It's been 2 weeks since then. Today is 7th of November, it's the last 2 days of the first-semester exam- and Amy just pours her wholehearted focus on her last paper...

...ignoring the teacher in charge. She finds that the exam paper is way more interesting than the fact that the freakin Persona is currently representing as examiner. Though, surely, Amy knows that Natsume have also realised that this teacher was none other than the dark mentor of Dangerous class ability.

"Time's up, please stop writing. I will be collecting everyone's paper now," said Persona or currently, Serio. She just held back her sigh as she placed the paper to her side.

Tik Tok. Tik Tok.

Serio then arrived, taking her exam paper while she replied with a smile and thank you. He slipped her a piece of paper, one she just stared and proceed to ignore. She did not even bother to read it cuz she already knows what in.

"Alright then, class dismissed"- and so Serio left the class, in which Natsume quickly follow. Amy just stared at the whole thing for a while, before she heaved a sigh.

"Amy-san~ it's almost over! Tomorrow is Art, music and P.E, then it's all over~ thanks so much for teaching me last week" mikan cried as she said all those to Amy. Upon hearing that, Amy just sweatdropped and replied,

"Ahaha... that's good then. Yup, it's almost over..." she nodded. Then Inchou proceeds to ask how Mikan's performance so far in her exam- that which Amy ignore. She remembered that soon, Z arc will started.

This time, she have no intention on meddling with the event and wanted to let it flow as usual. This will be a good growth period for Mikan and Natsume too- for them to truly learn what's outside their current reality.

In addition, she is currently watched- so it can't be helped. Must let them see her as nothing but a girl with slightly good brain and strong 'Shield'...

"Amy-san, I have a question..." Inchou asked Amy. Amy then tilted her head and replied,

"..sure? What is it?"

"W-well, umm..." Inchou stuttered a bit. He doesn't know how to ask when suddenly,

"He is curious as how was it teaching mikan last week?" Koko said, while proceed to snicker when he saw Amy eyes turn lifeless.

"Ahh... I've never thought that it will be this hard teaching her. Teaching tricks to puppies seems far easier now..." she said, while Inchou flustered, trying to catch Amy's soul that slowly dissipates away.

It's the truth, as Amy reminiscence how hard it was to teach her last week- though, at the end, Mikan managed to understand a thing or two...

...probably.

--

It was much later when she was on her way to the dorm when her hand been held all of a sudden. She stopped and look at the person, who stands beside her,

"Natsume... what are you doing?"

"I have a question"

"Do I need to answer now? I need to quickly get to the kitchen- I haven't bake the cake yet" she answered- maintaining her poker face. Natsume nodded, serious written all over his face, as he asked,

"It's serious. It's about... persona. You know him through Yoichi right?"

"Yes, I know persona and I also know that Serio sensei is actually persona in disguise" she replied.

"Are you... also part of the dangerous class?" he asked hesitantly. She just shook her head.

"If that's what you're worried about, then don't be. I'm not part of the class. Have you seen me attending any class or mission with any of you? The obvious answer is no of course." she explained, maintaining a clear eye with no doubt- clearing Natsume's suspicion. But, there's still one more thing...

"...then why did you get a piece of paper from him? I saw it after the end of the exam" he wanted to know if she truly has nothing at all.

"I do not acknowledge anything that I've received from that man. If he wishes to speak to me- even if he is a stronger Alice user and a teacher- if it is something given to me in written form- then I will not spare any effort to read it. I have a guess what he wants but I can always use the pretext- oh I thought you just randomly placing a piece of paper on the table, you never say it was a message for me, so I've thrown it away without reading it, or something like that" she said. And that's the truth- although she knows 100% what is written on it. She refuses to acknowledge the existence of that paper- and they can't do anything about it. They cant say 'oh I've informed Amy such and such' when the only evidence is a paper where you never make sure she read it or not.

If so, then she might as well make a piece of circumstantial evidence, where the class saw the paper and saw her NOT reading any of it. It's easy- that way they can't blame her if she did not follow orders- if there's any.

Natsume just sigh and let go of Amy's hand. He said "persona is not someone you can deal by using tricks like that, you do know that"

"Yup, I know and I don't care. He is strong- but he can never penetrate my shield when I'm at my strongest- you know what I mean right."

Natsume just nodded. Then at this point, they head opposite way, while Amy ended their conversation with an advice,

"Though Natsume, here's an advice for you. Stop getting affected by every single words from that man. Know what is truly worth and you are- far stronger than him. Remember that"

Natsume stopped on his track, and immediately snap his head towards Amy- wanting to ask just how much did she know. Though, by the time he does, she already far away, heading towards the dormitory kitchen for a birthday cake to bake.

--

The next day, after cleaning up her room, she quickly rides a scooter she requests from her sister to create with Hotaru. It's very useful- especially when she is late.

Last night was just a small gathering- where they celebrate Sophie's birthday. As of yesterday, she is now officially 10 years old- hence they immediately celebrate it last night. Most of their classmates attend- although they went to bed early as they have exams tomorrow.

And so, she left to clean her room- her siblings wanted to help of course- but she urged them to went for the exam first. She personally prefers to clean it herself- to take her minds off from her current problem albeit momentarily and also because she is confident that she can ace her exam.

Though she still makes sure she toned down just so she stayed as the 5th in class.

Soon, she reached the elementary building- where she immediately folded her scooter into bag and ran to her class.

The exam will start in 5 minutes after all...

--

"It's ended! Finally!!" as the whole classroom shouted in joy. The exam for that semester has officially ended, and they will receive their result sometime in next week.

"Amy-nee, let's go to central!" Sophie said- a glimmer in her eyes as she was excited to go to central. She have wanted to relieve her pent up stress throughout this week. Most of their classmates are going too- and she can use this opportunity to cheer mikan up. She was a little bit down yesterday- though thanks to Hotaru's words, she bounced back as usual.

Amy, upon the invitation, smile "well, maybe I could go. We will bring Mirai with us too. Yoichi probably wanted to play with Yusaku today- but just ask them if they wanted to join. Anyway, congratulation for finishing the exam Sophie"

"Hehe, thanks, Amy-nee, and you too. Yosh! I will go now. They say to meet up at the lounge room by 3 pm- so I will meet Amy-nee there then"

Amy replied with a nod as she proceed to pack her things up. The class slowly emptied, with only a few students left. Then,

"Amy-san, I wish to talk about the deal. The one that you say to postpone until we finished the exam" she looked up with a grin- it was Koko.

"So, you agree?"

"Yep, plus it sounds fun. Like playing spy or something..." he replied, curious and all. He remembered the other day after the festival ended. When he heard rumours of how Amy was summoned by esp- and well picking up other peoples thoughts- one that he can read. From then, it's easy to make his decision.

"Alright- though you need to remember this is a serious matter, Koko. I will expect full cooperation and trust in this- get it so far" she said. Looking straight to his eyes. Kokoroyomi, or Koko, she nicknamed him- a friend with the ability to read minds. It's no surprise when he first here, he hardly smiles. He, of all people, will understand human nature the most. And having this since he was a child, it surely scars him.

That's why, that day, from 2 years ago- she makes a promise to him. To never lie- at least with him.

Unable to read our mind, he was on guard with us when we first met. He's still not opened up to others at that time- a very quiet child. And when some incident happens around that time- that's when she makes a promise with him.

It was never her intention to meddled with others secrets and past, however, he reminded her so much of her own younger brother- Yusaku. And how she could never let him all alone.

He is a good person, and trustworthy ally- though that's why she was hesitant to bring him in this circle at first. But- times change and her strategy needs to change. If being an anomaly make things flow differently, then all she needs to do is to create another anomaly to encounter that.

And for that- Koko and everyone else is necessary...

"So, what should we do first?" he asked- eager to start. For him, it's like a game. And he really likes challenges, however, he also knows that this is a serious matter. Amy, after some thought, smile and snapped her finger,

"Meet me at my room tomorrow morning. For now... let's enjoy our day off at the central town, alright"

--

It's been a week since then. After introducing Koko to the rest of the team [only the elementary division of course], she also invited Sumire to join. It is, of course, after thoroughly explain it to her.

She- Sumire. A dog-cat constitution Alice: meaning she can apply the ability of both cat and dog, becoming part of her special constitution. She won't be sending her to do something dangerous of course, but Sumire is one of those that knew about Z, so it's necessary for her to at least know what truly happens. She is worried- for possibilities of her being targeted too due to knowing it. That's why it's a safety precaution...

...and there's no harm increasing few more people.

She wanted to invite Inchou too, but as expected, he became the honour student and was now on vacation for a week- returning to his hometown just yesterday. But that's alright- he can introduce him together with Mikan sometime early next year- after safely secure Aoi.

Right now, she decided to design training tailored to Sumire and Koko Alice- hoping that it will increase their control and the time span they can use. Especially for Koko- she needs to analyze his Alice- and hopefully, the data gathered then can be used to create this particular item.

An item- the most important invention for her plan.

They have discussed amongst themselves whether it's possible or not- in which both of them just say doable. For Amy- that's good enough for now.

With that said and done, she is currently reviewing some papers- information gathered on Z in Special ability room, together with Tono-senpai.

Since earlier, she has been quietly reading all those info, while Tono simply stared at her. She ignored the stare for that was not the first time. Once finished reading, he returned it to Tono and simply reply,

"Thanks, Tono-senpai... does this means that everyone in the team already returned, and stopping their investigation for now?"

"Yep, that's how things are right now. The admins are in frenzy right now with those cases of 'steal Alice'. Well, that's how it is for now..."

"I see... thanks for your hard work senpai"

"Yeah... still though, to think you are doing all this. I still can't believe it no matter how many time we have met."

"Well, you need to get used to it senpai. Alright that's all for now, I will take my leave" said Amy, ready to continue with her second phase when Tono stop her.

"Wait, I have a question, you have no intention to chase Z or something, right?"

Amy looked at him with a puzzled expression, "Why should I? This is the academy's problem. I need to know all this for my family and friends self-preservation. That's all" she explained. And that's her plan for now.

Ever since the kidnapping incident, she has actively changed her plan while considering the possible outliers that may occur. Knowing that Z will break in soon is equal to more danger, she decided to only watch from the shadow.

As much as this is a tempting opportunity to engaged with them, it may be proven to be dangerous. Afterall, ESP already have his eyes on her. It will make her future plan a lot harder; especially the one starting early next year.

So, she decided to become outsiders this time- focus on other things instead. Chaos means lack of security to that vault equal to opportunity for her to take some more evidence.

Amy grinned- for that worth a lot more if she wanted to eradicate the root once and for all...