Special Alice (Gakuen Alice / Alice Academy FF)

SA 91 - Journey

{Author}

" It's time for us to leave, Imai-san," Noda Sensei called out after their conversation.

Hotaru gave Subaru a meaningful look before returning to Mikan's side.

" When traveling to the past, I have to control this bracelet to prevent it from emitting Alice interference waves, and it may be dangerous," he explained.

Misaki wasn't particularly thrilled about revisiting the past, knowing that it held painful memories that might be best left undisturbed.

Noda Sensei advised them not to let go of his hand while they acted as observers from a distance, ensuring they didn't interfere with the past's space-time flow.

" I cannot guarantee your safety once you lose physical contact with me," he cautioned.

The High School Principal nodded, entrusting them to Noda Sensei's care.

Hotaru held Noda Sensei's hand and took Mikan's right. Mikan held Ruka's hand, and he held Natsume's. Natsume, in turn, held Misaki.

Before they vanished, Yuka dashed out of her hiding place, longing to embrace Mikan.

" Mikan!" Yuka cried out, capturing Mikan's attention and revealing a faint image of a familiar woman.

Yuka fell to her knees as Mikan and the others disappeared.

The High School Principal worriedly glanced at Yuka. " Yuka... Why did you suddenly..."

Yuka lowered her head, sighing. " I'm sorry. I just couldn't help myself from coming out," she said, her heart racing. She hadn't intended to stop them but had simply longed to hold Mikan, fearing she might never see her again.

Meanwhile, Misaki began to feel dizzy as their surroundings blurred during their disappearance.

" Ugh, I want to go home," Misaki mumbled with a pout.

Ruka suddenly spoke and looked at Mikan, surprising her. " I wonder who that woman was calling Sakura."

Noda Sensei pursed his lips. " Yuka-san might have been there at that time. Given that they prompted Sakura to leave the academy, it's not impossible."

They all nodded in agreement, acknowledging the possibility.

" Sensei, why would you say something like that..." Misaki sweat-dropped before letting out an exasperated sigh.

" And if she really was there, imagine how she feels after Sakura's refusal," he added.

Natsume was displeased by Noda Sensei's comments. Hotaru tugged on Nodacchi's shirt. " Show some tact, Sensei."

" Ah?... I'm sorry!" he exclaimed, suddenly realizing his blunder.

Ruka sighed. " What a natural airhead," he commented.

" Was Noda Sensei acquainted with Sakura's parents?" Ruka asked, trying to change the topic to spare Mikan from feeling guilty.

Noda Sensei nodded. " Yes. Her father was a good teacher of mine and the instructor of my ability class. Sakura-san's mother was a junior student in the Special Ability Class."

He then began to search the area. " It should be around here. While I create the window, please don't let go of my hand."

Noda Sensei made an unusual hand movement with his right hand, as though he were mixing something.

" Eh? A window?" Misaki inquired curiously.

Noda Sensei nodded. The window he created displayed events on a smaller scale, and if they fell through it, they'd return to their original size.

They saw an aerial view of the academy, which hadn't changed significantly. Mikan and the others were fascinated.

" Ah, there they are," Noda Sensei stated. " It seems like we went back in time a bit too far," he said with a wry smile.

There were little kids lined up. They spotted Yuka, who was still a child, along with a pink-haired girl of the same age.

" Those two are Yuka-san and Mina-san when they first arrived at the academy," Noda Sensei pointed out.

" I seem to remember... Yuka-san was admitted when she was 5, but Mina-san was a month or two younger," he recalled.

Mikan was amused to see her mother, as she resembled her so much. Misaki, on the other hand, looked at the young Mina, her mother.

" I want my mom," young Mina pouted, her eyes brimming with tears. " Why am I here? Doesn't she love me anymore?" Mina tugged at a teacher's pants, wiping her eyes.

" Mina-san was very tender and cried a lot until a certain age," Noda Sensei explained.

Noda Sensei added that Yuka's stealing Alice was discovered later, and she wasn't considered that special until her second Alice was revealed. Her parents had handed her over because of the money the government would provide.

Mikan felt heartache for her mother. Suddenly, another shake rocked them because the bracelet was emitting Alice interference waves, pushing them further back in time.

They witnessed Yuka's parents' cruelty and how they handed her over to the academy for the money, then disowned her to start anew with their other children. This was the fate of someone born with Alice.

Mikan felt even worse about her mother's past. Another shaking incident occurred, and she clung to Noda Sensei.

" Stay calm," Noda Sensei reminded them.

They heard a voice, accompanied by cries. " Yuka... I see you're crying again. Why are you sad?" the voice inquired.

" Who is this?" Misaki asked.

The voice was calm and soothing.

" Sakura-san, this voice is your father's," Noda Sensei stated, astonishing Mikan even more.

" My father..." Mikan whispered.

" Didn't I tell you? We're all family in this academy."

" Yuka."

" Azumi."

" Yuka-chan."

" Yuka Senpai."

" Yuka...."

They heard various voices calling for Yuka. Noda Sensei was stunned, overwhelmed by a wave of emotions.

" Noda Sensei?" Ruka called, snapping him out of his daze.

" Huh? It's nothing. I apologize," Noda Sensei said, surprised by the sudden rush of memories.

He then turned to the group. " Let's move on. Everything begins from here," he said.