She swiped her student card at the entrance to the library. Alice National Library is one of the largest and advances Libraries in Japan. The Alice Academy was quite proud of their library, similar to their National Medical center and Research Center.

It's not that surprising considering variety of people and Alices.

She gives out a smile to a passing librarian before heading to the second floor towards the History section. She decided this is the best place to start- to read the early foundation of Alice academy 100 years ago, and about Alice itself. There's just so much she could have known from reading Gakuen Alice only- it's not enough for her to prepare for unexpected things.

After skimming through titles, she picked 2 books and head towards one of the empty tables beside the shelves.

Initially, she was not interested at all to look through the history or digging more about this academy and Alice in the first place. For the past 3 years, she only focused on developing her and siblings Alice for the sake of becoming stronger so that they can protect themselves from ESP who have influences in many parts of Japan. She just prioritizes her family survival rather than doing anything.

Sound selfish, but they are still kids and there's only 4 of them. She won't let any harm befell them.

But, when Natsume, Ruka, and Yoichi started here, something inside her change. She felt a slight tingled inside her when she saw them suffer.

But she is a coward. She is scared. She turns blind eyes from them. And that just makes her despair more- knowing they are all children but being used for things they should not do.

The night she saw Natsume injured, her heart clench when she saw a kid injured badly. Yet still strong. Still putting up a front.

Then, the offer came from unexpected people. From Subaru and Sakurano, whom she knows better than anyone else- that they also become cold and turn a blind eye. Because they want to survive here. When the offer comes, she can't help but feel hesitant, however, she still accepts it for she reminded of that sorrowful scene. For she reminded of possible things that may happen to her family too. For she reminded another cheerful person who will suffer so much in years to come.

However, so far since her transfer 3 years ago until today, the 4th week of September, the last day of the month- she has only achieved 3 things.

1. To strengthen her siblings and her own Alice while stay hidden from unnecessary attention.

2. Gathering allies, which included her siblings, the Imai siblings, and Sakurano.

3. Building the emergency home base and preparing stuff for upcoming events- which include Narumi-sensei OPS, helping Natsume to extend his lifeforce... or something like that.

But that was not enough of course. This is a world where there's Alice. There's no such thing as normal when powers and abilities included in the picture. Just like back then...

Amy sighs. She flips more pages and stops at one of the pages. She frowned as she read the text.

"There are many theories as to how Alice was born. And one of the theories that were supported by scholars was based on a discovered ancient text, that humans once upon a time in the past faced threats that dwindled their survival. Something which will result in extinction. This forced them to genetically mutated. This genetically mutated human was known later as Alice- and passed down their abilities to generations that follow. However that itself was questionable. At what point of time in history and just what kind of disaster was it. Due to this, this theory is rejected and only stay as a myth even though there were scholars who support it"

'That... was absurd but... plausible. It is plausible as its the same that happens in her past life after all. But what is this disaster?' - she can't help but shiver. Originally she went there to do some reading just because she feels disturbed. She was so engrossed in reading it that she did not notice a person took placed in front of her.

"Hello Amy"

Hearing a voice call for her, she lookup. Her face turns blank.

She blinks once.

She blinks twice.

Then she smiles, greeting the person in front of her.

"Ah, hello Goshima-senpai. How are you?" she smiles so naturally, you will think she was happy to meet Goshima. But the truth was that she was cautious of the man in front of her. Why is he here?

Goshima, who seems to find her smile very innocent, reply, "Just fine. Seeing that your face was no longer pale, I assumed you're already alright"

"Ohh, yes. I'm as healthy as I can be. Thank you for your concern senpai"

"I see... by the way, what are you reading?"

"This? Umm, just some book about the history of Alice. I was curious. That's all"

"A weird thing to be curious about, but I guess that's fine. Do you perhaps wanted to become a researcher- maybe something akin to Alice history and foundation like that?"

"Nothing of that grandiose senpai. I am simply curious, that's all. It is Saturday, and I have free time. Might as well read this."

"I see. True that. You really have a lot of free time that you actually went into the northern woods by yourself" Goshima dropped the bomb. He was curious, to be honest. A girl like her went out of the Northern forest, and alone. Not to mention she was just hospitalized days ago.

Just what kind of person is she? Will she be a threat to the ESP plan?

He inspects her face; trying to see her reaction. Unexpectedly, she looks so calm about this. Maybe nothing big?

Contrary to his thoughts, Amy already went into panic mode. She never thought that she would be caught, by non-other than him. As she was gathering herself, she finds herself talking before she could stop.

"Ohh, I never thought a high school senpai like you will saw me at the northern woods near elementary division?"

"Ahh, well about that. I just thought I wanted to walk around. That's all" For some reason, he felt the table turned around as if he was at the wrong. He saw her chuckled and met her gaze.

"I see. That's a very unique hobby, considering you walked as far as elementary division area and just happen to be that. I guess the same could say about me. I was just visiting Mr.Bear at his hut. We have been acquaintances and it seems just right for me to visit him." she smiles. Then her face changed into a flustered one as she continued.

"A-ahh, umm, I don't mean to pry or anything senpai. I was just curious about you, Goshima-senpai. I-I hope I don't sound rude" she fiddle with her finger while shyly looking at him. Goshima, who was just now turned into stone, slowly relaxed. He dismissed his thought earlier about her turning the table around. How can a girl with such an innocent reaction capable of doing so? He must have been paranoid this day- working with ESP and all.

Of course, Amy was just pretended to give off such a child-like response. She decided she needs to throw a hook, line, and sinker. She was being caught, nothing can be done with that. She might as well turn it into an opportunity for her to establish some kind of connection with this guy.

Goshima who did not seem to realise this, smile gently and was about to continue their conversation when a voice from behind, say,

"I suggest you took your conversation outside, Goshima. This is a library afterall"

Goshima's gentle expression turns stoic upon hearing that voice. He turned around, and there was Sakurano, standing behind him while holding files. Goshima stood up and reply,

"Sorry about that, Sakurano. And thank you for reminding me. I was about to leave anyway" He then turned around, facing Amy once again with a gentle expression and say.

"Sorry about this Amy. Let's meet again next time, alright" he then walked away from that place afterward.

Let's not please - Amy silently reply. Conversing with this guy just took years out of her life. Way tiring. Not to mention she almost get caught. Her smile gone from her face and replaced with a serious look.

She then heard a rustle. She looks at Sakurano who gives off a curious glance. She just sigh and asked,

"May I help you senpai with those files. I will help you carry it."

"No. it's fine actually."

"Ahh, I see. Then, I have a question about something I read. Can we go outside so i can asked of it?"

"Sure..." He then makes a gesture 'follow me' and they went to the third floor, into one of the representative rooms.

Once inside, she say

"Thanks senpai. Your untimely arrival help me a lot. I almost get caught"

"Your welcome. But you don't need to worry about him though. He is on our side, on the HSP side."

Amy just sighs. Of course... that's how it is for them.

"But assuming your reply and sigh, it's apparently not for you?"

"Whatever I say now doesn't matter right? You and the others already decided he is on your side. But never ever let him know of my involvement. Please..."

"...Alright. I promise." Though Sakurano makes a mental note to investigate Goshima. She is not someone to reject others who can benefit her unless they are poison.

And maybe Goshima is a poison- a backstabbing one.

"Anyway, i assume we wont be meeting tonight? You guys seem busy with the preparation of Alice festival in weeks to come. That's why i asked hotaru to create this"

She held out a pendant- which resembled her earing. She has asked hotaru to build this, knowing that they will be busy starting from now. Though she regrets that she can't share the kidnapping event in 2 weeks' time. But she should be able to handle it. She then hands this to sakurano while continuing her explanation.

"Of course, this is an upgraded version. It will immediately cast a sound canceling barrier around you whenever you make or receives a call. But, we only have one of this. It was hard because the different stones and technology in this keep on clashing with one another. This the best and most stable so far. Keep it with you- if there's any emergency, we can contact through this"

"I see. I will take it then. Thank you. And take care"

"Yeah you too, senpai. I will head back to the dorm. Bye"

She immediately left through the door. Sakurano just sighs, thinking about more headache that will come.