Hey everyone...

So, I edited some stuff with this story especially with the pairing. I just realized that I sucked royally in the grammar and I didn't know then that the tense is supposed to be past tense.

I didn't edit everything, mind you. I'm a loyal slacker so I guess you could see that in the story. I think I started in chapter 2 with the major editing...

Anyway, I've written two new chapters after a very long hiatus (sorry i didn't warn any of the guys waiting for almost a year-major problems came up in my family and school). Second year high school was hectic in Phil-Sci. At least in my third year this year, it won't be so hectic.

I'm done with promising you guys for a certain time for my update. I'm done with breaking my promises. I can't even tell you guys how sorry I am.

Since those who had been waiting for this story to update probably got sick of waiting, I'm just going to say sorry and i hope you'll forgive me. To those who had been reading my stories and making Story Alerts and some even gave a few reviews, thanks a lot. I really appreciate it.

P.S. : This note is just going to repeat from the first chap until the 22nd chapter of my story.

Chapter 16

Weeks had passed ever since the incident Hyuuga did to me (and me beating him up and big brother almost beating him up more). Although, that didn't mean that there weren't surprises and almost-caught moments to the point that Hotaru wanted to kill someone. Literally.

The first thing that happened was Hyuuga's twin sister's sudden arrival. Boy, do they look alike. The only difference was their attitudes. Aoi-san had a bubbly character while Hyuuga was a cold, silent type of guy.

The next surprise was conducted by our band. Due to the change of looks made by our holograms, we "exchanged" with other students from other schools. And when we arrived at school, we should have gotten every person's faces' pictures.

You see, my hologram was a geek of some sort (I don't know why I made that). I had ill-colored braces, a few zits, and had dry skin. My hair had a carrot-red color while my eyes were deep blue which, in Fashion Queen's a.k.a. Permy's opinion, was a major let-down. I also wore Yuu's ridiculously round, huge glasses with no grade.

Hotaru's hologram cover was, shall we say, shocking (I may have made the devices but she was the one who programmed it). She said it was a pure sacrifice and that we have to pay her a year's supply of yummy crab brains (barf). Do you know what her character is? I'll give you a hint: she had to wear uber-showing-skin clothes, her boobs just got bigger, and she has to flirt with every boy she meets.

Yup, you guessed it ladies and gentlemen (if there are), she's a ho. And yes, we agreed to pay her the said price. Her hair was strawberry blond and her eyes had the color of beautiful seas.

Yuu's hologram wasn't as difficult to manage because all he has to be was a gangster. What was difficult was his articulation and diction. You know how our own Yuu was a major dictionary and Shakespeare follower. So, he has to share just a little pain in the neck. His blond hair was darkened by about five shades and he has mossy green eyes. We promised him that we'll help him in every way we could to practice his rough attitude or else, everyone's going to get suspicious.

Anna and Nonoko's hologram were the same as mine but they were going to be stupid geeks while I become the smart one. They chose the character because the only thing they were going to do now was going to act stupid especially in Chemistry class. Both would be tempted to be great at the class because Anna was a genius at cooking and stuff while Nonoko was a legendary chemist. My problem was that I was the stupid one.

Now the funny part was Permy's (how we love to tease her). She chose to become the normal girl but since she chose it before, we chose for her. And guess what? We chose (drumroll) Goth. She refused but she was defeated when we reasoned with her. She said she'll do it because keeping the mouth shut most of the time wasn't hard but the big sacrifice (according to her) was to give up the fashion sense. I pity her.

When we entered, the classroom was full of faces of disgust, shock, and blank expressions. The disgust part was from the "elites", the shock was mostly from Dark Sky's and Aoi-san's, while the blank ones were from the people who didn't have a care in the world.

After that, Narumi, who was still acting as semi-gay teacher, was a follower of rules so he said that since each of us exchanged with the same person, we have to be their partners. Again.

Great, now more on the burden was them.

Right now, I was in Chemistry class with the Twins. They had the same martyred expression from the first day of "exchange". The lab haf tables that could only accommodate three persons; so naturally, I was with Anna and Nonoko. We were currently mixing acids and base when Nonoko complained under her breath.

"Crap, I hate this part," she said. It wasn't natural for her to say things like that.

I sighed quietly. "You must be real pissed, huh?" I then used the stirring rod to transfer the acid. But Anna's hand stopped me.

"Remember to put water first before the acid," she whispered. Good thing we were at the back or else someone would have noticed. "Acid reacts a little violently when it touches a little water. But if you put a large amount of water first then the acid, diluting should be easy."

Darn, I was hopeless in this area. To tell you the truth, I hated Chemistry. So naturally, I didn't remember stuff like these.

Just then, Hirama-sensei went over to our table and looked at Nonoko who was about to whisper at me another thing that might just entertain me.

"What were you going to say, Tamewa-san?" she asked, using Nonoko's fake surname. The faculty knows who we are but sometimes they forget which was a good thing considering certain situations.

"Um," Nonoko hesitated for a question. "I was going to ask her how we would determine what sulfur is when we put it in acid."

Hirama-sensei raised her eyebrows and looked at me. "Do you have the answer, Waname-san?"

I looked at Anna and Nonoko frantically. I don't remember!

Then, Nonoko tapped her metal watch and made twinkling-stars with her hand. I remember that.

"Metal…reacts with acids while the non-metals do the opposite," I replied, making my voice sound confident and geeky.

Sensei smiled. "Very good. Carry on."

She left us and I sighed in relief. "Darn, I can't believe I'm this stupid in this subject."

"No, I'm sorry," Nonoko said. "I panicked when she asked me so I said the first thing that popped in my mind."

"Then how about we both say sorry and make it up later?" I suggested and she smiled a goofy smile. We may be talking to each other but that didn't mean we have to stop pretending, right?

Anna sniffled falsely. "Why do I feel so alone?"

I chuckled while Nonoko just patted her head. She smiled at our little moment before the bell rang and Hirama-sensei telling everyone to clean up their tables. After we cleaned up ours, we packed our bags and left the classroom before everyone else.

"I have to go to Yui, Tsui, and Rin. I need to ask them something," I said to them on the way to the cafeteria. They nodded and said that they'll save a seat for us secretly.

Currently, my fake name was Tera, Anna was Sami, and Nonoko was Lumi. We were making things a bit tight now since last time because our previous characters only have our real last names and no first names. But, to avoid suspicion, we have to make up fake names. Yui was Hotaru. She disliked it because the name was from the anime K-on. Yui was a stupid girl and Hotaru was the complete opposite aside from guitar. Who chose the name? I did (peace!). Tsui was Yuu. It was kinda from the manga Special A. A guy had a little brother named Sui and then we decided to make it Tsui. Anna did that (I hear wedding bells!). Rin was Sumire. Remember my addiction with Naruto? Yeah, Kakashi had a teammate whose name was Rin, so I gave her that. We don't know what got into us (Anna, Nonoko, and I—we were the ones giving the names xD) but we referred their names from the mangas and animes we read. Anna and I were the name-givers while Nonoko was the critic. Pretty idiotic, right? But it was fun.

Anyways, I ran—yes, I ran—towards the Technology class where my other friends were. I already imagined Hotaru's face when we met.

"…damn, geezer," she was saying. Yuu and Sumire only followed behind with serious faces but from what I could see, they were listening to her and pitying her. Yeah, I pity her, too.

I signaled them by patting my cheeks with both of my hands—the same way I'd been giving signals to them for the past years. They nodded slightly but continued their work as if they never saw me. I walked briskly and fixed the position of my glasses—or so they've thought. Unknown to outsiders, I just activated the holographic GPS. Only the user could see it and others couldn't even notice our activities. We have different types of specialized GPS. For example, I had the glasses, Yuu had his cap where he'd only look up the cover to see the map, Permy had her watch where she'd only look at the screen, Hotaru has her necklace with a medium-sized pendant, and Anna and Nonoko both have their glasses like mine. Yuu made these possible, by the way. He made others according to the occasion but for now, this is it.

Since I made the covers and Yuu made the maps, Hotaru made the trackers and the communication system. We have little speakers in our ears or we wear them. For example, I have one on my outer ear which looks like a big mole, the Twins, Permy, and Hotaru had earrings, while Yuu had a mole but is more normal-looking than my big one.

Now don't think the other three didn't do anything. They made the suspicion lessen by designing them to fit the occasion. Everything was done by us. And this how we work.

But there's always a problem in every day.

Suddenly I bumped into someone. One disadvantage sometimes was that I concentrate too hard on the map that I didn't see the outside world. So what happened was that I fell on my butt hard.

"Sorry, sorry!" I squeaked frantically. Well, I had to act geeky to fit the description, right?

"Stupid," the person muttered. Immediately, I froze because I knew that voice. I looked up and saw his crimson eyes blazing in irritation. As fast as I could go, I went to geeky mode.

"I-I-I'm so sorry, Hyuuga-san!" I stammered and knelt before him like what the fangirls would do. "I didn't look where I was going and—"

"Yeah, I know," he cut me off. "You're too busy looking at your glasses."

Even though I was in geeky mode, I still hated people who cut me off and insult me. I would have punched him now (again) but I kept it in. Besides, geeks don't fight, they run away. Although… I would love to make another purple splotch on his other cheek right now.

"Sorry," I said again.

He exhaled sharply. "Just get out of my sight."

That was when my control snapped. But I managed to keep my rage under control or else I'd blow our cover.

I stood up and ran as fast as I could towards the woods in the school. Gakuen Alice had woods named according to the four main directions. I went to the South Woods since it was nearer to the cafeteria. There, I punched the first tree that came in range hard. Then again. Then again. I yelled this line at the poor tree over and over again:

"I HATE PEOPLE WHO TREAT OTHERS LIKE DIRT!"

A few minutes passed, I rested underneath another tree. I was panting and sweating but the holograms I made wouldn't betray me like that. I turn off the hologram on my hands and saw them red and bleeding a little. If it was a lot and dripping and my hologram was on, others would think that the blood came out of nowhere.

I turned it back on and walked towards the cafeteria with a tired feeling inside. My friends must be worried again.

"Tera, where are you?" Yuu's voice asked me. He was worried.

I turned on my mic. By the way, my microphone was my braces. So I only scratched my front teeth to activate it.

"I'm almost there," I replied. "I'll explain to you guys when I get there. Are you all there?"

"Yeah," they all chorused. I chuckled a little and jogged towards the cafeteria.

I didn't know about me but I loved it when I knew they were united. And that feeling alone makes me want to go to them and stay like that forever.

I entered the cafeteria and swiftly took a tray and my meal. After paying, I went directly to where they were seated together.

"Finally!" Anna said. "She's here."

I knew she did that to say that we were getting to know each other but what the heck? She also did that because she was worried. Kapish?

As I sat down, Hotaru asked me a straight question. "What happened to you?"

"I bumped into Hyuuga," I replied earning surprised or shocked faces. "And because he said something that ticked me off, I decided that I've already gave him a good beating and went to the South Woods to thin it."

"Was that the cracking noise we heard?" Nonoko asked and gave herself a spoon of pudding. I only nodded nonchalantly.

"So," I began and looked at the "rebels" as we call them. "What happened to you guys?"

"I'm still working on the language assignment," Yuu replied sadly. "This is what I get to be so…rational!" HIs frowned deepened.

I shook my head. "That's not the case, Tsui. It's good to be rational. How about this? You speak gangster in school and when we're alone, you could be yourself again."

Yuu beamed. "Now your da man!"

We all laughed except Hotaru who always keeps her cold mask on. But I noticed something sinister on her mask.

"What happened to you, Yui?" I asked her.

She exhaled air sharply instead of answering me. Then, Permy answered for her.

"In Tech class," she started as she ate her salad. "She was always on top, right? But now, she has to act stupid. Sensei said that she could do it again when the time comes so that he could grade her properly. You know the staff, always happy to serve us." She rolled her eyes. "Anyway, when we were about to go out, a guy came to her and whispered something in her ear. Obviously she forced a giggle and said, 'Sorry, but you're not my type.'"

I munched on the chicken leg. "So? What's the big idea?"

"He asked me if we could check-in a hotel," Hotaru hissed. I was no longer surprised she's so angry but I can't help but cringe whenever she's super angry. The dark aura she has got intense and she never failed to give me shivers up my spine.

Anna held up her hands as if to stop something. "Whoa, girl! You could always have revenge."

Hotaru smiled evilly. "I'll castrate him."

We all gulped. "Maybe… less violent than that," Nonoko suggested.

"Then I'll kill him," she replied.

We shivered. "How about you beat him up until he goes in a coma?" Permy suggested. I kinda liked the idea, too (yes, I'm a major sadist).

Hotaru scoffed. "Fine by me. Who wants to join?"

I raised my eyebrows. "What's the catch?"

"I need an audience and someone who would deliver my message," Hotaru simply answered. "And thank you for volunteering, Tera, you will send my message."

I gaped at her and closed my mouth. "But I didn't do anything!" But I shut my mouth once she started to rummage something in her purse. I swear I heard it click.

No way am I going to be a test subject to that one! The last time I became one, I had a shattered bone in my arm that—thankfully—healed pretty quick.

Defeated, I agreed with a groan. She smiled in victory.

"Now, see that guy with blond hair by two o'clock?" Permy asked. I nodded as I spotted him talking to a bunch of guy friends.

"Tell him seven o'clock tonight," Hotaru ordered me. "You know what to do, don't you?"

"Yes, ma'am," I replied sarcastically before going geeky mode again and confronting the guy who wants to get laid with my best friend.

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"So? Where is she?" the guy asked. I swear I saw something disgusting in his eyes. Gag.

I inclined my head to the right. "She's here," I said and walked away. I went to the direction where Hotaru emerged from the dark. I nodded once at her and she nodded back. She then faced the guy with a flirty smile.

"Sorry for saying those words before," she said. "But I think I should give you a try."

Oh man. Just hearing Hotaru say that made me want to barf.

The guy laughed as if he was aroused (yuck!). But then, Hotaru put her finger in her mouth.

"So first," she began our plan of revenge. "I want you to fight Waname-san first."

The guy became surprised and peered around Hotaru to see my disgusting face. I faked a geeky grin and waved at him idiotically.

He scoffed. "Fine. Beating a girl up may be against a guy's rules but if she's useless, then fine by me." He took two steps forward and a football stance on.

Useless… useless… useless… THAT'S IT!

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The next day, the school newspaper had him on the headlines:

FOOTBALL JOCK GOT AMBUSHED; SUSPECTED TO BE DRUNK ACTIVITY

"Whoa," Yuu said as we had breakfast. "You scare the life out of me." He sipped his hot cocoa.

"Yuu," I started. "I only gave him a few punches… and a few kicks… and a few grapples… and maybe a few dirty moves. But I didn't think it would do that to him! Blame Hotaru for giving him a comatose with her deadly Baka Gun!"

Hotaru snorted. "He was already in a comatose before I shot him. Besides, it serves him well."

Anna nodded. "His fault why he became like that."

"His stupidity why he became like that," Nonoko corrected gave each other high-fives.

Permy clicked her tongue. "I can't believe you're so sadistic." She gave a disbelieving look towards the giggling twins.

"Ah, give it a rest," I said while chuckling. "Besides, it was fun to play Living Punch Bag again." I turned to Hotaru while I bit off some of the rice ball. "We should let them try next time."

"I doubt there won't be a next time," Hotaru replied monotonously and we just snickered earning a deadly glare. Of course, we shut up immediately.

After breakfast, we always have a little meeting. So, going back to our chairs, we talked.

"How are the trackers working?" Hotaru inquired.

I spoke first. "Mine is working well. I could see where I am and so are the others."

"Mine is working as well," Yuu said.

"Me, too!" the Twins chirped at the same time and raced at the Jinx game. Typical twins.

"Quiet," Permy scolded them. "I have the same functions as all of you."

"The holographic maps?" Yuu asked nervously about his invention.

"No glitch," Permy replied.

The Twins shook their heads while smiling. Yuu exhaled in relief.

Hotaru shrugged. Translation: "It was okay… I think."

I sighed. "It was alright, Yuu. But… could I say something?"

Yuu nodded in understanding.

"Can you do the same thing with the Tracker here in the Room? I mean, have red dots for the 'outsiders'?" I continued. "I don't mean to be rude or anything. I'm just suggesting so that everyone would be safe just in case someone unwanted comes near?"

Yuu smiled at me. "You never failed to make me nervous every time, Mikan Sakura." He chuckled in relief.

"Fine by me," Yuu agreed. "I can't believe I forgot about that."

"Nah, everyone is a human on Earth," I said to him. "Right, Anna?" I added slyly. Through my peripheral vision, I saw Anna beet red. I could only chuckle amusingly.

Did we forget someone? Or better yet, something? I'll give you a hint: it's a she, it has white hair, and is the cutest thing I've ever seen.

To those who haven't guessed, it's Snowbelle! Now where is she?

Well, I returned her to Ruka a long time ago. Thanks to Hotaru giving him a note, he went to homeroom with me waiting for him with Snowbelle in my arms. I let Snowbelle jump out of my arms when he came in and pounced him giddily. I told him that I found her last week that week and took care of her until the school days began again. When he thanked me, I told him that it would be the last time I would do him a favor. He was confused but I left him hanging.

"What do you think would happen to us when they find out?" Anna asked innocently. We became silent immediately.

"Probably pop their eyes out," Permy replied while giggling. But Anna shook her head.

"No," she murmured. "I meant…them."

The silence was deafening. My memories returned again and I had to close my eyes to stop it. The images weren't so good. I didn't know where they came from, too. I only knew they didn't mean Dark Sky but they didn't want me to see it.

"We fight," Hotaru said boldly. I turned my gaze to her.

"But," Nonoko began. "I don't think we have the courage to."

Hotaru rarely smiles. But this was a special case.

"We don't have to worry about that," she reassured.

Then I understood where she's going.

"She's right," I said as I went to their huddled position and hugged them.

"'Cause we'll always be together even though we're worlds apart," Sumire agreed and then a group hug started. It was ended with a ring of a cell phone. It was mine.

"Hold a minute," I said to them and read the message Narumi sent me. But I wished I hadn't.

She found out. Get ready. We're going there.

I'm sorry…