Disclaimer: I do not own Gakuen Alice or any of its characters. All credits go to the creator, Tachibana Higuchi.
I hadn't realized that I had fallen asleep in mother's office when I awoke in the middle of the night. But then again, I don't think I would've waken up if Hiriko hadn't woke me up.
"Miss Sakura! Why are you in here? I thought you were supposed to be packing for tomorrow's departure" she exclaimed.
"… Well. Crap. I can't believe I fell asleep. Thanks for waking me up, Hiriko! I better get started on my packing now. Wait, what time is it?" I asked
"It is exactly 1:00 AM, Miss Sakura"
"Hiriko, we went over this. There is no need to be formal, you can just call me Mikan. And thank you for the time. I'll go get started now on my packing" I said as I waved to her while I was walking out the room, towards my own room.
I didn't mind packing, it was somewhat peaceful. It gave me time to think of the things that mother had said to me hours before. When I finally finished packing, I looked around my room to see if I missed anything. I noticed a picture frame that was on my desk. There wasn't a picture in it, yet. But in place of a picture was just a piece of paper that said "Best of Times" in some fancy calligraphy. I decided to take it along with me, an impromptu decision. Maybe at the academy I was going to have a moment that deserved to be considered as a "Best of Times" sort of moment.
When I finally finished packing, I checked the clock that was on my wall. It was 3:05 AM. I decided to go to sleep since I was so tired, but turned on my alarm to wake me up at 7 in the morning. Two hours before I was supposed to leave. I figured that would be enough time for me to shower, make myself somewhat presentable, and eat a small breakfast. I fell asleep dreaming of the different things that might happen to me at the academy.
-x
I felt the sun rays shine on my face, so I figured it was morning. I checked the clock and saw that it was 8:08 AM.
"HOLY CRAP. I WOKE UP LATE. OH MY GOD. OH MY GOD. Okay Mikan, take a deep breath and count to 3. And then you will go take a shower" I said to myself.
…1
…2
…3
So I went to go take a quick shower. And when I got out, with my hair blow dried, it was already 8:30. Which meant, I had to make a decision between making my presentable, or making myself full. Since I sat in front of the mirror and stared at myself with a brush in my hand, it was obvious as to what choice I made.
I stared at the reflection that looked back at me. I decided to brush my hair, which was the shade of brown. I was what people would call a brunette. While I was staring at the reflection, I stared at the hazel eyes that looked exactly like my mother's. My eyes drifted down towards my chest as I stared at a circle-like scar near my collar bone. It never bothered me; in fact, it was so faint that I even forget that I had a scar. The only thing that worried me was that I don't remember how I got it in the first place. And whenever I tried asking someone, they always deflected my question.
Ten minutes had passed, and I decided to get myself dressed seeing that my hair was as decent as it could get. I decided that a simple white v-neck, a pair of dark wash jeans that was cuffed at my knees and a pair of black ballet flats would be nice for the first day. After I finished it was already 8:50. 10 minutes before I was going to leave this house. I heard Hiriko call out to me, saying something about coming downstairs. I gave myself a final look over, placed my phone in my back pocket, and down I went.
I saw that my luggage was already downstairs, about to be carried into the trunk of the car. I also saw that both of my parents were there, strangely. I was never that close with my father, so I wasn't surprised to hear him say, "We don't have all the time in the world. Thank god you're finally done. Let's go." I felt myself nod towards his direction, as an indication of listening to him. As for my mother, she just turned her heel and went towards the door.
Before I was about to go, I felt a hand hold my arm back.
"Miss Sakura-" said Hiriko
I was somewhat surprised at this gesture, but I heard myself say, "Yes?"
"Be safe, and if you have any troubles, feel free to contact me" She said earnestly while pressing a piece of paper that had her number into my hand.
I smiled at this gesture, and opened my arms to embrace her into a hug, something that I rarely do. "Thank you for your concern, Hiriko"
I heard my mother's voice from outside the house saying, "Mikan! What are you doing dawdling around? We're going to be late. Hurry."
I pulled out from the hug first, and started to turn towards the door. But not before saying, "Bye Hiriko!", while giving her a genuine grin. Something I haven't felt myself do in a long time.
I felt Hiriko's gaze at me while I was walking out, and then I heard her say wistfully, "Bye Mikan"
I smiled inwardly to myself while thinking, she finally called me by my name.
-x
As I stepped into the car, the atmosphere felt so tense. No one was talking until my mother broke the silence by telling the driver to drive to the Alice academy. After that, no one talked for the remaining hour.
It was so quiet, but it wasn't peaceful. It was filled with so much awkward tension. But as the drive progressed on, we finally left the city, the area I lived in; and went into a more forest-y area. I looked at the scenery in awe, trying to take in how beautiful it looked. However, my awe was broken as I heard my father sharply say my name.
"Mikan"
"Yes father"
"I am sure that you know that your admission to this school isn't just for fun. You are to learn valuable experience that would be beneficial on maintaining the company when you become of age."
"Yes father, I am aware."
"I expect that you try to establish connections that could benefit you in the future. And avoid any unnecessary connections."
"I will try my best, father" I said warily
"Well then. That's good. Now look outside. We are at the academy" he said
The driver then stepped outside, and went to the trunk to set my luggage on the floor.
I looked outside, and I was floored. The academy was huge. No wait, scratch that. Huge was an understatement. It was colossal, humongous, and/or gargantuan. I was still gawking at the school, that I didn't hear my mother come up behind me, turned me around and took me into an embrace. That was the last thing I had expected for her to do. I heard her softly mutter, "Be safe, Mikan. Try to avoid trouble. Remember that I always love you, even if I do a terrible job of showing it" She slowly released me from her arms after she said that.
I was still stunned that she would do that, that all I did was stand there afterwards. I couldn't stand there for long though. I heard footsteps coming behind me, so I turned around. I did not expect a pair of arms enveloping me into a hug. A hug that seemed to suck all the air out of my body..
"You must be the new student!" the man happily said.
To be hugged twice within the same minute was definitely strange for me so all I did was slowly nod my head while raising an eyebrow.
The man in front of me, was a man that wore such clothing that would make you think he was… gay or something. But even with my actions, the bright smile on his face did not seem to falter.
"My name is Narumi, I am a teacher at the Alice academy. I try to hug all of the new girls that come here!" he said jovially. It seemed that he was oblivious that when he said that it would make him sound like some gay pedophile.
"What's your name, new student?" asked another teacher that came up behind him.
"Mikan Sakura" I replied
He nodded, as if processing this information. "My name is Misaki, another teacher at this academy. Ignore Narumi, he's always like that. He's not harmful if you were thinking he was."
"I see" I said.
I saw that his gaze flickered over to where my parents were at. "Your daughter will be under the best security, and have the best curriculum at her service while she is at this academy. I am quite positive that her experience in this academy will be most enriching to her future role as the heir to your company." He said.
It was evident that father was impressed with how Misaki handled himself, as he cleared his throat and said, "That is quite reassuring to hear. Now, my wife and I are extremely busy at this moment, and we need to go back to the city. We will now leave, and place her under your care."
He had already turned his heel to start walking towards the car, but he suddenly stopped and turned around to face me as he said, "I am positive that you remember what I said in the car, Mikan?"
"Yes father, I remember" I said
He nodded, pleased with my response. "Very well then, I shall be going."
"Have a safe trip back, father" I said.
"Come Yuka, we cannot waste time around here much longer" I heard him say to my mother.
Before my mother walked back towards the car, we both made eye contact, and neither of us faltered our gaze. She nodded at me, before walking back to the car. I watched her get in the car, and then soon the car started to drive away into the distant road.
"Mikan"
I turned around, hearing that my name was said.
"Come, we're going to show you around the campus" said Misaki, while holding most of my luggage, whereas Narumi was holding the rest.
We were barely walking into the school, when a student approached me.
"H-Hello! M-My name is Yuu Tobita, and I am the school r-representative." He said
I chuckled, seeing that he was just as nervous as me. Except I just didn't show it.
I flashed him a genuine smile, as I said, "Pleased to meet you, I'm Mikan Sakura"
He had a shadow of a smile as he said, "I know, almost everyone knows who you are Sakura"
Upon hearing this, I must have had a confused facial expression, considering he justified his statement by saying "Most of the students here have been attending this academy since they were 10. So having a new student is something that will have the students here in a curious state"
"That makes sense, I suppose" I said
Yuu glanced towards Misaki and Narumi saying, "If you don't mind sensei, I would like to show her around the Academy" he said. "That is if she doesn't mind", while looking at me for my approval.
"I don't mind at all" I said smiling. I saw him blush, which got a laugh from me.
Misaki then said, "Very well then, Narumi and I will continue taking your luggage to your room then". He took several steps before promptly stopping and turned around.
"Oh, and Mikan" He said
"Yes?" I said, somewhat confused
"Welcome to Alice Academy" he said with a slight smile.
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