"Amy-san, are you ok?"

Inchou taps Amy's shoulder lightly. Seemingly snapped out from her thoughts, she startled,

"Eh? Ah, Inchou, what was it again?"

"Umm, you're in dazed ever since we started lined up here. So, I was just wondering if you're alright"

"Ahh, nahh, I'm alright. Just that, Woah so many people as usual right?"

"Oh yes. Umm, they say that there are more sponsor and ambassador visiting this year"

"Is that so... Oh, the ceremony will be started soon."

Inchou nodded and faced forward. As the HSP stands up, giving his speech. Today is the first day of the week-long Alice Festival. And there'll be a bunch of fun things too. Amy unintentionally grinned. She can feel her camera inside the pouch jingling.

Of course, there are tons she needs to worry about, but for now, she decided to enjoy the remaining time she has. She already promised not to stress herself out too much with her siblings. She even pulled out from the committee this year.

Oh, the speech ended. - Amy realized as the principals walked down the stages. Her eyes rested on each one and stop at ESP. For a moment, their eyes met, in which she immediately divert her eyes somewhere else. A strong taste of bitterness started to linger on her tongue. Then the parade started, but none of that interest her.

Calm down. Calm down... - Amy recite. Then, she heard a cheerful voice.

"Hotaru! Amy-san! Inchou! You won't believe what happen!" It was none other than Mikan. She glanced at Mikan, who seems to have just arrived.

"Eh Mikan? What are you doing? The Special ability group is over there." Inchou puzzled, questioning Mikan. Mikan was seemingly shocked.

"Eh?? I need to go there? Hmmm... Well anyway, before that, listen to this! Just a second ago..." Mikan started to happily chatter. Amy just tuned off the conversation- already knowing what happens. She just focuses on the stage as Sakurano, the representative of the student's council started to deliver his speech.

When she saw Sakurano, she ponders over the thought of whether she should tell them or not. Amy just drowned on her thoughts, ignoring the conversation happening behind her, in which Inchou currently explaining to Mikan of the representative body in Alice Academy.

"Ah, Inchou, are you going to the simulated haunted house?" Amy asked inchou after the ceremony concluded. As usual, the haunted house is one of the main simulation booths prepared by the latent class. She was, of course, initially took part in designing things for props. But now she no longer took part, as per her promise. Inchou just nodded and say

"Yes, I'm heading there now. Do you wanted to go with me?"

"Oh no. Just wondering if there's anything else that you guys need.."

"Oh~ No! No! Amy, you must not work for now. Most of the things are already settled anyway. You should rest ok"

"Ahaha, I know. Just wondering~ anyway I'm going to take Mirai and Yoichi to special ability simulation house. They're doing RPG apparently"

"Wahhh! I wish I could go there soon. Oh, could you please asked Mikan if she will come to visit the haunted house? My shift end at 3 pm, so maybe... umm, that is if she wanted to" Inchou immediately stutter. At this, Amy seemingly gets the hint- our cute Inchou is having a little crush at Mikan. Amy grinned and reply,

"Hahaha, no prob" Amy winked. They waved goodbye to each other and Amy went to the active ability group, where Yoichi and Mirai waited for her.

"Let's go Mirai, Yoichi. You guys don't have anything until rehearsal- which will be after lunch right?"

"Yup! Where are we going Amy-nee?" Amy just grinned and said,

"A very interesting place. Let's go~"

"Hai!" They both cheered. Though, instantly, both of their stomachs growled. At this, Amy just chuckled,

"Ok, how about we head to the technical class area and buy some quick grub before heading there. How's that?"

"Wahh! I want strawberry cloud puff!" cheer Mirai, while Amy chuckled as she wipes off Mirai's drool.

"Umm, I want the bear chocolate bread .." Yoichi asked shyly, in which Amy just smile and nodded. She picked Yoichi up while holding Mirai with her other hand- heading towards the teleportation port to the technical area.

She hummed slowly as she walked through the hectic Technical students' area and when straight to a known destination. A place which is a bit further away and separated from others. At her side, both Mirai and Yoichi happily walk, holding their respective snacks. As she drinks her orange smoothie, she just recounted everything, trying to sort out some of her thoughts;

'...Well, just like they say, being overworked about something we don't know won't help anyway. I might as well rest during this year's festival... and spend more time with my family. I have been very busy after all, so... I might as well rest for now before meeting ESP later..'

For amy, that is the best for now. Even if she were to do anything, she will just become more anxious and tired herself out. She needs all the strength she needs and mental preservation to faced him later. And... playing RPG. It looks so much fun in the manga.

I wonder...

Then, Mirai who was since earlier, munching strawberry cloud puff, called out to Amy.

"Nee-chan, there's a dog following us since earlier"

Hmm? - Amy turned around. Indeed, there is a dog following them.

Is it a real dog or... an Alice?

...

"Mirai, Yoichi. Let's just ignored him for now. He... may be bored, so just let him be~" Amy said. Both Mirai and Yoichi just nodded. Then,

"Hey! I'm not bored ok! I just decided to grace you guys with my presence" it seems to come from the dog. Amy already expecting this, the moment she saw the dog, she already knows that he is an Alice. And a royal one too. Meaning he also carries problems at the royal level. She wanted to ignore him.

There's no way, she ain't bringing another trouble with her.

She shakes her head to both Mirai and Yoichi, who was shocked by the dog talking just now.

"Amy-nee.."

Amy just continues shaking her head.

Nope.

Nope.

She immediately picks up Yoichi and Mirai and walked straight to the nearest teleportation port.

"W-wait!" Amy ignored the voice who called for her. She then smiles to the students who responsible for the Teleportation port and says,

"To special ability area please"

The student nodded. Then they disappear, immediately teleported to the RPG area.

And thus they appear in front of the RPG house. She sighed in relief.

"Sorry about that Mirai, Yoichi." she smiled as she lowered both of them to the ground. She dusted off their clothes a bit and did not realize the worried exchange between Yoichi and Mirai. Then, she stands up and says,

"Good, we have arrived at~"

"Hey! Why did you suddenly leave?!" A slightly childish voice asked, more like demanding Amy for an explanation. Amy just barely held back her cursed and turned back. There's a boy with light blond hair, whom apparently of the same height as her standing there. She smiled at a boy, who wore sullen expression, and asked,

"Yes? What do you mean by 'suddenly leave'? If I'm not mistaken, I believe this is the first time we met?"

"No, it is not. I was the dog you left just now"

"Ah~ is that so~ It's just that, how could I know it was you if you do not introduce yourself first? On top of that, you have been following us since we left the assembly area, and persistently follow us here. Are you a stalker or something? Shouldn't you introduced yourself first before following other people?" she says in a very stern voice while maintaining her smile. She is super pissed off actually, that on the day she wished to spend with her siblings interrupted. But, for now, she really needs to hold herself back.

"Erk!" He was seemingly taken aback by Amy's unexpected reply. Amy then continue,

"Also, as we are all students here, even though you are just a prospective student, you are still regardless are part of the academy. Hence, we are all the same here. No more no less. So I believe there's no need for me to listen to your demand even if you have a royal background, understood?"

"Y-yes.." he then looked down. She just sighed. Though, whilst so, he asked,

"What do you mean by we're all the same...?"

"Hmm? Easy. Regardless of who you are, what is your Alice, if you're a monster or if you're dangerous, or maybe as cute as rabbit, on this very ground, it does not matter. I see you on the same level, a fellow Alice."

"So, even if.. if I'm a monster, you're ok with that?"

"Why shouldn't I? We're all still human in the end. So it does not matter."

"I see..." That boy suddenly cheered up. His sudden change from solemn to a more cheerful atmosphere give her a sense of foreboding. She suddenly felt her shoulder become heavier- a sign that she took another ball of problem with her. She suppresses her shiver and says,

"Ok then. If that is all, bye~"

"W-wait, can I go with you? I.. I actually lost. I was with someone, and then..."

She immediately held her hands up.

"No, i don't want to know your story. You can keep it. But..."

She takes another look at the boy. He gave her a puppy eye look. Persistently giving off pitiful aura- that one thing Amy can't ignore.

She then sighs.

"But you can tag along I guess. After the RPG, I will lead you to the place you should be. My name is Amy Tsuyuri. And this is Mirai and Yoichi. My younger brother and sister."

"Thank you!!! My name is Aruma, Aruma Rei Nice to meet you!"

"...Yeah, nice to meet you too"

Tsubasa and Narumi stand at the exit, together with Ruka and Sumire.

"Good morning Narumi-sensei, Tsubasa-senpai Ruka and Sumire. I see that you guys have finished with your game?"

"Morning~" Both Ruka and Sumire reply- though it seems that Sumire was fussing a bit. Hmm, I wonder why?

"Oh! Amy~ There are Mirai and Yoichi too. Good morning!" reply Tsubasa cheerfully.

"Good morning Amy. Who's that behind you?" Narumi reply, while asking about the identity of a boy who followed them. Amy then said,

"This.. is our new.. friend. His name is Aruma Rei." Then, she gives a pointed look, asking Aruma to introduced himself. Getting her signal, Aruma says,

"My name is Aruma Rei. I am a prospective Alice student who came here to visit with an ambassador from my country. I've met Amy and her siblings when I walked around the technical area. It's nice to meet you" As he extends his hand to Narumi. Narumi take his hand and smile,

"I see, welcome to this academy then"

Ignoring the conversation that started between Aruma and Narumi, she looks at Tsubasa and said,

"You know senpai, the special ability students are really awesome. So many efforts for this, it is so amazing. The labyrinth is very big too. I bet that students will love it."

"Thanks, Amy, well it's all come into fruition due to Mikan's idea after all. Btw, You wanted to try our game?"

"Yup! My team will be me, Mirai, Yoichi, and Aruma. Can we go in together?"

"Well... according to the rules, you can't. But, I can give a special pass for Mirai to go together with Yoichi"

"Haha! Thanks then! Mirai, you will go together with Yoichi alright?"

"Ok! We will win this game!" cheered Mirai. Yoichi also excitedly punch to the air, following Mirai's excitement.

"Aww, your siblings are really cute Amy. Btw, both of you can go in now" Tsubasa added. At this Mirai and Yoichi nodded, heading into the maze.

"I know right? They are the cutest angel ever" she replied proudly. As she sees them off, all while taking pictures of them holding hands together.

"Hey, Amy, when will be our turn" Aruma asking her after he finished his conversation with Narumi. Amy replied,

"After this... we will go in separately. I will go in first, then you go in next"

"I see, alright."

"Hey, Mikan. Woah! A genie costume. Can we take pictures together?"

"Wahh you came here Amy-san, thank you! Thank you! And sure, let's take pictures together. Btw, you're alone?" chirped Mikan. She then posed together for a selfie with Amy.

"Hm, nahh. Mirai and Yoichi are already inside the labyrinth. And there this new friend too, his name is Aruma. Oh, before I forgot, Inchou says that if you're free later, he hopes that you will drop by at the haunted house. His shift will end at 3 or something"

"Ohh! Thanks, Amy~ Do you want to go together?"

"Ah, sorry about that, I've already promised someone else though"

"Ohh, it's okay... Ah! That's the cue. It's your turn now Amy"

"Alright~" then she walked towards the entrance. Seemingly remembered something, she stopped and took out her camera.

"W-wait, Amy-san!" Ruka suddenly flustered at Amy, who suddenly took his picture with Mikan. She just laughs and waved at Ruka as she immediately walked into the labyrinth.

'Hmm, it was quite hard' - Aruma thought as he exited the labyrinth. Of course, like many others, he failed to pass the test. Though, as soon as he peeks out the exit, a long line of students already forming at the entrance. Even the students in charge of this RPG are in rush. He then spots Amy, who was currently instructing few students before facing 2 people- who probably the one in charge of the RPG.

"Ok, so with this, the number of students aware of this RPG should be increased. It's good that you guys still have enough budget, hence those flyers already actively distributed. Oh! And thank you Ruka for asking the birds to fly around the campus and spreading the flyers! Let's see... hmm, we should also try to attract some of those students from the newspaper club... Ahha! I should call my brother, this can be his first assignment as part of the elementary journalist club."

Aruma amazed. She is really quick at distributing works and thinking of plans for this.

"Seriously Amy, thank you so much for your help" Misaki thanked at Amy while marveling at so many students lining up for their RPG. Tsubasa equally nodded while busily communicating with the labyrinth team, passing over info, and so forth. Amy just smile,

"Well, it was fun. And you guys did all the work anyway- the only thing I did was helping a bit in marketing... Oh, Aruma-kun? You're done?"

"Yup, woah don't you ever rest? Anyway, where's your brother and sister?"

"Oh, they went with Narumi-sensei. They have rehearsal after this after all."

"I see..."

"Oh btw, I will help you after this. You need to meet up with your guardian soon right? Narumi-sensei already told me where to guide you"

Aruma just nodded. He amazed by her effort. Then he looked around. There are so many students now, compared to when they initially arrived.

'The students sure are happy... hmm?' the joyful cheer and talks from the crowd suddenly died down. He then noticed a black hair boy, with crimson pair of eyes, walked towards them. It seems that he is the source of discomfort to the majority of the crowds.

"Umm, Amy-san?"

"Yes...?" She trailed off as she looked towards the direction where Aruma pointed out. Then, she saw Natsume and the crowd's reaction.

'Ah... No wonder Aruma called out to me' Amy thought. Then she says,

"Don't worry. His a friend. And... Oi Ruka! Natsume is here~"

"Natsume? Why are you here?" He walked towards Natsume. Though, when Koko pointed out to Ruka's bunny ear, he suddenly feels conscious. And well, Natsume pulled his bunny ear for a bit, seemingly interested in it. Then Sumire came in, creating a fuss about how she was held captive- which in Amy opinion was funny. Then, our FL appear.

"Oh! Natsume, you're here?" she jumped down and walked towards Natsume. Mikan smiled and asked,

"Hehe, so did you come here to cheer us up?" Natsume stared at her for a while before asking,

"What the hell are you wearing?"

"Isn't it pretty?"

Ahh, then that incident happens where Natsume pulled a bit of Mikan clothes. That's my cue then- calling Tsubasa senpai. - Amy thought as she turned around, calling for Tsubasa.

"Tsubasa senpai, it seems that something happened to your favorite kouhai"

"Hmm? Oh, Mikan?! Something must have happened?" He chuckled as he carried Mikan who cried on him.

Then he looked at Natsume and Ruka- who was staring at him.

"Eh? Why?" Tsubasa seemed to be confused at the stern glare he received from both- I mean mainly from Natsume. At this, Amy gesture Tsubasa to lower his ear for a bit and whisper,

"Psst senpai, you will see something amusing if you hug Mikan a little bit tighter"

"Like this?" he replied and tighten his hugged- hence gained another glared.

"Ohho, I understand now~" Then Tsubasa seemingly offer *cough* challenged them for a game of labyrinth. Which, of course, accepted by Natsume with the goal to make him his slave.

She just smiles.

"Oh well, a job well done. I need to go now senpai"

"Alright~ see you later then. Thanks again"

"Wait Amy-san, you're already going? Can't you scold Natsume a bit, his being a meanie~" Mikan wept at her. Amy just sweatdropped.

"Eh, why me?"

"Because everyone says that he only ever listen to you. So~ boohoo" At her explanation, Amy confused.

"Ahha? That's... funny? I think you give me too much credit. And cheered up Mikan, You're the special ability genie, right? So do your best!" Amy attempt to cheer mikan up. Mikan, who was pouting since earlier turned into a bright smile- as bright as the sun.

"Uhhn! Alright! I will do my best" and so she went into the labyrinth again. She just sighed and look at Aruma, who was just spectating the whole thing since earlier.

"Alright, I'm done. Let's go now Aruma-kun"

"Right"

"So we've arrived. You can just go in the HQ building, there should be people who will be directing you to your room, perhaps" Amy says as she pointed out to the HQ building.

"Thanks Amy-san for your help" Aruma thanked her again.

"It's alright. I need to go now, I promised my sister who was taking care of Alice in Wonderland cafe for a visit. Bye!"

Then Amy turned around, leaving Aruma who only stared at her until she disappears.

- Aruma Rei is a character from Kageki no Kuni no Alice manga. I've decided to introduce him early for the sake of the future plot.

P/s: Woahhh, this is the longest chapter ever. Hahaha