"Aren't you... a bit too harsh senpai?" He stopped walking after hearing that question. In front of him, standing under the shades of a tree was a girl whom he is very familiar with.

"Amy..." Subaru said. He just sighed. Of course, she always appears where and when it matters. At the called of her name, she just smiles and raised her hand.

"A very good day to your senpai. Are you free right now?" she asked as she walked towards Subaru. Subaru just nodded,

"Are you going to lecture me or something?" he asked. Amy make a Pikachu shocked face and reply,

"Wha? Nahh, you should, by now, already feeling guilty anyway. There's no need for me to rub more salt on the wound. Just be sure to apologize when you had the chance. In fact, she is much stronger than you think she is. And she has Mikan and Sophie by her side right now. So there's no need for me to put an effort lecturing you" Then she chuckled for a bit before continue,

"Anyway, if you're free, allow me to take some of your time to show you something. Consider it a date in the forest I guess?"

Subaru's indifferent face turned into confusion in a split second. Amy just smiles and walked forward, to a known destination.

"So why are we here again?" Subaru asked Amy when she abruptly stops in the middle of the Northern forest, where there's only empty ground. Amy took off her pendant- the one she received almost a year ago and waved it. Then, a 3-floor building appears out of nowhere- shocking Subaru.

Amy turned around and smile,

"Welcome to our home base senpai. This is the secret project I've informed you about more than a month ago. Collaboration with Hotaru and my sister of course. And a lot of different resources. Btw, could you placed your hand here and say your name" she said as she took Subaru's right hand, placing on top of spherical stone embedded on the gate.

What is your name? a robotic-like voice asked. Subaru reply,

"Imai Subaru"

Registering Imai Subaru. Alice of Heal and Pain recorded. Brain wavelength recorded. Identity recorded. Analysis is done. Welcome to Homebase, Imai Subarusaid The Voice.

Then the gate swings open. Amy gestures him to follow her. The door opens to the main hallway and assembly point which were neatly decorated. A few doors lined up on his left side while a glass wall - a greenhouse is on his right.

"As you can see, this the main assembly point, in which of a sudden emergency, students can gather here. On your left, there's a living room doubled as an emergency room in case of injuries and in need of quick treatment, and straight ahead is the kitchen and the dining room. While on your left is a greenhouse to supply herbs and such. There's also some animal in it and... Eh? Is that you Yusaku?"

"Amy-nee? And Subaru-senpai?! Why is he here?"

"Oh well, I'm giving him a little tour. He will be part of the secret keeper for this place after all."

"I see... but why him?" Yusaku seemingly pout. At this, Amy was confused. Just why did her brother not agreeing?

"Why? Don't we need someone from high school too? Not to mention, he is also a representative and trustworthy too" she added. Yusaku just sighed, while giving a stern glace to Subaru (in which Subaru felt- ever so slightly, threatened. He wonder why?) before putting on a happy smile to Amy,

"Alright then, I believe in you Amy-nee!"

"Haha, just trust me. Oh, and you're here is because?"

"Oh, I'm having lunch break right now. So I've decided to rest here for a bit. There some people fussing over wanted to have lunch with me which is a bit suffocating, so I ran here"

"I see... Oh! While at it, I should bake some biscuits for you and Subaru-senpai" Yusaku immediately pale. Sweating profusely, he said,

"W-what? Ahaha, no need Amy-nee, how about let me do it? You need to show senpai the Homebase right?"

"Oh right?! Sorry Senpai, I kinda distracted."

"Don't be... it's alright" Subaru just slightly nodded. Though he was quite intrigued by Yusaku reaction.

"Ok then, let's first visit the Homebase"

Almost an hour later...

At the topmost floor, in the observation tower, two stand side by side, looking out to the Northern Forest in front of them. Then, a childlike voice breaks the silence as she asked,

"So... what do you think? It's quite nice right?"

"Nice? More like very amazing" Subaru reply. He can't help but amazed, the effort her team has poured in to build the whole building. However, there's still something bugging him. Hence, he asked,

"But, why is it so... I mean, it's as if you're preparing for war. We're just facing ESP and maybe Z too. There's no need for you to create such extensive base" He looked directly at Amy, searching for answers in that pair of grey eyes. Amy, remain calm as she explains,

"You see, senpai. This Homebase is necessary. I build this with the vision to protect students. Especially the younger ones. This is our final line of defense, so to say. One day, for sure, we will defeat ESP, and removed him from having any power and control over students here in the academy. But, who can say that ESP won't result in extreme measures, where he keeps captive students from elementary? Who can say that there will be no one like ESP appear again in the future?"

"I see... if that is your insight, it is understandable. But, in the end, ESP still a principal. It may be quite extreme to say that he will keep the student captive, right?"

"Are you sure about that? He- that man, willing to brainwash people, killing an innocent person, putting a leash on other people, use so many dirty means to get power. He is willing to do so much, just to make sure he stays in power..." her voice slowly sadden. She remembered how much Mikan suffered, and not only her. Just... there are so many victims. Maybe more than the one she knew from reading the Gakuen Alice.

"I see... umm, here" Subaru held out a blue napkin to Amy, in which Amy react as surprised.

"Eh? Why?"

"You sound really sad. So I thought you're crying and... sorry. I don't know how to comfort a girl - on top of that, you who are younger than me. So..." he tried to explain. Amy just shakes her head- wondering how does this socially awkward managed to become representative. She just smiles,

"It's alright. It's not like I'm crying or anything. Rather, I'm looking forward to what the future will hold for us. We have to stop this vicious cycle of people becoming his victim. Don't you agree?"

"Yeah..." Subaru nodded. Then Amy turned around, heading for the stairs,

"Oh well, let's go now. Yusaku probably waits for us quite some time already."

Subaru followed Amy, though he abruptly stops as if he just remembered something.

"Wait, Amy, there's rumors that ESP will meet you the day after the dance. It's not true right?" he hesitantly asked.

Amy stopped.

Oh yeah... I actually have no intention to tell him yet. But, now that he had brought that topic...- Amy ponders to herself. Without looking back at Subaru, she just replied,

"Yup. But there are no worries, he probably curious with my shield Alice and my power overall."

"Wait, then the rumor is true then... Don't worry Amy, I will ask HSP for help, he could take you under his wing. There's no need for you to go there" he quickly explained. Amy just nonchalantly replied,

"Eh why? There's no need to do that. Relax senpai. It will be alright. I have a plan already. Hmm, rather than that, let's go now, alright" trying to end the conversation.

"So... no matter what I say, you won't change your mind?" he asked seriously. Amy stopped for a while, then she faced Subaru.

"Yes. I won't change my mind. And, it's just a discussion senpai. If it really becomes dangerous, I will call for you through the communicator, alright" her serious expression then changes into a grin. Subaru, finally admit defeat, just accepting it.

Though, he will have a very serious discussion with certain someone later.

"Wahh, Yusaku, it smells so delicious!" She exclaimed as soon as she walked into the kitchen.

"Ohh nee-chan! You're here. Thanks~ I bake your favorite double chocolate chips" he shyly says. Amy, touched, replied,

"Awww, thank you so much my cute, cute brother. You haven't had lunch yet, right? Let's go together. We'll visit the cafe Anne in charge of. They say the pie there is really delicious."

"Sure!" Yusaku nodded enthusiastically while thinking he can happily spend time with his sister today. Amy, seemingly just remembered, asked Subaru,

"Ah, senpai. Do you want to join us? For lunch?" she smiled. She can't wait to have her lunch here. Just thinking about it makes her happy- though she did not realize the exchange occurred between Subaru and his brother.

Apparently, Subaru was quite interested in the offer and wanted to join Amy and her brother for lunch, when Yusaku suddenly waved at him. Getting his attention, Yusaku immediately sending telepath to Subaru so that he will decline the invitation.

Subaru was quite confused, but then he decided to just go along with it when he remembered how protective her siblings were.

"So, senpai, you're joining?" Amy asked again after seemingly snapped from her fantasy for foods and sweets. Subaru shook his head and said,

"Unfortunately not today. I... umm, have to go and meet Sakurano now. About... work?"

"Oh? Hmm, alright then. Maybe next time. It's quite unfortunate right Yusaku?"

"Yes, very~" Yusaku replies cheerfully. Subaru just sweatdropped at Yusaku's reply. Then waving Amy's goodbye, before exiting the building.

After he went away, Amy smacked her head.

"Oh god... I forgot to tell him he needs to have a card the next time he wanted to come here... oh well," she just shrugged and continue munching the biscuits before heading to the cafe with Yusaku.