Anju L. Narumi likes to think that he was a good person, even if his sanity was constantly questioned; his colleagues all agreed, always ready to comment about his mentality – but they accept him as who he was.
Narumi wasn't good; he knows that for certain. Jinno-sensei knows that, Misaki-sensei knows that, hell, even the principles know that. His past wasn't as bright as he appeared to be now and his teaching probably – no, he was sure – wasn't suitable for any normal school outside Alice Academy; it was fortunate that Alice Academy was anything but normal.
Yesterday, he had left a newly enrolled student – temporary at the time – who hadn't known an inch about her own Alice or anything about Alice at all with his Class B, full of rowdy and rambunctious kids, very aware of their – perhaps, too mean and harsh – reactions toward her; with a test given by him for her to try and be accepted as a friend by her classmates, to try and be one with them.
It had led to an argument that he could hear down the corridor of the school building then to a dare of venturing throughout the Northern Woods – a place that most wouldn't dare to go in and when did, some didn't came out unscathed – that resulted in a fight between the newbie and the well known problem child – or in another word, Delinquent – of the academy, Hyuuga Natsume; who also was specifically famous for his formidable Alice and great academic scores. The fight ended with frights and bruises, and perhaps some little trauma – okay, maybe not little.
Really, now that he thinks about it, these kids are really stubborn and resilient; coming back like a bouncing ball.
(Especially that new kid and the edgy boy she fought.)
Well, he wasn't left disappointed by the result of everything; he was amused even.
Sakura Mikan certainly didn't back down from Hyuuga Natsume's cruelness.
For what? For a place in the class, to be accepted as an Alice, to prove everyone of her will and determination, to fight against them like a head-strong child she was, and for the right to be with her best friend.
(Narumi can't tell if he should smile or be worried about their friendship – it was quite concerning....if he was to be honest...)
Sakura Mikan amused Narumi.
Tremendously.
He was impressed by her loyalty and dedication, having come all the way from her hometown just to meet with her beloved childhood friend, Imai Hotaru; one of the bright stars in his class. She was certainly committed – again, he wasn't sure if he should be concerned or not.
However, he didn't deny how foolish and naïve the girl was.
(She was fortunate he was there to save her from those hooligans.)
Narumi wasn't a good person, no, he wasn't, but he wasn't that bad, he was kind enough to not tell that thought to the girl.
And he wouldn't tell her of how much she and her Alice remind him of someone in his past.
The subject was immediately dropped from his mind as soon as it appeared.
Something he would rather not be thinking about right now, thank you very much.
Narumi pushed those thoughts away and returned back to the topic at hands. Ah, yes, Sakura Mikan and her journey to be the student of Alice Academy, yes, and Hyuuga Natsume's legendary temper – that boy was certainly hard to tame, unattainable. Bow down to no one, which was quite a good trait if Narumi has to admit; even if it hurt his liver sometimes.
Well, Mikan wouldn't have survive the woods and its residents if not for the helps she received from Imai Hotaru and the class representative, Tobita Yuu – another bright star – and later, Nogi Ruka – also another bright star – although the boy was unwilling and was forced to do so. Despite his harsh words and toughness, Narumi knew that the boy was soft and kind.
