alice uehara

Je t'aime très beaucoup, est-ce que tu m' aimes aussi? Personne ne peut venir entre nous.

[superhighschoollevelsprinter-de]

That girl’s name was Alice, wasn’t it? Tsuki had yet to familiarize herself with all the student’s names: they were all famous, but she didn’t know much outside her interests. Alice tried to keep everyone’s mouths shut during the trial and was trying to smile now. Not a bad girl at all, but good people often didn’t last very long.

And she had called them… Tsuki wondered why. But then again, someone the girl who tried to keep everything under control at the trial had something like a plan now, who knew? Not Tsuki thought it’d work, but she had to give Alice kudos for doing something.

"Yeah?" she wanted to smile at Alice, realized she couldn’t so she gave up, "Anything the matter?"

[shsldevoted-blog]

Alice shook her head, greeting Tsukimi with a bright smile. "No, that isn't quite it, but I thank you ever so much for your concern." Come to think of it, she hadn't spent much time with this girl, had she? She didn't know very much about her. Perhaps she could use this opportunity to get to know her peer.

"Actually, you see, I was just contemplating on how we lack rules to ensure everyone's safety." In thought, Alice recalled the horror of the murder that had recently occurred. "I was hoping to encourage everyone to use the instant messaging system that we were so graciously given by Mr. Monobear in order to check in with one another each morning. That way we know everyone is safe.

"Moreover," continued she, loud enough for everyone to hear, "I would like to encourage everyone to stay in their dorms during night hours. That way no one gets hurt." She knew that not everyone would be so willing to follow that rule, but it was a start.

[shslinventor]

Victor felt uneasy when he saw Alice enter the room. Although he still thought of her as a friend, the Inventor felt ashamed to so much as show his face at the girl. How was it, that both she and the cult leader made him feel like a terrible murderer? How was that even possible? Finally, how was it even fair? 

He let out a sigh as Alice tried to get everyone’s attention. Would she call him a murderer again? He probably deserved it, as he hadn’t come up to save Hideki. A shiver ran down his spine as he walked towards the girl who was trying to gain attention. What was she trying to announce exactly?  "A-ah….Miss Alice…" He looked at her, only to look at the ground, crestfallen with shame. "Is there….anything I can do to help?" He fiddled about with his hair as he said this, his gaze fixed on the ground still. 

[shsldevoted-blog]

It seemed that Alice had grabbed Victor's attention. Oh... She had said some awful things during the trial, hadn't she? He was right: she was just as much to blame as he was for the loss of Hideki. She had just been so distraught, she didn't know what to do but to blame everyone else.

But now wasn't the time to apologize for that. Not that she was capable of apologizing for something like that... Alice averted her gaze, avoiding eye contact with Victor. For the first time, she felt as thought she it might be best if she pretended she hadn't said anything in the first place. She had no right to speak, after all.

No, no. she couldn't back down. She had to take responsibility for her actions.

With a firm voice, Alice spoke slowly, as if not to trip over any words or stutter. What she had to say was important: she wanted to ensure everyone's safety. "I was just thinking about how we do not seem to have any rules that protect us collectively as a group..."

"There aren't any real ways to ensure that everyone will do this, but perhaps we should begin checking in with one another on the IM system in our dorms in the morning, or at the very least, agree to say inside during the night hours."

[shsldevoted-blog]

Alice didn’t want to get out of bed. There was always something comfortable about sleep. In her dreams, she could escape the horrifying reality that was Hope's Peak Academy. She could pretend that none of this was real. But she knew the truth--there was no escape, and no one was safe. The comfort of her bed was nothing more than a mere delusion. When she came to that conclusion, her bed didn't seem as welcoming anymore.

It was amazing that she fell asleep in the first place. She could barely remember doing so. Well, she supposed, the day before had been rather long. It would make sense that she would collapse from exhaustion. However, the last thing that Alice wanted to do was to recall the gory executions that unfolded before her and her peers. It was horrifying to see Minami and Hideki be devoured to death, sure, but she knew better than to dwell on them.

Alice made her way to the cafeteria with the intent of making breakfast. It wasn't until she entered the large dining hall that the shock of Hideki's death had hit her. Just a few days prior to his murder, she had offered to make him breakfast, and he had rudely spit it out. It was not the best memory she could've shared, but despite all that she considered Hideki Takahiro to be a friend. To lose a friend.. she understood the feeling well. Whoever had befriended Minami Mukashi and Flynn Rivaille must have felt the same.

Instead of making breakfast, Alice took a seat at an empty table, isolated from everyone else. Her eyes were heavy with exhaustion, despite her good nights' sleep. She hadn't wanted to appear to be too distressed, so she tried her best to wear a pleasant smile as she observed her fellow students from her seat.  Even she had a reputation to uphold.

While sitting alone, contemplating her own thoughts, something in Alice's motherly heart sparked. Perhaps she should take charge... perhaps she should do something to ensure everyone's safety. She had to make sure no one died. She had to make sure that this suffering would come to an end. Her eyes lit up.

Alice stood up abruptly. "I beg your pardon," she cried out, interrupting the quiet conversations being held in the cafeteria

[shsldevoted-blog]

While looking at knight's corpse, Alice couldn't help but notice the claw marks on the his neck, but what really interested her was the knife piercing the young man's chest. She wanted to examine it further, to see if there was anything (such as fingerprints) left on the handle. Perhaps that would be key in helping lead them to the culprit.

[shsldevoted-blog]

Alice had been pleasantly wandering the hallways. Other than a misunderstanding with a fellow peer earlier that day, she was slowly beginning to adapt to this school life. Perhaps, she decided, this communal school life was something that I can learn to live with. They all seemed to get along quite well, after all; that is, considering their current situation, and despite all of them living in complete fear. So, when she heard the commotion--the endless cries of horror at the sight of something--she was alarmed.

Her instincts told her to investigate the noise, but her body stood frozen in fear, afraid of what sort of scene might have unfolded. Hesitantly, almost as though she were trying to remain calm about the whole thing, Alice followed the cacophony of terrified wails and screams... and they just so happened to lead her to the men's restrooms.

Instantly, her face flushed a deep shade of pink. Men's restrooms? Sh-she shouldn't even look in there, should she? What if it were just a bunch of guys joking around? But then--

"Attention!! Attention!! A body has been found!" The childlike voice blared over the public announcement system. Her eyes widened in horror. Who would have the audacity to do something so cruel? Even the harsher characters--Hideki and Mr. Kyoka, that is--didn't seem to have any intentions of killing anyone. This wasn't how Alice wanted it at all.

But it didn't matter what Alice wanted, did it?

With all her courage, Alice pushed open the doors, with her hand only to find three boys she didn't know surrounding a body... She didn't recognize the blonde, but Hotaka's bald head and Rayne's flame-like blue hair weren't exactly hard to miss. She sighed a breath of relief, glad that the victim was not any of them, especially Rayne. She would have felt awful if he had died after they had such an unfortunate fall-out.

But the victim had to be someone. Otherwise the announcement would not have been made over the intercom. With trembling legs and a racing heart, Alice peered from behind the backs of the boys. And in an instant, however, she wished that she hadn't chosen to do so.

A horrible scene was laid out before her. A handsome, blonde fellow lay in a puddle of his own blood, his clothes absorbing it. She didn't recognize him or know who he was, but none of that mattered now. She wanted to scream and cry. This was too horrible of a scene. Perhaps this was her punishment for being so optimistic about everything...thinking that everyone could get along...that was her fault for being so foolish.

"I am sorry this happened to you," she whispered. Tears fell from Alice's crimson eyes onto the blush of her cheeks. "I am sorry that I never got the opportunity to meet you. I am sure you were a wonderful person."

[therealshslgraffitiartist-blog]

‘I do declare’? Oh, this was going to be fun.

"Why, my dear mademoiselle," Rayne began, making sure to be as dramatic as possible with both his arms and voice. “I am an artist."

"My paint is my ideas, and the world, my canvas. I travel from lands far and wide to mark on the most exquisite of architecture, from office to hospital to library."

Rayne straightened up and flashed a grin. “And I look damn fine while doing it. But tell me, my dear lady…what sort of talent does an Super High School Level Beloved covet?"

[shsldevoted-blog]

As shrewd as she was, Alice could see what Rayne was doing. Quite frankly, she didn't appreciate it one bit. However, it was not like a lady to lose her poise, especially in such a confrontational situation. Clearing her throat and smoothing her skirt, she kept her polite smile. "Yes, I am quite aware of what vandalism is. There is no need to elaborate, dear."

Despite his mockery, the brunette listened to every word that Rayne had to say. It would be rude if she hadn't, after all. "I'm sorry. Do you have a hard time hearing?" Alice shot a cold glare at Rayne, but her sweet grin remained. Her voice was lower in pitch, and she sounded cold, threatening, even. "I believe I said "devoted," not "beloved." In fact, the very idea that you have to ask what either term means tells me you failed to receive a proper education." She turned her head, but keeping her eyes on Rayne. "I'm quite sorry to hear that. I suppose it's a good thing that you chose to accept the invitation to Hope's Peak Academy, though I do worry that you might not be able to keep up with everyone else."

[therealshslgraffitiartist-blog]

Rayne blinked in surprise at Alice’s response. “Wow, that’s probably the…most innocent dream…I could ever imagine."

As Alice bowed, Rayne chuckled. “Alright."

Doing an extremely over-the-top curtsy, tugging at an imaginary dress, Rayne bowed his head in respect and replied, “Rayne Kyoka, Super High School Level Graffiti Tagger, at your service." 

[shsldevoted-blog]

"It is a pleasure to make your acquaintance, Mr. Kyokya." Alice giggled, politely placing a hand to cover her mouth. She had to admit, she found herself amused by the graffiti tagger's introduction.

"A graffiti tagger, you say? I do declare! If you'll beg my pardon, but would you mind explaining to me what it is you do exactly? I had never heard of such a profession before." Under normal circumstances, she'd ask people to tell her more of it over tea, but she had time to spare.

[therealshslgraffitiartist-blog]

Rayne opened his mouth to answer, only for a sudden realization to hit him in the face. Shit, he still didn’t remember what was on it. Should he just lie and say he hadn’t? But what if she asks to see theirs together? Shit, shit, shit…

Rayne let out an open laugh and rubbed the back of his neck. “Yeah, I saw mine. Really lame too. It just said they’d give me an art grant. Nothing to kill someone over."

Okay, doing good. Change the subject.

"So what would you think would be on your disc?"

Wait…ah shit, why the hell did you just say that!

[shsldevoted-blog]

An art grant? Alice wondered. He must be some sort of artist, then. She studied his attire for a moment. She didn't want to judge a book by his cover, but his attire didn't seem like anyone who was "well-known." However, it was rude to judge a book by its cover, and Alice knew that better than anyone. In any case, she kept these thoughts to herself.

"On my disc?" The brunette turned her head up to the ceiling in contemplation. Her head bumped against the wall behind her slightly, though she paid no mind. "Well," she began. "More than anything in the world, I'd like to marry my prince and live happily-ever-after." She spoke softly, wistfully, at first, as though she were reminiscing. As she went on, however, her voice had raised in volume and sounded more confident.

"Oh, though I do not believe I ever got your name. I am Alice Uehara. Super High School Level Devoted," she explained, bowing slightly in respect. "And who might you be?"

[therealshslgraffitiartist-blog]

Rayne walked through the hallways, rubbing at his head wearily. Even though it was Night Time, the graffiti tagger didn’t want to go to sleep just yet. He was just a bit spooked after what happened. Maybe a quick walk and maybe…

Rayne stopped himself before he could walk right into a girl standing in the hall. He didn’t believe he had talked to her yet…but with a cute bow and gorgeous frame as hers, he couldn’t come up with a reason why he hadn’t.

"Hey there." Rayne grinned sheepishly. “You watch your video yet?"

[shsldevoted-blog]

Alice was so lost in her thoughts that she hadn't paid much attention to the blue-haired boy who approached her. So when she looked up to survey her surroundings, she was a little startled to find her so close to her. She emitted a small gasp in surprise. However, she quickly regained her composure by smoothing out her skirt and clearing her throat slightly.

"Oh, no," she hung her head, shamefully. In retrospect, "I'm afraid I haven't just yet. How about you?" she probably should have. She wasn't sure what that bear would do to her if she didn't.

[hotakagoto]

"Just store-bought brands, huh? Even I’d never be able to tell, from the looks of it." Though it was decidedly non-punk of him, Hotaka couldn’t help but appreciate well-kept hair. Now it was his turn to be a little embarrassed. “Well, everyone in my family since my great-great grandfather’s been cuttin’ hair. Parents didn’t want to stop the tradition, ‘specially since I don’t have any brothers or sisters, so I’ve been trainin’ to cut hair since day one."

[shsldevoted-blog]

Alice grinned. "That's very admirable of you, keeping up the family tradition, I mean." However, just because he had been doing it from the start didn't necessarily mean that he enjoyed doing it. It couldn't hurt to ask, could it? "So then, do you enjoy hair-styling?"

"In any case, you should have to teach me how to style hair sometime! That is, if you would be so kind..." Alice regained her composure before continuing on. Though hair-styling was nowhere near as important as cooking or cleaning, it was certainly a skill that should come in handy at some point throughout her married life. "I would love to know what products to use, and what styles to use for certain occasions."

[shsldevoted-blog]

Here I go to get my wisdom teeth pulled...!! Sorry if I try to you while I am doped on anesthesia.

[hotakagoto]

"Whoa, whoa, no need to feel sad or nothin! It was an honest mistake, wasn’t it?" Hotaka had a feeling making girls feel bad wasn’t the type of thing the characters in his movies did, and seeing the girl look so sad made him feel guilty, regardless. “So, uh, don’t get upset or anything, alright?"

"Oh, yeah. I’m Hotaka Goto, a hairstylist. Well, long as we’re here, the hairstylist." He stopped for a moment, and stared at her. “Speakin’ of which, you’ve got some really nice hair. What’re you using to keep it all neat like that, anyways? Some kind of fancy product?"

[shsldevoted-blog]

"Then I suppose it’s not any problem, after all." Alice was relieved. Her bright, friendly smile returned to her porcelain face. “I’m glad I didn’t cause you too much trouble. It certainly would be a shame to get off on the wrong foot so early on, wouldn’t it?" She bowed in respect as she introduced herself to the hairstylist. “That being said, it’s a pleasure to make your acquaintance, Mr. Goto."

"Oh, um, why, thank you!" She expressed her gratitude, though it was evident that his compliment had left her rather red-faced. “I-I just use normal shampoo and conditioner, really. Nothing special, just store-bought brands!"

A hairstylist? Alice was intrigued, but she couldn’t help but wonder why a hairstylist would be, well….bald. Shouldn’t he want to be as eccentric and as creative with his hair as possible? Maybe he couldn’t decide what to do with it, she reasoned. She didn’t want to pry. Instead, she simply prompted, “so, what made you want to become a hairstylist?"

[hotakagoto]

"Gah!" Hotaka spun around, startled, to face the girl who had addressed him. “Geez, don’t just…go ‘round surprising people like that!" he sputtered, embarrassed that, in his daze, he’d been startled by some girl nearly a foot shorter and half the size of himself. He considered saying something else, but then he realized—he’d been asking for something to distract him, and it looked like it came in the form of a person.

"Sorry ‘bout that, I just wasn’t a big fan of that video Monobear gave us. I’m tough, though, I can handle it," Hotaka lied. “Thanks for worryin’ though, uh, whoever you are."

[shsldevoted-blog]

"Oh! I-I beg your pardon...! I didn't mean to intrude or anything..." Alice cried in response, after he scolded her so. She felt bad, and was concerned that she might have done something to upset him. She hadn't meant to startle the man or cause any trouble. She just wanted to look out for her fellow classmate. Reflecting on this, she bowed her head, "There's no need for you to be sorry. It was my fault for being so rude, after all."

She blinked in confusion.  "Oh, that's right. We haven't introduced ourselves yet, have we? My name is Alice Uehara, Super High School Level Devoted." She paused, before thoughtfully adding, "Oh, though I don't believe I ever caught your name..."

[shslweather-blog]

Amaya had hardly intended to watch the abomination of a video that she clasped in her hands, let alone with another classmate. Personally, she had spent a couple intense seconds awash in a sense of loathing toward the thing, wondering what the best way to dispose of it was. She was certain that the trash room had an incinerator with which to burn it. But, then again, she could probably drown the tape too in her own restroom. Certainly it was a lot less of a hassle...

[shsldevoted-blog]

"Oh, thank you!" The brunette cried out, excitedly. In one swift motion, Alice clasped her hands, raising them to her chest as she did so. Her credulous red eyes peered into Amaya's in excitement. It was evident that in just a few seconds, the weather girl had managed to brighten the brunette's day. It was no wonder that Victor had referred to her as "Sunshine" before.

"I am ever so grateful, Miss Kim--Amaya," she corrected, keeping a mental that the silver-haired girl considered her to be a friend, despite having known each other for such a short time. "You are more than welcome to call me whatever you like, dear." Her smile was bigger and more excited than how it was before. "We'll watch the videos in my room, if that is quite alright with you, then?"

[hotakagoto]

Hotaka hadn’t wanted to go to the gym in the first place—not only was obeying a stuffed bear the exact opposite of rebelling against authority, the last trip to the gym the students had taken ended in one less change of clothing for everyone (and the knowledge that nobody was leaving the school without murder, of course, but Hotaka was fairly certain that Monobear couldn’t make an announcement to top that).

In the end, of course, he went, because if the bear splashed that sort of confetti on them when the students listened to his instructions, Hotaka didn’t want to know what Monobear would do when they didn’t. But as he stared at the blue flecks of paint on his left sleeve from Rayne’s masterpiece in the cafeteria, he remembered the artist’s advice— he’d gone to the gym, but he’d taken his sweet time doing so. And he really wished he hadn’t.

Hotaka was sure he had his future figured out, and that he’d be able to achieve his dream in a few short years (he wasn’t exactly reaching for the stars), but this…

Monobear had gotten into his head, somehow.

Hotaka ejected the disk from the monitor (he was thankful that he’d opted to run back to his room instead of watching in the more public theater), and in a fit of rage and fear, he snapped the disk in half. He didn’t need to see this again, and neither did anyone else.

He tossed the pieces away, deciding to pick them up later, when he didn’t feel quite as nauseous, and stepped outside into the hallway. He needed to do something else, anything else, and calm down.

[shsldevoted-blog]

As she was taking a stroll in the hallway to get her mind off of things--namely, the videos that Monobear had so graciously given to everyone--Alice saw a rather troubled looking boy, or... was it a man? To be completely honest, his hulking appearance through her for a loop. However, one thing was for certain: he was tall, perhaps the tallest person that she had the pleasure of running into.

Still, one's physical appearance is nothing to be intimidated by, and if anyone knew that, it was Alice. After all, the weary look that his face wore was more than enough to convince her that he was having a hard time dealing with the current situation. Instantly, her motherly instincts took over as she rushed to the boy's aide.

"Pardon me, but are you alright?" She spoke gently to the stranger.

[shslweather-blog]

When that deplorable excuse for an announcement rang out over the intercom, Amaya went to her room to grab her umbrella. There was no way she was letting another good sweater be ruined by whatever ‘confetti’ that ridiculous bear planned to have raining down upon them, especially after what he had done to her sun one. Today’s sweater was a storm cloud with a bit of thunder jutting out of it, mostly because that is how she had felt after being kept up all night lamenting over what that bear had told them.

As she had walked into the gymnasium, she had tried to steel herself.  She almost wouldn’t have gone to their gym meeting, if not for the fact that she felt the need to keep up public appearances. In addition, their headmaster, awful as he was, certainly didn’t seem like he was kidding. No practical joke would has gone as far as to have a storm of entrails and blood shower the bright, eager new students who just wanted to attend some ridiculously hyped up high school. After that first assembly, she felt as if nothing would surprise her now.

What she hadn’t expected, though, was this supposed murder incentive that was provided. Amaya’s mouth quirked into a frown as she went up to retrieve her envelope from the table. Taking it back in her hands, she was fairly skeptical as she looked it over, staring at the wax seal that separated her from what was apparently a video of her dream.

She scoffed, her grip on it tightening. Pathetic, she scrutinized, this guy is trying to tempt people via magical wish granting? As if. Her expression hardened to a glare, and while she was hoping nobody was looking, it was hard to disguise her disgust. Relying on such a phony concept as magic is despicable. Achieving your dreams is meaningless unless you work to do it yourself. Amaya tried to calm herself, fidgeting with the umbrella that she had apparently brought for nothing.

[shsldevoted-blog]

Alice scanned the room for someone she might be able to view her video with, but it seemed as though most people were a little more than eager to watch their dreams unfold before them. She couldn’t help but feel awful, unable to comprehend why they would so hurriedly give in to Monobear’s demands. After all, that’s what the bear wanted. He wanted them to taste that desire… And that would soon become the motive for her classmates to start murdering one another.

She clutched the envelope in her hands tightly. Her nails dug into the paper, almost tearing it apart. With a determined gaze, she peered down at the paper in her hands. No matter what was on the disc, she decided, she would remain a strong person, and not give in to the despair that the bear had intended. Not for her prince, not for her own happiness, not for anyone or anything. The lives of her friends depended on it. Still, Alice was afraid. She was afraid to taste that desire. Afraid that she would become a monster after viewing the video’s contents. She wouldn’t mind if she had a friend to console her in such a desperate situation.

That was when she saw Amaya. The silver-haired girl was also still in the gymnasium with her, and she was one of the few people that Alice waas able to recognize. In her hands, she tightly grasped an umbrella. The young woman could not help but crack a smile at the other girl’s preparedness. Better safe than sorry, I suppose.

"Excuse me, Miss Kimoto, was it?" Alice spoke, bravely, approaching the girl in the nearly-empty gym. “I was wondering if you would you like to accompany me in viewing what was on my disc, if you didn't mind."

What was she expecting? They were merely acquaintances. They had no ties or obligations to each other, and they certainly weren’t friends after knowing each other for such a short time. The last thing that Alice wanted was to intrude. Dreams and aspirations were very personal, after all. With that, Alice quickly added, "Not that you should feel obligated to, or anything. I just am not sure if I could watch it alone, myself. It is always much better to have the company of a friend, don't you agree?"

[shsldevoted-blog]

Alice had gathered to the gymnasium with the rest of her fellow students. When she entered the big hall, she was surprised to see that the floor was completely clean of entrails. She couldn’t even smell the corpse-like smell. She wondered who had the unfortunate task of washing away the rotting meat. Whoever did it did a wonderful job, but she couldn't help but sympathize for the poor soul.

What was Mr. Monobear up to now? What kind of cruel thing had he gathered to tell them? She listened to the bear speak, but his voice echoed in her mind like a broken record, replaying the same cruel laugh over and over. To be perfectly honest, Alice didn't want to know what the bear was up to. She wanted nothing to do with that...that thing! Especially when she was near it, she couldn't help but feel fear as it devoured her spine.

Wearily, she grabbed the envelope. It really was beautifully designed--but as Alice was well aware, looks can be deceiving. She clutched the envelope tightly in her grasp, her hands trembling slightly.

Her dreams... he was going to fulfill her dreams if she successfully graduated, was he? Well, Alice supposed, that is the premise of this academy, after all. However, graduation for her meant that she'd have to get away with murder. She wasn't sure that she could do that so successfully... Moreover, how would she live with the repercussions of having killed someone?

Alice had a vague idea of what was on the disk, but she wasn't even sure if she would be capable of watching her dreams play out on their own... She knew what they were--but to watch them play out? She wasn't sure if she would be able to handle it.