Special Alice (Gakuen Alice / Alice Academy FF)

SA 3 - Stars

{Misaki}

As the morning sun gently filtered through the curtains, I found myself in the midst of a blissful slumber. The room was wrapped in a serene hush, with the soft embrace of my bed cocooning me in warmth and comfort. A sense of contentment enveloped me, and I was in no hurry to part ways with this tranquil refuge.

However, my complacency was abruptly shattered by the intrusive blare of an alarm. It was far too noisy for my liking, and my patience wore thin. With an irritable determination, I reached out, my hand descending with a satisfying "bam!" The incessant noise ceased abruptly, replaced by the eerie calm that followed.

Opening my eyes, I was greeted by the sight of an electronic bird-shaped clock in ruins on my side table. The little clock had been an unwitting victim of my mission to silence it. I couldn't help but chuckle at the sight of the shattered timepiece – an unexpected consequence of my quest for peace.

Though I relished the inviting warmth and coziness of my bed, I knew I couldn't afford to linger any longer. The imperative of arriving on time for my classes tugged at me, a persistent reminder of the responsibilities that awaited me.

With a sigh, I reluctantly untangled myself from my comfortable nest of blankets. The temptation to burrow back beneath the covers was strong, but the duty to be punctual for my day of learning prevailed. I hauled myself out of bed and embarked on a series of satisfying stretches to invigorate my weary limbs.

The preceding night's events were marked by a mystery. I couldn't help but puzzle over the minor disarray in my room. The window was inexplicably closed, and the chair that typically rested there remained out of place. Though I was somewhat baffled by the situation, I reasoned that a good night's sleep was a rare treasure, regardless of where it was enjoyed.

After a refreshing bath, I dressed myself in my school uniform. The familiar fabric settled comfortably around me, a tangible reminder of the day's duties. A pang of curiosity lingered, my thoughts drifting back to the room's disarray from the night before. I couldn't discern a logical explanation, and so I allowed it to be swept away by the rush of the morning.

With my hair neatly combed, I made my way to the bustling cafeteria, where students were already engrossed in their breakfast. The clamor of cutlery and the murmur of voices swirled around, creating a lively ambiance that greeted me as I entered.

" Oh! Misa-chan! Over here!" A loud and exuberant voice pierced through the noise. Mikan, always unapologetically vivacious, waved her arms enthusiastically, summoning me with her characteristic fervor. It was reassuring that the other students were accustomed to her spirited demeanor.

I made my way towards the source of the commotion – Mikan, Hotaru, Inchou, and some of our classmates. " Good morning Misaki~" Their friendly greetings filled the air, and I returned their warm salutations with a respectful bow. I settled into the seat beside Mikan, noticing the two empty chairs to my right.

" Ah, you're probably wondering about the two vacant chairs, right? " Anna, one of our classmates with an Alice for culinary arts, took the opportunity to explain the mystery of the vacant chairs. She chuckled lightly, her eyes dancing with mirth, and I couldn't help but wonder about the nature of the stars she mentioned earlier.

" Ah-- yes, extra chairs? " I asked, suddenly, a robot placed a tray of food in front of me. It's like Hotaru and Inchou's food portion. Mikan, on the other hand, was sharing with Hotaru.

Anna shook her head and laughed lightly. " No, it's for Ruka and Natsume. But they hardly join us." She explained. This revelation piqued my curiosity, and I found myself wondering why these two students remained aloof from the group.

Hotaru, ever practical and direct, did not shy away from the issue of food sharing. "You better pay me." She warned Mikan of the costs associated with this generous act, drawing a pout from her friend.

" But I don't have money~!" Mikan, unable to offer compensation due to a lack of funds, prompted a chuckle from me. In response, I shared half of my food with Mikan, who gazed at me with a curious expression.