The alarm beside me rang out, its shrill sound enough to pull me out of stupor from that dream.

It seemed real.

But I know I can't stay here contemplating that. It was just a dream anyway. A bothersome one.

I quickly fixed myself and walked out, nearly bumping to someone.

"Oh, sorry." I quickly blurt out, looking to who I almost hit.

It was Kondo, and by the looks of it, he looks rather lost. Again.

Kondo noticed my soft gaze on him and sheepishly smiled. "Sorry Ma'am, I thought that this was the classroom."

I smiled back. The visit to Byron about last night can wait.

"Let me guide you back."

"Hey, Kondo. Where have you been?" Okita said, as he exasperatedly let out a sigh.

The class, as I've heard, formed little search teams to find their class president before homeroom.

Hijikata laughed. "At least you are here."

I've noticed that the class was divided to two circle of friends. One group composed of Hijikata, kondo, Okita, Yamazaki, Saito, Keiki and Kyo. Okubo, Sakamato, Takasugi and Katsura formed another one. That left Yuki and Kirisato, who can fit into both, and Todo.

"Your turn." I said to Kirisato, who was the one on the thin end of the bottle.

For my first homeroom class, I've decided to know the class better. And this is why we ended up playing a game of truth or dare.

"Dare."

"Of course of course. I never heard Kirisato ever saying truth." Sakamoto commented, earning him a wink from Kirisato.

Okita willingly raised his hand. "I'll give the dare."

I just nodded.

"I dare Kirisato to look like me for the next 3 turns."

Chorus of laughter resonated around the room as Kirisato stood up and transformed to Okita.

Wait, transformed?
One time, Kirisato was just there. And then, in the blink of eye, he looked like a spitting image of the one who dared him.

Noticing my shock, Okita laughed harder. Yamazaki elbowed him, but it did nothing to shut him up.

Todo, taking my distraction to his advantage, swiftly took off from the window. But the window suddenly turned into a wall, so instead of passing through, he stopped, and disappeared.

But not before throwing daggers to Sakamoto's direction, who looked like the culprit behind the window wall. He looked at the daggers with what looked like fear.

I instantly ran to Sakamoto's direction, pushing him out of the way as I closed my eyes and braced for impact.

But that never came.

I opened my eyes and see the daggers bouncing harmlessly on what looked like an invisible wall around me.

The other students looked rather shocked.

"Miss, are you ok?" Kondo immediately said, his hands rushing to my face to take a better look. Katsura did the same to Sakamoto, who looked pretty upset about dropping food he was about to eat before Kirisato's transformation.

I immediately stood up.

"Is everyone all right?"

All nodded. I sighed gratefully. And then, everything turned black.

"-told you-not safe!"

"—dangerous - first."

I groggily stood up, trying my best to focus on hearing those voices who were obviously talking about me.

I was in what looks like the school's infirmary. The people talking were my fellow faculty members, with Byron, Giles and Albert listening.

They all were arguing.

Leo was the first to notice me awake. He rushed towards my side and asked if I was all right. I nodded.

"See, she's not ready." Alyn grumbled.

I perked up at that, but instantly regretted it as a sharp pain overcame me. It feels like my head's trying to split itself into two.

Giles sat beside the bed and patted my head. "Rest first."

"What am I supposed to be ready for?" I said. I don't want to be kept in the dark. The incident last night was bothering. But what happened at my class is disturbing. Wait, the class. "Is the kids ok? Where is Todo?"

Byron touched my forehead, and I feel sleepy. But I want to know the answers. Fighting off Byron and his ability which I don't know, the pain in my head throbbed.

At last, after moments of struggle, Byron let go. He smiled at me, while gesturing for the others to go outside.

"Giles and Nico will explain everything for you."

Everyone except the two walked off from the room. When the door shut, I can't help hearing the voices arguing. Again.

Nico gave me a glass of water. Realizing I was thirsty, I happily accepted the offer.

Giles spoke. "I knew you were special when you applied here."

"What does that mean, exactly?" I asked.

Nico found a seat and sat beside Giles. The guidance counselor continued. "You have abilities, like the ones here at this school. Abilities that can threaten others and bring harm to yourself."

What the hell?

"This morning, yours was triggered to protect your student, Sakamoto, from Todo's misdemeanor. And behalf of that, I'm sorry for putting you in this situation. And in that class." Giles ended.

I shook my head. "I would never regret teaching any class. But why gather kids? Is this something like the X-Men?"

Nico snickered at that. Giles sighed and nodded. "Something like that. This place is built for protection. Beyond that, I can't tell no more."

Everything started to sink in. The weirdness of everything, the so-called abilities and the people having them. Including me.

It all sounded absurd. But it does fill in the gaps. But not all of them.

"I am still skeptical," I stated and both the men beside me just nodded at that. "Can you show me your abilities?"

Giles looked at Nico, and the young teacher just shrugged and smiled.

"If that is what you want, then we'll show you."

Giles touched my hand, and I instantly felt pain, intense pain.

Nico touched my hand and does the same as Giles, hurting me.

"I'll leave it for you to understand." Giles, along with Nico stood up, and walked out of the room.

I woke up in the sound of people talking. They were not the same set of voices I heard earlier. It was younger.

"We might wake her up." Said one of the voices.

"She is you dumbass."

All looked at me as I giggled. It was a sweet gesture, visiting me. I can't help but smile.

Kyo gives me a basket of fruits. "For you, Miss." I muttered my thanks.

I counted them, noticing that Todo was not with the students.

After some random chitchat and entertaining performances from the kids, they all said their goodbyes. All except Saito.

Saito shyly approached me, his gaze peaceful yet serene. He sat at one of the chairs beside me. I gently rubbed his hand. He looked at me with his uncovered eye, silently communing with me.

It was peaceful, with him like that.

"I don't know what to say. Sorry, Miss."

I looked at him and saw he wasn't speaking. He was talking to me in my head.

"It's ok." I replied, still in my head.

"I guess, I just wanted to say thanks for…protecting us back there. And for finding me in the party."

I squeezed his hand, and he squeezed back. He then stood and walked to the door.

"We'll always be there." was the last thing he said before cutting off the telepathic communication.


Oh my, sorry for the late updates guys. (Is there one even reading? :'( ) Sorry if I have a bit of favoritism towards Saito. he was my baby in DtL but he will not be the love interest of our dear Raven.