Melting The Ice Queen

by tamich

Hotaru Imai only looks ahead. Albeit a reclusive existence in the Swedish Alps, she was finally moving forward with her career through the association of the leading technological manufacturing company in the 21st century. It was the start of a progressive career, but why is it that whenever she looked back, a kind familiar smile was calling her back?

1. Prologue: Confessions

I DO NOT OWN GAKUEN ALICE OR ANY OF ITS CHARACTERS. THAT NOTE-WORTHY CLAIM CAN ONLY BE MADE BY THE GENIUS TACHIBANA HIGUCHI.

Prologue

January 15, 2017

It seemed like the right thing to say at the time, the only thing left to say.

With the moon bleaching her skin paler than usual, the silk of her dress whipping against the contours of her body tantalizingly, and her eyes, unreadable and hazy like all the other times I've looked into them, that was the time.

Unguardedly, irrationally, and unceremoniously, I said to her, "I love you." It came out in a flood of emotion, and I poured it all out, leaving me panting, breathless.

She blinked once, and for a moment I saw a sliver of emotion cross her irises, but they were gone before I could read them. A long silence.

The skirt of her black dress billowed around her where she stood on the porch of her apartment building. I looked up to her from the sidewalk and more than ever, for a woman small for her age, the presence she commanded was eminent. Instead of the night consuming her in its shadows, the shadows of the night seemed to cower before her own icy darkness.

Her brows furrowed menacingly and my heart sank. It could only mean one thing.

"You really shouldn't," she said harshly. Just as quickly as it came, the antagonism dispelled from her countenance, and it smoothed out into a nonchalant expression. "It's been nice working with you. Good night." Before I could say anything else, she was gone inside the building, leaving me with nothing but sadness in my heart and the cold air to keep me company during the walk home.

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A/N: I retrieved this story from an old FanFiction that I don't use anymore. It seemed such a shame to discontinue it because I really did enjoy the plot I've thought of for this story. So this is me trying to salvage Ruka and Hotaru's happily ever after in the spaces of my imagination. I began the Fic around 3 years ago, so I do apologize if the first few chapters don't seem so up to parr. I may consider editing it if my schedule allows it. As the story progresses - if you, hopefully, stick around to see it do so - you may notice a change in writing style. This would mark the transition from when I left off 3 years ago to where I am currently writing now, at the present day. I'd like to think I've improved rather than regressed and do hope you enjoy this story as much as I have writing it. Cheers! :)