A/N: Apologies, I suppose. I'm sorry that it took me a year to update this, although I did mention that I wasn't really motivated to write this in the first place and I was only urged to write this. However, I've gotten in touch with my anime-loving side recently and I've been reading the manga for the past few days, which made me determined to write the next chapter of this story and making it Alice oriented as well. Thank you to those who reviewed before. I'm sorry that I wasn't able to reply, and I thought you wouldn't recognize me or this story if I ever respond to your messages. Anyway, I won't hold you back now. Here's chapter one!

Disclaimer: Gakuen Alice is penned by Higuchi Tachibana, not me.

Chapter 1 – Footsteps

I admit that I was quite reckless back there when I agreed to pose as the big boss' son, although it isn't entirely my fault since he provoked me. Nevertheless, I've already given him my word, and I can't take it back unless I had the government backing me or something, but then again, other women have it worse than I do, so I guess I'm sort of lucky, compared to them.

It was a Sunday afternoon when the gang took me to the academy in a black car. The trip was very quiet; the driver, as well as the two men in black suits that are seated on my left and right never uttered a single word, and to relieve my boredom, I simply watched the places we passed by, trying to be familiar with the city because I've been raised in the Kansai region.

When the car passed by this certain area that had huge, light painted walls with mental fences on top, I had a gut feeling that this is the academy that the big boss has referred to. Judging from the looks of it, the barriers were either because the academy was for rich students and a number of people attempt to break in, or that the students themselves want to break out. Anyway, I'll try my best to get through one year—just one year—so might as well make it a good stay.

Both of the men on my sides stepped out of the car before I was able to do so. Both closed their doors after I boarded out of the car and headed to the trunk to get my luggage. While one of them was unloading my things at the trunk, the other one pulled out a piece of paper from the inner pocket of his suit jacket, and through his black shades, he glanced at the paper before diverting his attention to me as I looked back at him, expecting him to speak.

"Alright, let's review a few things, shall we?" he says, fixing the position of his shades before returning to the conversation. "What's your name?"

I heaved a sigh. This again? It's not like I'm going to forget the name of the big boss' son after I've been informed of it for the nth time.

"My name is Jin Hideaki."

"Where and when were you born?"

"I was born at Tokyo, June 16, 1994, but spent my childhood at Kansai, henceforth the dialect."

"What's your family's business?"

"My father owns a recording company."

"Your mother?"

"She died after giving birth to me."

"Blood type?"

"A."

He then looks at me from head to toe before folding the piece of paper twice before keeping it in the inner pocket of his suit jacket. Smirking, he spoke, "Missy's good from here. Just don't be all girly. Oh, and boss wants me to remind you that the moment the academy knows that you're not the boss' son—or that you're not even a boy—during the school year, the deal's off. As for your grandparents, we told them that you're living with your father's relatives and that you'll be attending school there for an entire year before returning to them."

Out of nowhere, the man who was unloading my stuff pushes my backpack against my chest, and my arms catch them in order for them not to fall on the ground. The pain lingered for a while, and I groaned inwardly as I glared at the man who's done this, who just placed a cigarette between his lips and lighted its end with a lighter. I wasn't really expecting to be treated this harshly, but I guess it's better than having to sleep with one of them.

The man who questioned me just now furrowed his eyebrows at me. "What are you waiting for? Are we supposed to bring your bags to your room? Hurry up and get the hell out of here!"

"My pleasure," I said to myself, having worn my backpack already and holding the handle of my luggage as I made my way between them, and I can hear them groaning in pain when my luggage bumped their thighs and its wheels ran over their toes. Music to my ears. They didn't bother going after me anymore, strangely. They probably controlled their tempers when they saw someone by the gates, and I was walking towards its direction.

The gates were as tall as the walls surrounding the school. Behind them was a man with golden locks that part at the right, some strands covering his blue orbs. He looks like a man who's in his 20's, donning a dark blue suit, probably an authoritative figure. From afar, he remained cold and unwelcoming, however upon closing our distances, his eyebrows creased, and it seemed like he's overcome by bewilderment. Alarmed, I started to panic deep inside, suspecting that he's able to see that I'm a girl who's dragging herself to an all boys' school, but I still kept my pace, walking towards him.

Upon closing our distances, silence has made an unwanted visit between us, and I attempted to suppress my feelings of nervousness, guilt, paranoia and every other negative emotion that I couldn't name any further while I kept a straight face. However, the man in front of me somehow stopped giving away signs of puzzlement before me, the cold look on his face returning.

"Mr. Jin Hideaki, in behalf of Alice Academy, we're pleased to have you here." He bows his head, and I respond in the same manner. He then adds, "I am Kazumi Yukihira, the high school principal of the academy."

"You do know why you're here, right?"

The principal heads to his seat by his desk, the name "Kazumi Yukihira" written in both Kanji and English on a golden plate evident on the edge of his wooden table. His question bothered me, and I can't help but grip onto the handles of my seat as I struggle to show no signs of agitation. His cold gaze didn't help either. Upon sitting down, the principal props his elbows on the table, enlacing his fingers together before resting his chin on them, his eyes remain fixed at me in a way that he's observing every inch of me.

"Of course, sir; I'm here to study." I retorted, hoping that my smile doesn't give away the fact that I'm scared to death right now. I hope the ground would just open and swallow me as of the moment. Just swallow me up right now.

His expression lingers, the atmosphere surrounding us becomes more and more serious as the look on his face. I bet he's thinking at the back of his head that I'm an idiot for giving him an obvious answer to his question. We merely stared at each other for a while, a moment that seemed like it would last for an eternity or so, until out of nowhere, the principal swiftly stood up, open the middle drawer before him and pulled out a few papers that he'd be handing over to me.

I was in utter disbelief—for a second back there, I thought he was going to expose my true gender and escort me out of the school premises while it occurred to me that I'll be serving the yakuza for quite some time since I failed right from the beginning. But he's giving me the documents that I'll be needing throughout my stay here, and while I am amazed with how I've gotten this far, my lips remained parted, my eyes opened wide as I looked at the papers in front of me.

"You have the nullification Alice." He mentioned, a pleased look in his eyes. "A very rare Alice indeed."

Alice? What the heck is an Alice?

I stood up from my chair, taking a few steps forward before accepting the documents with both of my hands as I bowed my head. I scanned the files in my grasp, shifting from one page to the other while I hear his footsteps around the office. When I finally had an idea with concern to my classes, the school map, the activities throughout the school year, I knew that I had to be enlightened when it comes to that term that's very foreign to me. Alice.

"Excuse me, Principal Yukihira…" I faced the principal on my right, following the sound of his footsteps before they cease to make a sound. He was standing next to a bookshelf with hands enclosed at his back, his attention focused on me. At first, I was hesitant to ask him its definition since he made it sound like such a word was of common sense, afraid that I might embarrass myself in front of the principal. But you can imagine my surprise when I saw how his eyes seem to brighten as he nodded his head, motioning me to go on with my question with a smile. The warmth he displayed lightened up the mood between us, and I eventually asked him what an Alice was.

He replies. "An Alice is a special ability of a person to do something that most people can't. It's like a superpower, in layman's terms." I hummed to myself, having finally understood its meaning, but then it occurred to me that the principal stated just now that I had the nullification Alice, which means… that—, "It could also refer to a person who possesses a special ability."

"Is that so?" I mumbled, somehow fascinated over the fact that I have an Alice.

"However Mr. Hideaki, during your stay here in the academy, I'd have to inform you of what's in store for you, so I'm requesting you to listen carefully." Principal Yukihira added, his smile slowly diminishing before me, which gives me the idea that what we will be discussing right now is no laughing matter. "Due to the failures you've obtained and your poor conduct based from your past school records, you are placed under probation and given a no star ranking. Also, compared to the students in your year level, you are falling behind in your studies on Alices and such, so you have to attend extra classes every Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays, from 5 to 7 in the evening. The room where you'll be staying for your evening classes is in those documents of yours. Finally—,"

The door had opened before Principal Yukihira was able to finish, which seemed to irritate him, noticing that his face twitched at the sound of the door opening. Upon facing the door, the student was clutching onto the door frame, catching his breath. Sweat beads were present on his forehead, where a few strands of his dirty blond hair are fixed. He was rather tall, bearing huge brown eyes behind those eyeglasses of his, and wearing the standard school uniform for high school students: a black suit jacket and necktie with brown pants.

"I'm sorry for being late, Principal Yukihira." He continues gasping for air. "The student council had an emergency meeting regarding…"

Principal Yukihira raised his hand at the student, motioning him to stop talking and enter his office. Upon lifting his head, he closes the door behind him before approaching the principal's desk.

"Hideaki-san, this is Yuu Tobita. He's the representative of class C under the high school division. If you have questions that concern your studies, star rankings, the different Alices and such, don't hesitate to ask him." Principal Yukihira remarked before having decided to sit down. I stood up and faced Yuu afterward.

Yuu bows his head in front of me. "How do you do? In behalf of Class C, I'd like to welcome you to Alice Academy!"

I bow my head in response. "Please take care of me."

"Tobita-san, please escort Mr. Hideaki to his room. As of the moment, he is given a no star ranking for his past actions." The principal requested, getting a straight yes coming from Yuu. We then gave our greetings to the principal before exiting his office.

I had to wake up at 6 in the morning the next day as part of my duties, being a student with a no-star ranking. Yuu was kind enough to elaborate on the rankings and its perks yesterday. No-star students have tons of work to do not only in the dorms but also in the classroom. Also, the meals are limited to a certain amount of portion: I only had one cup of rice with nori and miso soup last night, sadly. To top it all off, while the rest of the students receive quite a number of Rabbits (1 Rabbit = 100 Yen), I only receive 5 Rabbits… a month!

I am reminded of the fact that I'm very far away from home, and that I had to fulfill my promise to the big boss so that he could let me off the hook once and for all. It was only the first day of school yet I feel so discouraged to study now because of my schedule, the chores that I have to do before and after school hours, the remaining time that I have to study for my subjects and of course, sleep.

"Don't be nervous. You'll do well on your first day."

My eyes lit up at the sight of the teacher before me: blonde hair that reached his shoulders, purple orbs that carry good intentions and a warm smile to make me feel slightly better. If only he knew that the reason why I'm quite tense as of now isn't because it's the first day of school but because of the secret that I hold, he wouldn't be able to greet me in this manner now, would he?

"Thank you…"

He chuckles, glancing at me before revealing his name. "Narumi-sensei."

I nodded my head at him, who had opened the door and entered the classroom without another word. I followed him, my feet finding it hard to take another step towards the platform, the antisocial vibes that I've been giving everyone with my slouch and my bothered facial expression, the boys' eyes that felt like daggers piercing my very soul. I just hope that no one can read my mind right now or else…

"Or else, I'll be in deep trouble if they ever find out about it."

I widened my eyes, following the sound of the student's voice who mentioned the exact words that I was musing to myself. He had fair hair and an innocent smile plastered on his face. Shocked that he was able to read my mind, I tried to think of other things besides my current situation, avoiding the chances of my true identity being revealed as I diverted my attention to Narumi-sensei, who has finished his speech just now on the beginning of a new school year and is now introducing me to the entire class.

"Now Jin-kun, tell them your name and your Alice." Narumi-sensei suggested as I faced the class.

"My name is Jin Hideaki. I'm 17 years old, and I have the nullification Alice." I stated, some points quite fast and some quite slow. Nevertheless, this is my first step to freedom.

I heard mixed reactions coming from my classmates. Some were amazed with my Alice—believe me, I was pretty much surprised when I found out from the principal himself that I have an Alice, although I wonder how the big boss was able to pull it off when he first enrolled me here—while some were taking it lightly, saying that the Alice is pretty much useless and no one would really benefit from it; some even say that I' don't really have an Alice, and that I was deceiving everyone. Maybe even I would doubt my Alice if I were in their places because I only found out that I had an Alice yesterday, and I don't even know how to use it. I couldn't help but be fazed by their opinions though, and as much as I want to rebut the argument of whoever's criticizing my Alice, I don't want to draw that much attention to the point that people would investigate my profile here in the academy. That's what the big boss and his accomplices told me: the academy has spies within its premises, and it's not the best environment for a girl to disguise as a boy and frame a student in an all boys' school. Especially if you're a girl, considering that these boys are in that age.

"Hmm, Natsume-kun's absent again?" Narumi-sensei sighs before facing me. "Well then, Jin-kun, you'll need a partner since you're new here, so when Natsume-kun arrives, tell him that you're his partner, okay? Sit next to him. His seat is the only one that's vacant."

"Eh?"

"Alright, homeroom time is over! Your English teacher is in a meeting right now, so she advises you to use your time wisely for studying, okay? See you later, everyone!"

And without another word, I watched Narumi-sensei as he dashed to the door, slamming it shut on the way. I was dumbfounded by the way he just left everyone to study while I remained standing by the teacher's desk. I tried looking for a seat from where I'm standing, and it turns out that there's one next to this guy with a bunny in his hands.

As I paced across the classroom, I feel the students' gazes at me up until I've reached the empty seat. The student carrying the bunny looked at me in a cold manner, as if he loathed my presence back there. There were two vacant seats next to him, so I decided to take the one closest to me.

Things were pretty silent from then on, and how I wished that this day would already end.

Because I'm lacking in knowledge when it comes to Alices and the different sciences related to it according to the high school principal, I had night classes from 5-7 in the evening. I arrived at the classroom 15 minutes past the said starting time due to my chores, but the teacher wasn't there. I fell asleep in my chair after waiting for another 15 minutes, and by the time I woke up, it was already 7:30 in the evening. I was even frightened since I was woken up by a robot that roams around the high school building, and since then, I've been constantly reminding myself that this is a weird school, therefore expect weird things to occur.

The robot was kind enough to guide me on the way out, being new (and secretly terrified of the dark). Upon exiting the high school building, I pulled out my map from my backpack in order to get to the high school dormitory. Unfortunately, the moment I opened it, the wind blew towards the right, and my grip onto the map was quite loose, so it went along with the wind.

I attempted to get my map. During the moment that the wind ceases to blow and the map is on the grass, I make a run for it. But it feels like I'm being tricked into chasing the map whenever I'm about to grab it, since the wind would start blowing once again. At that time, I wasn't aware that I've gotten farther from my dorm from getting my map, and I step into a forest.

Finally, I was able to retrieve my map, which was slightly wet on its edges, having contacted with a puddle. I looked around the unfamiliar place before reading the map. After a few minutes, I was able to detect where I am—the northern forest—and used the map to get to the dorms.

However, while I was walking, I could hear footsteps aside from mine. I cringed for a moment, and then it dawned to me that I was alone in the woods with only the moon to accompany me on my way out… well, then came the howls and the chirping of crickets that made my body stiff for a moment before I heard a rustle coming from the bushes that made me run. I decided to fasten my pace as I looked back, making sure that nothing is chasing me until—

"Ouch!"

I ended up on the floor with my head hurting from colliding with something… or someone. Lifting my head, I screamed at once before realizing that it was a student wearing the same uniform as I am, only that he has a mask on—the face of a black cat, which probably gave me an idea that it might be a nine-tailed fox. My eyes widened in curiosity upon hearing him pant behind his mask, struggling to breathe before groaning. His uniform had scratches and his arm revealed his wounded arm with blood stains on the fabric. I noticed that his hands wanted to grab onto something based from the way his hand touched the loam beneath us, and his knees were on the ground as well.

"A-are you okay?" I asked him, yet he keeps his head down, showing no signs that he's sensed my presence. "Your mask is making it difficult for you to breathe. I'll remove it, just stay still."

He abruptly stood up, and I couldn't tell whether he was still able to do that without experiencing pain as he runs against my direction. He needed help, and I somehow felt responsible for him so I decided to follow him, but he falls on his knees along the way.

I ran towards his side, putting his arm around my shoulder before asking if he could still walk. He pulls away, and before I could say something, he takes a hold of my arm and drags me to the forest, behind a huge tree with his hand on my mouth. I was terrified that things have come down to this, yet I struggled in removing his hand off my mouth until he whispered in my ear, "Utter a single word, and I'll burn you to a crisp." He shows his palm and I watched as it started to emit flames. I widened my eyes, moving back from the flame in his hand, which earned a groan coming from him.

"Natsume, come out already. Your mission's not yet done."

Tears started streaming down from my eyes while his breathing was all my ears could hear back there. Later on, I heard footsteps, and they've gotten louder and louder.

"Natsume, please stop hiding and do what you're supposed to do."

Trembling in fear, I sniffled as silently as I could so as not to attract attention. I was torn on whether I should scream to pinpoint our exact location so that I could escape from this man's grasp, or follow this person who's in pain and would inflict me with pain if I did so.

"Last call, Natsume."

It remained like this for a while—trapped in this strange man's arms, fear stricken as the man tightened his grip around my wrists—until the footsteps start to fade. With everything that I had, I struggled from his grip and was successful in escaping from his grasp. I had the urge to just leave him after what had happened, but there was something that kept me in my place, that had me looking at him and wonder.

I skimmed my map, noticing that the other edge has been slightly burned, much to my surprise. However, my eyes came across a clinic in campus, and I ran towards the helpless stranger, wrapping his arm around my shoulder to help him walk. But once again, he pulls away from my grasp.

"Leave me alone!" he exclaimed before jumping over one of the branches of the trees to the other. I watched him do so, waiting for him to fall down because of the condition he's in, but he's slowly swallowed by darkness to the point that I wasn't able to see him anymore.

After wiping the tears off my face, I walked my way to the dormitory. On the way, my footsteps were the only ones that I heard.

End notes: I hope you enjoyed this chapter! I had fun writing this. I'd appreciate it if you'd review so that I'd know that there are people who are still interested in this story, or I might as well just scrap this. /sighs

My-violinprince