Gakuen Alice 77

This chapter opens up with a dialogue between Narumi & Mikan's mother.
It appears that Mikan's mother knows something about the Principal's ALICE. Nothing detail was mentioned but Narumi assured her that no matter what happens, he would protect Mikan. Then, the Principal, Narumi and Tonouchi, they were discussing about the punishments for Natsume and all for causing the big ruckus at the New Year Party (some chapters back.. that Princess party). It seems that they would be locking Natsume up some day. Just then, the line that the principal told Mikan at the Christmas party; "Be careful not to lose any thing precious..."

Meanwhile, Mikan had a very bad dream about Persona chasing after her. Her mood was totally affected by it that she did not change for breakfast. It seems that she has been having the same dreams for quite a period of time. During breakfast, Mikan asked about Natsume but was told by Ruka that he has not yet returned to his room as usual. Mikan was puzzled as to where Natsume could be since school's starting. Iinchou then suggested that perhaps he had to attend to a meeting since there will be a change to the student council group. Mikan and her classmates has been promoted to Elementary 6, thus it marked a new school term. There's a change in the student council. Sakurano Syuuichi is no longer the head of the Student Council, but Goshima Hijiri. Mikan thought that Goshima senpai was gentle-looking and was glad that someone like him took over Sakurano senpai for the position. While Goshima senpai made his speech, Mikan spotted Natsume somewhere on stage. She felt that she has not seen him for a long time. Just then, in Goshima's speech, he said that he wishes everyone to throw away the old rules and system that the old Student Council had set. He had set up a new group called, Fuukitai. That team was set up due to the ruckus that Natsume and friends had caused during the New Year Party. With that team around, actions of students were closely observed and that if any student were to offend any rules, they will be serverely punished. After hearing that, Mikan was reminded of that line that she was told by the Principal in the Christmas Party.During lesson time, a member of Fuukitai was assigned to watch over the class as lesson was conducted. Thanks to that, the class atmosphere was not good. Mikan asked about Natsume again but was told by Ruka that he is not coming to class. Mikan was disappinted because he was present during the ceremony. Then, Ruka recalled what Natsume told him some where when he, Natsume and You-chan were present. Ruka asked Natsume what had happened. Natsume should have already been released from the clutches of Persona, but apparently, he was not. And even though Natsume tried to hide about the conditions of his body, Ruka knew that he had been admited to the hospital several times. Natsume told Ruka not to worry about him and he added; "It's something that I've decided for myself. It's alright." Ruka; "Natsume..." Natsume; "I have decided to protect Mikan. In order to do that, it's best for me to remain like this. I am going to protect her using my way. Ruka, you too. Protect her using your way. I am using this way to find out some things that i wanted to know."

He was reminded of a conversation that he had overheard about the authorities discussing about the punishments for Mikan and the conversation with someone that I am not sure if it was the Principal or Goshima. Apparently, the principal/Goshima wanted Natsume to do something. He promised that he would not do anything bad so long as Natsume behaves and that he would transfer Youichi to the Physical class (same class as Ruka) or wherever so long as Natsume "behaves". Then, Natsume left Ruka and You-chan. Meanwhile he was thinking; "And.. how much more..." He coughed blood; "How much more time I do have, left over in this body...the time to protect my precious ones..."

At the Normal class. Mikan was all excited to annouce some news but her mood got drenched when she spotted a member of Fuukitai. Later she realised that Tsubasa was not there. When she asked for his whereabouts, she was told by Misaki that he left for somewhere and had not returned. When she asked about Tsubasa from Noda-chi, he told her some things about good part time job and told her much nonsense that she did not understand. When she later asked Tono about it, Tono said that he had not heard anything. Mikan felt that Tsubasa was becoming like Natsume and she didn't understand. (Mikan felt that she had not seen Natsume for a long time. And she finally saw him at the school ceremony, she thought that Natsume felt different, it was like he had matured a lot.) Tono then asked about the news that she was about to announce earlier, she said; "There are 3 news!! The first one, there's gonna be a spring Sports Day event next month!" Sadly, none of the seniors seemed interested because it was nothing new to them. The sports day event thingy was held annually. The 2nd news was about some new students training for a teaching position. Her seniors did not look surprise because they had already known. But then Mikan added that it was the student that was the big news. It turned out that the teacher-to-be was a former 'principal'. They were Hotaru's brother and the other girl who hangs around with them. Mikan was excited to tell her seniors that her ALICE was "Neiiro" (to tone something).

The reactions she got from her seniors were nothing more than, "You know a lot..." Mikan was quite depressed by that because she expected more. Meanwhile, Hotaru was being mean to her brother. She asked him quite a number of questions when she has alredy known the answers. Hotaru kept asking her brother questions, while her brother kept answering. However, poor Hotaru's brother, he got commented that he was not behaving maturely because they sorta ended up 'arguing' with each other.

Then, Tono suspected that both Sakurano and Imai (Hotaru's brother) had taken up this teacher-training thingy because both of them had suspected things are not going to be friendly around Mikan. However, he was not sure why the both of them were willing to do up to that extend. Tono was actually told by Narumi to test the hearts of Imai and Sakurano. Narumi wanted to know how much the 2 of them were willing to do for the school principal, and what they were planning in their hearts and if they are planning something bad, at least they could be stopped on time. Narumi holds high expectations on Tono actually. Just then, Mikan called out to Tono. Tono brought her up on his laps. Tono then asked Mikan about the 3rd news. Mikan said that from tomorow onwards, there will be a new transferred student to her class. Finally, her seniors looked surprised. Mikan was happy because of that. And, she said that it was about time for her to leave. Before she left, Tono asked if Sakurano told her anything. Mikan replied; "Oh yes.. now that you mentioned... he told me not to be caught by the Fuukidai and that not to get near him and Imai unnecessarily." Tono was surprised to hear that from Mikan.
Mikan was on her way back and she spotted Natsume. She shouted to him, wanting to ask where he had been these days, but Natsume ran so that Mikan had to chase after him. After Mikan ran after him for a while, he stopped without warning

so that Mikan bumped into him on his back. He then turned to face Mikan with the most gentle smile ever and said; " You ran hard... is that the kind of face you show me after not seeing each other for so long?" Mikan stared at Natsume for a while as she thought that Natsume felt different and that he had grown taller. It was quite a bit of silent moment,

Natsume broke it by asking; " What is it? " Mikan then started; "Natsume...it was said that you went away for a while..what kind of training was it?" In her heart she wondered what kind of life Natsume had when she was not around... Looks like Mikan had mistaken that Natsume went into the moutains to train or something because Natsume went; "this guy is unbelivable..." followed by, "You will live a long life." and went away. Mikan was rather angry to hear that remark from Natsume. And they started quarrelling again. On the other hand, a student seems to have arrived to the academy.

She's Koizumi.