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Cecil decided to report the molestation case to Eri. Her teacher exploded on the spot, and hunted down the male student, and he was suspended.

He was also forced to write an apology letter to Eri. Moreover, he was banned from the sword expedition and any tournament until next year.

The principal was clearly enraged.

Eri seeked out Hana, wanting to hear the victim's thoughts. However, with Hana's simple mind, she forgot about such an incident. She simply agreed with whatever punishments Eri had listed out, strolling out of the room happily after that.

Hence, two peaceful weeks passed by just like that. The break arrived and most of the students eagerly packed, boarding the carriages to send them to their hometown.

Hana settled beside Cecil, chatting animatedly once again. Cecil smiled and nodded along to Hana's words, and sometimes contributing her own thoughts. Whereas, for Xue, sometimes, he joined the conversation between them, smiling at Hana and his expression weren't as hostile as before when he looked at Cecil.

It was no longer glares, confused or disdainful stares.

It was somewhere between indifference and affection.

Unfortunately, Cecil was too dejected to even notice such a change.

She remembered that the first time they rode this carriage, there was an extra presence. Her eyes drifted to the empty space beside Xue from time to time.

A trace of sadness flitted past her eyes without fail every single time.

Xue, who seemed indifferent as he stared out the window of the carriage, noticed her sorrowful glances to the space beside him.

***


Hana moaned as she stretched her body, and Cecil did the same, only making small grunts. Xue massaged his neck and shoulders, grimacing.

The gates to the mansion opened, and a group of servants along with parents from both sides immediately greeted the three of them.

"You are back, young mistress!"

"Oh welcome back, my sweet darling. It must have been hard on you, come let mother..."

"How was your training? How did the academy treat you? Does your father need to know about any boys?"

"You must be so tired!"

They were guided inside the mansion hastily, with concerned words and actions, along with servants fussing over them.

"Thank you very much, young man."

"We appreciate your help, sir."

"The young mistresses have been in very good care, we would like to thank you..."

"I can't thank you enough for taking good care of my daughter!"

Meanwhile, Xue was barraged by the gratitude of the parents and servants for taking good care of the ladies. Xue smiled uncomfortably, and Cecil was amused by that exchange.

"Cecil, how's your dancing? And how is the outfit?"

"I'm sorry, mother. I have been practicing in my spare time, but I hadn't had the chance to try on the dancing outfit."

"Let me see your progress, you could wear the outfit at the same time."

"Yes, mother."

They were having a tea break, and Cecil smiled at her mother, bringing the teacup to her lips as she sipped it. Her smile gradually faded, replaced by a dazed look in her eyes.

She has been doing that very frequently.

Hana noted mentally, drinking her tea as well. It was obvious that it was related to Kai.

"Xue." Hana leaned over to whisper to him.

"Yes, Hana?" Xue smiled gently at her.

"Is Kai really not coming back anymore? Forever?"

"No."

"I can feel that Cecil...Cecil is actually really sad, even if she doesn't show it."

Xue glanced at Cecil, who was still in a daze and her mother had to call her a few times to get her attention.

***

"No, that's completely wrong, Cecil. You are doing it wrong, it's supposed to be like this--look."

"Sorry, mother. I'll do it again."

"..."

"Wrong."

"I'll try--"

"Cecil, let's stop."

Cecil stopped, she did not have the chance to try on the dancing outfit either as her mother wanted to see her dancing first. Alas, Cecil was not doing well mentally, and her dancing has been affected as well.

"Mother..."

"Your heart isn't here, Cecil. Darling...are you alright?"

"I...I have to be alright."

"What?" her mother frowned at the odd response.

Cecil excused herself hurriedly.

Her mother was troubled, wanting to go after her but she decided not to. Hana had been watching the dancing session as well, along with Xue.

"Hana, what...what has happened to Cecil? Was she perhaps bullied at the academy?" Cecil's mother questioned, her last few words causing her expression to twist with anger.

"No, definitely not. Cecil, in her time in the academy, no one could bully her," Hana explained, pouting her lips. "She just misses a friend of ours a lot, but we can't see him anymore."

"Hmmm..." Cecil's mother contemplated, not speaking at all.

Hana turned to look at Xue beside her, only to realise he was gone.

She was surprised.

Xue would always be by her side, no matter what and it would only be her that leaves his side.

That was when she remembered Cecil walking away, and she smiled knowingly.

Xue, he...he went after Cecil.

Despite feeling a slight sting in her chest at the thought of Xue finally leaving her side voluntarily, it was for Cecil.

Since it was for Cecil, Hana didn't mind it at all.

***

Cecil gazed at the familiar sight of the clearing, blinking. She wore her haughty and indifferent mask, but she struggled to take a step forward.

It was her first time coming here without wearing her fighting outfit.

It was her first time coming here without seeing a familiar man either.

Cecil smiled sadly at that thought.

There is no point wearing that outfit anymore. At some point, I probably wore it not for the sake of the training, but because it was a routine. Now...that routine is broken.

She finally stepped forward, trudging. She was despondent.

Seeing a familiar burnt spot, Cecil observed the circle drawn around the area where she used to seat.

Even the writing left behind by him.

Kai's favourite spot.

Cecil's lips trembled and her vision grew blurry, she squatted down beside the circle, touching the scorched ground. Her fingers ran over the scorched words too, feeling the rough texture of it.

"You could always fix it, earth evolves into nature after all."

She was capable of fixing it right now, and she could do it within seconds. However...Cecil didn't want to.

She will never do it.

If I fix it...it just proves that he is really gone.

I...I know I have to accept that, but I-I can't.

I really can't.

It's so hard.

I miss him.

I miss his smile.

I miss you, my dearest friend.

Cecil sobbed, the tears that she held back for a month flowing out profusely. She buried her head between her knees, weeping, sniveling, wailing.

Xue watched from afar, hidden within the trees. He leaned against one of them, something tugging at his heartstrings. He suspired, bringing out his hand and producing the red marble once again.

A second later, he kept it inside his body again and he closed his eyes. A quiet moment passed, and Xue could hear Cecil crying softly.

He opened his eyes, his eyes stormy, conflicted. He then closed them again.

Xue: "Hey."

???: "......"

???: "...?"

Xue: "Come out."

???: "......how...?"

Kai: "...did you not absorb me completely?"

Xue: "The absorption isn't complete until I absorb all of the other "me" out there."

In the novel, even after Xue has absorbed every single soul, the souls were still capable of having their own consciousness. They had lived in a body, with a mind of their own, for a long time, they were considered one person. Thus, hearing fifty different voices in his mind, it added on to his madness. Moreover, Xue never made an attempt to communicate with any of them.

Cecil, in her grief, had forgotten a tiny information like that.

Xue: "And since you still have your own consciousness, it would take even longer to assimilate."

Kai: "...are you letting me take control for a moment? For her?"

Xue: "...I have never done this before."

Kai: "Neither have I."

Kai: "...how do we do this?"

Xue: "How the hell would I know?"

Kai: "..."

Xue: "..."

Kai: "Well, let's just try?"

Xue: "Fine."

His eyes remained closed, and Cecil continued crying in the distance. It was a minute or so, and Xue slowly lifted his eyes open.

His grey eyes that were usually stormy and gloomy, were now bright and gentle.

Kai: "Thank you."

Xue: "..."

***

Pt. 1

《 start 》

Cecil once said me and Xue were meant to be together.

But now...I will say, that those words suits them better.

Cecil and Xue.

Hehehe, even though I do like Xue, I like Cecil more.

Cecil and Xue.

Mhmm! Very nice! Very good!

《 stop 》

***

Pt. 2

《 start 》

Even after a month, her mental state is still stuck on that day, a month ago.

She wants me and "me" to be happy, for our own sake and for her own sake.

...I do not like owing people, especially if it's from her.

This woman...that annoys me...that makes me feel...guilty.

Something I rarely feel.

...I will give him back to you.

I have never done this before, but I will do it for you.

Just for you, Cecil Lan.

《 stop 》

***

Author's note: Yes, Kai is still alive (kinda). Heheh c:

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