"You're back again?" The front office dy asked, looking at Cecelia in her uniform.
"Ano—um, yes..." Cecelia uttered timidly.
"Here you go Miss Teseia, I hope you enjoy your day here with your sister again." The front office dy said before giving her a neck strap with a simple tag with her name dated for today, "Welcome again to Thersia District Central Commerce Highschool."
"T—thank you…" Cecelia thanked the office staff before following behind me.
"Thank you again." I thank the office staff as well before stepping off towards my homeroom with Cecelia.
Today was my st day of school before I began my school's summer break. Looking at the hallways, the cheery mood and atmosphere was apparent; students conversing about their pns for the break and talking to each other cheerfully as we passed by. The appearance of Cecelia next to me still brought quite a bit of attention to the both of us from other students, though I paid no attention to it as I led Cecelia to my homeroom.
Reaching my homeroom css, "Good morning Instructor Noe." I greet Noe as I walk into the room.
"Good morning Te—good morning to you two." Noe began to greet me, but seeing Cecelia she switched to greeting us both.
"Good—, good morning instructor..." Cecelia greeted Noe beside me, though a little less timid than her first time.
"She'll be with me for my csses, so is it okay if she stays for this css again, Instructor?" I politely asked.
"Yes, of course."
"Thank you Instructor Noe." With Noe's permission, I took Cecelia with me to my desk and had her sit next to me again. Taking out my study material, I put my books between me and Cecelia and began studying with her.
I asked her about studying on our way to school, but Cecelia just said that studying with me was comforting and rexing; though she didn't eborate when I asked why. I thought she would have wanted to do something else together at school, but Cecelia said she was happy enough to just spend time studying alongside me during school.
Well, regardless, Cecelia wasn't saying what she said simply because. Despite barely having been with me - this being her second day shadowing me -, Cecelia quickly picked up everything I taught her and began slowly solving first-year high school problems with me. She would still ask questions, but she mostly needed affirmation on her own work. Her speed and confidence increased with each problem, and before I knew it, we finished a section on our math textbook together with Cecelia herself having her own notes on that section. Honestly, I was impressed - she could easily enroll here seeing how quickly she learned.
"Good morning Alicia, Cecelia." Kristiea greeted us before sitting next to Cecelia.
"Good morning Kristiea.""Good—good morning F—Kristiea..." Cecelia and I greeted Kristiea together as she begins taking out her own textbook.
Everyone didn't really say much besides giving warm smiles seeing me and Cecelia. We still had attention on us, but everyone otherwise went on going to their social groups themselves, leaving me and Kristiea with Cecelia.
Kristiea, seeing me and Cecelia study together, joined alongside us. There wasn't anything that needed to be said; we simply remained together, occasionally conversing about studying. I suppose if anything, me and Cecelia were simir in that regard - we weren't naturally outgoing people; we simply enjoyed quiet, simple company like this.
"Good morning css." Noe said, starting our official homeroom session. I closed the textbook I had id on our table and focused on Noe as we began homeroom and school for the day.
"Teseia, please come to the front and answer this question." My instructor, Serfine said. I stood from my seat and went up to the board.
It was a simple math problem, and through time my instructors slowly understood me and my excellence, especially after my test results. Despite that, they still would select me in cases where I seemed inattentive. Instructor Serfine has told me he does this to make sure I am still paying attention in css, for the rare cases where he groups students up. Though he acknowledges and observes me constantly with my second-year study material, so he rarely fusses over my academic performance.
I began to quickly solve the problem on the board with ease before looking at Instructor Serfine, "Here is the answer I got, Instructor." I turn and smile at Instructor Serfine, confident in my answer as always.
"You're good Teseia." I courteously bow before returning to my seat. Instructor Serfine then expins the processes to solving the problem, though my mind goes off and I focus studying on my own.
Cecelia beside me simply took the css as if she were a student of this css on her own. At times like these, I let the instructor take the lead rather than steal their job from them. As Instructor Serfine taught the css and Cecelia, I focused on my own studies. I would occasionally gnce up and check the css to write down the page we were on in case I got called up, but otherwise our time in css went by smoothly.
After a little while with the css looking through the textbook, Instructor Serfine put on the screen a game. It was a math-party minigame, with questions on the board, each question having a point value and the more difficult questions having a higher point value. I participated in one team, but Cecelia and Kristiea were put together on another team. Regardless, I trusted Kristiea with Cecelia, and since this was a rare opportunity to show off a little as her 'older sister', I decided to actively participate... definitely not because Philia and Uelise were putting me in the spotlight,
"We got this in the bag!" Uelise excimed to our group.
"Well, don't expect too much." I modestly diverted her bold procmation, "I'll do my best however."
"Well, knowing you Alicia, we can win." Hearing her words, I simply smiled.
"Of course - that is a given."
"Hehe—you might not be aware, but you certainly are competitive at times Alicia."
"Y—yeah..." I remembered back to my time at the arcade... Well—I could never find it in myself to accept a loss so easily.
Soon enough Instructor Serfine began to expin the game to everyone. It was a simple game, though Instructor Serfine stated that a new person had to answer a question everytime. After his expnation, we began the game with everyone in css.
The game went by as all the teams began from their group number. We were after Kristiea's team, so we waited for our turn to arrive. Soon enough, our team's turn was here. "Alicia, good luck."
"Thanks." I respond to Philia before going to the front of the cssroom. I already knew what I wanted to do and silently picked the prompt - a question for 1000 points. As the question appeared on the screen, Instructor Serfine began asking and expining the question, though I by then had already begun writing and solving the question down on the side of the whiteboard screen. It was a practical word problem phrased to be a moderately difficult mathematical question; though a bit of understanding and logic was all it took for me to solve the question with ease. Finished, I turn to look at Instructor Serfine, "The answer to this question is this." I let out a smile - knowing this answer was right, and also knowing his initial rules were to prevent me from sweeping the competition.
"... You are good Teseia, Team 3 gets 1000 points." With his words, I courteously bow before returning to my group.
"Yes!" Uelise excimed.
"Good job Alicia."
"Thank you, Philia." I reply as I see our team take the lead with 1000 points, behind Kristiea's team who had 800 points with Kristiea leading the charge.
The game goes smoothly; our turn arrives once more and we steadily earn points slowly. We still lead for a while, until the fourth set of turns arrives and Cecelia walks to the front of the css.
"...—for... 1000..." Cecelia utters something quietly, though it looked like Cecelia picked a 1000-point question; being the second person to pick a 1000 point question after me. Much to my surprise, as Instructor Serfine reads out the question, Cecelia after hearing the question quickly begins to solve it. Seeing her work, I had nothing to say other than excellence... Soon enough she had an answer and presented to the css her answer.
"Good work Miss Teseia, Team 2 gets 1000 points." As he announces Cecelia's success, her team erupts into cheers - especially from Kristiea. Rather than anything else, I smile...
"Look at Alicia - she looks like a proud parent."
"..." I look at Uelise who was staring at me, "Philia, we're sending Uelise in."
"Wha—,"
"Yeah, good luck Uelise." With that and no one else's objection, Uelise is sent to the board. Uelise picks a safe 200 point question and returns earning us 200 points, and getting us to 2400 points. Team 2 with Kristiea and Cecelia had 2600 after Cecelia's 1000 point answer, and Team 1 with the rest of the css had 1800 points.
Our group was mainly intent on giving the five of us present a chance to go. We had one more member left for our st rotation before I could go back up there, so our turn rolled around and with that we earned a solid 400 points. 2800 to 3000 - and with it, the st of the 400 point questions.
The next round of turns came up and Kristiea and I both took and earned another 1000 points for our teams respectively. With that came the st round. Team 2, on their choice to send a person up, sent Cecelia, who picked another 1000 point question.
... I wanted to win, but after seeing Cecelia, I was happy... Seeing her solve another 1000 point question, I simply let out a sigh - happy for her growth and knowing my team lost.
Our team went and answered a question, but failed, leaving us significantly behind Kristiea and Cecelia's team. Regardless, the game was a fun experience together with my css.
"Thank you everyone for participating, I hope you all enjoyed this fun game and got something from it." Instructor Serfine said, looking at his clock on his desk, "I'll release you early for lunch. Once again, you students enjoy your summer break and I will see you again once school returns." With his closing remarks for his css, everyone began to pack their css materials into their bags before leaving.
I packed away my own study materials as Cecelia packed the css material I gave her for css into her bag. With all our stuff packed, me, Cecelia, and Kristiea stood and left heading to the Legal and Law Clubroom.
"You're really good Cecelia."
"It's... thank you, Kristiea." A faint smile came from Cecelia. "It's... thank you for helping me, Kristiea."
"Of course Cecelia." Seeing the two next to me as they were, I was gd they were put together. As much as I would have wanted to be with them, I think this moment was more significant to Cecelia then if I were to have been with her. "But—Alicia, um—I want to be like you..."
Hehe—hearing Cecelia remark I could only smile in return, "You'll become someone you yourself can be confident and proud of. Know that I was happy to see you go up and compete with me head-to-head, Cecelia."
Our cheery, lighthearted mood carried on as we eventually arrived at the Legal and Law Clubroom. Seating ourselves and eating, we conversed together waiting for the arrival of the actual club members.
Soon enough the door opened and in came Kaeu with Leicia for today. "Welcome to the Legal and Law Club.""Wel—welcome... Ignation, Leicia..."
"Hello Alicia, Cecelia, Felis.""Hello everyone!" The two walking in return the greetings me and Cecelia give before walking to their seats.
"Welcome to the Legal and Law Club again Cecelia." Kaeu said before sitting.
"Th—thank you... Ignation..." A quiet, meek shy thank you came from Cecelia. I look and see her cheeks blushed with a hint of redness... Hm...
"Something you're happy about Alicia?" Kristiea whispered to me.
"No, just wondering something about someone..." I whispered back, "Surely you wondered it too?"
"I know what you're talking about..." Kristiea replied, also looking at the interaction and the small conversation Cecelia was happily having with Kaeu.
Well—I was happy just seeing her like that. Seeing her now, she looked like a normal girl living a normal life here; talking to her uppercssmen happily, being in css with cssmates - even if they are my cssmates - and actively being a part of css, and having normal feelings a young girl should have...
... well, at least someone would be able to enjoy a normal high school experience...
"Everyone, enjoy the upcoming break coming up. It is well deserved for you all for the hard work everyone has put in. It is your time to enjoy yourself in the break, though remember that despite being young adults, everyone... Consider and think about what you do - there is nothing worth ruining your life over for." Noe said, in her speech for the st announcement in our afternoon homeroom. "Though, of course, enjoy your summer break everyone, I know everyone here will be responsible. Everyone, the time is for you now." With that, the css erupts as students gather into their groups to talk with oneanother.
Philia and Uelise both come over leaving the five of us here together to converse. Honestly, me and Cecelia both were kind of not in the loop with whatever the other three were talking about, but now it left someone else clueless in the majority of social conversation as well.
"How was it today?" I asked Cecelia, seeing that we were kind of out of the loop.
"It was fun!" She said, with a bright smile, "I got to be with you and Kristiea, and I got to see Ignation again!"
"Hehe—well, I am gd you enjoyed today as well." I smile, "Now that you've been here for the second day, what do you think of my school Cecelia?"
"I—..." Cecelia looked around the cssroom, going silent... "I—I want to come here..."
"Well—I think it is very possible." Considering her performance at the game Instructor Serfine had for my css, it should be pretty easy. "Plus, you have me; so just keep studying and being yourself and you can also enroll here."
"Thank you, Alicia."
We continued talking about our day together until the end of school came. As everyone bid their farewells for the break, suddenly a thought came back to me realizing something. "Kristiea!" Kristiea turns to look at me after hearing me, "It completely passed my mind, but... could we exchange numbers? I'm not doing much during the break, and—..." I felt a ting of embarrassment, feeling the heat surge through my cheeks... Truth be told, I never asked for someone's number, especially from a girl. I felt like I had to have a reason, but my mind fell bnk thinking it through.
"Of course! It passed my mind too." Pulling out her phone, Kristiea and I both exchange our numbers. Alongside that we both exchange contact information for our social media before then having Cecelia exchange information as well.
"Thank you Kristiea." With that done, I thank her, "Sorry for saying it again, but enjoy your break Kristiea. Me and Cecelia aren't doing much, so if you want to do something feel free to ask, Kristiea." I smile and wave.
"Same here, if anything exciting comes and you two want to go to it with me, you can ask me!" With our exchange, we both leave. Kristiea for the school's exit and me with Cecelia towards the school office to drop off her visitor pass.
Arriving to the school office and dropping off Cecelia's visitor pass, I turn to leave—,
"Good afternoon Teseia." I turn and see the Academic Director leaving his office, who I happened to run into by-chance right now with Cecelia.
"Good afternoon, Director." I greet him back and politely bow. Besides me, Cecelia noticing my change in demeanor also bowed.
The Director looked at me and Cecelia besides me, "Thersia Junior High School of Higher Education, yes?"
"I—... unn..." Realizing he was talking to her, Cecelia timidly responded to his words with a small nod.
"Your name?"
"Ano—um, Teseia Cecelia..."
"Hmm..." The Director looked at Cecelia again, "I hope you enjoyed your visit to our school today Miss Teseia." The Director said before walking back into his office...
I let out a sigh of relief - I was expecting him to pursue or say more... "Let's get going..."
"Unn..." Cecelia nodded, clearly taken aback by the Academic Director as well.
With that, me and Cecelia leave my school, headed back home together.
"Haa~," I stifle a yawn as I sit on our sofa in the common room... Today was the start of our summer break together with me and Cecelia, yet I seemingly had no idea what to do... I had an idea what to do in the past days because it was something I would have to do, but now that I don't have to do anything, I felt... bnk. I sat here simply thinking away of things to do - though... "Perhaps something would come ter..."
I was going to stay in my room, but I felt like I was cooped up in my room for a lot. Though honestly, our house was much too rge for just me and Cecelia. For a normal family, it was probably big enough for normal interactions. But with just the two of us, aside from eating together and meeting together in the morning to brush and wash our faces together, we rarely saw each other.
Though... time like this - simply being without much to do or worry about... "It is nice." I fiddled with the television control, though I didn't really care for what was on the television. At least I didn't have a sister that was too... Well, Cecelia definitely was a very 'girly' girl, but not what one would describe as a trendy-outgoing girl; so me not knowing the test dramas that were popur with Uelise and other girls wasn't that big of a deal. Cecelia luckily was very much the type of girl I could rete to, and truthfully, I was gd that I could was her older sister. I found it nice to be with her - she was enjoyable to be around, kind of like a... Well, a cute younger sister.
... maybe it is just how I would have been if I did have a younger sister...
"... I should take a bath..." I turned off the television and left to the washroom upstairs to wash myself and rest for the day.
Lunar Year 933, First Half, Day 180-2
My first semester of high school as Alicia is done. Truthfully my life has changed massively. I never had such personal friendship with others, and my life with Cecelia has taken a turn for the better. A family like her...
I never had such a thing...
I can only wonder and think of what would happen now in our shared summer break, and our future we have together.
