-September 2009-

Amy tried to sit down and lean against the bedside. Her breathing is still heavy and she is currently sweating profusely. She held out her hand to take a glass of water that was placed at her bedside.

After she finishes drink a glass of water, she decided to lay down again on her bed.

It seems that I won't be attending the class today.

At this, she decided to contact Sophie through her earing communicator. She asked Sophie to help her inform their homeroom teacher of her absentee and asking Yusaku to take Mirai and Yoi-chan to and fro from class.

After relaying her message, she closed her eyes and went back to sleep.

I hope nothing major happens today. - She wistfully wishes before everything went dark.

Sophie who was in dazed, staring at the empty seat beside her was snapped from it when the door slides open, revealing Narumi-sensei in his unique costume - again. She just laughed seeing that Narumi-sensei was quite proud of his charming uniform today. Followed behind him is another child, probably the same age as her wearing a twin-tail.

Narumi-sensei introduced her as Mikan Sakura - a new student transfer here today. Sophie was excited as there's another student transfer here again after so long without one.

Though, it was quite late in the year for a sudden transfer.

Narumi-sensei chooses Natsume as her partner to help her around the school during this early period. It was quite a bizarre combination- but it is probably due to the recognition exclaimed by Mikan when she saw him.

She is quite loud for someone of her size, but that's not much of a problem for Sophie. Rather, she finds it quite fun to have someone talkative as mikan although she might need to work on controlling her volume for a bit.

"Hi, Mikan!" Sophie greeted cheerfully at Mikan who was weeping when she was ignored by Hotaru.

"Hi...?" Mikan reply. She was a bit confused at the sudden greeting, as there is a student, with a ponytail, willingly greet her even though the rest of the class ignore her.

"My name is Sophie. Sophie tsuyuri. Here let me help you up."

"Thanks, Sophie! Wahh, you are so kind. I thought that you will ignore me like that jerk Natsume and the rest of the class."

"Ahaha... Well, they meant no harm. Probably. Anyway, my sister always reminds me to be kind to people. And I am quite excited to have a new friend. So yoroshiku na!"

"Friends! Yeyy, yoroshiku Sophie! Ne, ne, what's your Alice?"

"Well, I have Superspeed Alice. It helps me to move quickly you see. How about you?"

"Wahhh, your Alice sound so cool! Mine... well, I don't know what my Alice is. But Narumi-sensei says that I do have it"

"I see... hey, you are heading towards north woods after this right? For the challenge I mean."

"Yeah... I need to do this. I will prove that I can pass this test and be part of this school, so that I can stay with Hotaru. She is my best, bestest of friend. Although she is a bit cold right now.. Buhuu"

"Ohh! So you're the one that Hotaru mentions! Well then, I will join you too with the challenge"

"Wait, you will help me?"

"Yep. It sounds like fun. After all, we frequently endeavor there anyway."

"Wohooo!! Thank you, thank you, thank you so much Sophie!"

"Yeah, yeah. Now let's go!"

"Hai!!" as both mikan and Sophie punch their fist to the air with Hotaru sighing at the back and inchou feeling nervous.

I'm sure Amy-nee will be proud of me for helping a new friend - Sophie grinned excitedly.