I never thought that I'd be coming back here, to the Academy. The feeling of rejection and loneliness came flooding back to me again. Those feelings that I don't want Nami to ever experience. The gatekeeper came plodding towards me on the other side of the gate.
"Hey, you! Lady, do you have a reason to be here?" he said. I straightened myself out and looked at him proudly.
"I would prefer it if you didn't address me so rudely in future." I said, "my name is Chica Hii, and I am here to visit my Aunt. The middle school principle of this school, now if you don't mind, let me in." I shifted my weight impatiently. The man looked slightly surprised for a second, but soon pulled his stern face back on.
"Sorry, I'll have to check." he said walking to his little booth. "Hello? can I speak to the middle school principle?" He said into the telephone. I sighed loudly. The gate keeper pressed a button, and the gates slid open. "Hii-Sama says you are to go to her residence as soon as possible, I've called for a guide..."
"That won't be necessary, I grew up here. I know my way to the Hanahime den." I snapped, walking in the direction that I remembered. Nami was awake, looking up at me with her big, innocent eyes. If she had knew what I was going to do with her, I wonder if she would have looked up at me with the same expression. No, she'd probably look at me with betrayal written all over her face. But this was the best thing I could ever do for her. Keep her away from me.
The girl led me through the building, Nami fell asleep in my arms, going limp and helpless. More girls started to appear, all of them in pretty kimonos. I felt out of place in my skinny jeans and tank top. Finally, the girl slid open a door, and there she was. I tucked a strand of my blonde curly hair behind my ear. I had missed my Aunt so badly, even though I hadn't noticed it. She still looked very pretty for her age. My mother and my aunt had been over twenty years apart, my mother knew I had an Alice so she happily turned me in, with the money she got, she could pay for my brother's education, it was obvious he was her favourite. My aunt had already graduated and become a teacher at the school I grew up in. She took the place of my mother, and loved more than anyone that I knew.
"Oba?" I whispered. She put her fan down by her side and looked straight at me. "I've come...to ask you, for the last time, for help"
"Yes." She said, looking down at Nami.
"I've had a daughter, her name is Nami. And i'm in trouble, and I can't let her be in danger. I will explain what I hope you will do for me. Until her thirteenth birthday, Please take care of her, keep her with you. On her thirteenth birthday, if I don't come for her, I am dead."I said, looking straight into her eyes. "She has an Alice, I can sense it coming off her body. If it's dangerous, you mustn't give it to Elementary School Principle, until her thirteenth birthday. Don't let her attend the lessons until her birthday. Please Oba, will you?"
"I agree to all of your terms, as I am too old to have children now. I will be her mother for thirteen years, and if you are unable to come and claim her, I will continue being her mother. I will educate her to the fullest, and do what you can not." She said, I walked towards her, and placed my still sleeping Nami in her awaiting arms. I felt the prick of tears on the brink of spilling.
"I must leave. And thank you, Oba. Thank you so much." I said, and then I ran. I ran out of the Hanahime den. And kept running until I reached the gate keeper. He saw my teary face and let me out without saying a thing. My arms felt empty and cold without my little Nami in them. But one day I will meet her again. One day I will get a good job and a house and a car, and I will be happy. And Nami will be happy. I promise.