I DO NOT OWN GAKUEN ALICE

Chapter 2

July 19, 2015

Summer in Switzerland was a pleasant time for doing. . .well, pretty much anything.

When I had finally slept off my fatigue, I woke up to the scent of wilderness and grass. It was a satisfying smell that I could get used to. Getting up and going outside, I was met with a chorus of morning greetings from my friends, the sheep, the cows, and the horses. I chuckled, remembering the times back in the Academy when I had to sneak into the barn to be at home. Now, the very air hung with the animals' presence.

I went to work. Aside from Willy the wily Ibex, my occupation also included managing the animals. Science drew patterns from nature, Mr. Liechti had explained during a long afternoon tea session over the weekend. He built the Labs to be surrounded with inspiration on all sides. He believed that in observing plants, animals, and their interactions with one another, a new innovative idea will sprout. And, though I loathe to admit it, they came in handy when food ran all, the closest town from here actually isn't so close. Nevertheless it was work I enjoyed in a landscape that left me breathless.

I was told that summer also brought frequent rainfall around here, so the lands are kept moist, and run with greens even under the heat of day. Needless to say, I was falling in love with Switzerland.

And just when I thought no other beauty could compare, I received a visit.

She arrived on helicopter, which was just as eye-popping the second time around. Seriously, it's as if people in the Labs have never heard the words 'land transportation'. The silver copter landed on the huge field of grass beside the cottage where the cows usually grazed. They mooed at the flying intruder but quickly went out of the way. I was too far to see who had climbed off, but apparently that person was staying long, because a few minutes later, the vehicle's rotors once again sped up and the unconventional transport climbed to the sky, soon out of view.

I approached when I saw her walking towards me, surprisingly stable even as her high stilettos hit the lumpy earth. When we were standing face-to-face, she greeted me with a warm smile. And yes, I had to agree; because I knew right away that this must be the woman everyone had been talking about. She was most definitely as gorgeous as everyone says she is.

She wasn't your Barbie doll beauty. On the contrary, she was a brunette, had light golden-hazel eyes, and slightly tanned skin that must have been propaganda for fresh and alluring in these parts of the world. Surely, other women wanted her skin. They practically glowed with the shimmer of sunlight. She looked real, like a girl who knew how to enjoy herself, played under the sun, and had life easy. Or maybe her real appeal lied in the way she carried herself; perfectly tailored, blue jeans that hugged her long, slender legs, a fresh, sleeveless, floral top, and her long hair slicked back in a pony. That first time I met her, I was under the impression that she knew she was beautiful, and so people thought so to. And to be honest, I wasn't mistaken.

All of a sudden, I felt conscious of the fact that I was only wearing a casual, white tee probably already soaked with sweat from a few hours of work.

"Hello," she said, in surprisingly fluent English, no tinge of German, French, Italian or whatever other languages these multi-cultural Swiss people spoke. "I'm Annaliese Liechti." She held out her hand, and I shook it.

"I'm Ruka," I said, surprised at how nervous I felt.

"I know," she said, smiling brilliantly. She looked back and I saw that a man wearing a business suit and dark shades –which must've felt uncomfortable during summer- had followed her out of the helicopter, carrying a gift basket. "Hurry, Yusev. I want to get back before nightfall."

"Yes, ma'am," Yusev replied, wiping his sweaty brow.

"Chocolates," Annaliese said, turning back to me. "Papa insisted that I bring you some as a welcome present. Although in time, you'd probably come to get sick of the Swiss chocolates." She laughed a bit, her perfectly full, pink lips, drawing my attention. I snapped out of it when she said, "So, Mr. Nogi, will you invite me inside or would you prefer to sweat while talking?"

"Right," I said, turning beet red. "Right, this way."

I led Annaliese and Yusev into my humble home, up the porch and into the modest living room. I held the door open for the lady, her heels clacking on the wooden boards and her perfume playing tricks on my senses. As she passed, I noticed that we were about the same height. If you exclude her added inches, she would probably reach just above my eyes, which was still considerably tall.

"Yusev, put the gift on the kitchen counter won't you?" she ordered, "And Mr. Nogi, juice please?" she asked charmingly. Already she had seated herself on the living room sofa, feeling right at home.

As I prepared her juice, I wondered if anyone had ever refused her before.

"Here you go," I said, placing two glasses of lemonade on the table.

"Thank you," she said politely, picking up her share and sipping in a very posh manner and smiling delicately in satisfaction. She took another sip. Yusev, on the other hand, took his glass with not much of a word before excusing himself from his mistress, saying he would wait stay outside. "So," she said, and laid her glass back down. "Down to business."

I nodded, giving her a small smile.

"You don't say much, do you?" she asked, laughing prettily.

I blushed. "Not usually when I'm flustered." I looked around frantically trying to think of something to cover it up when I realized what I'd just said. "Wait-I didn't mean-It's more of-"

"I make you flustered?" she chuckled again, smiling still, and the way she was looking at me was a bit too coy. My gut instinct told me that she was used to flirting. Still it had its effect on me. I blushed deeper.

I cleared my throat. "So, what was it that you came here for?" I asked, trying to salvage my dignity.

Her smile widened almost wickedly. "Changing the topic so soon," she commented but answered the question anyway, "Not on my own accord, sadly. I was on my way out to town so Papa insisted that I send you a message. Between you and me, I might even think he's trying to set me up." Her tone hinted that she didn't mind the notion in the least.

"Message?" I asked, rolling my eyes internally at the fact that these people took the helicopter just to go to town. But then again, she did live on a mountain.

"He says to wake up early tomorrow. Apparently, your mission with the Ibex will start at 8:00. He also says that you should wear something you're comfortable with. The hike up the mountain does get strenuous."

"We're hiking up the mountain?"

She rolled her eyes. "It's been this way since that thing was discovered. My ever so paranoid father believes the helicopter will frighten it away."

"He," I corrected.

"He," she conceded, flashing an amused grin.

"That's it?" I asked.

"That's it," she said, then picked up her juice and sipped again. "But don't be in such a rush to get rid of me, I insist on finishing my drink." She raised the glass in cheers and proceeded to the task.

I smiled at her candor. "You must know that they warned me about you," I said feeling a bit giddy.

"Warned?" she said, laughing. "Am I a vicious animal on the loose?"

"More of a cunning sylph, if the rumors hold true," Our eyes met and she raised a slender brow.

"Touché," she said. "Not so shy after all, I see."

I shrugged. "Couldn't let you embarrass me," I said, grinning friskily. "I'm still a man after all."

"Yes, you are," she said. "But had you been a woman I think they still would have warned you. I've been known for far more infamous antics." She laughed at my dumbstruck expression. "I'm kidding."

"Right."

She smiled, enjoying another sip before proceeding. "Tell me about your Alice. Animal Pheromone? What does that mean exactly?"

"It means I can make animals do as I want," I summarized.

"Hence the Ibex."

"Pretty much."

"You know, we have another Alice in the Labs around your age as well. You might now her." But the glint in her eye told me that she already knew that I knew her.

"You mean Hotaru."

"Yes, Imai. She's an introvert, isn't she?" A thought struck me that Annaliese might've been a hater.

"I guess you could say she's always preferred working alone," I said, looking away from her honey eyes. This talk about Hotaru was making me uncomfortable. Not that she and I were in any way close. Even back in the Academy she was civil if not uncaringly ignoring me. Still, I held a sense of loyalty to my fellow Alice.

"Were you two friends? Back at your old school?" she probed, as if reading my mind.

I looked back at her and smiled politely. "Your lemonade's finished," I commented, pointing.

She looked at the glass at her hands, as if noticing it for the first time. It was still filled a quarter of the way through but I suppose she took the sign that I didn't want to continue with the topic. She gave me a friendly smile before placing the glass on top of the coffee table, the ice clacking inside. "Such a rush to get me out," she noted drily, standing up from her seat. "Very well, I'll see you tomorrow."

I stood up as well, leading her to the front door. "You're coming?"

"Of course! I wouldn't miss seeing the pheromones in action." She winked at me before passing through the doorway. When Yusev joined her on the porch, she turned around to give me one last smile. "Auf Wiedersehen, Ruka," she said and placed a kiss on my cheek. "Einen guten Tag haben."

With that she was gone. I closed the door behind her and sighed. Suddenly I didn't feel like going back outside to work, as if she took all the energy away from me.

Ms. Annaliese Liechti, what a character you are.

A/N: I'm at a standstill... These chapters are the ones I've written all those years ago, but I'm currently having some trouble figuring out where to go next with this story. Oh no oh no gotta get rid of this predicament. lol

Do drop a review my way. Your suggestions are most welcome!