Chapter 21: Early Exit
Ultimately, it is not Natsume or Mikan who leaves first.
Featuring ifs and best friends.
Gakuen Alice and its characters are the wonderful creations of Tachibana Higuchi.
It was almost 1 o'clock in the afternoon. Sakurano stood in Subaru's room. Sakurano worriedly watched his bespectacled best friend calmly double-checking the contents of his suitcase. As usual, Subaru's face was both impassive and intimidating. That's how it would appear to most people. But Sakurano was one of the select few who could accurately detect Subaru's range of emotions.
To Sakurano, Subaru just looked defeated. When Subaru was satisfied that he had packed everything in a neat way, he sighed heavily. He slowly removed his glasses and faced Sakurano with a very tired expression.
"This is so, so unfair. I mean, why did this have to happen? I didn't want to go home like this, Shuichi. This is so messed up," said Subaru.
Sakurano walked across the room and patted his best friend's shoulder gently. He had lost count of many times he and Subaru talked of finally going home. They had such romanticized versions of going home when they were kids.
After Mikan's father died, their innocence was fully taken away from them. Their version of going home became rooted in escape. As years went by, going home became a wish that they tucked away in some dusty edge of their consciousness.
Today, the Imai siblings were finally leaving Alice Academy for good. Subaru and Hotaru would finally be reunited with their beloved parents. It was a bittersweet homecoming because they were coming home due a sad circumstance. This was definitely not the way it was supposed to be, but fate was still cruel to them.
Just before noon, Subaru had received a letter from his father. His mother had been experiencing unexplained weight loss and abdominal pain for a number of weeks. Tests had revealed that she had small intestine cancer. Surgery and subsequent chemotherapy were being looked at as treatment.
Hotaru had technically finished all her academic requirements long ago. Subaru was only working in the academy's hospital was to watch over Hotaru. Both brother and sister were free to go home as soon as possible. They quickly decided to leave within the day.
"It's going to be fine, Subaru. You're a very talented healer. You've honed your alice throughout the years. You've faced far more serious cases than this."
"Damn it. I'll make sure it's fine. For once, I hope you're right."
"Hey, I'm right most of the time. You just don't like acknowledging it. That's your problem, Subaru. Take care of yourself, okay?"
"You too, Shuichi. I'll be alright. You, on the other hand, have more complicated things to deal with."
"Oh, don't mind me. The most dangerous thing for me is not dealing with the forces of Imperium, you know."
Subaru put his glasses back on with a knowing smirk.
"Let me guess. Working under Principal Jinno in the Elementary School Division is more terrible than dealing with those who wish to exploit Alices."
"It's 300% more terrible. He's just so scary! I don't know how Serina-sensei acts like she isn't bothered by it."
"Maybe she really isn't."
The two best friends laughed.
"Want me to teleport you to Hotaru-chan's laboratory?"
"No, thank you. I think it's better if I just walk. After all, it might be a very long time before I step on the academy's grounds again. I also don't want to intrude on Hotaru's time with Mikan-chan."
"Oh, dear. You're getting pretty sentimental right now, Doctor Imai."
"You're such a huge idiot, future Elementary School Division Principal Sakurano. I completely fail to understand why so many people think you're admirable. They're so blinded. I truly pity them."
"Ha. Ha. Ha. Very funny. How can you be so harsh to your best friend? At least you sound quite amused, even though it's at my expense. I'll wait at Principal Yukhira's office, then. You promised him you'd drop by before leaving right?"
"Yes, I did and I will."
"Hey, Subaru?"
"What is it? Are you going to be sentimental now? Please, spare me your tears. It's not like we won't see each other again."
"My eyes are completely free from tears. Oh, whatever. I just want to tell you this. You can always contact me. Anytime, Subaru. Don't hesitate. We'll always be brothers. Always."
"How cheesy. Not cool at all."
They both laughed before Subaru finally went to his younger sister's sacred place.
In Hotaru's laboratory, Mikan sat quietly in a corner and watched her best friend move around the spacious place. Hotaru was organizing several years of diligent work as quickly but carefully as she could.
Some were in physical folders and some were in digital form. There were also a number of carefully preserved specimens. She was also packing up tools. There was also a lot of equipment to deal with. It made Mikan appreciate Hotaru's hard work. Her best friend was not a lazy genius, unlike some flame-wielding guy she knew very well.
Hotaru was adamant to do it all by herself, even going so far as not using the assistant personal robots Mikan was so fascinated and fond of. Mikan thought Hotaru did it to feel a sense of control or maybe to distract her from the reason she and her brother were leaving the academy so abruptly.
She was actually correct on both counts. She wanted to say something to comfort Hotaru, but she also thought that it would be better not to speak for now. Finally, Hotaru spoke up after she finished packing a set of safety goggles.
"You know what, Mikan? I keep thinking that this is all my fault. I should have never left my parents."
"Oh, Hotaru. What happened to your Mom was no one's fault! Blaming yourself doesn't make sense. Please don't do that. I don't care if you shoot me with your Baka gun a thousand times for saying this, but you're wrong in blaming yourself. "
"I wasn't just thinking of what happened to my Mom, Mikan. What if I just didn't come to Alice Academy? I basically dragged you in here and into danger."
"Hotaru, you didn't. I came here on my own accord. Every bad thing that happened here was due to wicked people. I gained a lot from coming here. I found out who I really was and received so much love from everyone. Besides, you had very good reasons for coming to the academy. Don't fool yourself into forgetting those reasons."
"Did I really sacrifice myself in order to unburden my parents from fleeing from the academy's agents? Did I really go to the academy to ensure that with its help, our village school would remain? What if I could just made an invention with maximum profit? That would have worked, right?"
"Your brother was studying in the academy. You wanted to meet him, remember?"
"Did I really want to meet my brother? Did I just want to be in a school where my abilities could be explored to their full potential after all? I'm questioning everything now."
"Oh, Hotaru. You're being too hard on yourself."
"My brother was on his last year of high school. After that, three years of Specialist Training was left. I'm sure he would have reunited with our family right after that. Kuonji wouldn't have gone so far to plague him and Shuichi-san after they graduate. Your uncle would have aided them if that did happen, right?"
Hotaru was now crying.
"You're in distress, Hotaru. i understand that. However, you should throw away all these ifs from your mind. I mean it. I'm sure your Mom would get well soon because her precious children are going to be with her for good."
Mikan wiped Hotaru's tears away. She hugged Hotaru until she calmed down.
"Thank you, Mikan. You're not as much of an idiot as before."
"Maybe I never was, you know?"
"I doubt that, Mikan Sakura. Anyway, I have some concerns about you. Where are you going to train now? I'm going to shut this laboratory down, with safety precautions all in place so no one can break in or even go within 100 meters of it."
"Don't you worry about that, Hotaru. Just focus on taking care of your Mom and enjoying the time you have with your family. Take care of yourself, too."
"Of course, I'll take care of myself. You don't need to tell me that. One more thing, I'll take anything you want to give Jii-chan with me."
"You don't need to go to Jii-chan. Your Mom is more important."
"I'll still visit him. I promise you that, Mikan. It's the least I can do since I'll be leaving you behind."
"You are not leaving me behind, you're going home! Thank you, Hotaru. He'll be delighted."
"I'm also worried about what's going to happen if Himemiya summons you again."
"Hotaru, I'm going to be fine."
"You better be. I'll storm in here if you don't."
"That's going a bit too far, but I'll take that as a sign of your never-ending love for me!"
That statement earned Mikan a shot from the Baka gun.
A beep sounded. Subaru was by the entrance of the laboratory. Mikan left the siblings after giving Subaru a big hug and many words of consolation, encouragement and lifelong gratitude for helping both her and her Mom. Subaru gave her one of his treasured books as a parting gift. It was one that combined medical facts and humor.
Mikan then went to a place near the academy's front gates where their friends would be waiting. They were preparing to to wish the Imais well as they left. Hotaru made them promise not to make a big event out of it and vowed that she would shoot all of them with their Baka gun if they didn't.
In the end, she did have to use it. Only Natsume and Youichi dodged successfully. After all, her beloved friends would not let her go without a mini-graduation ceremony, speeches, cards, letters and hastily procured or, in some cases, handmade gifts.
Only Mikan and Ruka had gifts that were prepared ahead of time because they were planning to give them to Hotaru for future occasions. Mikan's gift was a scrapbook of their memories in the academy.
Ruka had given Hotaru a portrait of her that he painted himself. He secretly learned to paint just for her. Even Natsume didn't know about it. Subaru raised his eyebrows and made no comments but glared at Ruka. Hotaru smiled a little. Ruka was very embarrassed. All their friends and Narumi-sensei had a lot of comments, which wouldn't stop flowing for the next few weeks.
Subaru himself was embarrassed when some of his fellow academy hospital workers turned up to bid him goodbye with their own antics, including a silly dance by some lively medical interns. Hotaru recorded her brother's memorable moments.
Besides this spectacle, he also had awkward goodbye with the High School Principal in the all-too familiar office before he went to the small celebration at the gates prepared by their Alice Academy family. Kazumi Yukihira was the closest thing to a father figure to him during his stay in the academy.
Principal Yukhira gave Subaru a plaque and certificate for his services to the school, besides an expensive suit. It matched perfectly with a pair of dress shoes Sakurano had given him.
"There will be someone to watch out for your family," said Principal Yukihira.
"I really appreciate it. Many people would be interested in my sister's talents," said Subaru.
"I think you're not bad yourself," said Sakurano.
The High School Division Principal smiled.
"Now, stop bickering and get out of my office, you two. At least I only have to deal with Shuichi now."
After the festivities from the siblings' friends and colleagues, it was time to go. Following a great tearful hug with Mikan, Sumire, Anna and Nonoko, Hotaru walked to her brother's side. Subaru smiled at Hotaru.
"I am happy that we're going home together," said Subaru.
"Me too," said Hotaru.
Subaru nodded at Sakurano and entered the car first. Hotaru followed after a final tearful goodbye with Mikan.
After a few hours, Subaru and Hotaru finally reunited with their parents. Their Mom and Dad were overjoyed upon beholding their beloved son and daughter — together at last.
Hotaru's Mom declared that she had no doubt of being cured by the mere fact that their family was now finally complete, after what it seemed like an eternity. Even the small intestine cancer couldn't dampen her spirits at all. She smiled brightly.
"My greatest illness was not having you two with me. Now I feel stronger than ever," she said with twinkling eyes.
End of Twenty-First Chapter