I came back from my therapy appointment and went out to enjoy myself. I spent my time eating and looking around Thersia. Thersia really was a nice area; alongside the various prestigious and normal schools, Thersia's commercial district was quite rge, so there was plenty to do even without going into Astoria.

  I was content today after enjoying myself, so I decided to go back home earlier than normal. Walking down towards the train station—

  "Cecelia?" I notice the clean, light brown hair that was shared between me and Cecelia in the distance. Seeing her from afar, she was still wearing her uniform.

  What was she doing in the main district of Thersia, and what was she doing here alone? I couldn't really say, though perhaps she was here waiting for a friend; though it appeared like she was headed to the train station indirectly, judging by the direction she was walking.

  Either way, she happened not to see me or hear me call out for her. I walked towards her—,

  Another girl suddenly appeared with the same uniform and approached Cecelia. I couldn't really tell what was going on, but I had a bad feeling - she didn't look like a friend. I approached closer, "Who do you think you are Teseia? You’re pathetic thinking, thinking you could escape with a detour!" Wait—!

  I moved forward as fast as I could and caught the girl’s arm that was about to sp Cecelia, "What are you doing!" I took the time to examine this girl closer; she looked like someone who just gave off a bad aura in general. I wasn't one to judge, but I could tell if someone was a troublesome person pretty well - and she definitely seemed like a troublesome person.

  "Wha—, who do you think you are!" The girl struggled in my stiff arm grab as she spoke in compint.

  "Who do you think you are?" My kindness was gone quickly, "... you have some audacity, I give you that, but never let me catch or hear you do this again; hear me?" I wanted to do as I wanted, but… I wasn’t my old self, and I had to be mindful of where we were... Yet, I felt something light up in me just now.

  "Yes—yes!" I let go of my grasp as the girl scampered away.

  … well—next to me was Cecelia who - even more so than the girl I scared off - looked absolutely scared.

  I took a deep breath—this… is going to be awkward no matter what. "Cecelia, if something like this happens, tell me, okay... Cecelia?" I knew as I spoke this, Cecelia would more than likely still hide things from me, but after saying what I needed I left... Despite that, I maintained my distance and watched her.

  … Yet… no, it was the right thing to do, probably… "If Cecelia wants to speak to me, she'll open up with what she wants to say at home..." Yet as I thought about it and what little I knew about her, "... probably not..." Yet I still held hope, hoping she would rely on me.

  As I saw Cecelia head to the station, I let out a sigh of relief - at least she was headed home. I maneuvered around her and arrived at the station before her and boarded the train back home. Yet...

  "Tsk—," did that sudden moment of speed to catch that girl's arm really do that much to me? I forced myself to get off the train into the same park as st time... To think my legs would give out on me; did I really exert myself in that period where I rushed to stop that girl's arm?

  "Alicia—?" Cecelia? I looked around and eventually found the signature clean, light brown hair... Guess she finally got here.

  "Hehe—hello Cecelia." I gave out a dry ugh, "Sorry to let you see me in such a pathetic situation." I didn't expect her here... I took a deep breath... It was still pretty early, and I guess Cecelia was back earlier than normal...? I wasn't sure how long I would be here, "You don't have to wait for me Cecelia, I’ll be home ter." I eased myself on the bench to rest.

  "Ano..." Cecelia's eyes looked at me... I could tell that she didn't mean any harm or ill-intent doing so, but it felt like she was trying to check on me, "... okay..." She slowly turned and walked away...

  Haah~... I'm alone now... I didn't have my sketchbook like I said I would. All I had was my phone, with me, I suppose it was an afternoon watching the park - again.

  With that in mind, I waited...

  … … …

  "Alicia..." I turn to see Cecelia. She had a bag with her, and she—, "Sorry... for earlier—"

  "No—no need to be sorry, you had no fault in it." I replied, "It's... well, I'm just gd I could do something for you just now Cecelia."

  "Ano—..."

  "Are you okay, Cecelia?" As I reached out my hand to her arm, she pulled her arm back - but she slowly returned her arm to where it was. "It's okay Cecelia." I looked at her arm - no bruises... That's comforting. I looked at her pretty face - it looked unharmed, so thankfully there was no physical harm done to her.

  "Ano—..." Perhaps sensing my intense gaze, she looked away. "... Alicia, here..." She put her hand into her bag and pulled out a cold pack, holding it out towards me.

  "Thank you Cecelia." I accept the ice pack she held out to me and put it on my leg, "... Sorry, but I'll be here for a bit - my leg has been hurting as of te..." I expined, oh—, "Oh, but it isn't because of you - don't worry, and please don't apologize for my current state."

  "I... okay, Alicia." Seeing that she didn't immediately apologize or struggle for words, I let out a smile.

  We both waited here in silence... After around 15 minutes, I stood - my legs felt a little better now. "Let's go home, Cecelia."

  "... okay..." Cecelia nodded, standing before following me closely... I wanted to say something - it didn't seem like a connection 'close', but rather submissive 'close' -, but... I'll tell her when we get back home.

  We both headed home together, slowly, in silence. A few minutes ter, and we arrived home. I opened the door and we both walked in, taking off our shoes at the entrance. By now, in our silence, I knew what I had to do.

  "Hey—Cecelia, come with me." I decided to take charge of my role and be a little forceful - I had a chance today, and... Well, I knew it was something I needed to push, as I needed to be there for Cecelia.

  I began walking to the stairs, leading the way. Looking behind me, Cecelia simply followed behind me closely. I went upstairs, walking towards my room. Opening the door to my room and walking in, "You can sit on my bed." I motioned with my hands over to the bed and Cecelia went over to sit on my bed.

  I sat next to her , "Um..." She looked nervous and slightly scared... Remembering what was on the diary, I was sure she was reliving something in her mind - she probably thought something simir was going to happen again.

  I let out a sigh, "It's okay, Cecelia, I will be here for you." I ushered, holding her hands. Yet she still seemed to have a hint of nervousness or fear. "Alicia will never do such things again." I figured speaking softly in a third person tone would calm her down. After speaking my say, I kept quiet... I figured it would be better to let Cecelia calm down slowly rather than constantly reassuring her. I sat next to her, closely, hearing her rapid breaths...

  "I—... Alicia..." Cecelia uttered, before going silent again.

  I didn't push or pressure her - I simply stayed with her. Sitting together with her for a few more minutes, eventually her breaths slowed and she began leaning on my shoulder. I waited a little bit more before looking over my shoulder at Cecelia—, "Ah." She fell asleep on my shoulder... Did I really get to her so much that she felt comfortable to sleep right next to me? "... haha... what an idiot I am..." Why didn't I push the problem earlier? Why didn't I push myself to be there for Cecelia earlier?

  I waited a little longer, before deciding to let her rest. I gently and carefully separated Cecelia from myself, doing my best not to disturb her as I id her down on my bed. Seeing Cecelia in her uniform reminded me of what happened to her earlier; I would have to solve her issues at school eventually... I knew she was sleeping in her uniform, but I didn't care about that right now. I put my bnket over her and looked at her face.

  Her face still didn't look like she was completely at peace, but it... well, knowing that Cecelia felt comfortable enough to sleep literally beside me made me happy. I simply held her hand and sat next to her, watching over her... Right now, my job was to be here for her, and watch over her.

  I waited... staying with Cecelia, until her breathing came to a rhythmic pulse. After she was deep asleep, I carefully separated myself and stood...

  Sigh—looking at her sleeping in my bed so peacefully reminded me that I had things to do... I took my phone and headed to the common room, looking up the number for Cecelia's school. There was no way I would ignore the issue of Cecelia's school life, "... sigh, this is going to be difficult..." I uttered to myself, knowing how difficult school drama and issues were firsthand.

  For now, I could stall her current school issue, but I would need to think of how to solve the issue soon.

  I checked up on Cecelia after washing myself, to see her still sleeping... this time it seemed she was sleeping a little more peacefully. Only problem...

  "Where to sleep..." Cecelia's room wasn't an option - obviously -, and I would rather not sleep on the couch in the common room... With only one other option left, I went to the one room left - our parent's room. I opened the door once more, walking in.

  The air felt... stagnant, dusty. I never went in to clean their room, after all... I thought it would have been disrespectful. Yet, here I was. There on a small night desk next to the rge bed was a picture with a man and woman who were presumably my mother and father. I felt no connection to them, yet "..." they were still my parents.

  ... Still though... "To not recognize the fact that your daughter, Cecelia, was struggling... I know Alicia was a devious girl, but surely, they should have noticed something..."

  "..." I felt the light yer of dust on the bedding, and my eyes traced over to the rge closet in the room. Out of curiosity, I peeked in to see... Well, obviously it was clothes. Women's clothing and men's clothing - likely mother's and father's clothes.

  Yet, what caught my eye wasn't their clothes but what was behind them. I noticed the light shining from behind the clothes. Pushing the clothes aside, I saw it - it was a coat of arms. A shield with bck outline on the edges, in the form of a tower-shield. On the top left corner was a golden square with a white border, inside was an ornate white flower. Patterned throughout the shield were numerous brown lines, appearing like branches with golden leaves against the pattern of royal-blue and red diamonds. Centered on the shield was a singur, pure-silver bded sword pointed up, with a shiny orange peach-colored gem where the handle and bde met. It was an elegant, noble coat of arms - though one I couldn't recognize or identify.

  I knew most coats of arms from the 'ancient noble houses' that some of the families in the civilian sector inherited, but I had never seen this one... Unfortunately, I did not have the resources to find out the history of such coat of arms, or the origin of it, but to think my parents had a coat of arms or hailed from one of those 'noble houses'. I tried to think of any wealthy figure and any potential fall from grace or power, but nothing...

  ... I closed the closet, it was... Well, I figured my parents kept it for a reason and hidden for a reason as well. Besides, "I am simply Teseia Alicia, nothing else."

  I id on the rge bed; it felt spacious, yet incredibly empty... I got up and turned off the lights before ying back down and sleeping for the night.