☆A Gakuen Alice Fanfiction☆

Chapter 10: Another Promise

⭒ ☽ ☆ ☾ ⭒

"Wh-What?" Ruka immediately answered, his voice wavering and his face losing all its previous colour. "W-what did you say?" He asked, his entire body tense, ready to flee at any moment. How did she know? He could feel the fast beating of his heart, quickly pumping adrenaline into his veins. His hands, painfully holding his bento as if it were his only lifeline, were shaking uncontrollably. And his wide-open eyes were full of fear, like an animal trapped without any way out.

"You're an Alice, aren't you?" Yuki repeated herself, her expression still impassible, but her voice softening imperceptibly. His reaction had cleared any doubt that could have remained; he is an Alice.

Hearing these words again, Ruka's face lost even more colour if that was possible. Not knowing what to do, he held up his lunchbox, desperately trying to shield himself from Yuki. "Pl-please..." He pleaded, trying to make himself as small as possible. "Don't take me away...not again..." the fearful boy added in a small voice, shutting his eyes tightly as he remembered that fateful day.

⭒ ☽ Flashback ☾ ⭒

"Ru-chan, time to wake up!" His mother announced cheerfully as she opened the curtains. The bright light chased away the darkness, and the young boy's dishevelled head appeared from under the covers. Realising he had no other choice but to get out of his warm and comfortable bed, he sighed, his light blue eyes darkening at the thought of having to leave his home.

He hated school and had never felt like he belonged there. He felt so different from the other children, blissfully unaware of the reality Ruka had to face every day. Indeed, there was no way he could truly befriend them; to protect his secret, he had to keep his distance and hide behind a mask of indifference. Unfortunately for him, his classmates were drawn to him. They were all so fascinated by his mysterious aura and beautiful appearance. And, like butterflies attracted to the most beautiful flower, the children would fly around him. It's so exhausting, I don't want to go.

Biting his lip, Ruka wondered if he could avoid going to school just for today. Turning toward his mother, he opened his mouth before immediately being interrupted.

"Ru-chan, don't give me those puppy dog eyes. It won't work on me!" His mother declared resolutely as she looked away and hurriedly left his room, fearing that if she looked at him any longer, she would change her mind.

Defeatedly, Ruka got ready, his shoulders hunched over. After his breakfast, he bade goodbye to his loving mother, who kissed him at least four times on each cheek, and then his dear father, who promised him they would go to the forest to visit his friends. Looking forward to their promise, the young boy waved his hand at his parent before quickly closing the gate to his family's property.

Then, out of nowhere, a big, gloved hand appeared, painfully gagging him to suppress his cry of surprise. Not understanding what was happening, Ruka froze, eyes wide open. An intense wave of panic crashed over him, and he started moving, wildly thrashing around in an attempt to free himself. Somehow, the young managed to kick the shin of the man who had just tried to take him away. Feeling the hand slip from his mouth, Ruka screamed at the top of his lungs, hoping his parents would hear him.

"Urg-This brat!" Cried out the man in pain. Angry, he immediately captured Ruka again, painfully holding his small arm in a tight iron grip. "Where do you think you're going, huh?" He asked, furious. "Think you'll get away?"