As I left school that day, I felt someone watching me... in the school grounds I couldn't be so sure with so many people - especially since I became a massive spotlight and conversation topic recently after my scores - but, "I hope they aren’t someone with malicious intent..." As I exited the school grounds, I felt like someone was following me...

  I still had to go pick up Cecelia, but on the way I might as well force whoever was watching and following me out - or lose them. Through the streets of Thersia District, I took small turns, changed my pace consistently, and did everything possible in a discreet manner... yet...

  I couldn't lose that gaze...

  I gave up... it was hot out, and I was hot and tired... and I reassured myself that I would be safe at the entrance of Cecelia's school—... Huh? "Ignition?" I uttered as I caught a glimpse of him. "Why are you here—you were following me this whole time?"

  Kaeu let out a sigh while looking away, "Sorry, I was going to ask you something before we left school, but you just kept on running and walking fast."

  "You know how scary it is to feel like someone is watching you?" I let out a sigh of relief, "... especially to a girl..."

  "Sorry. I was going to give up, but you looked like you were lost running and doing all those turns and turnarounds."

  "It’s—" I froze, realizing how I must have actually looked... "..." I thought back to now - realizing how stupid I must have been... I turned to hide my face from him, "Why—why were you even following me?" I still couldn't figure why he would come with me. What was it that was so important to ask me?

  "Leceia asked me." Eh, Leicia? "Well—both of us were concerned about you. You've been gone from the club tely - and..."

  I let out a sigh... these two... "I'm—I'm happy you two are worried about me, but... Sorry..." I've had a lot on my mind with Cecelia - the club, Kaeu, and Leicia haven't been on my mind.

  "No need to apologize - I know you have things going on besides being with us." Kaeu said, "But to think you've come here, Thersia Junior High School of Higher Education." He looked around, seeing the students as they began walking out.

  ... the other students were looking at us in awe and wonder... Through the four days - including the day I had therapy - the students slowly seemed to have gotten somewhat used to me being here. Though with Kaeu here, the lost interest came back tenfold - I could see some of the boys were disappointed, but there were many others that were more excited rather than anything else. Especially the middle school girls who were looking at Kaeu...

  "Are you waiting for someone?" I nod to Kaeu's words.

  Looking at my phone, it was 15:52. I then realized I spent 20 minutes trying to lose Kaeu... "..." Was I really so bad at losing people now? I let out a sigh - I'll just bme my physical condition for now... It was earlier than usual, but Cecelia told me she usually gets released early. With that, my gaze wandered around, trying to see above the students leaving school.

  "Though, congratutions on achieving first and for getting perfect scores, Teseia."

  I looked away, "It... was nothing special..." I was conflicted on how to respond...

  "Well—regardless, I know you've earned it. All your studying paid off."

  "..." I let out a sigh, "... thank you, Ignation." I knew he was truthful in his words, but it still felt hard to accept my efforts. After all, I did cheat by regressing a year.

  Trying to ease out the embarrassment from him congratuting me, my eyes wandered around looking for Cecelia. Eventually my eyes found her - our signature clean, light brown hair. I waved my arm and hands up, getting Cecelia's attention.

  Spotting me, she runs over to me. "Alicia!...?" Cecelia then looked at Kaeu, confused... "... ano—um..." Ah—I see now...

  I never really saw her outside or interacting with others. What I was seeing right now was pretty obvious - her timid nature was very much still her. Seeing this new side of her, I could only smile, "Sorry for frightening you Cecelia, this is my... uppercssman, Ignation. He..." I struggled to find what to say - not wanting to say, 'He just followed me', making him sound like a creep.

  "Apologizes, I followed Tesei—..." He said, before pausing... "Sorry, would it be okay if I referred to you two by your names? I assume you are her younger sister, Cecelia?"

  "Ano—um..." Next to me now, Cecelia who was on my arm was at even more of a loss than I was.

  "... You can call us by our names, Ignation..." I felt like this was skipping a few steps in our familiarity, but there really wasn't a choice.

  "Then—I followed your sister, Alicia, here because I was concerned about her disappearance from our club." He... literally said what I was, but didn't want to say...

  The students nearby us were starting to gather more and more, "... Apologizes if it sounds forced, but could we get going...?" Kaeu looked at me, but seeing how serious I was, his expression changed.

  "Okay - let's get going." With that, we all leave Cecelia's school. Me with Cecelia on my left, and Kaeu on my right.

  I noticed Kaeu looking at Cecelia every once in a while... I didn't think too much of it; he likely wondered about Cecelia - as my sister. Our walk was uneventful otherwise, and we made our way to the train station. "I would never have thought you were an older sibling, Alicia."

  "Ahaha..." I let out a dry, nervous ugh... Remembering what Alicia did, "Well - there's been a lot going on tely, and I've been focused on school as of te, so I don't really have time to talk about myself..."

  "Well, I think it is commendable that you're putting the effort to pick up your sister, Alicia." I nod quietly—I... well—...

  Considering everything that happened, "It... was the least I could do for her."

  We continued, and soon we reached the boarding area. Here, we waited for our train together - as Kaeu lived in the same district we did. I had my specutions after our first encounter outside of school - the time he made sure I safely got back home after my leg gave up on me -, but now I confirmed it.

  With me and Cecelia sitting on the same bench and Kaeu standing in front of us as a shield, "I apologize for not introducing myself, but I am Ignation Kaeu. It is nice to meet you Cecelia." Introducing himself, Kaeu held his hand out to Cecelia.

  "I..." Yet, beside me, Cecelia's timid nature once again resurfaced. Her gaze shifted from me and Kaeu - at Kaeu nervously, and at me trying to find reassurance.

  "It's alright Cecelia - you can do it." I lightly encouraged her - she could find her own strength in herself.

  "I... um—Teseia Cecelia, it is... I'll be in your care—Ignation." I guess it couldn't really be helped - it would take time to rebuild her confidence and herself after everything that's happened to her.

  Looking at Cecelia and her timid response, I decide to help her out, "A lot has happened, but if you could be understanding with her Ignation - Cecelia is a wonderful girl, and the least I could do is be here for her now."

  ... why are you looking at me like that, Kaeu...?

  "You're lucky to have an older sister like that Cecelia." Kaeu said, "Your older sister is som———," The sound of the train arriving blurred out what Kaeu said - yet looking at Cecelia beside me, it sounds like she heard him... Her usual timid look softened, and she smiled, saying something that I couldn't fully hear either with the train's brakes active.

  With the train stopping and opening it's doors, we both got up and went in with Kaeu. Going into the train together, we only managed to find one door seat, so with one seat, I let Cecelia sit as both me and Kaeu stood. I stood in front of Cecelia, and Kaeu stood left of me, towards the train doors.

  We rode together silently - we really didn't have much to say, and we didn't really want to converse in a busy train.

  Waiting until we arrived at Arcastea District, we departed the train. Me and Cecelia both headed our way home—

  "Let me walk you two home." I let out a sigh—I... I didn't have any objections to him walking us home, but times like this made me loathe his innate 'gentlemanliness'.

  "... okay..." I also couldn't find it in myself to reject his offer either, so I simply just accepted his offer to escort us back home.

  With him, it was me, Cecelia to my right, and Kaeu on her right - basically me and Kaeu sandwiching her. Yet, as I look at Cecelia, she seemed less... Well, she still had her usual timid, reserved self; but she seemed less nervous or afraid. Perhaps it was her sensing that I was close to Kaeu, or maybe it was Kaeu's innate kindness - and charm - working, but seeing Cecelia like this simply brought a smile to me.

  Eventually we made it home. "Thank you for going out of your way." I said, making a light courteous bow.

  "No need to worry, it was the least I could do." I could only let out a sigh - I couldn't refute him on his etiquette. "I'll see you again at school."

  "... yeah..." Seeing him walk off, I turned with Cecelia in hand, going inside.

  Taking off my shoes, I looked at Cecelia next to me. "Is... um—... he—Ignation, your... boyfriend?" Kuh—

  I almost choke on my own breath— "No—there's no way I would see Ignation like that! It's..." Then... I felt like I had to describe my retionship with him to Cecelia. "... He's a friend of someone I knew - and with him gone, the least I could do is look after him, Ignation." Looking away from Cecelia, straight forward, holding my hand out forward, "... He's given and taught me so much - the least I could do is help his friends ease his loss..."

  Cecelia looked at me, letting out a faint, yet childish smile. I couldn't really tell why, but her face began to lighten when I mentioned how there was no way I would see Ignation like that - as a romantic interest. "...—...odness..." I couldn't hear what she uttered to herself, but— "Um... who... is this person then, Alicia?"

  "..." I felt my face twist - not a frown, but I was conflicted inside...

  "It's—um, you don't have to tell me—if you feel... don't want to..."

  "Sorry—not now..." I said, softly, "It's... something I have to accept myself, too..." Looking at my hand, I wondered... "Why me...? I—I suppose I'll never know..."

  Back in my room, sitting in my chair, I looked at my diary... My mind has been so busy with all these thoughts - wondering what to do, and how to do them; how to help Cecelia, and how to navigate my life now.

  Looking at the st date I wrote something - Lunar Year 933, First Half, Day 164-2 -, I realized how much had happened in the gap between. With my pen, I wrote the date.

  Lunar Year 933, First Half, Day 173-2

  I wondered to myself - what family was. Only then, when I took the first step for us both, did I realize our shared resolve and my own foolishness inside. What a fool I was - if Alicia was the one to have done this, then she should have been the one to resolve this. I, as the older sibling, and her older sister, should have been the one there for her.

  Yet... I simply stood, waiting to see if things would be better... I only acted when she needed it - not when she needed me.

  For that, I can never forgive myself for that... yet, with our new trust, I pce it upon myself to do one thing. Be there for Cecelia, be her knight, be the eversting light that leads the way for her - that is all I can ask of you, Alicia.