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 after my scores, but, “… I hope they aren’t someone with malicious intent…” As I exited out of school grounds, I still had that feeling someone was following me.

  I still had to go pick up Cecelia, but on the way I might as well force whoever was watching 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. My head was hot and hurts, 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?"

  He let out a sigh whilst looking away, "Sorry, 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.” He uttered. “I sent you a text through your phone, but you looked like you were lost running and doing all those turns and turnarounds.”

  “It’s—” I froze, realizing how stupid I must have actually looked… Then I took my phone out of my bag, and, “…”

  … I thought back to all the embarrassing stuff Ignation saw… from me being carried - two times for that matter -, and now this…

  I turned to hide my face from him, “Why—why were you even following me?” I read his text before, yet I still couldn’t figure why he would come with me.

  “Leseia asked me." Eh, Qualtia? "Well—both of us were concerned about you. You texted us that you'd be gone, but it's been days since we heard anything from you from the club, or even outside. And Leseia wanted to make sure you were okay."

  I—those two... "I—I am okay, sorry for not showing my face to the club for so long." I apologized despite the embarrassment I had welling up inside, “But… For the time being, I won’t be able to stay after school for club activities, but... thank you for checking up on me Ignation."

  "Of course Alicia." He replied, "Though why are you here?"

  "To pick up my sister." I still had to pick up Cecelia until her school situation improved... be it one day, or until she graduated from here.

  "I see... You're a good sister." Kuk—that... "Is it fine for me to stay with you today Alicia?"

  "It's... fine." He was already with me, he took the time to be with me, and sending him off would be a waste of his time... plus, well—I suppose Cecelia and him both seem to get along well... so I was sure she would love to see him again.

  I led Ignation to the cafe I usually went to and told him to wait for me. I, myself, went out to find Cecelia in the crowd of oncoming students leaving school. Picking Cecelia up afterschool enough times, both Cecelia and I found each other quickly.

  "Alicia!"

  "Cecelia!" We both greeted each other with our names as Cecelia came with her arms around me. The nearby students, seeing us two and our interactions enough times, simply smiled and passed. I lightly tugged Cecelia off of me, "Let's go." I uttered as Cecelia followed beside me.

  We both slowly walked to the familiar cafe just outside the school gates. I sent a text to Ignation telling him we were outside. I purposely had us facing away from the entrance, "Hello, nice to see you again Cecelia." seeing Cecelia who was utterly surprised by Ignation as he appeared behind us, to my enjoyment.

  "Ignation?" It was cute seeing Cecelia act bashful with him. "How—why—?"

  "Don't mind him..." I cut her off as I spoke, "... someone from my club was just worried about my absent, so they sent him to follow me..." I let a sigh out as I expined to her.

  "I—okay..." Cecelia took my expnation quite well. She turned to Ignation, "Ano—nice to see you Ignation." It was cute seeing her interact with him - I thought to myself.

  We took the train back to Arcastea, and back to our home. Since Ignation took the effort to be with us today, I decided to offer him dinner before he leaves.

  "Apologizes for the ck of food - I didn't really have much to prepare for three people." I said as me and Cecelia brought dishes to the dining table.

  "No, thank you for going out of your way to make me dinner." He replied. "Thank you for the food, Alicia, Cecelia."

  "Yes..." It was cute seeing how Cecelia acted - it was painfully obvious how much her thoughts leaked out into her actions and speech.

  "Of course - it is the least we could offer to a sudden invitation." Me and Cecelia finished serving all the dishes onto the table at st. We both sat down together on one side, with Ignation on the other.

  ... it wasn't an vish meal - not that we ate vishly -, but it was a meal we could at the very least enjoy together...

  After eating, I cleaned up together with Cecelia whilst Ignation waited. Once we were done. I led Ignation to the entrance of our house, "Thank you both for hosting me for the evening." He said, outside the door.

  I waved both my hands in front of me, "It was the least I could do - you spent the time and effort to be with us." I replied.

  "Alicia." Huh? Why did he utter my name so seriously? "... if there's something going on, don't feel afraid to tell me or Le—Qualtia, we won't leave a junior alone..."

  "Eh? Wait—!" He left so quickly. I stood dazed in the entranceway with the door open, "... why say something like that and leave...?" I let out a sigh, "... seriously..." I closed the door and went to my room.

  ... Of course I had something going on - why else would I disappear for so long... idiot—eh...?

  "Why...?" I shook my head, that... wasn't me. I could keep myself retively levelheaded, yet I—... "I didn't become more sensitive, did I?" I thought back to a lot of things now... I had felt fine before - before I was Alicia. I was a natural introvert forced extrovert, yet I felt lonely at times in my present life. I had completely different likings, almost like a combination of me and—, "Ah—my head hurts..." I fell onto my bed...

  ... ... ... We came into disagreement... ... ...

  ... ... ... The girl left behind, fostered by my actions... ... ...

  ... ... ... Cried for attention and love... ... ... Something I could never give her... ... ...

  ... my head hurts... I woke up, feeling as if I was living a nightmare—one I forgot... "Ah!?" I forgot to change out of my uniform—never mind that, I forgot to wash myself entirely.

  I went over to use the washroom and to bathe myself ter. In the meanwhile, I decided to recollect myself.

  In the end, I could only specute one thing—I was being affected by something... What by, I didn't know— "Eh...? Blood...?" I uttered... ah, it's...

  My time has come—everyone has and experiences a first. Now it was my first...