Chapter 19: Truth Be Told

Sharing concerns with friends relieves one's heart.
Featuring glares and that High School Building room again.

Gakuen Alice and its characters are the wonderful creations of Tachibana Higuchi.

It was drizzling one afternoon. Yuu, Kitsu, Koko and Mochu were running late to the gathering. School work had kept the boys apart for a few weeks. There was only a month to go before their first year of Specialist Training concluded. They only had two more years left to study in Alice Academy.

Natsume and Ruka sat opposite each other in the gazebo where the boys usually hung out during their free time.

"Please, Ruka. You don't have to stay here in the academy."

Natsume's eyes were pleading. Ruka looked annoyed. He banged his fist on the table. Natsume flinched a little. It was always painful for him when Ruka was upset, especially when he was the cause.

"Would you stop it, Natsume? We're in this together. I'm not leaving the academy without you. Do you really think I would abandon you? Is that how you think of me?"

"Ruka, that's not what I mean."

"Don't you remember the pact we made with Hotaru the day before we finally fetched Mikan? We promised that we would reunite with everyone, go back to the academy and set foot outside the academy's gates after we graduate."

"I never forgot that, Ruka. I swear. I still wish that would happen, but it doesn't appear to be the case. I can't leave if Mikan's staying here after graduation."

"How can I face your family if I leave you here? Aoi will never forgive me. I bet you haven't even told her yet. What about your Dad?"

"I'll tell them soon. I'm just figuring out how to say it. I think I'll tell Dad first. No, I'll definitely tell Dad first."

"This is stupid." Ruka sighed and shook his head.

"Ruka, I don't want to do this, either." Natsume looked away.

"Then don't do it, Natsume. It that's simple. Come on, you're supposed to be smart. Mikan's going to make a bigger fuss than me when she learns of your stupid plan."

"Probably."

"Don't worry, Natsume. I won't be the one to tell her. That's for you to do."

"Thanks, I guess." Natsume smirked.

Ruka rolled his eyes and Natsume resisted the urge to tell Ruka that the gesture reminded him of Hotaru. It was so funny.

"Natsume, I can't believe you've changed your mind just over a year after fighting with Mikan about it in this very gazebo."

"The truth is, I thought I could convince Mikan to change her mind. It's not going well."

"Changing Mikan's mind as hard as getting Hotaru to smile, Natsume. We'll figure out a way so Mikan won't have to stay here. You're the one who said so. Let's stick to that."

"You're right. I shouldn't give up."

"You still have two years to convince her. Hotaru and I will also keep trying."

Yuu, Koko and Mochu arrived a few minutes later. Koko looked concerned.

"I don't know where Kitsu is. He's not in his room or other places he frequently goes to," said Koko.

"Cheer up, buddy. I'm sure Kitsu will be here soon enough. Maybe he's just playing a prank on you. It won't be the first time," said Mochu.

"No, Mochu. I've got a bad feeling about this," said Koko.

"Maybe he's just working on something for Specialist Training. Do you have any projects left to accomplish, Koko?" said Mochu.

"I don't think that's the case, Mochu. Just yesterday, Kitsu was excitedly telling me about successfully finishing a game design document for class. He added that the teacher gave everyone in the gaming career path a week off," said Yuu.

"That's right. His plan was second only to Natsume's submission. I helped him a lot," said Koko. "Our great mentor, the ultimate boss, Umehara-sensei is filming an advertisement for Street Fighter V, so he's given us freedom for the time being. We don't really have much to do for this last month."

"Maybe Kitsu's going with Umehara-sensei. Okay, Koko. Stop it! You're giving me the Natsume glare. I'm just trying to ease the dark cloud hanging over you."

Natsume raised his eyebrows at Mochu. Ruka and Yuu laughed.

"You're right, Mochu. Maybe I'm just being paranoid. Maybe he's on a date. Anyway, I can happily inform you that I was a close third on that game design assignment. It turns out Kitsu and I are pretty skilled," said Koko.

Kitsu didn't show up after all. They decided to return their dormitory when it got dark. They went to Kitsu's room. He was there. He apologized for not making it to their gathering. They noticed that he had a lot on his mind.

Since Kitsu wasn't willing to share to his friends what he was concerned about, they decided to just give him space for the time being.

The truth was, Kitsu was talking with Narumi during the time the boys were supposed to meet up. Like Mikan previously, he was intrigued as Narumi led him to one of the rooms in the High School Building.

Kitsu watched curiously as Narumi turned a framed photo of Alice Academy by 15 degrees. The wall to the right moved to reveal another door.

Kitsu kept silent as Narumi placed his left hand on a scanner and entered the code that would admit them to another room. They sat down in the leather sofa.

"This is so cool, Narumi-sensei!"

"Don't tell anyone about this, Kitsu."

"Even if I did, I'm sure I can't find my way here again," said Kitsu as he scratched his chin.

"I'm serious."

"Okay, Narumi-sensei. I promise. You look serious enough to scare me. You're giving me something like the Natsume glare. What's up?"

"It's about Tohru Noyamano."

"Noyamano-senpai?"

"Yes, Kitsu."

"I don't understand, Narumi-sensei."

"Listen very well. You can ask questions after I've finished talking."

Kitsu nodded.

"Kitsu, Noyamano is a wanted terrorist. She's part of an organization that mainly consists of former members of the Z Organization.

"Noyamano-senpai, a terrorist?" Kitsu stood up defiantly. "No, it's a lie! She's an angel. Her vocals can lift up anyone who's having a bad day. Don't you remember her last solo performance before the graduation of their batch?"

"Please calm down, Kitsu. I know that it must be shocking for you. Honestly, it shocked me too. She appeared to be a very gentle soul whose life revolved around music."

"Why am I being told about this, Narumi-sensei?" Kitsu sat down.

"I've been asked to tell you this by the Middle School Principal. He's the one in charge of handling the threats posed by the organization I mentioned. Kitsu, you were one of the names in a list found in Noyamano's bag."

"What list?"

"The list was labelled as 'Possible Gateways to Alice Academy'. She left it as she was escaping government agents."

"Noyamano-senpai must be a sloppy terrorist to leave a list plainly written like that. Why doesn't Principal Shiki tell me himself if this is such big deal? I didn't know you were his errand boy now, Narumi-sensei." Kitsu crossed his arms.

"Kitsu, I am not an errand boy. Shiki was supposed to come with me but there was something he needed to attend to in the Middle School Department. Administration could be a headache sometimes."

"Principal Shiki looks like he's in a perpetual headache with that face of his."

"You're right, but we're getting off-topic now. The list found in Noyamano's bag was written in a cypher. It was decoded after three days of careful work. It was triple-checked before I went to tell you."

"What was my place on the list, Narumi-sensei?"

"You were the fifth one out of ten. Kitsu, I still haven't lost hope that your beloved senpai was just blackmailed into acting the way she did."

"What exactly did she do, Narumi-sensei?"

Narumi put a hand on Kitsu's shoulder and smiled sadly.

"I'm very sorry. I can't tell you that. This is what we ask of you. Alert us if Noyamano contacts you. Given our tight campus security, it is unlikely, but we're considering all the possible scenarios. Don't act on your own, okay?"

"Who's us, Narumi-sensei? How do I do alert you?"

"Well, I'm giving you a speech recognition gadget that alerts me, Sakurano and all the principals. An alert is sent if you speak a code phrase."

"Narumi-sensei, it looks really familiar. Ah, I got it! It looks like one of those wristbands you can win from the Central Town arcade shooting game."

"Exactly. Isn't it cool? It's waterproof too. I assure you that it only activates when you speak the code phrase, so we're not spying on you. I want you to trust the adults once again. If we wanted to spy on you, we wouldn't have to tell you. Will you consent to the proposed arrangement? You don't have to answer me now."

Kitsu took a deep breath.

"I trust you Narumi-sensei. I have to input my voice sample now, right?"

"Yes."

After dinner, Mikan was happily lining up pajamas on her bed. The girls were having a sleepover in Anna's room. There was a soft knock at her door. It was Hotaru. Mikan quickly went for a hug and was pleased, but a little surprised when Hotaru didn't ward her off.

Hotaru moved a pair of checkered pajamas out of the way so she could sit on Mikan's bed. She took one of Mikan's pillows and put it on her lap. She was already wearing tartan-patterned pajamas.

"You're just in time, Hotaru! Please help me choose what to wear. I'm leaning towards the silk pair I got at the recent Central Town grand sale."

"If you like that one, just wear it."

"Okay, Ms. Grumpy Genius." Mikan winked.

"Your uncle talked to me earlier,"

"That's a surprise. What did Uncle Kazumi say to you?"

"Principal Yukihira requested me to accompany you to visit Himemiya-sama."

"Oh my goodness, Hotaru! If it's just that, there's no need to look super serious." Mikan laughed and started putting the other pajamas back to her closet.

"Do you understand what could happen during that visit?"

"It's going to be fine, Hotaru. Besides, I'm not as naive as I was before. I'm glad that you're coming with me. Anyway, I was planning to ask you tomorrow. Thank you very much!"

"Idiot. Who said I'm really coming with you? Just because it's the High School Principal asking me didn't mean I was intimidated to agreeing, you know."

"I knew you'd say yes, Hotaru. But just for formality's sake, would you like me to ask you tomorrow?"

Hotaru rolled her eyes. Mikan laughed again.

"How's your abrasions, Mikan?"

"Ah, the one I got from falling during the log walk because I got distracted? Scabs have formed over the wounds. As you carefully and painstakingly instructed me every time I got minor wounds, I didn't scratch it."

"Good girl," said Hotaru sarcastically.

"Aww, Hotaru. Aren't you going to praise me because I've become skilled in navigating the obstacle course by now? I think I'm particularly good at scaling walls."

"You said it yourself, Mikan. You fell off the log walk part of the current obstacle course. Besides, you're still doing everything in a controlled environment also known as my laboratory. I do have to commend you on your jumping ability over hurdles."

"I know, Hotaru. I train in your big, big laboratory."

"You better change into your pajamas now. We're going to be late. Nonoko said that Anna's made new types of snacks."

"I'm really excited for that. If it passes our tastes, which I'm sure it will, she'll offer it to the boys when we all hang out next week. I'm sure they'll like it too! The strawberry cake last time was marvelous. I remember that Sumire tried making it for Koko."

"I remember the disaster that came out of that effort."

"They say it's the thought that counts."

"Whatever, I'm a results-oriented person. We must not forget that the real reason we're meeting up is to discuss Anna's dilemma over changing her prospective university. I'm going ahead, Mikan."

"Excuse me, Ms. Grumpy Genius."

"What, idiot?"

"You're the one that brought up food, Hotaru. I'll be right there. Don't you dare start without me!"

After she closed the door, Mikan sighed. The truth was, she fell from the log in the obstacle course because she was thinking about the upcoming visit to Himemiya. Her uncle didn't like it, but there was really no way to refuse. They already had luck with delaying the visit two times because of a long stretch of bad weather and a couple of academic projects Mikan had to do.

Himemiya might request Mikan to insert longevity alice stones to her body. If it wasn't really necessary, Mikan didn't want to use her Insertion Alice yet. She was nervous about it and glad Hotaru was going to be by her side when she finally faces Himemiya.

Natsume didn't know about the meeting with Himemiya. That in itself was tricky.

Mikan pinched herself. There will be time to worry about that later. Tonight, she would focus on her friends, especially on advising Anna whether or not to ditch Hattori Nutrition College for Le Cordon Bleu Tokyo.

As the girls started their sleepover, Natsume was on his way to meet High School Records Director Kyousuke Minami for one of their clandestine sparring sessions. It kept Natsume sharp in both body and mind. He enjoyed it too, but he didn't say that aloud.

One thing that frustrated him was the fact that he knew Minami wasn't going all out. Tonight, Natsume finally confronted him about it before they started sparring.

"You better not keep holding back."

"I'm not belittling you, Flame Boy. I acknowledge your skills." Minami smiled.

"As you definitely should."

"We're not doing this so you could defeat me. You're doing well."

"I don't need your compliments."

"I'm just stating a fact, Hyuuga."

"Where did you learn to fight?"

"I'm part of a family that's scattered out and about important positions in various places. You need to learn how to protect yourself. I was told that an early age. It turns out that I've got a powerful Water Alice to do just that."

"Is Tono still together with your sister, the one in the Ministry of Defense?"

"Unfortunately, that distasteful romance is still going on. I don't know what she sees in that bastard. It's unbelievable!"

Natsume tried a sneak attack, conjuring spirals of fire that targeted Minami's left and right flanks. Minami conjured his own spirals of water to extinguish what Natsume made.

Minami disappeared and Natsume instinctively did a roundhouse kick. Minami countered with another kick. He leapt back and shot a large water sphere towards Natsume. As it got closer to Natsume, the sphere split into several smaller spheres. Natsume retaliated with fire spheres too.

They sparred for an hour.

End of Nineteenth Chapter