Senri's POV

Right at this moment Mikan was marvelling the capital city of Japan, Tokyo.

I smiled amusingly as I observed her like a hawk.

Who knows when she might rushed to Hotaru's side when I looked away.

In just my normal clothes—a white buttons-up, blue jeans and black tie—I fit in.

But you could differentiate me in the sea of crowds in an instant.

My silver hair placed me in the spotlight of attention without even trying.

Some group of teenage girls eyeing us snickered when they saw Mikan looking around.

Mikan was overreacting; it's like there's a sign on top of her head saying "she's a country girl who never went out of her village."

I ruffled my bangs and held them up. The groupies saw my eyes, squealed and attempted to get closer.

At my glare, they get the point and stopped themselves.

But they still exchanged murmurs with a blush while watching me.

Couldn't they leave us alone. They had no rights to judge, with them being pedophiles.

Mikan didn't even noticed them as she snapped out of her awe.

The problem was now she didn't know where to start searching.

Her energy was driven by anticipation of meeting Hotaru again, not based by raw stamina.

She won't last that long under the heat and will possibly collapsed once we arrived at the Academy.

Before she scurried off I grabbed her by the shirt collar.

I didn't want to wander around like a lost kid so I dragged her with me to the nearest public telephone.

It was lucky that I had some yens in my jeans' pocket, enough for one call.

Once I found it, I manouvered Mikan beside the place.

"Stay. Here. You know what I mean," I emphasized the word 'stay' as I point her position repeatedly.

Opening the door I entered inside, I sighed in relief when I saw Mikan still in the same appointed place.

I deposited the coins to the slot, and waited for them to pick up the call.

A second later, a deep, husky voice greeted me, "Hello, this is the Tojo residence. How can I help you?"

"Seto, it's me."

On the other line of the call I could hear a gasp and a bit commotion.

"Senri-sama what seems to be the matter?" My butler acknowledged.

"I need you to bring out the car, I'm right in front of the station."

"Yes, right away."

"Sell the house I placed right now. I don't need it anymore."

"Very well." I could hear the question in his tone. But he was trained too well to ask back.

"And enroll me to Alice Academy. Notice my transfer to Satsuki Elementary School."

"Alice Academy? Are you sure, Senri-sama?"

"Yes, it's time," I confirmed.

"As you wish. Please wait for a couple of minutes, we will be there soon."

Hanging up the call, I hanged it back, turned and saw none.

Nope. No Mikan there.

It looks like I misplaced my trust too fast.

No, I had actually expected this to happen, but it was too stupid I didn't really believe she will do it.

That's Mikan for you.

In annoyance I mumbled frustatedly of how she couldn't listen to me for once.

I leaned on the steel fence along the street and waited. I closed my eyes and waited.

Wasting a couple of minutes waiting I finally saw a white blur closing in.

The limousine skidded to a stop before me. The luxurious vehicle garnered admiration.

Now not only girls but also boys, adults whispered to each other how I was rich and stuff.

The passenger door swung open and revealed a middle-aged man in black butler suit.

He bowed to me respectfully and opened the door for me.

I nodded in acknowledgement and hopped in.

He followed and closed the door. The white interior was as stylish as it's exterior.

Black leather sofa, red persian carpet and mahogany oak, black table, plus a compact refrigirator.

I propped my elbow on the window. And rest my head on my arm comfortably.

"It's been a long time Senri-sama. How is your well-being?"

I watched people come and go through the glass. The passing building and malls.

"I'm fine," I answered, keeping my side against him.

Looking out of the window I thought I'm hallucinating.

Since at some point I saw Mikan everywhere.

In the middle of the street, along the roadside in front of a shopping mall, and near the big lantern the temple's featuring.

"Is that so? We have registered you and took care of the necessary papers. We are informed that your uniform will be provided by the school once we've arrived."

"Good work."

I could see it plain as day, the satisfaction, relief and pride on his aged face.

"Thank you for your kind words. We only need your sign to complete it."

He salvaged a blue map from shelfs of folders. Opened it, laying out the contents on top of the table.

For precisions I scanned the forms one more time and took the pen situated beside the papers.

Below the printed 'guardian's permission' I scribbled my cursive signature in smooth lines.

After flipping through them, rechecking all the papers, I filed them back to the blue folder.

Silence ensued the entire trip after that. None of us trying to engage the other in a talk.

The buildings and skyscrapers filled my vision. As expected of Tokyo, I guess.

Traffic trapped us on the streets longer than expected.

When we reached the school border I immediately looked left and right for any signs of brown hair.

As far as I focused I saw no Mikan here either, but I saw rubbles probably caused by an explosion. I sighed, where is she?

I hoped she's smart enough to doubt. There were many shady people trying to trick kids here.

My driver gave the security our I.D.s and he immediately let us in.

Stopping in front of the Elementary Branch, Seto did his job.

I stepped out of the car, studying the place I was transferring to.

To be honest, it exceeds my expectations by far. A blond man emerged from the entrance.

"Are you our new student, Tojo Senri?" I nodded in confirmation. "Welcome to Alice Academy. Your uniform is ready."

"Well, then. Seto, you can go back now. Look after the mansion for me."

He bowed deeply and drove back to the Tojo mansion. I turned my sight to the blond escort.

"Just call me Senri," I offered. He smiled at me. And gestured me to come in.

"You are assigned in class B," he informed me. I nodded.

As we spoke we walked. "I'm your homeroom teacher, call me Narumi-sensei."

I snorted in a hushed volume. "We're here. The uniform is inside. Once you've changed, come out and I'll escort you to another new student, so we can go to the class together."

I banged the door close once I was inside. The uniform was laid at one of the couches.

Winter uniform—black top with a white buttons-up underneath and red, tartan plaid shorts, I examined.

I rewrapped my wrist with another cloth and threw the used bandage.

In record time I wore the attire and went out of the room.

"I'm done," I announced.

"You look good-- Where is your tie?"

Instead of opening my mouth to talk I showed him my left wrist.

The tie is wrapped around my wrist like a bandage.

"Why do you--" I put on a blank expression.

"Nevermind." He sweatdropped and dropped his question.

PRANG!!

Alerted, I ran, dashing to the source with my new homeroom teacher.

Along the way there was another adult, a teacher perhaps, joined our rush.

"Someone!! Save me!" That voice....Mikan!

I barged in the door. Ignoring any sort of manners, I didn't have time to knock in this situation.

"Are you alright, Mikan-chan?!" Narumi huffed.

Golden. What I took notice first was golden hair. Secondly raven. Both boys culprit to whatever done to Mikan.

"Natsume! Ruka!"

She was crying and at once escaped the raven-haired boy's clutches.

Hugged the blond teacher for safety. I saw her lack of piece of clothing.

"See ya, polka-dotted panties girl. You dropped this," who I assumed named Natsume threw Mikan's skirt.

They jumped through the window with shattered glass.

The brunette teacher coughed to his fist and I looked at him amused. He appears awkward.

"It came off..." Narumi announced as if we couldn't see it ourselves.

Mikan herself didn't notice and when she peered down I readied myself; closing both my ears with my hand.

"KYYAAAAAAAA!!!"

"Mikan-chan!"