I let out a sigh, "... physical education..."

  I looked as the clock ticked over to 8:00. After homeroom, I would be going out to the school's outdoor field for our gym css with everyone here, then... Afterwards, we would go to the pool for our swim css...

  I was fine with gym, especially since I packed my track shorts and top, but the pool... the pool—should—... thoughts raced through my mind, but—, "No—that's impossible!" I can't do that! No way, no way! I accepted myself as girl, but I still felt mentally unprepared for changing in front of other girls - I would feel indescribable guilt changing and seeing other girls change in front of me. Changing privately, sure but—,

  "Did you say something Teseia?" Eh—? "You were muttering something to yourself quietly." Agh—!

  "I'm—I'm fine! Don't worry about it..." Something like that; no way...

  ... but—, I turned back to look at Felis... If it's her, she won't ugh, right? For now, my enemy was swim css, and I needed any and every ally I could get for that...

  I managed to sneak away to change in a restroom nearby, so I dodged the first hurdle. Going to the dressing room for the field, I went in as girls were leaving to put my neatly folded uniform in a locker before heading out. Looking around the field, I was not the only one who wore track shorts and a track shirt; there were a few girls alongside me who chose to be in their tracksuit, so at least I didn't stick out.

  "Everyone, find your partners and form up with them together!" Our physical education instructor ordered, as everyone went to find their partners. Our css was mixed gender, and—... I wasn't a woman-chaser or dreamer before, but it was amusing seeing the gazes of the guys.

  Though—as for me, I looked around the field until I found her. "Felis!" I called.

  Felis turned towards me running towards her. "Oh, there you are Teseia."

  Hah—, "Could you be my partner please!" I begged - I absolutely wanted to avoid partnering with a guy.

  "Oh, of course." Seeing her accept my invitation, I heave a sigh of relief.

  "Thank goodness..." I uttered - I dodged the second hurdle now.

  Felis and I lined up together as partners for whatever we were going to do next. I never understood the need to partner with a girl as a guy, though I understood why some girls would avoid partnering with boys... though as a girl, I felt like I understood the need to partner with the same gender.

  "Everyone, start your warmups! We will be starting our track run test today!" Running; I was pretty good at it before. Though I haven't done any running as a girl - for that matter, I haven't done any physical activity other than walking.

  "Let's get ready Teseia." Felis said with enthusiasm as she started conducting her own stretches beside me.

  "Yes." I followed after, doing basic stretches as well.

  We started our stretches alone before joining together to help each other stretch. I quickly found out that I was very flexible in this body - it honestly was scary how my body could bend to such lengths. I also found out when we kept going for warmups and I had to do more physically intense activities, "Kyu—!" I had no strength... Well, I knew I was petite, but still—I couldn't even do ten sit ups.

  "Are you okay?" Yet next to me was a monster... Felis, the First Year Representative, had excellent physical fitness. I never predicted her physical fitness to be this good - most Student Representatives are usually academic prodigies, but I suppose there are those all-around prodigies as well. Though, thinking about it, I was honestly going to bog Felis down more than anything else for our physical education css.

  After around 3 more minutes of basic warmup exercises, everyone started gathering around our physical education instructor. We couldn't hear the instructor from where we were, so we walked to hear what was being announced. "—in pairs for the remaining css. If you have any compints, you can tell me now!" I only heard the final bits of what our instructor said as I made my way around the crowd of students.

  "2-kilometer run..." Another student uttered in front of us... huh? 2-kilometer run—wait, did they just say 2?

  I hope I can keep up with the css... Regardless—I need to make it a good run for myself here.

  "Haah~." Just how much can she run? I challenged myself to try to keep up with Felis, but I quickly gave up after seeing the difference in our abilities, just running to my own pace until I completed the however many ps required.

  I was spent... I never knew being so out of breath could hurt my chest so much... After I made my final p, I fell to the ground with rapid breaths—, is this normal after 2 kilometers? I asked myself...

  ... I lifted my head to see someone running towards me... Felis? "Are you okay?" I could only shake my head in response to Felis. Even breathing hurts, "Sorry—stick with me. I know it hurts, lean on me if you need, but stand." I clumsily stood, before falling onto Felis.

  I wasn't unfit in this body... or so I would like to think... it was probably more right to call Felis extremely athletic rather than say I was unfit. I shouldn't have tried to force myself as much as I did. I didn't exactly finish in a good pce, but I finished middle of the css. I looked to see the rest of the css going slowly - honestly there weren't many that pushed themselves, most were walking the two kilometers. So as sad as I was physically, I still outdid most of the css.

  ... Leaning on Felis, I told myself I needed to prepare myself next time; gym wouldn't be easy in this body. Not to mention, I don't even know if there were more physical tests...

  I caught my breath as we waited for the css to finish running. Sitting back down after a bit helped a little, but even after the css finished running I felt out of breath and utterly exhausted.

  "Teseia." I lifted my head to see Felis walking towards me, "Let's go." She held her hand out to me - I took her hand.

  "Thank—you." I got up and walked with Felis towards the locker room. She would occasionally look at me every so often before walking forward, but we soon made it to the locker rooms.

  Yet as I sat down onto the bench, Felis stared at me...? "Teseia, are you sure you're okay?"

  I nodded, "Yes...?" I was unsure what Felis was trying to imply, "Look, I'm fine—!" Ah—?

  Felis caught me as I tried to stand, putting me back onto the bench, "Maybe you're unaware, but your legs have been shaking the entire time." I looked at my legs, and... ah, now they felt weak and wobbly.

  "I—okay..." It finally hit me now...

  I waited as Felis changed beside me—... I gnced away from Felis and the other girls as they started undressing - yet even looking away I felt my face heat up... I wanted to get my uniform and leave, but my legs still felt weak.

  As the changing room filled with even more girls, I could only look down to avoid looking at anyone at all...

  "Teseia." I didn't want to look up yet, "Which locker is your uniform in?"

  I let out a sigh—I gnced up quickly and pointed at my locker, "Err—that one." After Felis walked off to get my stuff, I looked back down to avoid looking at changing girls...

  "Here—let me help." Felis said—huh?

  Felis held my jacket, wait—! "Ah—? Waitwaitwait—don't—!" I frantically slowly slid back—,

  ... but it was hopeless as Felis simply went forward and took off my gym uniform...

  I pleaded to Felis that I was okay, but she insisted that I wasn't... Eventually - after she took off my track shorts and jacket -, I convinced her that I could at least put on the rest of my uniform.

  ... I couldn't look Felis in the eyes - both this and our first day with... whatever I spouted out...

  I put on my shirt and bzer and stumbled on putting on my skirt before telling Felis I was good. Felis waiting for me took a while - as when I was done, we were the only ones in the locker room.

  "Let's get going Teseia." Felis said, watching me follow behind her.

  My legs still felt uneasy, but I forced myself to follow Felis. Felis would slow down for me as she gnced back at me, before standing besides me.

  "Here—let me hold your bag Teseia." Felis held her hand out, but when I gnced at her face it seemed less like her offering to hold my bag, but her demanding I let her hold my bag... seeing Felis now and Noe's ice-cold expression yesterday made me realize I was with some scary people, so I gave Felis my bag without resistance.

  Afterwards, we continued walking towards the indoor pool our swimming css was in... swim css... Gym css took everything from me with how much I pushed myself, but now the realization that I would need to change into a bathing suit came in... changing with others, changing with girls...

  I couldn't really know, but I was sure my face was heating up, bright red... We eventually arrived at the indoor pool that our swim css was at. I looked around - it looked like everyone already changed and were doing warmups. Our instructor was—Instructor Katlia? She - I mentally prepared myself to get mentally hammered by her.

  Instructor Katlia began walking towards us, "Hey, you two, mind telling me—,"

  "Apologies Instructor, I was helping our new student." Felis? I wanted to ask if she was out of her mind speaking to Instructor Katlia like that, "Though could I speak with you in private, Instructor?"

  "Okay, let's hear what you have to say Felis." Huh? I stood, dazed and in awe by Felis and her straightforward way of talking to Instructor Katlia. Instructor Katlia was someone who would hound students, and to see Felis talk to Instructor Katlia like she did honestly amazed me - and seeing the two walk off to the locker rooms also amazed me.

  ... I suppose I should head over there as well... I suppose I dodged the first hurdle that was changing with others - considering that most of the other girls were already in the pool—,

  "—see... Then take care of Teseia then." I overhear Instructor Katlia; I walked closer to the changing room,

  "Understood Instructor—ah," I turn the corner to see Felis looking at me, "Perfect, let's go Teseia."

  "Eh—where?" What did I just walk into?

  "To the nurse." Ah, the nurse—wait, was that what this was all about? Not to mention Instructor Katlia looking at me...

  "... yeah, definitely take her to the infirmary Felis. Make sure you watch her." Hearing Instructor Katlia speak so casually surprised me, but more than anything else—,

  "Why are you saying it like I might run away?"

  Felis let out a visible sigh, "Because I know you would just insist that you are fine."

  "I—," I couldn't refute that... I let out a sigh in resignation, "... understood..."

  "Teseia - you might not feel it yet, but you're legs are shaking, and you were limping earlier and now. I have some concerns about you, so go to the infirmary Teseia."

  "... understood..." Hearing Instructor Katlia tell me was the final straw - I couldn't tell or feel it myself, but if Instructor Katlia had her concerns, she probably was right.

  Without resistance, I followed Felis as she escorted me to the school infirmary. We made it to the infirmary without issue, and Felis spoke to the nurse as I went over to a bench to—!

  "Ah—ow..." It finally hit me and my legs trembled, making me fall onto the bench.

  "Are you okay Teseia!" Felis ran over to me hearing me fall down onto my chair.

  I nod, "I'm okay—," Suddenly Felis gred at me, "I—my legs are still numb, but I can't really say..."

  "Okay." Hearing me actually expin myself, Felis and her scary gre softened, "Please don't get up. I'll tell the nurse to look after you."

  "Understood..." At this point I just submissively listened to whatever Felis said - her gre was honestly frightening. As I waited on the bench, the pain in my leg hit me... it was painful - my leg, my foot, and ankle. The slight pressure from my foot on the ground hurts, but it was even worse when I tried lifting it up, so I just sat wincing in pain...

  "Good morning." A nurse, following Felis, greeted me.

  "Good morning—,"

  "Don't worry about formalities." The nurse told me as I tried to stand, "Hm..." She looked at me intensely before nodding to herself... "Felis, could you help me bring her to the infirmary bed?"

  After attempting to resist before with Felis changing me into my uniform, I silently accepted my fate. Felis lifted me with her shoulders and the nurse did the same with hers. They moved me to one of the beds, and the nurse lifted me up, ying me down on the bed. Having my legs rest straight and ft on the bed felt better. Though my legs still hurt, it was better than the pressure from them on the ground.

  "Felis, you are good to go. Teseia will be fine." The nurse said.

  "Okay... I'll come back for lunch." Felis said before leaving.

  With just me and the nurse in the curtained room, she looked at me. "Teseia, how does this feel?" She held my leg—,

  "Ow... it hurts a little." She squeezed my leg a little; it honestly hurt a lot, but I didn't want to worry her.

  "How much?" I, didn't I tell you—!

  Ow—ow—, "Muu—yes... it hurts a lot..."

  "There - a little honesty is nice." Why was everyone around me so scary today? "Your leg is very stiff, for now rex - here, drink this as well." The nurse held out a sports drink towards me.

  "Unn—thank you..."

  "Oh, sorry, you can call me Miss. Serio." The nurse, Serio introduced herself.

  "Thank you Miss. Serio." I sipped at the sports drink before ying down.

  "For now, just rest and stay here. I can't really say for certain, but it is much more than simple fatigue." I nod, "I know it was a moderately long run, and that you pushed yourself, but it still shouldn't have been bad enough to expin your state." Well—I can see what she meant. I also assumed there was no way I could have been like this - perhaps my denial added to it. Serio turned, "I can't really do much, but I'll come check up on you again. Feel free to nap or do whatever; I'll wake you up around lunch to check on you again, and for your friend."

  "Thank you." I covered myself with the light bedding... My legs felt stiff, and it was still painful having them y straight on the bed, but I was exhausted. I closed my eyes and told myself to nap...

  "I'm back, Teseia." Felis said as she sat down the seat next to the infirmary bed. "Are you doing okay?"

  I nod, "I'm okay." I slowly slid over to the side trying to get my bag,

  "Oh, here." Felis took my bag and handed it to me. I thanked her before getting my lunch. Seeing me get my lunch, Felis got her lunch box from her bag. With our lunches together, we ate together.

  Honestly, it felt weird eating while sitting on a bed.

  "Coming in—, oh, you're here again Felis." The nurse, Serio, came through the curtain looking at us, "I'll come back once you two are done eating." Then left as quickly as she came.

  We both continued eating. When we were finished, Felis went over to bring the nurse back.

  "Hm..." Serio held my leg again, "Does it hurt?"

  "It—it still does." My leg still felt incredibly stiff. In fact, it felt like it got worse now that I id down.

  "..." Serio was silent... "Felis, you're in her csses, yes?" Felis nodded, replying 'yes', "Let your instructor know that Teseia won't be going to those csses. And—bring her any assignments that they give."

  "Okay." Felis nodded, "Is Teseia going to be okay?"

  "She will be fine - she just needs to rest her legs more." Serio said before shooing Felis away.

  With just Serio and me, Serio looked at me, letting out a sigh. Honestly - hearing her sigh and seeing her smile fade, it worried me—,

  "You were in a traffic accident, and bedridden for a few days?"

  "Err—yes." I had a feeling I knew where this was headed.

  A click rang out as she clicked her tongue, "That probably expins it... For now, rex your leg, but I would have a medical expert with equipment go through with you again." Serio put a—ah?! "I know, it'll sting, but honestly I can't do much beside soothe your leg. I would release you to go back home now, but honestly I doubt you'll make it."

  "..." With the cold pack on my leg slowly spreading its coolness, I took in Serio's words, "Nothing... is broken, right?"

  Serio shook her head, "No, it's just stress and excessive fatigue." Ah, I suppose... "Can you contact your parents to pick you up?"

  "Er—..." Parents... I shook my head, "I don't... have any parents."

  "Oh..." Silence filled the room... "Sorry—um, do you have a guardian you trust then?"

  I shook my head, "I'm my own guardian, and my sister's guardian..."

  "You're—wait, what?" I mean—I suppose it is odd, "... No family?" I shook my head, "... I—sorry for asking..."

  "No, it's okay." I honestly... Well, it was lonely and difficult having to do everything, "I'm not... too put off or devastated. It's not like I can remember them - truth be told."

  "I see..." She still reflected on her words, "For now keep resting your leg. You can nap again, or entertain yourself; I'll wake you up when school is over."

  "Okay - thank you Miss Serio." I id back down with the cold pack still on my leg and closed my eyes again...

  I sat back down and id my leg straight on the bed, "..." Serio, squeezing my leg, "How does your leg feel?"

  "It... feels better than before, but it still hurts." Serio let go of my legs when I told her about my legs. I lightly kicked my legs up and down in the air from the bed - it hurts but it was better than when I couldn't move my legs earlier.

  "... I can't do much to get you home," Serio let out a sigh, "Though, you're good to go. When you're headed back home, be careful. If you still need time, the infirmary is open until the school closes." Saying her words, Serio left past the curtains, leaving me here.

  I slid myself to sit on the side of the bed and tried to let my foot gently touch the ground—, "Ow." The sudden pressure shocked me - honestly it hurts... but I would need to get back. Though I should wait and see if Felis comes to see me.

  I took my bag and waited in the waiting area for the infirmary, seeing if Felis would come. Soon enough, the door to the infirmary opened and in came Felis.

  "Are you okay Teseia?" I nod, standing up.

  "I'm fine now." It still hurts, but I should be fine.

  "... If you say so..." I could tell Felis had doubt in her eyes, though she went with my words and didn't pry. She looked into her handbag, "Here, it was today's csswork. If you want notes, I can give them to you tomorrow."

  I took the papers that were my csswork from her, "Thank you, I'll look over it. If I need help, I'll ask you tomorrow." Putting them into my own bag, we left school together. I asked about css, but hearing what Felis said, I realized I likely didn't miss much. I should know everything css would teach us - but I still wanted to make sure nothing extreme was asked.

  Eventually we made it to the station together. I was just gd Felis didn't pressure me on my leg. "Goodbye, and thank you Felis!" I waved as she left to the opposite train I was in.

  "Goodbye Teseia." She waved back as we left each other for the day.

  Going into the train, I stood in the crowded train on my way back. Honestly—the shaking train felt painful to my legs, but I told myself to bear with it as I waited for the train to arrive at my station. I left at my station, heading back home—ah!?

  Geezes, that's embarrassing... Everyone looking at me with odd eyes as I fell to the ground. I forced myself to stand despite the pain, looking for a nearby bench. I limped to the bench and sat down...

  "It... hurts..." The shaking train was terrible. The vibrations absolutely destroyed my weakened legs, leaving me stuck at this bench.

  "..." I should not have done that run earlier today at that pace. Seeing my sorry state now, I understood the concern Felis expressed. "Who can I even contact?" I sat at a bench outside the train station at Arcastea, and looked through my phone—, sigh... I don't even have any contacts I could contact. On Alicia's phone were my parents number, Cecelia - no way she would respond to me -, and no one else... The only other people I had in my contact list were Kahad Ignation, and Fuliser Halcation.

  ... if I sit here long enough, my leg should stop hurting, right?... I should be able to get back home by the evening... though I should contact Cecelia at least letting her know I won't be back. I typed in my response, "'I will not be able to make dinner tonight, get something for yourself to eat and don't worry about me.' That should be good." I read my text again before sending it forward.

  Now that I let Cecelia know, I guess I should enjoy the view...

  People came and went. Some stared at me before leaving, though most passed by without a care. I looked at my phone again hoping that a contact would appear on my phone magically, but nothing. I looked at the crowds - no one I could rely on to help me...

  As time went on, I gave up and just took the time to observe the natural flow of people. I realized the park looks a lot prettier when I took note of it more in depth. The trees were spaced in a neat way that showcased their natural blooming flowers and leaves, the people walking by the paved walkways in the afternoon gave this pce a lively mood, and the sun in the sky gave beautiful shades and shadows during this time of the day.

  "Why did I not bring my sketchbook?" I held deep regret for myself. This was an amazing drawing idea, I told myself as I kept a mental note to come back here to draw this scenery.

  ... ... ...

  "Teseia?" Eh—who! "Are you waiting for someone?" Someone's voice brought me back to the moment. Out from my deep focus, I look to see—Kaeu?

  I—, "Why—?" I scrabbled to get my phone, ah... it was 17:13. "Ano—I'm not waiting for anyone..." Why was he here? He would usually go home much ter rather than now.

  "Oh—then apologies for interrupting your rexation. I'll be taking my—."

  "Wait!" I quickly stood, exciming—... I—... "... nevermind..." I should realize I am nothing more than that 'troublesome junior' to him, besides... he wouldn't help out some random junior.

  "..." Kaeu looked at me as I sat back down, "Are you okay?"

  "Yes..." I nod—but his face betrayed my words.

  "You don't have to pretend to be tough. I won't ugh."

  "..." I honestly wanted to cry - standing suddenly trying to reach out to him was so painful, but...

  "If you're worried, just think of it as me being a 'troublesome' uppercssman."

  Him getting back at me with the words 'troublesome'... It made me realize he wouldn't be leaving anytime soon.

  "... I can't walk with how much it hurts..." Honestly—I hate how his innate kindness worked against me now...

  "Did you fall or sprain your ankle?" The way he was asking me these questions made it seem like he was asking a small child... I wanted to say something, but I decided to just take his words as him being concerned.

  "No." I shook my head, "It was during physical education - my leg couldn't handle me running, so now I am in this situation..." I hung my head down - I didn't want to look at him while telling my embarrassing situation.

  He looked at me, "Can you stand?"

  "Unn..." I stand on my weak legs - they were trembling, but I could faintly stand despite the pain. I took my bag and—,

  "Here, I'll hold it for you." Kaeu took my bag from my hand, "Honestly you look like you're about to fall, so stay close to me." I nod - only because I couldn't refute his words, as I did fall earlier.

  "... thank you..." Thinking about our situation was embarrassing.

  "I'll walk you home—," He suddenly went silent - then it hit me. A guy walking a girl home, doesn't this sound like some girl novel or something? "... I'm not hitting on you - I'm just con—,"

  "I know..." I know he didn't mean anything with his words, "But still, thank you—Ignation."

  "..." He looked away from me? "Ahem—anyways, just lead the way. I'll make sure you make it home safely."

  We walked in silence afterwards. It honestly was so very him - if his father Kahad was anything, it was a gentleman. I suppose father like son, so I wasn't too charmed by Kaeu and his natural charm. All that stuck was just our situation... The thought of what others would think - seeing a high school girl and boy walk together so close.

  "Ah—?!"

  "Are you alright?" That—, geezes, my legs gave up on me in an embarrassing moment...

  I slowly stood back on my own after Kaeu caught me, "Ye—yes..."

  He looked at me—, "Are you sure you are okay Teseia?"

  "Ye—yes..." I tried my best to ignore the embarrassment I felt and looked forward, trying to find my house in the distance. We eventually made it to my house. At my door, I turned to look at Kaeu, "Thank you Ignation." Remembering everything just now only made me cringe at myself... It was embarrassing to such an extent I wanted to run inside and hide, but I should at least thank him.

  "Don't take it to mind too much." Sigh—looking at him made me realize how he broke the hearts of girls. "Though, thank you. Honestly, you helped me a lot, so just think of it as me paying you back." He turned and walked off.

  Sigh—I opened the door and slowly walked up the stairs to my room. I had no business doing anything today other than ying and sitting down.

  "Maybe I should go have a check up, just in case..." My legs felt way too much pain during our walk back. This pain wasn't normal by any stretch of the imagination. "I just hope the accident didn't do anything major to me."