Dated back to the Showa era, where Alice was killed as a sacrifice. Being chosen as a candidate for the sacrifice was not her wish, adding to the fact that she was blind. Was it unjust to wish for a future in such a hopeless and dark time?

The Future

I wake up to the sound of the train conductor signalling that we have reached Tokyo.

I blink once, and then I blink twice. It feels like I have a long dream that I have no recollection of. There is a strong feeling of sadness and emptiness. I shake my head trying to get rid of the feeling. Slapping both my cheeks with my palms, I remind myself that I have to focus. I am in Tokyo to find Hotaru. I need explanations and I need closure. Both of which I can only find when I find Hotaru.

I want to be like Hotaru. I want to be able to give up something to save what's important to me. That is why I have decided to do this. I'm going to Alice Academy. It may as well be impossible but there will always be a way as long as you keep trying.

It feels like in a flash, I am already in front of Alice Academy. The crowd of people, high buildings and sky scrappers have made my head spins.

"This is it," The taxi driver said. "The national research institute of Alice Academy's main entrance."

My eyes widen in amazement. The school may as well be as big as my small town. So this is Hotaru's school, Alice Academy? The school that rejects ordinary people? I stood frozen for a while. Hotaru is inside this place. That thought quickly break me off my trance. I remind myself that I cannot be scared off.

"Okay come on! Don't give in!"

"Hey miss!"

I turn around to the source of the voice. Two guys are standing right in front of me. "Wow! So cute! What are you doing here by yourself?"

After a round of explanation, both men are nodding their head understandingly. "I see. You want to enroll in Alice Academy, but you don't know how to enter?" One man says.

"But it's really hard to get in." The other says. "You know, there is a prep school that will guarantee your entry to Alice Academy."

"Really?"

"Of course! After you've gone there, you'll get accepted to Alice without a doubt!"

"The prep school is really popular, and the class is already full. But you're cute so we'll help you out somehow."

I breath a sigh of relief. I've heard that Tokyo is a horrible place, but there are nice people here! Now I've gone one step closer to Hotaru.

"Let's go then!" I rushes them.

"Just a minute!" A voice stops us from walking further. "Sorry to disturb you guys!"

A person with blonde hair and green eyes stands right in front of us. A man? A woman? Inspecting the person further lead me to deduce that the person is indeed, a man.

"Where are you going to take this little kitty-cat?"

"What are you doing!?"

"What? I'm a teacher of Alice Academy."

"That's a lie!" The three of us say simultaneously.

"Let's go! Don't mind him!" the man says to me, pushing me away from the feminine looking man. "There's no way he's a teacher..." He trails off.

"Let. us. say. good. bye." The feminine looking man says while touching one of the man on the chin.

"Yes." The two men says, blushing, and leaving in a hurry.

"That was close..." He says. "You should also go home now!"

I look at him closely and come up with a conclusion. "Now I know what you are! You are a transvestite!"

His smile flatters a little. "What?"

"So you came to Alice because you want to find your friend?"

"You saved me but instead I call you a transvestite. I'm really sorry."

"Right! How are you feeling now? Do you feel strange?" He asks.

"Huh? Oh. I went to Asakusa to buy souvenirs for my friend and now I'm broke. By the way, do you want some dumplings?" I offered and he kneels as he take a dumpling to eat.

"You really want to go to Alice that bad?"

"Yes!"

"Okay. Would you like to try?"

"Yes sir!" I said with the flow before realizing the weight of his statement. "Huh?"

"I will let you enroll. Of course there will be a few tests... But I think you'll make it." He says as he chews on the dumpling that I offered.

I look at the man weirdly. And then I pinch myself to make sure that I am not dreaming.

"Don't lie!" I accuse the man.

"I'm telling the truth."

"But I'm not a genius or anything!"

"Ah. That's only how we've explained it to others. But the true meaning of Alice is not genius. But it naturally means 'natural born powers'. This school has gathered a lot of different people with special natural born powers. This is a super elitist school." He explains.

"So I have what you called 'natural born powers'?" I ask.

"Maybe. Of course! ...And so do I."

"Show me! What is it? What is it then? Show me!"

"Your excitement is making it hard to tell." He laughs. "Okay then I'll give you a..." Suddenly, there is a huge explosion. "Hint..." he trails off.

I landed a few feet away from the explosion. All that is going through my mind is- what?

"i guess the rumor about an escape is true. Good thing I was on the lookout. Hey Mikan."

What is happening?

"He's the academy's youngest but most talented student of all. Natsume Hyuuga." I look up to see a boy with a mask standing on the wall that separate the Academy from the rest of the world. "His natural born power is fire."

A mask. A cat. A black cat.

"But, that was going a little too far I think."

As Natsume jumps down from the wall, the man takes out a seed which grows in a blink of an eye.

"Natsume!" He shouts. "Dont! Run away!"

The mask is thrown off his face and his face is exposed to see.

My eyes widen. I blinked once, and then I blinked twice. Red. All I can see is red.

'But let me tell you. If there is a God, then that God will ensure our happiness in the future. The future where people with power won't be shun upon. The future where you and I will live in.'

Fin.

With this, I mark this story completed.

Thank you so much for following, reading, supporting this story although this story is updated rather slowly. This also mark the end of my fanfiction journey, but this is not, will not be the last time I am going to write a story.

I love you all so much. Words cannot describe how thankful I am for all of you.

I don't usually ask for one, but a review for last time sake? Tell me what you think of the story. I want to know what you think of this baby that I've written for the past years!

And for the very last time...

Love,

pancakezxc