Special Alice (Gakuen Alice / Alice Academy FF)

SA 39 - Christmas Ball: Trash

{Author}

After the students exchanged gifts, Youichi sat on the ground looking visibly dejected. Inchou, always a considerate friend, offered to swap gifts with the young boy, presenting his puppet with a smile. Youichi didn't respond immediately, and this raised concern among Mikan and her friends. Ruka, standing nearby, provided an explanation for Youichi's sudden sadness.

" Yesterday, Youichi lost his favorite teddy bear. It was a gift from his mother, which is why he's feeling down," Ruka explained. Mikan's eyes softened as she glanced at the forlorn child.

Misaki, known for her ability to bring smiles to people's faces, offered a solution. " Ah, You-chan... I'll get you a bear to play with," she said, her bright smile meant to console the young boy. While this kind gesture lit up Youichi's eyes with hope, it left Mikan puzzled, and she clutched the voucher she had received as a gift.

" What do you mean, Misa-chan?" Mikan blurted out, her concern evident. Tsubasa, realizing what Misaki was likely planning, sweat dropped. Inchou, Koko, Kitsuneme, and Hotaru all watched the scene unfold with great anticipation.

" Let's get Mr. Bear to play with you," Misaki announced, wearing a warm smile. She was willing to do anything to make Youichi happy. The suddenness of this proposal left Mikan in a state of shock, and she clung to Misaki's arm with concern.

" That evil bear will beat you up!" Mikan exclaimed, panicked by the prospect of facing Mr. Bear. Inchou, ever the optimist, added, " Ah, but Mr. Bear is fond of Misaki, right? He even gave her a gift." Ruka was taken aback by Misaki's willingness to help.

" You'll help him?" he asked. Misaki gave him a reassuring smile and whispered something to him, hinting that the credit should go to Mikan.

" Of course, but Mikan will take the credit, alright?" she said, giving Ruka a nod and a wink. Mikan, who had been observing the interaction, blushed and looked away, shy and overwhelmed.

Misaki approached the cleaning Bear with great care, and Tsubasa followed her, keen to see the outcome of this unusual arrangement.

" Mr. Bear, can you please play with You-chan, even just for a little while?" Misaki kindly requested, a radiant smile on her face. Mr. Bear, who had been diligently sweeping the floor, stopped and turned his attention to Misaki and Tsubasa.

" I'll do anything for you in return," Misaki added, still wearing her warm smile. Anything to make Youichi happy. Mr. Bear climbed onto Tsubasa's lap, and the two appeared to be having a silent conversation. " Please-- even just for a short while." she added.

" Ah, Mr. Bear says that someone will take over the cleaning duty if he goes to play," Tsubasa conveyed. The others were amazed to see that Misaki and Tsubasa had a positive rapport with the formerly intimidating bear, and Mikan was still in awe.

Misaki gave Mikan a meaningful look, then turned her attention back to Mr. Bear. " We'll clean up for you, don't worry. Will you play with him then?" she asked, tilting her head. The bear considered her offer and softly nodded.

" Great! Thank you, but please don't hurt him, alright?" Misaki beamed, gently taking Mr. Bear from Tsubasa's hands. Mikan couldn't believe that the bear had taken a liking to Misaki. From what Mikan knows, that Bear-san is very violent especially to her. " I can't believe that the bear likes her!" Mikan exclaimed.

" Same!" Koko, Kitsuneme, Anna, Nonoko, and Inchou all agreed, amazed by the unusual friendship between Misaki and the fearsome bear. Misaki playfully teased Mikan, saying, " We'll take his place on his cleaning duty, Mikan-chan!" 

Misaki handed Mr. Bear to Youichi. " You-chan, meet Mr. Bear~." Youichi's eyes lightened up, he took Bear and they started playing." Let's go, Mikan-chan!" Misaki grabbed Mikan's hand and walked away. " I'll borrow her first, Ruka-pyon!" she announced loudly causing the two to blush.

Tsubasa quickly joined Ruka, and he said, " What was all that about, lover boy?" Ruka's face turned beet red, and he shoved Tsubasa away.

" Idiot, baldy," Ruka muttered, a bit flustered. Hotaru glanced at Ruka's blushing face and commented, "Mikan's such an idiot."

Tsubasa, wearing a cheeky grin, chimed in, " Wonder when you two will realize what's happening." 

Meanwhile, someone was watching Mikan and Misaki clean the area from a far." She really is the daughter of Mina and Kazuya... my past favorites." the guy chuckled as he smirked while eyeing Misaki. 

" Ashikaga, Sakura..." he mumbled. 

 At another view, Natsume was silently looking at the two. Weirded out by what they are doing in such event. 

 " Wish I wore the same dress as you, Misa-chan! It's so hot." Mikan wailed while sweeping the floor.Misaki on the other hand was collecting trash from the students. 

" But you look so adorable in that dress though~." she giggled." Wha-..." Mikan was cut off as Misaki started to tease her causing her to feel embarrassed. 

 " Ruka-pyon thinks so too." she snickered. Mikan flushed and gasped at her. 

" Stop it." she muttered." Look who's blushing." Misaki wiggled her brows at the other girl. Mikan was red but Misaki continued teasing her until they finished cleaning.

Mikan and Misaki took a break from their cleaning duties, and the rest of the students, led by Hotaru, obeyed the newly introduced sign that threatened fines for littering inside the venue.

" Baka. You two shouldn't clean for the entire event, you aren't the janitor in-charge," Hotaru reprimanded, casting a critical glance at Misaki and Mikan. Mikan and Misaki giggled and shared a triumphant grin.

" It's for Youichi-chan. Thanks for saving us, Hotaru!" Mikan said, hugging Hotaru's arm tightly. Hotaru couldn't help but smile slightly as she knocked the two girls' heads softly.

" Idiots. We can't enjoy ourselves if you two aren't with us," she admitted. Mikan and Misaki responded with warm hugs. 

Inchou laughed while seeing the three. " Let's have fun, alright?" all of them nodded.

Misaki, feeling a bit stuffy from all the cleaning, decided to step outside for some fresh air. She sat on the steps near the front door.

" The wind feels nice," she said to herself, closing her eyes. Unbeknownst to her, drowsiness overtook her, and she fell asleep with her head resting on the railing.

Mikan, not finding Misaki inside, decided to check the balcony. She wondered where her friend had gone. " Where did she go?" Mikan mumbled to herself as she sat on a bench on the balcony. Suddenly, Ruka approached, carrying Youichi in his arms.

" Sakura!" he panted, placing Youichi on the ground. Mikan looked at him in surprise.

" Ah, you're here? Were you looking for me?" Mikan asked, slightly perplexed. Ruka nodded in response.

" Bear-san suddenly ran off, and Youichi said he hasn't had the chance to thank you yet," Ruka explained. Mikan shifted her gaze to Youichi.

" Thank... Me? But I—ouch!" Mikan was interrupted as Youichi reached out and playfully pulled a piece of her hair, causing her to lean toward him.

In a sudden, surprising gesture, Youichi planted a quick kiss on Mikan's cheek before turning his attention to the bear, who had reappeared. He ran off to catch the bear, leaving Mikan and Ruka alone.

" That shocked me... That kid!" Mikan giggled, her hand touching her cheek. Ruka's eyes sparkled as he observed her smile.

Ruka moved to her right side and spoke in a warm tone. " Sakura..."

Mikan glanced at him, a bit shy. " When you smile like that, it sure does make us smile too," Ruka confessed.

" Eh?" Mikan exclaimed shyly, surprised to hear such words for the first time.

In a swift motion, Ruka leaned in and planted a kiss on her right cheek, leaving Mikan in stunned silence as she looked at him.

" Thank you. Please don't tell anyone about this," Ruka chuckled before walking away, leaving Mikan alone on the balcony, feeling flustered.

" What was that?" Mikan blushed and held her head, feeling her heart race. "I think I'm going to catch a fever!" she exclaimed, overwhelmed by the unexpected encounter.