Chapter 2

The morning sunlight streamed through the crystal glasses of the greenhouse, casting a warm, golden glow. Rei and Misaki were inspecting the plants, each with utmost care. She felt that the person beside her was like a new person, as if he had transformed overnight. The person he was yesterday seemed like an illusion. Perhaps having shared the same Alice had brought them together to form a bond.

"Isn't this Saffron?" Rei asked, stopping beside a small plant. It had a few purple flowers swaying gently in the breeze.

Misaki nodded to say 'yes.' His deep brown eyes sparkled with liveliness, reflecting his passion for plants. He could not leave out the excitement in his voice. "It needs protection," he said, gently brushing one of the delicate purple flowers. "The external conditions don't really matter for you or me. We can make any plant grow under any condition with enough practice," how he considered them as part of one team truly ignited a flame in her.

His words made her feel like they were on a unique journey together. She felt her enthusiasm growing. Their shared connection with nature proved to be a blessing to her lonely days. She looked at him, admiring his dedication.

Misaki indeed had a friendlier attitude than her other classmates. Having spent the first day in the class, Rei could already see how she was not welcomed by the majority. She assumed it could be due to having Ruka who seemed to be a popular student as her partner, her unique plant-growing Alice, being able to work with Misaki who was also well-liked in class, and her non-star rank which came with zero privileges. Since those were beyond her power to change, she could only go with the flow accepting any treatment as it was.

As for Misaki, he did not seem to care about external matters, and was always focused on the plants and of his works. He treated Rei as an equal with their shared passion for plants. This made her feel accepted in a way she did not expect to experience inside the school.

"It's my next exam project," she heard him again.

"Exam project?" Rei asked in surprise. Only a day had passed, and now there was talk of an exam, let alone some kind of a project. She could not help but feel anxious by Misaki's sudden revelation.

"Haven't you been told about it? It's nothing much, we have to successfully cultivate a plant of our choice," Misaki explained, his tone casual yet focused. "This project is crucial for the technical ability class. It demonstrates our ability as Alice users. It might even upgrade one's star rank, though that's rare. You could also aim to change your non-star rank this time," he plucked some dry leaves from a Bonsai plant, walking a few steps away from her.

Rei looked back at the little saffron plant. There was something about it that made her happy. That plant had been created by Misaki, literally born out of his hands. It was just as he said; they could create plants, the very breath of nature. As she gazed at the delicate flowers, she felt a refreshing relief wash away her miseries. With a reassuring pat to herself, she quickened her steps to catch up with Misaki.

"A successful cultivation, that sounds like a lot of work. If what you're saying about the star rank is true, I should work on upgrading mine," said Rei, then took a deep breath. "I feel like an outcast with all those side eyes I get,"

Misaki slowed his pace upon hearing the last few words of her answer. He then signed her to follow him to the other end of the hall. Although his concern was evident, he remained quiet, offering silent support as they walked together.

Misaki and Rei spent the entire morning in the greenhouse, inspecting the plants that Misaki had nurtured with care.

The greenhouse brought a sense of comfort to Rei, reminding her of home. She remembered the endless blue mountains that disappeared to the heavens, wrapped with plum blossoms in the spring. The clouds that embraced her soul whenever she climbed the stairs were a sight to behold. Rei missed her home, especially wandering each day into the deep of the mountains, never knowing where she might end up.

Here, at school, life seemed to pass in the blink of an eye. She felt like a caged wild horse with all its restrictions. Each day was a struggle. She wished for the freedom she once had, yearning for the boundless greenery of her homeland.

Rei was lost in her undefined thoughts, but Misaki was not close enough to see into her mind. He could only sense that she had wandered far into her own world. Allowing her space, he did not disturb her and quietly went on his way into the storeroom.

At that moment, the tranquil nature was disturbed by the presence of a stranger. The sudden intrusion pulled Rei back to reality, and she quickly realized that the shadowy figure was not Misaki.

Entering the greenhouse without prior approval was strictly prohibited, as if the place belonged solely to Misaki and Rei. Not even a teacher would dare to step in unless absolutely necessary. By now, Misaki had advised her regarding the matter, and had told her not to let anyone enter the greenhouse without their permission.

The thought of an outsider intruding on the space was unsettling. As she stood there, facing the stranger, she felt uneasy.

"Are you planning to steal or..."

Rei asked, approaching the stranger from behind with cautious steps. The white hoodie prevented her from finding any clues to their identity, leaving her uncertain whether it was a girl or a boy.

"What?" This time, the stranger turned to face her, pulling off his hoodie in one swift move.

The thief was revealed to be a boy about her age. He looked so striking which caught her off guard. His warm brown hair brushed his shoulders, framing an elegant face with the most alluring features. Under his left eye, a charming beauty mark added a distinctive touch to his already engaging gaze.

He stood before her with an effortless charm and such confidence that she almost doubted his authority over the greenhouse. Above all, Rei was puzzled by the mischievous glint held in his most captivating emerald eyes.

As Rei observed him, she could not deny his exceptional beauty. Even the way he carried himself was charming, inviting attention even without trying.

"Do you think that I'm a thief?" His voice was so soft and careful, it felt otherworldly.

Rei hesitated, unsure of how to answer. He had the appearance of a prince descended from the heavens, resembling Shiki in more ways than one. Despite everything, she could not shake off her wariness, not knowing the person who he was behind those enchanting eyes. By now, she knew all too well the unpredictable and strange nature of her fellow students at school, and she preferred to keep herself away from any potential trouble. After a few seconds of searching for the right words, she went on. "No, I, umm… No, but yes I didn't see you coming,"

As the words left her lips, she noticed a change in him. The sparkle in his eyes faded abruptly, freezing to nothingness. In a mere second, the boy who seemed like a harbinger of good fortune transformed into someone whose presence gave an ominous feeling. His aura felt almost murderous, even standing close to him sent a shiver down her spine.

Rei was staring at him, her voice long lost with the sudden shift in the atmosphere. The boy reflected her confusion, his expression was a mix of curiosity and anger. The silence that followed them was thick, broken only by the faint rustle of leaves inside the greenhouse.