A/N: Sorry for the late (VERY VERY VERY LATE) update. I had many things to do but expect me to finish this fan fiction…I was really shocked to see my first chapter with 17 reviews. Thank you very much (My dream is to have 10 reviews per chapter so imagine my surprise). The style and story of this fan fiction was a bit risky for me but I tried and it came out good for some and I'm really glad.
Disclaimer: I do not own Gakuen Alice.
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Chapter 2: A Heart's Mission
Although the incident between Mikan and Persona had already spread throughout the academy, there were still some parts that remain unrevealed. The Special Ability Types had just heard of it. Given that Noda sensei was habitually somewhere lost in time and their class was the most overlooked, they were the last bunch of people in line for rumors.
Students inside the Special Ability classroom were scattered with their own somber positions, discussing the dreadful news.
'But she never told us…' Tsubasa disturbingly thought as he as sat on the teacher's desk, his head laid back down with concern etched on his eyes that gazed at the ceiling. 'Mikan, if that is a fact then… I can't allow this to happen!'
Realizing his self-created purpose as Mikan's sempai, he assertively stood up with a smirk as if one knew something the rest did not.
"What is it Tsubasa? Why are you sm-"
"We have to bring her back." Tsubasa composedly answered as he turned to Misaki with a smile full of confidence.
Misaki was left staring of admiration. 'Tha-that's so…Tsubasa you're s-so…' She slowly looked down that her hair shadowed her eyes.
"It's about time we do something! We will not just sit back and relax while Mikan's tortured by that Persona, right Misaki?"
"…….."
"Misaki?...Misaki? H-hey! What's wrong?" Tsubasa rushed to Misaki who was sitting on a second row desk and showing no signs of movement.
"What's wrong?" Tsubasa echoed as he worriedly placed his right hand on Misaki's shoulder when suddenly, he felt an astonishingly powerful force bash his head and made him feel a momentary dizziness. Feeling puzzled of what just happened, he shook his head and frowned at Misaki before him.
"Haraadaaaa! What did you do that for?!" Tsubasa roared while fixing his hat.
"Wipe that cocky smirk off your stupid face! Are you kidding us?! Bring her back you say!" Misaki said with a strident tone as she placed her hands on her waist.
"What's wrong with that?! Mikan is our sister! It's friendship! It's friendship!" Tsubasa dramatically raised his right fist of courage. "It's friendship!" He proclaimed.
"Yeah!" The rest of Special Ability types agreed.
Disappointedly shocked with a sweat drop, Misaki sighed, annoyed, and one by one, she passed a wittingly innocent look on the Special Ability students. "I don't know about you guys but I don't want to go up against the Dangerous Ability Class."
After a brief silence they realized Misaki's point.
"She..she's right."
"She's got a point there, Tsubasa."
"Yeah."
The class turned to Tsubasa with questioning expressions that made him hurriedly think about what he would to do. With pressure causing him to clench his fists, he faced Misaki with his eyes looking in a different direction and said, "I'll go to her…" He gulped. "...m-myself."
Ten minutes later…
"Dangerous Ability."
That made Misaki's right eye twitch out of eruptive impatience.
"OWWWW!"
Massaging her right hand, Misaki coldly stared at teary-eyed Tsubasa who was gently caressing the thirteenth lump on his head.
'I-I never said that I wouldn't go…Well…I did b-but i-it was only a joke. She didn't have to drag me all the way here and what's the big deal?...Smacking me like a kid…She hit me just because I read the sign on the door!' Tsubasa cried to himself, still feeling the last hit's sting.
"You don't know anything, do you? Stop reading that aloud as if it's not clear to me where we are, and to be perfectly frank, I never wanted to be here! You said you'd go and a man never backs away from his word. Now stop staring and knock, for crying out loud."
Tsubasa knocked like Misaki ordered and did a follow-up mutter, "Scary."
"What was that?" Misaki demanded with less anger but impatience dangling at the edge as she shot him an 'are-you-tired-of-living?' look.
"Nothing…nothing…"
"Better be."
"Phew! That was close…she's getting emotional these days." Tsubasa unconsciously thought aloud.
"That does it! TSUBASAAA!! You think you kn…….."
"It's not like I have much choice. I guess I'll go." The muffled deep voice coming from the other side of the door did not affect the quarreling of Tsubasa and Misaki.
"YOU FREAK! You don't understand the mind of wo-!"
The door before them opened, moments before blood is spilled.
"Tsu-Tsubasa…"
Misaki's fist stopped seconds before it hit its target. She instinctively turned and was a little surprised when she saw a very handsome young man a head taller than Tsubasa, his right arm leaned against the Dangerous Ability doorway that almost got covered. Misaki stared in awe as if she had forever although after moments of silence,
'Those brown eyes…that reddish hair…Why does he look so familiar?' Misaki realized as she now gazed at the man's face more intently, trying to recall something that seemed important. Noticing that he, however, was staring stunned at a different direction, Misaki curiously turned to her right.
'Tsu-Tsubasa? They have the same expression on their faces. This is not like Tsubasa at all...Wait a second, could he be…?!'
About to open her mouth, Misaki was stopped by Tsubasa who spoke with a trembling tone.
"Seiji…"
'Th-that's right...' Misaki recognized. 'This guy is Seiji Takahashi! B-but…'
"Tsubasa, wh-what are you doing in a place like this?" Seiji questioned with a forced smirk like he was laboriously interpreting a cocky antagonist's script. Knowing he was not doing well himself, he broke eye contact with Tsubasa and noticed Misaki who was worriedly looking at him. "Harada…"
'He's now a totally different person…' Misaki thought, not wanting to believe what she's witnessing.
Using his leaned arm to unnoticeably peep inside the classroom, Seiji calmly searched and saw Mikan sitting on her desk, cheerfully chatting with Youichi beside her.
"Whatever…We're here for-"
"Mikan's not here." Seiji finished Tsubasa's sentence.
"Wh-what? How did-?! I don't believe you." Provoked, Tsubasa used his right shoulder to forcefully bump Seiji's, attempting to pass but two students overflowing with terrifying aura backed him up, blocking the path. Cold…that was how Tsubasa felt when he was forced to stop. A very familiar sensation when one encounters a person from the Dangerous Ability Types, feeling exceedingly uneasy as if he is drowning in an immeasurable hatred from an undesired destiny. One cannot compete with that.
Tsubasa was completely thrown off his original intent. Deciding to retreat, he silently turned.
"Well, well, well. If it isn't Andou Tsubasa."
Hearing a voice probably from one of the two students beside Seiji offended Tsubasa as he heatedly faced them again and this time, stepping back is not an option.
"What's wrong? I can't believe that Andou Tsubasa, the famous ex-rival of Seiji Takahashi is actually scared?" The student on Seiji's left ridiculed. "Seiji, don't tell me this guy's in the same level as you are?" He nudged Seiji's chest, laughing at his own personal joke.
"Hm." Seiji smirked in reply but his fists unnoticeably clenched, trying to hide the unbearable intolerance.
"Wh-what the heck?!" The cocky smile on the student's face was instantly replaced by an unusual, hysterical expression with cold sweat forming all over his trembling body. Nobody could tell what was going on.
"Wh-what?" The student's face seemed more relieved as he took a deep breath.
'What just happened?' Misaki thought alarmingly.
'Se-Seiji…' Seeing light coming from nowhere, Tsubasa watched his shadow gradually disappear as the light vanished. Tsubasa was battling with himself, regretting what he just did.
"Don't underestimate him, Miyoji …" Seiji cautioned. "He just used his Alice against you and you didn't even know it."
Feeling something cold touch his quivering hand, Tsubasa shook his head out of his deep thinking and looked left, it is Misaki's hand holding his, her face signaling to leave.
After Seiji observed them walk out of sight, he unhesitatingly punched the insufferable face of Miyoji with all energy he was able to prepare from hastening. The entirely unforeseen act knocked Miyoji to the floor, its shining surface seemingly made it more solid to the hit.
"What th-?!" Miyoji stopped for he almost forgot Seiji is the senior of the Dangerous Ability Class, not to mention the strongest. The other student walked back to his seat. "Tough luck, Miyoji." He said not turning back, purposely giving Miyoji the fearful assurance of punishment.
Miyoji closed his eyes, prepared for whatever was about to happen.
"Hm." Seiji slightly smirked which triggered Miyoji think he is about to make his move.
"I'm not planning to waste my Alice on you. I would never use my Alice against a person from the same type in the first place."
Thinking that he got away, Miyoji calmed down and grinned triumphantly. Seiji was not the kind of person to use Alice against a classmate after all, he was just too decent.
"But…" Seiji added with discernible significance that made Miyoji's heart pound even harder than when he thought he was about to be punished.
"Don't give me an excuse to do what I was just about to do."
'What's that supposed to mean?' Miyoji did not think this was fair at all. He did not even know what he did wrong to receive such frightening words from Seiji Takahashi! Because of the uncomfortable backache of being struck to the ground, Miyoji struggled to stand up as he brushed off the dirt from his uniform.
"It means you wouldn't want to behave like that again or he would really be tempted to use his Alice. Even you would be smart enough to abide by that."
Youichi who was approaching the door vacantly said as if he was able to read Miyoji's mind. Blocking the way out, Miyoji discriminatingly stared at Youichi who stopped just in front of him.
"Whatever. Don't act as if you know everything, kid." Being really pissed off, Miyoji stepped aside and walked away out of everybody's sight.
"A kid huh? He is just slightly taller than you, not to mention his brain being much smaller than yours." Seiji did his natural grin like he was everybody's big brother as Youichi replied with a pale smile.
"Seiji sempai? What's wrong? Did something happen while I was talking with Youichi?" Mikan who followed behind Youichi curiously asked.
"Oh…it's the brat." Seiji teased as he leaned down to Mikan with an infuriating smirk.
"Say what?! Did you just call me a brat?!" Mikan roared.
"I didn't get it wrong, did I?" Seiji innocently looked up with a wondering expression and smirked at Mikan once more.
"WHY YO-!"
"Both of you look like brother and sister, you know?" Youichi plainly said.
"Huh?" Mikan sighed as she changed the subject. "Anyway, both Youichi and I were just about to attend the festival like Sir Persona said. Are you coming?" Mikan asked, feeling like she need not wait for the answer.
"Is the brat getting impatient? I'll just catch up later. I wouldn't want to listen to how all the decorations look like rainbows pinned to the walls or how they were made from the bottom of the students' trying hearts."
Mikan, unable to fight back and annoyed, pouted her lips. "Hmph! Youichi, let's go."
"WOW! These decorations look like countless rainbows pinned to the walls! They're so cute!" Mikan admired the beautiful lights and the animal-shaped balloons over-crowding the academy grounds. Although, she was almost certain she caught a glimpse of a balloon shaped like Ruka's face floating abandoned but…nah she couldn't have.
"Why do you say that?" Youichi asked.
"What do you mean?"
"Nevermind." Youichi smiled to himself.
"You know Youichi, I just appreciate these decorations because the students of Alice Academy put their whole heart into making them." Mikan beamed. Youichi could clearly see a bright glow surrounding her.
"Predictable…" He silently uttered keeping the small happy expression on his face.
"Did you say something?"
"Not-"
"MIKAN!" A recognizable voice called from behind and made Mikan quickly turn.
"Tsubasa sempai?" Mikan tensely watched Tsubasa with Misaki dash to her direction as if to report a bad occurrence of some kind. "What's wrong?"
"At last…" Both of them stopped, panting of exhaustion. "We found you!" Tsubasa said, catching his breath.
"What's wrong?" Mikan anxiously asked, simultaneously looking at them.
"What do you mean what's wrong? We were just about to ask you the same question! Mikan, what's wrong? Why did you leave the Special Ability?!"
Mikan felt as if she was being interrogated. She felt so much pressure and was frightened of hurting somebody with her answer.
"I…I-I…."
Suddenly, Mikan saw a figure pass by just in front of her. Time stopped and her heartbeat was all she can hear as her heart pounded harder and harder every second.
"You know what to do." It told her.
Mikan knew that voice! 'Sir…Pe-Persona?' And in that exact second, time resumed. 'What was that?' Mikan shook her head, trying to snap out of it.
"Mikan, are you okay?" Youichi asked as Mikan nodded. "What are you going to do?" He asked worriedly.
"You know what to do"
Mikan was certain it was Persona's voice that echoed inside her head. Persona was watching her and she had to believe that he would still do. Feeling more assured, Mikan concluded her decision of standing by Persona.
"Tsubasa sempai, Misaki nee chan, I have to do this. As far as I would want to explain everything…I can't. You'll just have to believe in me. I have to do this."
Tsubasa and Misaki were stunned as they admired Mikan's assertion for it showed no hesitation at all. They looked at each other and were able to connect with the same feeling, 'Maybe we could trust Mikan with her decision however risky it may be.' but…
'No, it's not for us to decide. This is Mikan's life! We don't even know for sure if it's really bad for her…All we can do now is support her, protect her with all we have."
Tsubasa and Misaki nodded in agreement, feeling it was bittersweet how Mikan grew up so fast.
"Mikan, we trust in you…" Tsubasa encouragingly grinned. "Just let us know if that Persona's giving you a lot of trouble!" He courageously added.
"Yeah? What would you do?" Misaki raised a brow at Tsuabsa.
"I would-!...I..I-I….."
"Idiot!" Misaki laughed.
The following afternoon inside the Dangerous Ability Clasroom, "Natsume, you're badly injured." Persona coldly said to Natsume who was rudely looking away. "Do you want me to send Takahashi with you in the next mission?"
Natsume turned to him with rage. "Leave him out of this! He wasted enough years of his life for your stupid missions!" He loathingly blurted out. Realizing what he just did, Natsume quickly looked away as he caught a glimpse of someone outside the classroom door behind Persona.
"I thought so." Persona blankly said. "That's why I found a new partner for you."
Not minding what Persona said, Natsume was frustrated and could not believe why this just had to happen. 'I-It can't be! What's that stupid polka dots doing here?! She seems to be looking for something…but passing by in a place like this?! She's not looking for death, is she?'
"And judging by that expression on your face, I assume she has arrived." Persona watched Natsume confusingly face him but just calmly turned, not answering the expected question. "Mikan." He called.
"Persona, Sir! Sorry I'm late…OUCH!" A girl's voice cried. Natsume was entirely clueless of what was happening beyond the partly closed door but he was sure it was completely foolish.
'What the heck is she doing?! Has she completely lost her mind?! And what does she mean by 'Persona, Sir' anyway?'
The creaking door opened wide as Mikan entered the classroom normally, fixing her clothes assuming after breaking something.
'Almost too normally…Did Persona threaten the faculty just to make her my partner? But he only does that if he's desperate! My situation's even not that severe! I don't like this.' Natsume waited for Persona to say something and according to his experience, "It's stupid to act that recklessly. Do you expect to finish a mission by doing such foolish things?" He was expecting pretty much the same words.
"Sir Persona. I'm sorry…I think I broke the sign." Mikan nervously laughed and shyly scratched her head.
"Don't mind that." Persona replied.
"Oh hi Natsume! Long time no see!" She greeted merrily and ran closer to them.
"Someone explain to me what's happening!" Natsume yelled.
Hours later, the moon already shining vibrantly and the sky almost looking as dark as the black executive car parked before Mikan, Natsume and Persona, its crystal-like surface reflecting the dazzling stars and almost blinding to the eye.
"We're riding…this?" Wide-eyed Mikan could not understand why Natsume hated doing missions. It was one of the very few times when Mikan felt like a very important person.
'We're riding a car? Persona doesn't seem like he's in a bad mood…? It kinda looks like the opposite of me. He may just look like he's standing dull here but his not saying anything means that he's in a really good mood. Did something happen?' Natsume wondered as he walked towards the passenger seat door.
"Natsume, where do you think you're going?" Persona said, not even raising his voice. "Lady's first." He added.
"Oh right." Natsume politely stepped aside as Mikan poked her tongue out at him.
'What's the big deal?' Natsume thought.
Pleased because Natsume's being forced to act like a gentleman to her, Mikan proceeded to the car and settled on the further left beside the window. Natsume was about to follow her but Persona went first and sat beside her.
"Whatever." Natsume muttered and got in last as the car ran.
"Mikan, as Natsume's partner, this is not something to be taken lightly. You should know that by now." Natsume who was leaning against the window on his right listened, not being interested enough to look back. 'You got that right.' Natsume timidly agreed.
'Do you call that a partner?!' Natsume is now enraged by the fact Persona is not being fair to him. He just defeated three opponents from the Anti-Alice Organization and had to defeat two more. He constantly glanced at Persona while fighting his fourth enemy. He was just signaling Mikan whenever she had to use her Alice. 'I get it, Persona. Not take this mission lightly? You're clearly just making me do all the dirty work and give that polka dots all the unnecessary pointers when to use her Alice.'
To be continued…