Chapter 13: The Help
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There's so much to talk about.
Featuring volunteers and beliefs.
Gakuen Alice and its characters are the wonderful creations of Tachibana Higuchi.
"Thank you for accompanying me today, Shiki-san," Mikan said as she placed flowers in front of her parents' tombstone. It was just an hour after sunrise. Shiki knew that Mikan was never inclined to wake up this early. This was also the first time for the two of them to visit Yuka and Izumi without anybody else present.
"You can ask me to accompany you any time, Mikan-chan."
"Um, Shiki-san? I also asked you to come here because I wanted to ask you something."
"I thought as much. Go on."
"I'm sorry. I didn't mean to offend you, Shiki-san."
"I'm not offended. Is it correct to assume that you brought me here because I would never tell a lie in front of your parents?" He gave her a small smile.
"I'm really sorry. I just… I mean… I'm sorry. I talked to Narumi-sensei recently. Oh my, I shouldn't have said that!"
"I won't tell you lies. Not here, not anywhere else. You're here to ask me about the threats outside the academy?"
"Yes. I know you can't tell me everything. Narumi-sensei didn't! I promise. Please don't punish him."
"Since you asked me, I promise I won't. I can't guarantee that Principal Yukihira will have the same course of action as mine."
"I hope he does. Uncle can be quite…what's that word? Vindictive. That sounds about right. This is my fault. Me and my runaway mouth!"
"Well, let's talk about what you want to know. Narumi has been popping in and out of the school because his hands are full. I'm sure he told you that at least."
"I guess he did." Mikan sighed. "Narumi-sensei said he was involved in dealing with the trouble being caused by the merged group of the Alice Hunters and Imperium."
"Behemoth."
"I don't understand, Shiki-san."
"The merged group of the Alice Hunters and Imperium is called Behemoth. They joined forces not long after your return to the academy."
"I see. Narumi-sensei also said that you're involved in dealing with the remnants of the Z Organization because it's your specialty."
"I don't think that's the proper word to describe it, but I'll let that one slide. The remnants of the Z Organization call themselves Genesis now."
"I want to know something else, Shiki-san. Despite his missions, Narumi-sensei doesn't let Fukutan-sensei completely take over his teaching duties in the Elementary School Division. And Shiki-san, you're here to uphold the barrier protecting the academy and manage the Middle School Division. There must be a lot of people helping deal with Behemoth and Genesis."
Shiki hesitated, knowing what Mikan meant. He looked at the names engraved in the tombstone. He could choose not to answer her, but he knew that a lie of omission still counted as lying. He looked back at Mikan. Her face was full of concern.
"There are people you know among them. You must have an idea of who they are. Sakurano's involved with affairs regarding Imperium but he doesn't go out as much as Narumi. Jinno's grooming him to be the future Principal of the Elementary School Division."
"I think that suits him! How about Tsubasa-senpai and Misaki-senpai? They graduated a year earlier than usual after all. Did they work with Shuichi-nii-san?"
"No. Your friends helped with efforts against the Alice Hunters, before that group merged with Imperium. Harada, as you may already know, insisted on joining despite her boyfriend's wishes. It was nothing too risky and Harada barely did fieldwork."
"That must have been Tsubasa-senpai's condition for letting her take part at all."
"Yes. Don't worry. They're not involved in anything now and I'll make sure they won't be troubled by enemies."
Mikan nodded, then smiled.
"Kaname-senpai hinted that during the time I was away those two had a really big fight. I think what you just told me made it clear what that fight was about. Did you ever meet Kaname-senpai, Shiki-san? He was here recently to do research at the library and to spend time with Bear."
"No, I haven't." Shiki wished she wouldn't ask the question he knew was coming next.
"How about Genesis? Is there anyone I know who's helping in dealing with the members of Genesis?"
"The former members of the Dangerous Ability Class except Hijiri-kun are involved."
"Is Persona also involved?" Mikan's whispered.
"Yes. He volunteered, like everyone else I mentioned. Rui Amane, Hajime Yakumo and Hayate Matsudaira get information from him and one of them relays it to us. It's a different messenger every single time. I can't disclose the process of how we receive the information."
"I understand, Shiki-san."
"I also honestly don't know how Persona sends information to his former students but everything that has reached us has turned out to be accurate."
Mikan grabbed one of Shiki's hands. "Please, Shiki-san. Can you at least tell me Persona's whole family is safe?"
"I understand how worried you must be. All I can tell you is that we have not received any distress signal from Persona."
"What if an emergency situation arises and he can't even give the distress signal? Do you know where his family is? Can the academy send someone to help them right away?"
"You have to trust him like you did when you took his hand for the first time. Nobody knows where they are because they keep moving and it's better that way, Mikan-chan."
"Thank you for telling me all of this, Shiki-san." She loosened her grip on the Middle School Principal's hand and walked away, lost in thought.
The following days after that conversation with Shiki were hard for Mikan. She kept thinking of Persona, Nobara and their young child.
"How I wish they'd have a happy ending," Mikan said as she walked around aimlessly.
"What are you talking about?"
"Ah, Hotaru! I didn't notice you were here."
"Clearly." She flicked Mikan's forehead. Now, let's talk. I hope you haven't forgotten that we need to talk about what you decided to do after we graduate."
"Hey, you already know that I've decided to follow Narumi-sensei's advice on what to course to pursue! I'm so proud of myself for submitting my form earlier than Mochu, Koko and Kitsu."
"That's not what we have to talk about and you know it. And I don't see why you should be proud of submitting your form 10 minutes before the deadline. Anyway, you were only seven seconds earlier than those three. You're all procrastinators at heart."
"At least we didn't pass it after the deadline like Natsume. Isn't it so cool that Mochu wants to be an emergency medical services pilot? I can't fail to mention that the school he aspires to go to also has the same initials as our academy. Very cool!"
"Right. Alice Academy. Alpha Aviation. AA and AA. Cool." Hotaru rolled her eyes.
"See, even you acknowledge it! Oh, oh there's another cool thing! Mochu wants to be an emergency medical services pilot while Ruka has even planned ahead for graduate school where he'll take up Veterinary Emergency Medicine in Tokyo University. Emergency and Emergency. How brave of them. And then-"
"For goodness sake, Mikan."
"I thought I could distract you. At least I tried."
They reached a bench and sat without talking for a while. Mikan looked at her hands.
"Hotaru, I'm not changing my mind. I've learned a few details of what's going on outside and I'm more resolved than ever to stay behind. I won't leave the academy immediately right after graduation. It really is the best course of action to take to ensure my safety."
"Tell me what you know, Mikan." Mikan did and Hotaru didn't butt in the whole time. When Mikan finished, Hotaru closed her eyes.
"What I hate most about this whole business of you staying here is that there's merit in it. But I'm still not willing to let that happen. I'm sure Hyuuga and Nogi feel the same way."
Mikan resisted the urge to tell her best friend about the time she caught Ruka muttering the genius inventor's first name.
"I know that, Hotaru. Well, I still haven't asked Narumi-sensei and Shiki-san what I'll be doing in the two extra years I'll be staying here."
"Mikan, do you really believe they'll let you leave the academy after two years?" Hotaru slowly opened her eyes.
"Yes, Hotaru. Yes, I believe that."
"You idiot. I suppose you think that this firm belief of yours is cool."
Mikan gasped and put her hands on Hotaru's shoulders. Hotaru brushed them off right away with a glare.
"What do you think you're doing?"
"Hotaru Imai! Did I hear you correctly? Did you just make a joke?"
"Why, is that illegal?"
"No, it's a miracle! Oh, I'm sorry I didn't laugh. It was so surprising! I can't believe it. My best friend cracked a joke."
"I'm not doing it again. Let's go. I'm hungry. Pay for me."
"Are you asking me to pay for that joke? You're not being fair. You're rich!"
"Oh, I know that. You're still paying."
End of Thirteenth Chapter