Disclaimer: The author does not claim any rights to owning anything related to Gakuen Alice.

Note: This is a collection of drabbles inspired by events in the manga. Naturally, I would like to have one drabble to cover each chapter, but my muses tell me that it is not likely, for there are numerous characters to be explored in Gakuen Alice. Enjoy!

Second Impressions
(Chapter one)
By: Akinriah Tram

Yuu Tobita, class representative of Elementary Division, Class B, may not be the sharpest or most perceptive person in the class, but being partners with Hotaru Imai has given him insight on her personality.

He remembers the first time when she transferred into Alice Academy. Her face was impassive and aloofness radiated off her. Just one glance at her, Yuu knew for a fact that thisgirl would have a hard time fitting into the fanatical class, which required discipline and was too haughty–especially under the leadership of Natsume Hyuuga- for its own good.

Hotaru's unsociability and aloofness will not be welcomed by the students here, even if she's an Alice. He thought sourly.

True to his words, the students of Class B spared the girl one glance and deemed her lackluster before turning back to their previous tasks. Yuu shook his head dismally and sighed at his accurate predictions. It would've been nice if there was a little change.

Now, that all happened before Imai open her mouth. Because the moment when Imai finally introduced herself, her velvety voice captured the attention of the entire class.

"My name is Hotaru Imai." The tone of her introduction deemed her proficient and supercilious; it didn't take an idiot twice to recognize a born-leader. Hotaru Imai was, without doubt, an Alice.

In four and half months, she escalated in the ranks, was promoted to a Three-Star and appointed to be class representative. In Yuu's opinion, it was an incredible feat, but because she was Hotaru Imai, it was inevitable. Hotaru was ambitious and intelligent; also too crafty and haughty (in her own way) for his liking. Nevertheless, he wanted to be her friend.

At first, Yuu thought it was in the girl's nature to be aloof. She was certainly incapable smiling, much less laughter. However, the more he acquainted himself with her, the more he realized that Hotaru Imai was actually very humane; she just wasn't good at expressing her feelings or gratitude.

Being her partner for six months, Yuu knew that Hotaru doesn't display emotions to anyone, much less signs of affection. In spite of that, he noticed that she never failed to write a letter (whom the recipient, he does not know) every week, even if she knew they weren't sent; Yuu knew that she was writing not because of her stubbornness, but her hope in believing the letter would one day reach its recipient. Whenever she was writing a letter, there is a soft glow upon her face. So when a letter finally passed the school's assessment six months later, he felt a glow of content in his heart.

As a (self-proclaimed) friend of Hotaru's, Yuu wondered if he would ever meet this special someone.

The following two weeks, Mikan Sakura barged into Alice Academy, demanding to see her best friend.