Special Alice (Gakuen Alice / Alice Academy FF)

SA 115 - Apart

{Author}

Encased within the icy barrier she conjured, Nobara found herself in a high-stakes battle of words and feelings against Persona.

" Will this ice barrier change anything, Nobara?" Persona challenged her with a sneer. But she continued to implore him, her voice edged with fervor, " Apologize to Misaki and Mikan, own up to your faults. Don't let Yukihira Sensei witness your path under the Elementary Principal's sway."

Persona looked at her in disgust. " What do you know?" Enraged by her words, Persona launched an attack using his Mark of Death Alice. It was revealed that a young Persona used to bring flowers to Yukihira's house, but due to his Alice, the flowers rotted.

" Persona," Nobara whispered as his power enveloped her, marks creeping across her body. Yet, despite her anguish, she edged closer to him. " You can shield someone from the darkness and stop the cycle of harm."

"Izumi Sensei didn't blame you," she pressed on, enduring the onslaught of Persona's power. "He was only worried for his lover. He knew it wasn't your fault."

"Listen to me! The Elementary Principal is using you!" Nobara shouted in defiance. "He's manipulating your pain, driving you deeper into darkness."

" I can now understand how Izumi Sensei felt toward you, his regret of not being able to save you and letting you go alone without being there to guide you reach your own dreams." Nobara stepped a bit closer to Persona.

" I know that you still have kindness but you just don't know how to show it." Nobara's relentless attempts to connect with Persona elicited an outburst from him. He hurled his abilities at her, causing her to fall, grimacing in pain. " Shut up!" he roared.

Hayate and Youichi arrived, seeing Rui and Hajime's feet encased in ice. The situation inside the dome remained dire. "Nobara!" Rui called out, concerned for her well-being.

" Youichi, Hayate." Hajime said out. Rui looked at the two, worry was seen in his face. " Nobara! Save that kid!" he pleaded. Hayate used his alice to break Nobara's ice that was on Hajime and Rui.  

Amidst the turmoil, Nobara clung to Persona, professing, "I'll stand by you, no matter what." But Persona coldly pushed her away, warning her not to end up like him. "I won't let you go, your touch... it's warm," Nobara persisted, confusing Persona with her steadfast devotion.

" I will not let you go, your hand... is warm." Nobara commented. Persona questioned why she would go such length for him but Nobara smiled weakly. " I'll always be with you along with your sins." 

Strangely moved and confused by Nobara's deep connection to him, Persona experienced a mental breakdown, leading to the shattering of his Alice-restraining earring  leaving both Nobara and Persona incapacitated.

Hayate was able to break a portion of the ice dome. The Fuukitai, Hayate, and Youchi stumbled upon the aftermath of Nobara and Persona's confrontation. The Fuukitai ordered the capture of Nobara, but she defiantly declared her intent to protect Persona, setting up a tense standoff.

She hugged Persona. " I will not let the Elementary Principal have Persona to mess with his life again. I will protect him!" Nobara managed to exclaim.

" Capture her! She's a rebel and even injured the commander!" The Fuukitai commanded the Dangerous Ability class to seize Nobara, but the DA members, valuing their allegiance to Nobara, rejected the order. 

" The heck ya'll are waiting for!" Frustrated by the delay, one of the Fuukitai attempted to apprehend Nobara but was swiftly obstructed by Hayate's Wind Manipulation Alice.