" Class is starting, so settle down everyone! To your seats please!"

Narumi-sensei strolled into class for the first time in months, announcing a class trip to the High School Campus where they would learn more about parallel worlds and the intermittent links between each world. Nodachi-sensei had briefly skimmed through the theory in a special type class lesson. even offering to bring the students through a time trip. The students had all declined in fear of roaming in an unknown time period for hours though.

" As you know, we'll be taking a look at the keyhole of one of the wooden double doors. That is our 'link' to the past, present, future, and parallel worlds."

A sea of murmurs rose among the students as they contemplated the fun of the trip, and Mikan's face regained color upon hearing about the enigmatic keyhole which connected them to otherworldly places. Could this keyhole alter her future, and maybe she would end up with...? Giggling to herself with an evil ambiance which made even Kokoroyomi stop reading the ill intentioned thoughts surfacing on her mind, she suddenly stood up with newfound enthusiasm and inquired,

" Do we get to use it?"

She had such hopes in her eyes that Narumi-sensei couldn't bear to disappoint - this was the liveliest she had been in days.

" Mmm, I'm not really sure...Fuku-chan, I'll leave it to you now. Good luck!"

Without giving a clear answer, he walked off and left an angry and upset assistant teacher who wept at his plight. Mikan was back to her cheerful self, humming to the reignited possibility of her and Tsubasa that existed not in her castle of dreams, but perhaps reality. She would take the first step and confess to him months before Misaki ever realized that she loved him. Yep that would be the plan.

All throughout Makihara-sensei's science lesson on the human circulatory system, his lectures sailed over her head, and none of the knowledge was absorbed in. As much as she wanted to see Grandpa, now wasn't the time! Tsubasa was more important anyways...

" If blood is flowing through your veins, and your heart is convulsing, that means that you're alive."

Epiphany struck her like a ton of bricks.

Why did this phrase seem so familiar?

All of a sudden, her heartbeat drummed out the fading groans of her classmates and pain.

Why was there a throbbing ache?

" Mikan-chan? "

"Huh?"

" Class ended. Are you feeling alright?"

" I guess so... let's go. "

Yuu Tobita had to drag Hotaru away from her newest invention just to make her join them, and Mikan brushed off the odd feeling, prancing to the outdoor round tables where they usually had lunch with Tsubasa and Misaki.

" Yo Mikan, you okay?"

Tsubasa had on a small smile, grateful that she was up and back to her delighted self. Misaki was sitting right beside him, sipping tea in a ruffian manner, patting Mikan's head to welcome her warm self back. The days without her on the table had been boring, with no one to accidentally spill the tea, and Tsubasa and Misaki who had only dined in silence.

Bear's sewn on lips had curled up when it sensed her presence, and had prepared it's best cookies for the day.

" Yeah, I am! I'm feeling better than ever anyways!"

" Well that's good. I and Misaki have been invited to accompany you all for the trip tomorrow. Excited? "

Mikan beamed brighter than ever, but her mood fell when she realized that he wouldn't be too happy at her plans to go back in time and change the future. Maybe she would only consult Yuu and Hotaru at dinner later. Only small talk had resumed between Misaki and Mikan, the awkwardness that clung in the atmosphere still tight, but they still were positive about her comeback.

Author's Note:

You can try to figure out the situation between Tsubasa and Misaki, I've bolded the few hints! Maybe another chapter later? We'll see.