage in his hands.
I did not really pay attention on what sensei was saying because I was busy observing my new "home" for a while, that I didn't notice that Narumi already stopped in his tracks in front of my dorm room, I suppose. I almost bumped into him. Phew.
"Well, Suzuki-chan", he said as he opened the door, "this will be your room. Hope you enjoy your stay here in Gakuen Alice. You can just explore this anytime you feel like it. You can rest now since I know you're quite tired already." He turned to Shiro who just put down the two luggage few seconds ago. "I'll escort you back to the car."
Before Narumi-sensei closed the door, he winked at me, "Ja~ne! I'll be fetching you tomorrow morning!" I sighed. 'This is one heck of a day. Hope something interesting happens.'
I looked around the room. It was simple yet cosy. The walls were white with purple streaks and whirls and the floor was smooth. There was a dark violet queen-sized bed, and a comfy mini sofa in front of the television. The kitchen was complete with any stuff you need, basically to cook, and the fridge was filled with different kinds of foods and drinks. Perfumed rose petals were scattered in the floor of the bathroom and the tub, filling the room with a sweet scent. I sat on the bed and bounced (literally), like a child.
'Hmmnn. This feels like home.' I inhaled the strawberry-scent filling the room and unwanted thoughts entered my mind. 'Okaa-san, otou-san, You-chan, Hotaru, how are you all? I'm quite doing well. I hope all of you too.'
I felt a hot fluid on my cheeks and that's the time I actually noticed I'm crying. Finally, for a long time, rather, since that time, I let myself cry heart out. With no one's watching me, no one's going to hurt me or punish me. And after this, everything will be back to how the way it is. The reality, the present. Just a little bit more, Mikan. This is my last chance. I have to fulfil this mission. I have to.
After crying that seemed a thousand years, it was already late in the afternoon and I heard my stomach making weird noises. I glanced at my watch and it's already 5:45pm. Gee, might as well eat dinner since I missed lunch. I went to the bathroom to wash my face and remove the tear marks then changed into casual clothes—skinny jeans, fit shirt on top and my high-cut shoes. I let my auburn hair down (A/N: Mikan is not using her transformation alice, so she has her normal or real appearance), put some clip to it which compliments my outfit. I snatched my bag containing my wallet, card, keys and map and I grabbed my jacket before sneaking into the window so that no one sees me. I immediately took the bus and dropped off at the Central Town.
"So, this is the Central town, huh?" I said to myself. By the time I arrived, I checked my watch and it's already 6pm. I started strolling around to look for some nice place to eat and I finally saw a small but beautiful café. 'Hmmn, sounds good.' And as if in agreement, my stomach grumbled. I was only a few steps away to my "heaven" when-
"KYAAAHHHHHHH!" a faint scream came from nearby. Desolately, I think I was the only one who noticed it because most of the people just came passing by like they heard nothing and I think it's really impossible for you to hear that scream unless you're trained like me, due to the whole Central Town was noisy and filled with people chattering, laughing, playing, negotiating, etc.
I followed the direction where I heard the voice. 'Geez, fine! Dinner can wait.' I fastened my steps toward the dark corner which leads into a dark narrow alley way. I immediately saw three men crowding in an area and a girl around 13 years old, cornered. I decided to hide in the post and listen first to their conversation.
"Hey you, little brat! If you dare shout again, we will make sure we'll hurt you.", said the men with dark brown hair. Judging by his size, being the well-built among them, and the multiple piercings in his both ears, nose and tongue 'Gross', he is the leader.
"Ahemm." I faked cough as I decided to come out and reveal myself. Only the girl seemed to notice me as she looked at me with horror still on her face and as if giving me a go-and-run-away-save-yourself look. Poor girl, I thought.
I fumed with anger not because the three bastards didn't notice me but because of what they've doing of threatening a 13-year-old girl. For heaven's sake! Judging by the looks of the three men, they only want money from the girl, probably to suit their needs-no, scratch that-vices. Yes, vices. I could not hold my temper any longer so I kicked straight in the butt the so-called leader.
"Who the hell had the guts to do this to me?!" The man scowled. The other two men quickly pointed at me. 'Great! He only noticed me now. What a dumbass.'
"Eh?" was his only response. I could tell by the look in his eyes that he doesn't believe that I could do it, then suddenly, his look turned to malicious from shock and confusion. I could practically see him drooling over my body and at the same time I feel disgusted and creepy as if being ripped naked. 'Ewww. Gross.'
To snap him away from his trance, I 'knee-d' him hard in the you-know part and I smirked as I heard him on agony and pain.
"That's what you get for threatening for a young girl and for underestimating me. And Oh, please. Stop fantasizing over my body 'coz it's utterly disgusting." I said 'dramatically' and in a mockery tone.
The other two men seemed prepared to attack me as they see their leader still crouching in pain but they were stopped by the leader itself as he raised his hand. 'Oh, he recovers pretty fast. Hm.'
"I can handle this." He said confidently but his little growl did not miss my ears.
"Oh, really?" I challenged. "You seem to be still in pain…"
"Tch. When I win, you will be mine." he said as he licked his lips like a predator ready to catch his prey—which is me.
"That is, if you could win." I snickered. He threw a punch at me, whom I dodged easily and I gave him a counter punch on the jaw. He tried to trip me but completely failed. I hit him on the back of his neck and soon he was unconscious. 'So much for your strength but too bad, I'm quick.'
I looked up to the other men but they're nowhere to be found. 'What a bunch of cowards.' I smiled in victory.
THE GIRL's POV
I stood there frozen in my spot as I watched the beautiful brunette dodged easily the attacks of the big man. As soon the man was unconscious, I gasped and my jaw dropped in amazement and surprise.
"Close your mouth, dear. You might catch a fly." The pretty lady said as she was walking towards me. I instantly closed my mouth and I noticed my tears have already dried up and stopped.
"Now tell me, what are you doing on a dark place here?" This time the lady kneeled in front of me and patted my head. 'Eh? This scene seems familiar.' I shook my head and knocked off my thought. I could see the worried face of the lady from my reaction.
"Ah, gomen. Ano—I was waiting for nii-san and chi-chan when these men came to me and brought me here. They were asking for money but I couldn't give it to them because I was supposed to use it to buy a surprise gift for chi-chan on his incoming birthday." I explained. I looked down as I could feel my cheeks turned red and hot. 'This is so embarrassing.' Then I heard the lady chuckled. 'Woah. Her chuckle is soft and melodic. Just like an angel.'
"It's okay, you don't have to explain. But next time you should be more careful, okay?" I only nodded as I stared into her hazelnut brown orbs. This time I saw her face clearly. She looks like a real angel, but those eyes, they seem so sad.
"Why are you sad?" I blurted out my thought. As soon as I realized the words I said, I regretted it straightaway because I saw her eyes widened in shock for a second.
"Gomen, I didn't mean to—" She replied before I could even finish my sentence.
"It's okay." Then she smiled but a sad one. "Hmmn, you know, I have also a special friend who's going to celebrate his birthday. But sadly, I can't see him."
I decided not to ask further cause she seems to be so sad.
MIKAN's POV
I was taken aback by what the girl asked. For a long time, she's the first person to see through my façade. And somehow, those crimson eyes remind me of someone. Someone I seemed to forget. My thoughts were cut when I heard the girl talk.
"Ah, thank you very much pretty nee-chan for saving me. You're just like onii-san. Sugoi! (Amazing!)" I inwardly smiled when I heard her call me pretty nee-chan.
"You're welcome, but you don't have to call me pretty nee-chan. Just call me Mikan-nee, okay?" I replied.
"Hai! Thank you again, Mikan-nee." She beamed.
"Come on. Your onii-san and chi-chan might be worried and are already waiting for you." She gladly took my hand and we walked side by side like there are no other people in this world. 'This surely feels nostalgic.'
"Ne, Mikan-nee," I nodded to let her know I'm listening and to continue talking, "can I introduce you to nii-san and chi-chan?"
"Gomen but can you keep this as a secret for now that you met me? You see, there are so many things and reasons I can't tell you." I truthfully said. I saw her frown so I decided to reassure her. "But when the right time comes, I'd love to meet your onii-san and chi-chan. How about it?"
Her face brightened and plastered a big warm smile. "Hai! I understand Mikan-nee. Oh! Nii-san is already there." She pointed towards a figure of a man.
"I see," I responded. "so, this is goodbye then?" She nodded slowly then stared through my eyes directly.
"Promise me Mikan-nee that we will meet again and I'll introduce you to my nii-san and chi-chan as my savior." I could not help but smile to this girl. "Promise." And then we pinky-swear-'ed'.
As I was about to leave, I forgot to ask her name. "Oh, by the way, what's your name little girl?" I teased.
"Mou, Mikan-nee. Don't call me that. You're just like onii-san too. I have a name and I'm already 13 years old." She pouted. "I'm Aoi."
"Hmm, okay. Goodbye Aoi-chan. Till we meet next time." She waved her hand as she bade goodbye to me and run to his onii-san's direction. While me, I headed back to my dorm as I was not hungry anymore for some reasons. 'Well, today was not really a bad day. I hope I can keep my promise to Aoi-chan.'
I stretched my hands out in the air. "Hmmmmn… hopefully, tomorrow will be a good day."
NORMAL POV
Unknown to her, a pair of shocked eyes was watching the entire scene.
Chapter End
TO ALL READERS:
A/N: I would just like to thank all of you. And special thanks again for those who followed, reviewed and 'favourite-d'.
Till the next chap. ;)
P.S. TO MY CLASSMATES JAKE, KRISTYL AND MIMI (If you're not them, don't bother reading :) )
Yow. If you're reading this, well,- waaahhh! Grabeh jake. Ayaw gad ini ig spread ha mga cm natun kay makaarawod xD. Thank you ngean han libre. Sa uulitin. :D To kristyl: hello. Haha. Maaram ak baga't tae ini xDD balit, mamimiss ta kaw :')To mimi: Hi. How are you?. Anu tim course? :) Cge tawa na kamu nga dire ak nakita. Haha. Lol. BYE.