Writer's Note - The story from Chapter 16 onwards is continuation of the 2025 Rewrite Version of the story

  "..." I... felt terrible, and I felt irritated. I didn't know why, but I felt odd and sluggish.

  I dreadfully got up from my bed and started changing into my school uniform. I took a deep breath, "Haah," before going to the washroom to brush and wash my face. As I looked inside the washroom, Cecelia was there. "Good morning Cecelia.”

  "Good morning—..." Cecelia greeted me—eh? Why was she giving me a look? "Ah—ano... are you okay Alicia?" Eh?

  "I—I'm fine..." Was there something with me that was that obvious? "Eh—err... Cecelia, what is it about me today?" I decided it was best to find out with her today, rather than have people ask me that at school.

  "... you seem upset..." Eh? I entered the washroom and looked at myself in the mirror next to Cecelia.

  It really was obvious... it was hard to describe, but how I portrayed myself seemed different - I couldn't really describe it myself. Though how I normally portrayed myself, now I appeared more... tense, mean? I guess I never really paid attention to myself like this, but it really is obvious how stuff shows on my face...

  "I... Sorry—I don't know why myself, but I'm fine." I force out a smile before brushing my teeth alongside Cecelia.

  We both finished up, leaving to the kitchen to make breakfast and eat together. Our few days we've been together, I never really realized how much having someone in the kitchen helped - it made cooking less a chore, and more a shared activity together. Our food has also changed, as we exchange who leads, and who helps. I would lead, making the dishes and food; and Cecelia would change into taking the lead to make dishes she wants as I assist her. It was fun.

  Finished eating, I took my bag and prepared to leave for school. "Cecelia, I'm leaving for school, I'll see you again when you're done with school." I said as I finished putting my shoes on.

  "Have a safe trip Alicia!" Cecelia said as she waved goodbye. I returned her wave before leaving for school.

  "..." I had a massive headache during css. It was terrible, and my lower abdomen hurt... I had a feeling I knew what it was, but I honestly didn't want to think about it...

  "Are you okay Teseia?" Felis asked, sitting beside me.

  I nod, "I'm fine... don't worry about it." Yet, looking at Felis who looked at me, she didn't seem convinced...

  "Do you... have it?" I looked at Felis, confused... it? What did she mean? Yet, Felis looked at me shocked - I had no idea what she meant, "Is—have you never had it?"

  "...?" I looked at Felis, confused... had it? I had no idea what she was talking about.

  Yet it seemed like Felis figured something out. Raising her hand, "Instructor, could I take Teseia to the nurse? She isn't feeling well."

  "..." Instructor Lokus looked at her and me, "You can take her, Felis."

  With Instructor Lokus and his rare approval without a fuss, Felis stood, urging me to follow her. Without much say, I let out a sigh, packing my css material and following. Eventually I was led to the school infirmary, as Felis spoke to Serio.

  "..." Serio looked at me, "Felis, could you come with me?"

  "Okay." Felis uttered before following Serio again. I sat here at the waiting bench, waiting... Soon enough, after around two minutes, they came back - though Felis had a bag with her... I wasn't sure what was in it, but Felis was looking at me— "Come with me Teseia."

  "I—... okay." Felis seemed rather forceful again, so I followed her without a fuss. I stood and together she led me to the infirmary restroom...?

  "Okay—do you know how to use this?" She held up a—!

  "I—I—!" I then realized what Felis and Serio were talking about in-between them; "I—..." Suddenly everything made sense as to why Felis was being so vague earlier in css! Yet despite that, seeing what Felis was holding, "I—... of course..." I saw and researched up on how to use 'them' before, initially when I first became a girl... but even now I didn't want to believe everything myself either, but...

  ... ... ...

  Needless to say, despite my inner denial inside, I had to accept the truth myself... Knowing it as an eventuality was one thing, but hearing from Serio telling me that this was normal and how to prepare for this was another...

  "You really are an airhead at times, Teseia..." I simply stared at the ground... "Come on - I know how it feels... we all feel that when it first comes. Let's get back to css."

  "... unn..." I nod my head, and follow behind Felis...

  ... I knew I was a girl, but I kept pushing it aside... I knew it was an eventuality, but I honestly hoped it wouldn't happen...

  I let out a sigh, I was a girl now - and this body without a doubt was for sure a girl. A completely normal girl - despite everything not normal that has happened.

  Though the medicine that Serio gave me honestly helped. It eased the massive headache I had and relieved the pain that I had on my lower abdomen.

  Coming back to css, Instructor Lokus looked at the two of us, "Is Teseia okay, Felis?"

  "She's okay, Instructor." Felis said, lightly pushing me towards my desk.

  "Okay - then return to your seats. We have gone through a little of the textbook, but you two likely can catch up. For now follow along as best you two can." With Instructor Lokus' rare understanding, we sat back down at our seats and continued css as normal.

  "Are you leaving early again?" Therlisa asked, with the four of us seated together during homeroom.

  "Yeah..." I nod and reply, "I have something I need to do." I stand taking my bag.

  "..." Yederis looks at me with a pyful, doubtful look. Yet seeing how serious I was, she simply stayed silent; not saying whatever joke she likely had.

  "Okay - then take care Teseia. We'll see you again tomorrow." Felis said, making a small wave towards me.

  I waved back at her, "I'll see you three tomorrow." I leave, following the routine to pick up Cecelia.

  The trip to Cecelia's school was uneventful. I waited in the cafe I first found. The staff there seemed to recognize me - the 'girl with pristine, beautiful clean light-brown hair' from Thersia District Central Commerce High School' -, greeting me and having a frozen hot chocote ready for my arrival.

  I waited, enjoying my drink in the café with air conditioning until the time came for me to get Cecelia. Walking up to the entrance of her school, students eyes id on me again - though without Kaeu like st time, the attention died down quickly. I waited once again, looking above the heads of the shorter middle school students for Cecelia.

  "Alicia!" I turn towards the direction I heard Cecelia's voice and see her running towards me.

  I smile seeing Cecelia run towards me through the crowd of students like a lost child. "Hello Cecelia." I greet her as she closes in next to me. "Let's get going, shall we?"

  "Un~!" She nods happily, like a small animal.

  We leave together toward the train station.

  "You—seem a lot better now, Alicia." Cecelia said, looking at me.

  "It's—..." I remember exactly what happened earlier - letting out a sigh, "A... lot happened. It was 'my' first time, so I was shocked in denial... I'll keep it in mind ter - and take my own precautions too."

  "Ah." Cecelia then giggled, "I'm gd... you—I know you are you Alicia—, but... you're so perfect - and... um—seeing you like that and now feels nice - like I could be you..." ... I was happy, but at the same time I was conflicted... "... ever since then - you scared me... You were so perfect, so kind - I didn't even know if you were... her..."

  I forced a faint smile, "I apolo—... sorry for scaring you." Arriving at the station, we sit down at a bench and simply wait together... Yet Cecelia still was looking at me.

  "I—Alicia..." Cecelia, looking at me, held my left hand with both of hers—, "Please—you can tell me anything..."

  "Sigh…" I took my time to think of what to say. "... I—I'll tell you someday..." I really wanted to tell her, "It's... I'll tell you someday—someday. About what I saw before I died—about how I lived. But—" I took a deep breath,"... It’s—it's a secret even I can't accept... so, please, give me time, Cecelia..."

  "..." She simply looked at me, "Okay... whenever... you are ready Alicia - um... you're always here for me, but—um—I'm here for you too..."

  Her words - almost simir to my own to her, except said by her the best she can despite her low confidence and timidness honestly made me smile... "Thank you Cecelia." I couldn't find it in myself to deny her, "But... one day—someday you will know the truth."