A/N : Thanks again to those who reviewed the last chapter. It means a lot to me.

lysabelle - Sorry, I can't divulge you on any information about Yukiko is this chapter.

natsumeluvr - They'll find out soon enough.

Midnight Shadows Starlight - Natsume's just a big chunk of puzzle ne.

littledoggy - Stick to this fic to find out about it. (That somehow rhymes)

crazygirl18 - You'll find out about it soon.

glenda23 - Dark!Mikan is my muse.

BTW, if you guys can kindly help me by giving me some info on these three. Tonouchi Akira, Nobara and Azumi Yuka. Your help is highly appreciated.

Disclaimer - I honestly DO NOT own Gakuen Alice. So please, DO NOT waste your precious rabbits to hire a lawyer.

True Smile

Chapter 2

Five years has passed since Mikan came here. Everyday I see her grow more mature, more different from the cheerful girl that she was back then. I don't know if anyone else notice this change in her.

Even for me, it took quite awhile. The aura that she exudes seems fake than before. She laughs, she smiles, she giggles here and there, and keeps reminding others about manners, working hard to achieve something and purely being yourself.

All in typical Mikan style, but, seemingly fake. Sometimes, if I watch her long enough, I can see a solemn and dull gleam in her eyes. I even saw a cold gleam in her eyes once. It made shivers run down my spine.

How could a delightful child like her have such eyes? I only saw this happen scarcely, so I summed it up as my own weird imagination. I mean, Mikan is not like that, she always smile and even when she's angry, give her a few moments and she'll smile again.

It's hard to imagine Mikan something other than her cheerful self. People probably can't accept other than that cheerful self of hers. That is why I kept this to myself. Her friends, doesn't seem suspicious of anything. Even Hotaru seems to think that girl is being herself.

So, it's probably my imagination. Other than Mikan, it seems Natsume too is different. He is more open than before. Well, to Ruka anyways. He still give people the cold shoulder and the glare, but you can see some difference.

He doesn't skip class anymore, seems somewhat into his exams and of course, his health is improving. His visits to the school clinic get less and less every year. In fact, Persona seems to not need him anymore for missions. His missions over the years lessen dramatically.

With that, there is no need for him to use his alice excessively. This made everyone happy. Especially Ruka, Youichi and Mikan. The day Natsume told them he doesn't need to do missions anymore, she seemed so relieved. Happily she glomped Natsume in a big hug and got her hair burnt.

Nevertheless, she was happy. Until someone asked why. I for one want to know the answer to that question. Natsume, also did not know why either, but at that particular moment, I saw a flash of worry and relief in Mikan's eyes.

Worry I can understand, but relief? She may be worried another student has fallen victim to Persona, but why would she be relieved? I'm sure she is the kind of person who would worry about others.

From that moment on, I kept a closer watch on her and kept my ears open for Persona's new recruit. I'm sure it is someone strong and decidedly more powerful than the recent Natsume Hyuuga.

Few weeks has passed, I still could not find anything on the new recruit. My belief in the new side of Mikan Sakura also did not fare well. It seems everything is like a bewildered dream of mine. I'm on a wild goose chase, except I'm catching for an elusive information.

I already asked the other faculty members, but even they don't know anything about it. They said there is no information about any new student or if there's any suspiciousness in Mikan's behaviour in class.

It's always the same. Mikan's is still a cheerful and troublesome student. According to Jinno, Mikan is still a clumsy fool. I don't know what to do with Jinno-san. It seems he can't forgive Mikan for what that person had done to him.

It is not Mikan's fault. She's clueless about the past that had happen to him or even who is that person. Yes, my next dilemma. How to tell Mikan the truth about that person people kept saying at her. I feel sorry for her, when anyone mention about it, her eyes seems to cloud with sadness and confusion.

I am such a coward. The girl is probably suffering, when all I do is just stand and watch. I said I would be there for her, as an Otou-san, but it seems, I had failed her. I am thankful she is happy and cheerful girl. But, I now am wondering the truth behind the happy and cheerful girl.

Surely, no one can be happy with all those mocking, bullying and betrayal. Her classmates, few of her senpais and kouhais tend to bully and mock her, just because they can get away with it. Jinno seems to allow this or overlook it. It is not fair.

Even so, what do I do? Nothing. I can't do anything. The moment she stepped into this academy, she has to fight and defend herself. For once, I think Natsume-kun theory about regretting entering this academy has a ring of truth in it.

Still, I guess Mikan is strong in her own way to survive all of these hardships. I must confront her soon. I already kept too much information from her for five years. She deserves to know the truth. It is about time anyways.

She has matured greatly, I think. I just hope she has it in her heart to forgive me for keeping too much information from her. My silence in a way has become a betrayal on the trust she placed on me. This must stop.

"Narumi-san."

"Persona! What are you doing here?"

"I just wanted to introduce you to your new student."

"New student? What new student?"

"He just transferred in yesterday. No need to be so surprised. Supposedly, he is in your class."

A young boy came into my view. At first glance, I knew that boy had a powerful alice His sharp deep blue eyes gave that impression well. It seems cold and indifferent, much like the young inventor, Hotaru. Still, there is a flicker of warmth too, though it is overshadowed by the coldness seeping into it.

This boy, he has been in this academy for awhile. He seems to be comfortable with his surroundings. He doesn't seem awkward or out of place. Yes, this boy has been here longer than just transferring in yesterday.

"Oh, probably that is why I did not know about it then."

"Yes, he is a special student. Do take care of him, Narumi-san."

"Of course. Then, we had better go now. Class is about to start."

"Have a good day."

Just like that, Persona was gone, leaving me behind with the new student and no further information. Is this the new recruit? He seems to be the same age as Natsume. I wonder what his alice is, something more powerful than fire perhaps.

It seems this boy will also have a fan club by tomorrow. His hair is like the clearest blue sky on a sunny day. Azure more like, that it really compliments his eyes, which were a deep blue colour. A pair of sapphires and given the right lights a pair of dark midnight blue eyes.

A well built body that seems to have been given ruthless training and the just the right diet. His height is quite formidable, not too tall and not too short. He has an aura about him that demands respect and recognition.

Overall, he looks like the perfect new recruit. Then, that question of mine is answered. This boy has probably done or more like took over Natsume's work. The heavy burden of missions is what makes the boy's eyes harden then.

"Hello there. It is a pleasure to meet such a new face."

"Hn. You have a weird taste in clothes."

This boy, he has an attitude. Already I can picture the frantic squealing of girls, demanding for his attention. If his anything like Natsume, he probably will be a heart breaker. Oh those poor, poor fan girls.

"Well, I think it's pretty. This purple suit compliments my eyes doesn't it? It makes me look dashing."

"Hn. What kind of universe have you been living on? It's lacey. What guy in their right mind would wear lace?"

"Personally, I think it is comfortable and I live in the same universe as yours."

"Hn. Whatever floats your boat. Let's just get to class."

"Eh! Wait up!"

I just cannot believe it. That boy, he just left me and I am supposed to be the one who showed him to class. Well, at least I know for sure he didn't just transfer in yesterday. He knows his way around quite well. Oh, well more mysteries for me to solve. Lucky me.

"Minna, ohayou!"

A booming good morning greeted me back. I smiled fondly at the whole class. Amazing how I still manage to become their class teacher after five years. This class is supposed to be handled by another teacher, but I guess no teacher can handle these rascals very well.

"I have a special surprise for you guys today."

"What is it sensei?" Nonoko piped out.

"You found out about some new clothing lines ne, sensei?" Kokoroyomi ever the joker.

"No exams." Some student had hopefully said.

"No. No. We have a new student." I declared cheerfully.

Loud murmurings swept the whole class. Some looked surprised, some excited at the prospect of having a new student and some like Natsume have the devil-may-care attitude feels absolutely nothing. The manga he was reading is still on top of his face.

It seems he's not bothered with this new piece of information. I bet he will be attentive when the new guy introduce himself. I wonder if both of them will get along or start off on the bad foot. Oh well, I'll find out soon enough anyways.

"Please come in."

The door opened, the boy stepped in class and as I predicted, the girls started to swoon over him. Giggling here and there, some obvious sighs could be heard. The first day in class and the boy have already made a huge impression.

The short walk to front and center has shown much about the boy. He walks with precision and grace at the same time. His head held up high, the air of confidence surrounds him and his body language shows that he is ready for anything.

I'm amaze with the boy. It is as if he has matured greatly for a boy his age. A young man at his finest hour as he stands in front of the class. The girls are openly admiring and ogling the said young man, except for two young ladies.

Hotaru has -unsurprisingly- the cold and indifference look, but Mikan, she has the most peculiar expression on her face. She looks torn between amusement and shock. Her face look flushed and pale at the same time.

Is she blushing? I'm not the only one who notice this. My eyes flickered onto the great Hyuuga. He was looking back and forth at Mikan and the new student. He seems a bit disturbed. Looks like he is not happy with this predicament, especially when he starts to glare at the new student.

I still had to wonder, had Mikan flushed of embarrassment or anger. The new guy seems unaffected by his classmates reactions. I sworn I saw him smiling at Mikan and smirking at the Hyuuga. Only for a moment though, his facial expression became neutral once again.

But, judging for the increasement of the Hyuuga glare, I'm pretty sure he had smirk at the Hyuuga. Oh, dear. Trouble is already brewing and the boy has not even introduced himself yet. I guess this year is going to be loads of fun.

"Please. Will you do us all a favour and introduce yourself."

The boy straightened himself, chin held up high and with a clear voice introduced himself.

"Hi! My name is Raidon Mine. It is my pleasure to meet you all."

- Tsuzuku -

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