Special Alice (Gakuen Alice / Alice Academy FF)

SA 23 - Irks

{Author}

The classroom was abuzz with the typical teenage chatter - a blend of laughter, gossip, and playful banter. It was just another day at Gakuen Alice, the peculiar school where students had unique abilities known as Alice. In the midst of this ordinary commotion, the door swung open, revealing Inchou, the student president, who had returned after a joyful week-long trip home.

" Everyone!" he greeted joyously, dragging a suitcase with him. " I'm back! I'm back!" he chimed, his excitement contagious.

Smiles and warm greetings welcomed Inchou as he began to distribute presents he had brought back for everyone. It was evident that he had put thought into the gifts, making him the considerate president everyone admired.

" Right! Misa-chan~ I've been wanting to give this to you," Inchou said to Misaki, cheeks slightly tinged with shyness as he handed her a neatly wrapped box. Misaki's curiosity was piqued as she examined the package.

" Thank you, Inchou~," she chimed happily. " I wonder what's inside."

Encouraged by her friends, she carefully unwrapped the gift. It revealed a beautifully knitted dark red scarf along with packs of biscuits and chocolates. Misaki's face lit up in appreciation.

" Oh-..." she began, her voice genuinely grateful. " I appreciate it, Inchou! It's such a wonderful gift!" Her delight contrasted with the envious glances her classmates exchanged since their gifts mostly consisted of candies, biscuits, and typical chocolates.

Mikan, always observant, couldn't help but notice Inchou's intent. She eyed him with a teasing smile, saying, " Ne Inchou... Do you perhaps like Misa-chan? I mean your gift-..." Her playful insinuations left Inchou flustered, and he vehemently shook his head, his face flushed with embarrassment.

"No, no. You've got it wrong~," he stammered, trying to defuse the situation. The atmosphere lightened as Inchou brushed off the comment, but then something unusual happened. 

Koko, the mind reader, had vexed Permy by drawing on her doll, which Inchou had given her. In a magical twist, Permy produced a rope out of thin air and, to everyone's astonishment, tied Koko up.

" Prez! Punish this guy even for just a little," she hissed in annoyance, clearly unhappy about her doll.

Inchou chuckled softly before attempting to conjure an illusion to placate the situation. The classroom fell silent, awaiting the magical trick. But to everyone's shock, nothing happened. The anticipated illusion remained elusive.

" It's not working. Nothing's happening!" Inchou gasped, his face a picture of confusion and fear. Something was clearly wrong, and the students were stunned.

" My power won't come out," he admitted, leaving everyone baffled. The typically unflappable Inchou was now worried and puzzled.

" Eh?!" the class exclaimed in unison, worry etched on their faces. The assistant form teacher was summoned, and, following their report, Inchou was escorted to the research department for further examination.

With Inchou now absent, and concern gripping the class, Hotaru and Mikan hatched a daring plan. They used Narumi sensei's unconscious body as a passkey to gain access to the restricted room.

As everyone waited for their return, two classmates approached Mikan with a suspicious tone in their voices. " Sakura, we heard that you busted in to visit Inchou. Is that true?"

" You are too careless. Dragging Imai with you- surely you didn't bring any germs with you?" the other one said, believing that the mysterious loss of Alice was due to a virus or a disease.