Special Alice (Gakuen Alice / Alice Academy FF)

SA 84 - Lost

{Author}

" What?!" Misaki exclaimed, startling everyone at the breakfast table.

" Calm down, Misa-chan..." Inchou spoke softly, and Nonoko patted Misaki's back, offering comfort.

Misaki's eyes quivered, and she carefully set her spoon down. " That can't be."

Hotaru observed her, sensing that something was amiss. " Misaki?" she inquired.

" He was just here the other night... He visited me before leaving for a mission the next day," Misaki muttered. She had learned about the Dangerous Class's mission failure and heard that one member was still missing, rumored to be Tsubasa Senpai, and Natsume had appeared after the mission, but his whereabouts remained unknown.

" I wonder where Natsume is," Permy mused with her hands clasped.

Misaki couldn't believe that something like this could happen. She hadn't even been informed of the mission, despite being part of the Dangerous Ability Class.

" Natsume..." she said, worry etched on her face.

Throughout the day, a somber mood lingered. Mikan even had a dream about the situation, and it seemed to mirror the harsh reality.

Mikan panicked when she heard the news, blaming herself for Tsubasa's transfer to the Dangerous Ability Class.

" Mikan-chan..." Misaki called out, her tone heavy with sadness.

Meanwhile, Tono and Narumi conversed about Tsubasa.

" Is that Harada Misaki-chan from the Special Ability Class?" Narumi Sensei inquired as he saw Tono speaking on the phone.

" Yes. It appears that Mikan-chan already knows the situation. Narumi Sensei... She's blaming herself for Tsubasa's transfer to the Dangerous Ability Class," Tonou lamented before glancing at his phone.

" I feel bad for putting everything on Misaki. I'll be heading back now," he added.

" Regarding the 'flaw' incident in the high school area, this is the only information about obtaining the key... I'll do my best with that," Tono said, seeking to reassure the teacher.

Narumi Sensei nodded, offering a faint smile. " Thank you, Tonouchi-kun."

" Do you plan to leave the academy and take Mikan with you?" Tono inquired. " Is that why you wanted to learn more about the 'flaw' incident and have been going on trips lately?"

Tono gasped, his eyes wide. " All of that for this... Are you serious?!"

Narumi Sensei pressed his lips together. " Of course, I'm serious. As the one who enrolled her here, it's essential to rectify my mistakes."

" Not only that, but I feel something deeper."

Narumi looked away and sighed. " I can't stand idly by. I can't just watch her follow the same path as her mother."

From a distance, Nobara watched the two from a building.

" Sorry for the wait, Nobara," a person said as they approached her. It was the elementary school principal.

Nobara tensed, looking at him with apprehension. Persona noticed and reprimanded her, " Don't act so timid in front of the principal."

The ESP shook his head. " It's okay, Persona. With the incident involving Tsubasa, students like her might be confused."

He smiled faintly. " It's alright, Nobara. Since Persona also asked me, I won't give you a difficult mission," he reassured her.

" On top of that, it seems you'd like to have another female friend in the Dangerous Ability Class. To make that happen, I want you to help us with something," the ESP explained, clasping his hands and grinning.

Nobara blinked a few times as she listened to her mission.

As night fell, Misaki Senpai, Hotaru, Tonouchi, and Inchou saw Mikan back to her room after providing comfort and support.

" The incident with Tsubasa being transferred to the Dangerous Ability Class isn't your fault, okay?" Misaki Senpai said, smiling reassuringly.

" We'll head off for now, Mikan. Have a good rest," Hotaru told Mikan, who still had a gloomy expression.

Mikan nodded, expressing her gratitude. " Thank you, Misaki Senpai, everyone."

Misaki Senpai closed the door as they left, leaving Mikan alone in her room. On the other hand, little Misaki had been downcast throughout the day.

Tsubasa had been a caring senior and had been helpful during her time in the other ability class. She worried about him now.

" I wish I had been with them... I could've assisted them during the mission, and this might not have happened," Misaki lamented. She was on the brink of losing her composure earlier but decided to stay strong for Mikan.

" I should've done something to prevent this," she thought, feeling the weight of Tsubasa's situation.

Later in the evening, Misaki was still emotional about the day's events. Tears welled up in her eyes, and she found herself crying. " Why didn't he tell me...?"

Her window suddenly flung open, and her head snapped in that direction. There she saw Natsume, battered and bruised, sitting on the window ledge.

" Natsume..." Misaki called out, her voice a mixture of surprise and concern.

Her eyes widened as she took in Natsume's condition. He was gazing at her, and without hesitation, she rushed over to him, her worry and fear evident.

" Where have you been?" Misaki asked, her voice quivering, her eyes drawn to Natsume's wounds.

Misaki felt her concern grow with each passing second. " Everyone's looking for you... Your wounds..."

Natsume interrupted her. " Don't call anyone."

" But... Natsume," Misaki tried to protest.

Natsume looked at her and spoke softly. " The truth is..."

" Until I find that guy, I have no intention of seeing anyone," he confessed.

" But... I thought you were blaming yourself for not being able to help us,"

" And for some reason, I ended up here," Natsume whispered, and Misaki's breath hitched. She embraced him tightly, burying her face in his shoulder.

The two of them sat on the floor, and this was what Misaki needed after her emotionally draining day. She had been trying to hold it together for Mikan, but now she could let her emotions flow.

Tears trickled down her face, and Natsume hugged her back, holding her close.

" Don't cry," he said in a calm, reassuring tone.

Misaki pouted, her cheeks flushed, and she buried her face in her arm while still clinging to Natsume. " How can I not... Because of you..."

Natsume seemed puzzled. " Huh?..."

" You could've told me about the mission... You guys went without me. This could've been avoided if I had gone with you," Misaki explained as she inhaled deeply.

Natsume let out a sigh. " Stop crying..."

" Plus... I'm crying on your behalf," Misaki confessed. She knew that even if Natsume was worn out, he wouldn't cry.

Natsume withdrew from the embrace and stood up. " I'll find that guy for sure," he declared with determination.

" And about her, too... I'll be able to protect you," he said before he left. Misaki was left stunned as Natsume jumped out of her window once again.

He landed gracefully on the ground and took off running. Misaki watched him as he disappeared into the distance until he was no longer visible.

" I should've tended to your wounds first," she muttered, her heart heavy.

" Natsume..." she whispered, feeling a mix of emotions.