"Mmmh~," I let out a yawn as I opened the curtains for my room. Looking outside, it was a clear summer day - the beginning of my summer and Cecelia's summer break, a day after my st day of school with Cecelia visiting alongside. My clear mind felt refreshed, but I still was at a loss for what to do.

  With nothing to do, I changed out of my sleepwear and headed to the washroom to brush my teeth and wash my face. I opened the door, seeing Cecelia here as well. "Good morning Cecelia."

  "Good morning, Alicia." She greeted me back as I stood beside her and began brushing my teeth.

  Finishing up together, we both headed to the kitchen to make breakfast. Nothing needed to be communicated; we simply coordinated our actions and intents as though we could seemingly read each other's ideas... of course we couldn't, but our time together was more than enough for us to move and coordinate with each other with minimal communication.

  Breakfast was nothing special, just a coordinated yet peaceful meal cooked by the two of us together. With breakfast done, we both sat and ate together.

  "Is there anything you want to do during the break Cecelia?"

  "I..." She went silent, her face in thought. "Um—I... don't know."

  I let out a reassuring smile, sensing an upcoming apology, "That's okay, if you feel like doing anything, just let me know and we can do it together. Anything."

  "Ye—yes."

  Of course I could have simply left her as was, but I figured Cecelia might want to do something with me... or at least, with someone else.

  As for me...

  "Is—um, Alicia?"

  "Huh?" I looked at her - my mind must have been wandering, "Sorry, it's nothing... My mind is just drifting."

  "Um—is there anything you want to do... Alicia?"

  "Huh..." Thinking about it... Yeah, I need to make sure I go out... I was likely going to need to find a reason to go out. I knew myself well enough that if I were not careful, I would just spend the entire break at home being a housekeeper and studying. I didn't mind that, but I... I had this new life, a new life that I could do as I wish now. I think wasting it like that would be a bit of a... waste. "Honestly... a lot has happened, and I can't really think of anything immediately."

  "I—... okay..." We resumed eating, and before long we were done. As I took to washing the dishes, Cecelia stood next to me watching me work - seemingly wanting to say something. "Um—if you... I... um—"

  "..." I sensed her hesitation, "If there's anything you want to do together, we can do it." Keeping an open, warm smile, I simply reassured her that I was open to anything.

  "Um—can we..." She looked down, "... I—um... My chest—, ano—I need to... a new... I need to get a new..."

  "..." Er—, "Uh—we can go out today—ah, but only if you want to..."

  "Ye—... okay..." This—this was an odd conversation to have... "Ano—um, I'm going to go get ready."

  "Okay..." As Cecelia goes off to her room, I let out a sigh.

  Of course, we were both girls... It was going to be something that happened eventually, especially with Cecelia and her... well, her growth.

  I finished washing the dishes, and looked down, "..." Maybe I should also... get resized. I don't think my chest has grown much since, but I didn't know my actual size either, and... well, I would probably continue growing a little more considering my body is that of a 14 year old girl.

  Going to my room, I prepared myself to get ready. Looking at myself in the mirror on my closet door, I picked out an outfit for myself; a long, modest, clean light-pink one-piece, short-sleeved dress paired with white stockings. I thought it looked retively good - I couldn't really think of much other than how it looked pretty, at least to my eyes. I went to my desk to apply finishing touches with a light touch of makeup before looking at myself once again. "..." I let out a smile, and the girl reflected in the mirror smiled back - I was happy with my appearance. The modest touch of makeup and the skills I've learnt were enhancements rather than covers. I was blessed with naturally good looks, and the makeup enhanced my natural beauty rather than adding over it. Looking at myself, there was one thing I wanted to do; sitting on my bed, I tied the majority of my hair into a braided tail, putting it over my left shoulder. "It actually looks good..." I smiled, seeing a different version of myself in the mirror with my newly done hair. My newly done hair seemingly gave me a different aura - a more mature look as opposed to the usually youthful, young look I normally had with my long straight hair flowing down naturally.

  Satisfied, I left my room and headed downstairs to the common room, waiting for Cecelia to finish getting ready as well.

  ... ... ...

  "Ano—um, Alicia..." I turn and see Cecelia peeking out from the corner around the stairs looking at me in the common room. "... Can... you help me?"

  "Of course." I stand from the couch, and together we head back to my room. In my room, I take a look at her. "Was there something that you wanted in particur?"

  "Ano—... could... I don't really think I have good clothes..." I looked at her, yet I couldn't really figure out what she was trying to get at.

  "I think you look cute as is, with what you are wearing." I said, though... "If you're worried, and... well, if you don't mind, can I dress you up again?"

  "I—yes... please dress me up, Alicia." With Cecelia's permission, I began looking through my closet again.

  Cecelia, unlike me, held more childish features. We shared simir pretty eyes, but her eyes were puffier and more child-like compared to mine. Her hair was also slightly shorter than mine, so alongside her slightly smaller stature and the fact that she was going to be alongside me, I already had an image of a potential outfit in mind.

  There were quite a few dresses in my closet that I felt were never going to be worn by me - mostly because I felt they didn't match my image -, but putting them on Cecelia honestly made them give off a completely different image. The slight size mismatch looked cute, and the length which would normally reach just above my knees reached Cecelia's knee or below.

  I chose for her a light green dress that extended past her knees and draped a thin, yet long light-grey, white cardigan over her. The green dress looked pretty and youthful on her, and the open cardigan provided enough coverage to keep the focus on Cecelia's outfit from the front. I gave her a pair of white knee-high socks - a personal touch from me -, and alongside the cute hairband with a pink ribbon atop her head she was already wearing, the outfit looked pretty on her while keeping a cute sense of youth to it. I kept her hair as was; I thought it naturally flowing down straight looked fine as was, and it also added to her charm.

  "What do you think?" I asked, as Cecelia looked in the mirror.

  "I—ano, how... do I look...?"

  I took a moment to think what to say to her... "You look cute, and with the clothes you're wearing, I think it adds more to your charm - you look pretty in them, and it draws out the good features you have as well as giving you a youthful look."

  Hearing my words, Cecelia let out a quiet yet radiant smile, "... thank you, Alicia..."

  "Ahem—err, though I'm not done yet. Let me put some finishing touches on you." I took her over to my desk to apply some light makeup. Like me, she had a lot of beautiful natural features, so my work was mostly just enhancing the natural beauty. Working on Cecelia was also rexing; she had the uncanny ability to stay extremely still, so much so that it seemed like I was working on a doll. Even her slight breaths barely caused any movement.

  With her cooperation, I soon finished applying the light touches to Cecelia. Looking at her again... the touch of makeup enhanced her beauty even more. If I had to say, she was likely the epitome of what a 'cute-pretty' looking girl would be.

  "I'm done, if you want, you can look at yourself in my mirror." Standing, I held Cecelia's hand, helping her up to stand. She walked over to my closet mirror and looked at herself.

  Looking at her reflection in the mirror, I see a smile beam on her face. "Thank you Alicia!"

  "Of course. You're welcome Cecelia."

  We had multiple options for pces we could go, but we decided on the South Astoria Central Commerce Mall. To my surprise, Cecelia said she's never been to the South Astoria Central Commerce Mall before, and she expressed that she wanted to see it. I had no reason to decline, so with that we took the trains down to South Astoria and began our trip to the mall.

  "... Wow..." Once again, Cecelia looked at the stores and the bustling streets of South Astoria with interest.

  "First time in the heart of Astoria?"

  "Unn..." Remembering our time at Thersia, I imagine Cecelia never really went out much based on her reactions.

  "If there is anywhere you want to look at or go to, feel free to let me know."

  "I—okay..."

  I looked at her again, "... you don't have to be reserved - just let me know when there is anything, okay?"

  "... yes—Alicia..." I left it at that, hoping she would open up a little more.

  We weren't hurting financially, and it would honestly make me a little happy to see Cecelia indulge herself a little. I knew she was a retively modest girl in terms of spending, so I felt she deserved the chance to indulge herself.

  "... Is this your first time here... Alicia?"

  I shook my head, "I've been here before."

  "I... see..." Ah—...

  "Well—I—ahem..." I suddenly realized the gap between my seemingly familiar knowledge of Astoria and my actual self as Alicia, "I mean—I had business to do here when I was dealing with our... circumstances. I had to go to the government building for something..."

  "..." Cecelia continued staring at me. "Well—um, thank you for everything you've done Alicia." She beamed a smile, one which I couldn't help but smile back at.

  With that, we continued our walk to the South Astoria Central Commerce Mall. Cecelia admired the lush green that the park before the entrance held, before being awestruck at the indoor park.

  "Pretty?" Cecelia nodded, "We can walk around for a bit if you want."

  "Can—can we, Alicia?"

  "Of course." We walked around the indoor park, admiring the artificial nature. From the pnts and trees alongside the trail to the artificial pond and creek, we eventually found an empty bench to sit at.

  Gncing at Cecelia, it looked like she enjoyed the walk... Well, I also enjoyed the walk - it isn't every day I get to walk around without having to worry or think about anything, just a peaceful walk without anything in mind. Together with someone else, it was quite rexing to do so.

  Honestly... when was the st time I could do something like this—, "Hehe~" I turn to see Cecelia giggling beside me, "Sorry—it's just... Alicia, um, you look pretty—um..."

  "I—... thanks..."

  "Ah—..." Suddenly being made aware of the fact that whatever face I was making and that I looked 'pretty', my face tensed up again... Seemed I couldn't really hide it well either, seeing as Cecelia noticed my expression change.

  "Let's get going..." I stand, holding my hand out to Cecelia.

  "Ye—yes." Cecelia took my hand, standing before letting go. We leave and head to our destination, a lingerie store... I passed by it st time I came here, but with what Cecelia needed now I figured it was a good thing I knew where to go. Going through the crowds in the mall, we navigated through the floors until we arrived at the storefront.

  "..." I looked forward, eyes darting unsure where to look... I—I was a girl now, but this was my first time going into a store like this... Even though I knew they sold more than just undergarments and lingerie, it was basically known for just that. "Let's... go in..."

  "Unn..." With that, we both headed in.

  Yet... we both looked utterly lost... It was essentially my first time in a lingerie store, and judging by Cecelia's reaction, also her first time. We simply walked through the store, completely lost together...

  "Do you two need help?" I turn to see a woman ask.

  "... Uh—err, yes..." I nod, "It's... my first time here in a store like this—and um, I need to get my sister—..."

  "Ah, yes, I understand." The woman simply showed a professional smile, "You need her to get her top resized? Do you also need to get resized too?"

  "I—..." Um... "... yes—if you could, I would like to get resized too..."

  "Of course—follow me. I can help you two." With that, we follow the woman to the back of the store, into the private changing room.

  ... ... ...

  "..." I felt... a weird sense of accomplishment... Gd that I got that over with, but at the same time—well, I felt complicated...

  "..." Cecelia next to me also shared a simir look... understandably so.

  "... well, let's go look around..." I break the awkwardness between us as we walk forward... yet instead of helping, it worsened the situation as all that was id in front of us in the back of the store were... the bold looking lingerie. I mean—girls wear this? "I—let's go look over there..."

  Eventually we found our way to where the modest, normal undergarments were. It appeared Cecelia also felt more comfortable seeing the more modest, normal undergarments as we looked around.

  I didn't have anything in mind; I picked a retively normal looking pair... then—...

  It wasn't me being curious—but I mean, "..." The fabric felt... it looked and felt softer and lighter than the normal looking, pin colored ones. It didn't look bold or anything, just a bit—girly, with knitted ces and some ribbons, but—... "..." I decided to take a few pairs in differing colors. Taking the neatly folded, tight package, a sense of embarrassment surged through me, but—I decided that I should get something that feels nice to wear, considering that I would be wearing what I chose.

  Looking around, Cecelia was nowhere to be seen. I peered around the corner, and there I saw her looking at... Well, the ones around the corner weren't the bold looking lingerie, but—... they certainly did look a bit more cute-showy—,

  Ah—, "It—it isn't what it looks like!"

  "Well—I didn't say anything..." I respond, seeing Cecelia's face flush red upon being 'caught'.

  ... ... ...

  "Um—err... if you want it—err, I'm not stopping you..."

  "..."

  "... um—when you have everything, I'll be near the cashiers..." I left, deciding it was probably best to let Cecelia be.

  Honestly, I was still at a loss. Near the registers were clothes as well, but honestly, they were far too fshy for me to understand. Looking at them... well, I had a feeling I would likely never understand the fashion style these clothes were tailored for.

  "Alicia." I turn to see Cecelia with... "I—didn't... um..."

  "No need to say anything... Err—let's check out." I divert the topic away from whatever she picked and simply bring us together to the registers.

  ... We were in no financial worry, but women's lingerie was expensive... Getting our stuff checked out and paying for it, we got our bags and simply left the store in silence...

  "... err—Cecelia... can we look at some clothes for you?"

  "I—yes..."

  With that, we head to another store together. Walking through the busy mall once again, this time with our bags, we soon arrive at the store I had in mind. Entering the store together, we were greeted with an array of clothing.

  Watching Cecelia, her eyes wandered, dress to dress, and from mannequin to mannequin. "If there's anything you are interested in, you can try them out."

  "Really?" I nod my head in response to her question, "Then—um..."

  Though little did I know, Cecelia would end up taking and trying on quite a few dresses.

  Cecelia looked good in all of them, though she and the store employee who looked like a high schooler went off and kept trying outfit after outfit - though it really looked more like Cecelia being on the receiving end of an enthusiastic employee. The two going through dresses and outfits left me on the sideline, in the dust. Aware that I was completely in the dust and would be of no help to Cecelia's fashion choices, I went off to look around.

  Yet... well, I didn't really come here with anything in mind for myself. I felt as though I had everything in my closet needed to make the image and outfit I sought. Though, "... wouldn't hurt, I suppose..." I decided to simply look and be open. After all, it wouldn't hurt to know how I might look or how to style myself a new way.

  Yet... Well—looking at these mini-skirts, I honestly question how girls wore them with how short they were, without wearing spats or shorts underneath. And well—looking at the crop tops, I couldn't imagine myself wearing them either. In fact, did I ever dress besides how I usually do?

  ... besides my first actual day where I had to wear that sundress, I couldn't recall a single instance...

  Well, let's just go look at dresses that I think would look nice. If I could picture a girl wearing one, I guess I should picture myself potentially as well... even if, in the end, it just ends up collecting dust in my closet.

  "Hah..." I take a deep breath, arriving home. With quite a few bags between the two of us, we decided it was probably best to head home before we got more.

  "We're back..." Cecelia utters as she takes off her shoes.

  "Feel free to put your bags in your room. After, we can begin making lunch and dinner."

  "Yes—I'll see you Alicia." As Cecelia heads off to her room with her bags, I close the door and begin taking off my shoes.

  "I should probably do the same." With that, I head to my room to put my bags away as well.