Chapter 20: Face to Face

Thank you so much, dear readers, for spending your time reading Flame :) There's another COVID-19 variant but I hope we can all be alert without panicking. Stay safe!

There can be so many things behind a smile.
Featuring meetings and boxes.

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

It was finally the start of the second year of Specialist Training. In her elegant den, Himemiya laughed cheerfully as she looked at the faces before her. Mikan tried to smile. Hotaru impassively drank her tea but there was distrust in her eyes.

"Oh, children. You are very, very uptight today. What did those lads tell you?" She smiled. It didn't make Mikan comfortable at all.

"Um. Lads, Himemiya-sama? I don't really understand," said Mikan.

"Himemiya-sama meant the Middle School and High School Principals," said Hotaru.

Himemiya nodded approvingly at Hotaru and laughed even louder than before.

Mikan cleared her throat before speaking.

"All that my uncle told me was that you wanted me to visit you, Himemiya-sama."

"That was all, child? I wonder about that. Well, there is something else I wanted."

Mikan and Hotaru both became even more tense. Himemiya looked like she was going to burst into laughter again. Her eyes sparkled with mischief. It seemed to Mikan that the former Middle School Principal was playing with them. Hotaru silently took Mikan's hand and squeezed it tightly. Mikan squeezed Hotaru's hand too.

Himemiya picked up her folding fan. She opened and shut it several times before raising it. A middle school student appeared with a big lacquer box. She carefully handed it to Himemiya. She then bowed and left without a word or glance to Mikan and Hotaru.

Himemiya caressed the lid of the lacquer box before opening it.

"Come closer to me, Yuka's daughter."

Mikan stood up bravely. Hotaru watched carefully as Himemiya handed the lacquer box to Mikan.

"I just wanted to give this to you, child. You are free to give Kaoru's son some of what's inside. That is all. You may leave me now, both of you."

"That went well," said Mikan when they were out of Himemiya's den.

"I guess you're right," said Hotaru.

"I think we should open this box with Natsume, as Himemiya-sama implied. What do you think, Hotaru?"

"If that's what you want, Mikan. I hope you won't eat your words because of your burning curiosity."

"I won't."

At that moment, Natsume was with his fellow students who were on the gaming career path. They had been given a chance to go to HAL Tokyo College of Technology & Design for three hours. All 18 of them were anticipating this day. Trips like this were only started this year. Alice Academy was opening up little by little. However, the students still had security personnel with them.

As the students were being shown some of HAL Tokyo's facilities, Sakurano pulled Natsume aside discreetly.

"I don't think you're supposed to be here," said Natsume.

"You are free to think that way," said Sakurano. He smiled and placed his hand on Natsume's shoulder. They teleported inside a small tea house near HAL Tokyo. At least, that was how the place looked like to Natsume. Sakurano pointed to one of the three tea rooms. Natsume raised an eyebrow.

"You have a few minutes," said Sakurano.

Natsume froze as he entered the room. He didn't dare believe his eyes. This had to be a dream. His sister and his Dad were there.

Aoi got up and hugged Natsume. After a couple of seconds, he hugged her back. His Dad waved shyly. The siblings made their way to the table and their Dad got up. They hugged each other.

"I wish we had more time, my son" whispered Natsume's Dad as they broke the hug.

"I know," whispered Natsume.

"This meeting happened because of Principal Yukihira's initiative."

"I see."

"Natsume, you're graduating soon. We'll finally get to be a family again. I can't wait. Ruka's mom has already planned a trip for all of us," said Aoi.

Natsume's eyes brimmed with tears. He managed to contain himself and stared at the tea prepared for him. As he took a sip, he remembered the first time Mikan told him about her plan to stay in Alice Academy for two more years. They had a bitter argument.

"Foolish girl! Can't you see they're just tricking you into staying? I can protect you! Why chain yourself to this forsaken place?"

"I don't want you to hurt yourself any further on account of me, Natsume! Two years, two more years after graduation and I'm out. It's not being in chains, it's just an extension that would do me good. I'll be prepared to face the real world outside the academy."

"What about me, then?!" His tone was unmistakably angry, but his anguish was evident in his eyes. Mikan took his hands and spoke gently.

"You get what you deserve. You get to be with your family."

"Why should I have to choose between you and them?"

"Natsume, you shouldn't even have to think. And it's not like that. I'll be with you after two years. Nothing and no one can stop me. I'm not as foolish as you think. Besides, you of all people should know how terribly stubborn I can get. I won't let anyone manipulate me. And this time, I'll be the one to come to you. I promise."

Aoi was nudging him.

"What is it?" said Natsume.

Aoi handed him a small box.

"Give it to Mikan-chan," said Aoi. "Don't open it, okay?"

"Why would I open it?"

"Sheesh. You'd be curious. This is for her."

"Fine. What about me? Don't I get anything?"

His Dad handed him another small box.

"Can I open this one?"

"Yes, Natsume. Go ahead. I hope you'll like it."

It was a locket with their family picture. Aoi and Natsume were very young. A tear fell on Natsume's cheek. He wiped it right away.

"I should go now," said Natsume.

They all hugged. Sakurano teleported him back to HAL Gakuen.

"Hey, Sakurano."

"Yes?"

"Tell me the truth. Was that a real tea house?"

Sakurano nodded and teleported to somewhere else. Back in the academy, Natsume lay on his bed and clutched the locket to his chest.

For the first time, he considered leaving the academy without Mikan after graduation. It felt different now that he had met with his family. He already had a taste of spending time with them. He wanted more.

Mikan had recently told him that their impending temporary parting and the time spent with their respective loved ones would also help both of them grow as individuals.

She added that there are many people that held a grudge against Natsume for the work he did for the academy in the past. Therefore, it would be great if Natsume could be there to protect his family who might be targeted by revenge seekers.

Natsume sighed. He knew Mikan was right. But he also knew no one could blame him for not wanting to be parted from her ever again. He decided to sleep for now and meet Mikan the next day.

The lacquer box turned out to contain photographs of Yuka and Kaoru. Mikan split the photographs with Natsume. Aoi's gift turned out to be a pair of hair clips. Mikan was happy with the gift. She was happier that Natsume met his family.

"Apparently, your uncle made our reunion happen."

"I swear I knew nothing about that."

"Hn. Polka dots, why didn't you tell me you were going to Himemiya's den?"

"I'm sorry. I think I wasn't supposed to tell anyone besides Hotaru."

"I'm just relieved nothing dangerous happened while I was gone."

"Me too, Natume. We both had some unpleasant memories in Himemiya-sama's den."

"Unpleasant is an understatement. You took on Persona in that place head on. Anyway, Himemiya would likely seek your presence again. The next time might not be so harmless. Remember that."

"I know, but somehow, I want to trust Himemiya-sama. Something tells me that I can trust Himemiya-sama."

"For goodness sake, Mikan! Just because she gave us these photographs? Mikan Sakura, you seriously need to—"

Mikan placed a hand over Natsume's mouth.

"Let's not talk about it anymore, Natsume. There are more pleasant things to talk about. Besides, she took care of both our mothers and helped us during our struggle with the former Elementary School Principal. Those are two things we should be infinitely grateful to Himemiya-sama for."

They resumed looking over the photographs. Their parents were so young and vibrant in those photographs. They had their own battles to fight, but they persevered with their conviction to do the right thing with the help of their dear friends.

"You're right, Natsume. We'll do the same. In fact, we are already embarking on the same path."

Natsume didn't know he was actually voicing his thoughts aloud. He kissed Mikan softly in response.

End of Twentieth Chapter