Special Alice (Gakuen Alice / Alice Academy FF)

SA 45 - Hanazonokai

{Author}

Hotaru called upon her friends to assist her in sorting through the numerous greeting cards she had received. Mikan, Koko, and Nonoko eagerly joined forces with Hotaru to tackle the stack of cards. They carried the cards to a quieter corner of the room to sort through them, but their attention was soon diverted by an envelope that stood out from the rest.

" What's that? It looks pretty!" Nonoko exclaimed, her curiosity piqued as she gazed at the unique envelope resting on the floor.

Hotaru's expression remained impassive as she held the Japanese-style envelope. " It's likely just a fancy invitation from some rich businessmen," Inchou suggested, trying to guess the contents of the envelope.

" Wow, Hotaru you must be very valuable to men. A man magnet." Misaki commented and gave Hotaru an applause seeing how many cards the girl received.

" Of course, I'm best." Hotaru contemplated her course of action. " I should probably just throw it away," she responded, maintaining her cool demeanor.

However, before she could decide, the mysterious envelope suddenly burst open, releasing a flurry of confetti that startled everyone in the room.

" Eh?!" the group collectively gasped in surprise. Hotaru raised an eyebrow as she retrieved the letter from within the envelope.

" What does it say, Hotaru?" Misaki asked, settling down beside her to see the contents of the letter.

Hotaru's eyes skimmed the letter as she muttered, " Hanazonokai?" She frowned, perplexed by the unfamiliar term. Misaki, too, looked puzzled by the contents of the letter.

" Flower Garden Society? I've never heard of that before," Misaki said, tapping her chin thoughtfully. The two friends shared their confusion about the invitation.

The letter from the President of the Flower Garden Society invited them to a New Year Poetry Recitation Ceremony, scheduled for the second day of the first month. The letter wished them well in the spirit of the spring festival.

FROM THE PRESIDENT OF THE FLOWER GARDEN SOCIETY
New Year Poetry Recitation Ceremony Invitation
Since this is the festival of the beginning of spring, we wish you all the best in everything you do. Our New Year's party will be held on the 2nd day of the first month. We are preparing intensively for it, please do attend.

Hotaru, unimpressed, muttered, " Sounds boring." Her voice remained as monotone as ever, and she appeared far from thrilled about the invitation.

As the group contemplated the situation, Tsubasa and Misaki senpai made their entrance, bearing presents.

Tsubasa presented his gift to Mikan and Misaki, warmly greeting the celebrants. The unexpected surprise for Youichi was Mr. Bear, which Tsubasa playfully placed on the floor, urging Youichi to play with the adorable plush toy.

" Now, be nice and play with Youichi," Tsubasa encouraged with a grin. Youichi's eyes were locked onto Mr. Bear, and he soon began chasing after it in delight.

Kitsuneme, always curious, inquired about the Year's First Prayer. " There are no temples here, are there?" he wondered, knowing the absence of temples on the campus. Tsubasa, however, seemed to be at a loss for words, so Inchou stepped in to provide an explanation.

" There are no temples on campus. Instead, it's a tradition for the Junior division classes to meet with someone who possesses a divination alice, which is why Otonashi isn't here," Inchou clarified with a friendly smile. " They dress up as witches and help the students perform a divination."

Mikan's interest was piqued by the mention of Otonashi's name and divination. She recalled the peculiar dance she had to perform in the past to ensure the divination worked. " They have to dance... THAT?" Mikan gasped, her eyes wide with surprise. Inchou confirmed with a nod.

The dorm mother then announced the arrival of the New Year's Mochi, prompting everyone to gather for the activity.

Tsubasa exchanged a knowing glance with Natsume, who had been resting in a beanbag chair, and woke him from his manga. 

" Yo!" Tsubasa greeted enthusiastically. Natsume merely responded with a bored look, giving Tsubasa a thumbs-down and sticking his tongue out at him.

" Senpai, come and make your mochi!" Anna beckoned with a warm smile.

Tsubasa, Natsume, and the others proceeded to create their mochi, molding, pounding, and mixing it. Misaki and Hotaru, in their playful manner, stole bits of unfinished mochi from others, often targeting Ruka's creations.

Youichi, Hotaru, and Mikan enjoyed Ruka's mochi while Ruka himself ventured to taste the mochi Mikan had made. His eyes sparkled in delight as he savored the unusual combination of orange-flavored mochi in a red bean soup.

" You ate it, Ruka-pyon?" Mikan exclaimed with genuine surprise, her eyes wide as she asked.

Blushing slightly, Ruka nodded and praised Mikan's creation. " It's a bit unusual, but it tastes really good," he admitted with a shy smile.

Mikan giggled and expressed her happiness. " Yours is amazing too! I couldn't stop eating it," she confessed with a slight blush, recalling the delicious mochi Ruka had prepared.

Tsubasa overheard their conversation and seized the opportunity to tease them. " Whatever Sakura makes is excellent!" he declared, imitating Ruka and causing the latter to blush again.

" Idiot, baldy!" Ruka playfully retorted, the banter drawing a small laugh from Mikan.

Meanwhile, Misaki noticed that Natsume had awoken from his nap and prepared a saucer with two pieces of red bean mochi, which she placed beside him.

" You didn't make your own, Natsume, right? Here, have mine. It's to my liking, but I'm not sure if you'll like it," she offered with a smile. However, Natsume remained silent, his blank expression making Misaki feel somewhat awkward, as she interpreted his silence as a lack of interest.

" Happy birthday, Misaki." Natsume simply said before shifting his attention back to his book.

" Thanks." With a sheepish chuckle, she retreated to rejoin the others, but something dropped from her sleeve, catching both her and Natsume's attention.

" Whoa, didn't I empty my sleeve a while ago? I must've left this one behind accidentally," Misaki noted, kneeling to pick it up. It was a Japanese-style envelope, similar to the one Hotaru had received. Misaki returned it to her sleeve before letting out a short laugh.

" Oh, well, this must be a mistake. I can't accept such an invitation," she reasoned, a hint of discomfort in her laughter as she sat back beside Hotaru, leaving Natsume alone.

" Eh? Hotaru received an invitation to the Flower Garden Party?" Misaki senpai inquired, her voice filled with surprise as she continued to enjoy the mochi.

Mikan tilted her head, her curiosity piqued. " What's the Flower Garden Party? It sounds like fun," she commented, her eyes shining with interest.

" Well, only the most beautiful and exceptional elementary students receive those invitations," Misaki-senpai explained. " Rumor has it that the principal detests males, so the party only allows female attendees. The chosen girls are referred to as 'Flower Princesses.'"

All eyes turned toward Hotaru, who seemed unimpressed by the invitation, even going as far as tossing it to the ground without a care about being considered a "Flower Princess."