~Story~

Before Story 

Like many Alice children, Ruka was targeted by the academy and went through several kidnappings. All this caused his mother to be very protective of him. To get away from the academy, his family moved several times until settling into a small village. His mother used her money to buy around the clock guards for Ruka and keep guards around the house at all times. She also like to call him her Ru-chan. Around the village, he was quite famous for being an Alice. A girl called him the "pride of the village". However, due to the burden of being an Alice and of his mother's overprotectiveness, he began to feel like a bird trapped in a cage.

One day, when Ruka was eight, Natsume Hyūga moved into the village, and on the first day of school, saved him from kidnappers. By saving him, Natsume had to reveal that he, too, was an Alice. Before this kidnapping, a girl told Natsume that Ruka was an Alice. The similarity between the the two resulted in them becoming quick friends, along with his[Natsume's] sister, Aoi Hyūga. Natsume and Ruka's friendship grew which made his mother realize that she needs to let Ruka have freedom. On the day he spent his night over at Natsume's house, Aoi fell ill and her Alice burned the town down. He and Natsume helped civilians during the fire. However, Natsume took the blame for the fire to protect aoi and the civilans grew to hate him. When Ruka tried to defend him, Natsume purposely hit him at the hospital, so that Ruka wouldn't be troubled. Ruka chose to go to the academy with Natsume which his mother agrees to, seeing Ruka has grown up so much. He chooses to go because he wants to support Natsume. In the car, he and Natsume cried when they saw Mr. Hyūga, who is handicapped, run after the car and they vow to be strong.

Once they arrive at the academy, they are both looked down upon by the older students (Natsume for his rebellious attitude and Ruka for being friends with him). However, their classmates idolize them, but both pay little attention to them. Ruka tries to defend Natsume against the false rumors about him, but is prevented by Natsume. He is also aware of the dangerous missions Natsume does in order to prevent the ESP and Persona from harming Aoi and Ruka. This makes Ruka feel like he is becoming a burden to Natsume, but continues doing what he can do to support him.