"SURPRISE!!"

Her eyes widen for a bit before settling into a gaze filled with warmth and affection. Today is the 6th of January, and she is now 11 years old. All of her classmates (exclude Natsume as usual, though it seems that Ruka is here) were all singing happy birthday to commemorate her birthday.

She looked around, settle her gaze on each one, and says

"Thank you... everyone."

She still finds it a bit awkward, having so many people celebrating her birthday. Just 2 years ago, she was still celebrating her birthday only with her family.

But, this... is quite a nice change...

Then, the celebration proceeds with little gift exchange, happy wishes, some games before they were all dismissed to their room by the elementary dorm caretaker, leaving only the Tsuyuri's siblings behind. She opens her arm wide:

"C'mere, family hug!"

Then they all jumped into Amy's arm and hug. They stay for a long time before finally let go. Afterward, they went back to their room. In which after they all left, she just stared at the closed door, silently vow once again,

I swear I will protect everyone.

She was about to retire to her own bed after changing when she heard a knock on her window. Curious, she went to her window only to see a small pouch with a small card, written happy birthday.

She took it in, and look for the sender's name. Unfortunately, none was written. She then opens the pouch.

Inside, a small pendant with the engraving of T on an Iris flower fell out of it.

Huh?

-

-April 2009-

Her heartbeat quickened. She tried to stay calm, god knows she tried. But she just can't.

Not when she clearly saw the figure of the new student that transfer today.

It was none other than Imai Hotaru - the last puzzle needed to trigger a chain of the event that later bring the main key person - Mikan Sakura.

She sighed and murmur,

"So the time has come, huh."

Then, she just throws her gaze to the window, furiously calculating and forming an upcoming plan while slowly caressing her pendant.

-May 2009-

It has been 1 full month since I, Imai Hotaru transferred here. Still fresh and new yet I can't help but remain suspicious of this one particular person.

She - in a way, is like a big sister in this class. Much like a light, just like Inchou was. This person is none other than Amy Tsuyuri. However, Hotaru can't help but find it weird.

Brilliant with a good attitude, really good at teaching others - yet was never among the top 5 students and was still a 1-star Alice. But those who were tutored by her improved so much in their studies

As if she purposely did so.

She was quite well known by peers and seniors alike, yet she seems to assimilate with the background so much, if one were not to think of her, they will never notice she was there. As if she purposely divert people's attention away from her.

And every weekend, she will always disappear with her siblings only to return to their dorm looking haggard and tired. What on earth did they do only to return like that? Surely not something so simple...

And what irked Hotaru the most, is the fact she can't help but feel like she was being led on by her nose. As if Amy purposely instilled all sorts of suspicious things, all kinds of suspicious movements around that forced her to actually pay attention to her rather than remain indifferent like she always does. On top of this weird academy, having a person, who happen to be your classmates act sneakily really does cause lots of concerns.

But tonight, this will change. Hotaru opens her palm, in which a small mushroom rolls on it. Her invention for the purpose of eavesdropping and communication. She will put this inside Amy's small pouch which she always carried around. Hotaru decided to monitor Amy's movements and maybe listen on to some of her conversations.

To know - who is Amy Tsuyuri? A friend... or a foe?

It was later that night after Hotaru sneak in the mushroom when the monitor which showed the location of her mushroom beeps. It signaled Hotaru that Amy was on the move, carrying the pouch containing her invention. Noticing this, Hotaru quickly wears her panda headphones and switch on the mike.

From the radar, she saw that the detector was headed towards North woods.

Why is she walking towards North Woods this late at night?