Chapter Text
Darkness filled up with light as a sparkling pen drew stars in the empty sky. An ethereal woman who was dressed all in light green like Cure Milky but had stars on her skirt like Cure Selene and long wavy hair like Céline Firene appeared in a swirl of shimmering light.
“Alcryst,” she said, smiling gently. “It is good to see you. You wished upon my star, did you not? I am here to grant your wish.”
It took a few tries for Alcryst to get the words out. “I…made a wish? On your star?”
“Of course you did,” the woman replied, holding out a green pen that seemed to come out of nowhere. “So I offer you this. Draw your true self. Make your wish come true.” She placed the pen in Alcryst’s shaking hand and nodded. “Your wish to be a girl.”
Alcryst stared at the pen in amazement. “You…really want to give this to me?”
“Certainly,” the woman said as a soft vocal chorus reminiscent of the singing in Star-Twinkle Pretty Cure filled the air. “You’ve earned it.”
The woman disappeared back into the stars, leaving only the pen behind. The magical pen that could grant Alcryst’s dearest, most secret wish.
“Draw your true self. Make your wish come true…”
Alcryst Brodia opened his eyes, the chorus from the dream still echoing through his mind. He promptly squeezed his eyes shut again, wishing he could stay in the dream for just a little longer.
That was when the phone alarm started playing. Alcryst pushed himself upright, picked up his phone, and turned off the alarm before unintentionally letting out a sigh.
“If only dreams came true,” he whispered. Then he fiercely shook his head, got out of bed, and walked over to the dresser, forcing himself to look in the mirror.
He immediately glanced back down. Why did I think I’d wake up a girl today? No matter how many times I have those wonderful dreams, I always wake up looking just the same…
After getting dressed, Alcryst pulled out his glasses, which had large dark-red frames, and put them on. Avoiding the mirror, he brushed his hair and headed downstairs.
“There you are!” said Diamant, poking his head out of the dining room. “Morning, Alcryst! Did you sleep well?”
Alcryst nodded. “Good morning, Diamant.” Then he yelped as his father suddenly glomped him from behind.
“THERE’S my other boy!” said Morion Brodia, and Alcryst winced despite himself. “Your mother’s made us delicious breakfast, just like always! Come on, let’s go and eat!”
“Don’t squeeze Alcryst so tightly, dear,” Alcryst’s mother called from the kitchen. “Make sure he can still breathe.”
“Oops,” said Morion, looking down at Alcryst. “Can you still breathe, son?”
“Um, yes,” Alcryst managed.
His father let go of Alcryst and cheerfully slapped him on the back. “Let’s have breakfast, then!”
—----------------
Alcryst hitched his backpack up on his shoulder and took a deep breath, steeling himself for another day. Every minute at school, he wished he were somewhere else, but of course he wasn’t going to say so. Just another secret he’d probably end up taking to his grave.
“Want me to drive you?” Diamant asked as Alcryst followed him out the front door. “I don’t have to be at LCC for another half hour.”
“I think I’ll just walk to school today,” said Alcryst. “Thank you, though.”
Diamant smiled, waved, and got into their father’s car. Alcryst waved back, then turned and looked down the sidewalk.
A few houses ahead, Céline and Alear were walking to school together, chatting happily with their brothers and each other. Alcryst smiled faintly, glad that Céline was rekindling her old friendship with Alear.
I won’t join them. They need their time to catch up. And I shouldn’t impose anyway…
After waiting for the Firene and Hikari siblings to get far enough ahead that they wouldn’t notice him walking behind them, Alcryst adjusted his backpack and started making his way to school.
—----------------
“So…who do you think the Embleteer of Blazing is?” Alear asked once Ryu and Alfred were focused more on talking with each other. “Lyn said that she’s lonely, so maybe that can help us narrow it down. We should find her as soon as we can and become her friends!”
Céline smiled at Alear’s innocence, but then she looked down at the ground. “Lyn didn’t say that her Embleteer is lonely,” she said quietly. “She said that her Embleteer feels as though she’s all alone. Those aren’t the same thing.”
“Huh?” said Alear. “They aren’t?”
“Not necessarily,” said Céline. “You can feel as though you’re alone even when you’re surrounded by friends. It’s…it’s a very painful feeling. It’s imperative that we find her.”
“Céline…” said Alear. She stared at her friend for a moment, then shook her head. “Okay, so maybe I’m kind of naive about this stuff. But I can tell this is really important to you. And I want to find her too.”
Céline looked back up at her and nodded. “Yes. First things first, we must find her. Then we can do our best to help her.”
—----------------
“Now, to begin our day’s grammar lesson,” said Vander, writing up some sentences. “Can anyone tell me the correct place for a comma in this first sentence?” He turned to the class, frowning when no one raised their hand. “Anyone?”
Alear frantically searched her mind for the correct answer, trying to resist the temptation to look to Ryu for help. Vander had known her and Ryu long enough to recognize most of their nonverbal cues.
“Anyone?” Vander repeated. “Alcryst?”
Alear dropped her shoulders, relieved that it wasn’t her. Then she realized that Alcryst didn’t respond to Vander’s call.
“Alcryst?” Vander said again.
No response.
“ALCRYST BRODIA,” Vander said loudly.
“Hey,” someone muttered. “Girly boy. Old Battle-Axe wants you.”
“AAAH!” Alcryst yelped loudly enough that Alear turned around in her seat to see. “I-I’m so sorry, Mr. Brooks! I don’t know where my mind is this morning and I’m sorry I’m not Diamant, who I know was a model student with all A’s when he was in your class—” Alcryst had been standing up during this, but now he dropped back down in his seat and covered his face with his hands. “I’M SO SORRYYYYYY!”
“That was a run-on sentence,” said Vander, shaking his head. “Now, could you please come to the board and correct this run-on sentence?”
Alcryst shakily stood up again. “Yes, of course…I’m so sorry, Mr. Brooks…”
“Excuse me, Mr. Brooks,” said Céline, raising her hand. “That boy—I can’t remember his name—poked Alcryst in the back with a pencil. The pointy end, even. I saw him.”
The offending boy, who was still holding the pencil, put on a look of fake innocence.
“He did?” said Vander, turning to Céline. Alcryst, who was in front of the chalkboard by this time, turned to look at her as well, with a look of nervous surprise and a little guilt.
“Yes, sir,” said Céline. “And surely you heard the rude things he said.”
“Yes, as a matter of fact, I did,” said Vander, glaring at the boy. “Call me Old Battle-Axe? Detention!”
“What?” said the boy. “What the hell? It’s true!”
“I’m sick of toxic masculinity,” Céline muttered just barely loud enough for Alear to hear.
“Um…” said Alcryst, holding up his hand. “Excuse me, Mr. Brooks…” He pointed to the sentence. “Did I put the comma in the right place?”
Vander checked. “Yes, you did,” he said. “Well done, Alcryst.” He nodded approvingly, then looked back at the rude boy as Alcryst put down the chalk and breathed a sigh of relief. “Now, you…come up here and place commas in the next two sentences! And after that, detention.”
The boy started loudly grumbling as he stood up. Alear looked from the rude boy to Alcryst to a still-seething Céline and back to Alcryst, not sure what to make of what she’d just seen.
—----------------
During the last class before lunch, Alear had to use the bathroom. Once she’d done so and finished washing her hands, she checked for other girls, then (seeing that she was alone in the bathroom) pulled Lyn’s Emblem Ring out of her pocket. “Hey, Lyn,” she said. “Are you doing okay?”
“Yes, I’m fine,” Lyn replied. “Thank you. I’m worried about my Embleteer, though…”
“Is she in Vander’s classroom with me?” Alear asked.
“Yes, she is,” said Lyn. “However, I also sensed her nearby while you and Celica’s Embleteer were walking to school.”
“Really?” said Alear, her eyes wide. “But you didn’t say any—oh, right, sorry,” she said sheepishly. “Ryu and Alfred were with us. So if she was nearby on the way to school, that probably means she lives in our neighborhood! Or at least she goes through there or the fancy section on the way to school.”
“It seems as though we are closer to finding her!” said Marth.
“Yeah!” said Alear. “Okay, great, that narrows it down! I’ll be sure to tell Céline during lunch.”
—----------------
As soon as class was over, Céline went over to Alcryst’s desk. “Are you doing all right?” she asked.
“Oh—” said Alcryst, blinking in surprise. “I’m fine. Thank you.”
“You’ve been very quiet lately. For you, I mean,” said Céline. “I’m worried about you, and I’ve been meaning to catch up with you anyway. Would you like to have lunch together?”
Alcryst slowly stood up. “All right. If Alear doesn’t mind…”
“Of course she won’t. You’re my friend too,” said Céline, taking Alcryst’s hand. “Let’s go.”
—----------------
“Huh? Oh, hi Alcryst!” said Alear. “Sorry, I know we have a mutual friend, but I’m realizing I don’t know you that well.”
“Um, it’s nice to see you,” said Alcryst, nervously standing just behind Céline.
“Hey, Alcryst!” said Alfred, making his appearance. “You and Céline gonna both sit with us today?”
“Certainly,” said Céline.
“Oh, wait,” said Alear, realizing. “What about Hortensia? And Ivy?”
“There you are!” said Ivy, finally reaching them. “I had to get through such a cluster of people…” She blinked. “...Alcryst Brodia. Good…good afternoon.”
“H-Hello, Ivy Elusia,” said Alcryst. “...Um…”
“Er…I already bumped into Hortensia on the way here,” said Ivy, turning her attention to Alear. “She’s having lunch with the girl who sits next to her in class. Apparently said girl is an expert on Lycia Mall.”
“Oh,” said Alear, nodding. “Okay.”
“Which…might be for the best,” Ivy admitted. “She takes our father’s anti-Brodia policy very much to heart. For my part, I wouldn’t dream of telling anyone that I’m sharing a lunch table with Alcryst Brodia today.”
Alcryst audibly swallowed. “That’s…a good idea for my father’s peace of mind, too,” he said. “I wouldn’t mind getting to know you, though. Diamant has never much liked our fathers’ rivalry…”
“It’s a deal,” Ivy said with a small smile. “Now, shall we?”
“And Alfred’s already run toward the cafeteria and pulled Ryu along with him,” said Céline, facepalming. “Fingers crossed that they save us a table.”
—----------------
Alfred and Ryu did save them a table, and everyone took a seat. While they were all opening their lunchboxes, Alfred and Ryu immediately started talking, but the others stayed quiet.
I wonder where the Embleteer of Blazing is, Alear thought as she bit into her sandwich. I can’t tell Céline and Ivy what Lyn told me, since we’ve got other people here…maybe I should make small talk with Alcryst?
“Hey, Alcryst,” said Alear. “How’s…uh…” I don’t know anything about him! Uhhhh… “...you’re really good at grammar!”
Alcryst blinked. “Um…thank you?”
“I should probably study harder,” said Alear. “Vander’s lessons make me feel like I don’t know anything about commas. Anyway, you were great up there at the board!”
Alcryst looked down at his lunchbox. “...Thank you,” he repeated. “Um…” He glanced up again. “Céline says you like magical girl anime!”
“Huh?” said Alear. “Oh, yeah, I do! Didn’t know that was your thing too…is it your thing?”
Alcryst’s eyes went wide. “N-No, never mind! I’m sorry! Please forget what I just said!”
Alear blinked in confusion.
“You two really don’t need to go out of your way to become friends,” said Céline, pulling out some grapes. “Especially if you’re trying to do so for my sake. Let things happen naturally.”
“Sorry,” said Alear. “You’re right.”
“I’m sorry,” Alcryst repeated. “Um…thank you, Céline.”
Ivy made a small smile. “I’ve never seen someone use grammar lessons for small talk before. Well done, Alear.”
“Really?” said Alear, feeling her face get hot. “Thanks.”
Alcryst didn’t talk much during the rest of lunch. Instead, he kept staring at his food and occasionally glancing over at Céline. Alear guessed he was probably just being shy, but Céline looked a little worried.
Then, toward the end of lunch, a familiar little-sister voice called out “IVY!” loud enough for the group to hear Hortensia halfway across the cafeteria. Ivy jumped, shook her head, and turned in the direction of the shout. Then she glanced back at the table they were all sitting at. “Hortensia’s coming over,” she said.
Alcryst’s eyes widened. Then he scrambled off the cafeteria bench and ducked under the table at an impressive speed. Alcryst was safely out of sight several seconds before Hortensia ran up to the table.
“Ivy!” said Hortensia, jumping up and down. “Goldmary says there’s a big sale at the cute trinket shops in Lycia Mall today! Can we go there after school?!”
“I’m not exactly in a position to say no,” Ivy said wryly. “All right. I’ll text Mother and Father about it, and I’ll take you to the mall as soon as school lets out.”
Hortensia really wasn’t someone to take no for an answer, was she? Ivy looked like she didn’t even want to go to Lycia Mall today.
Before Alear even realized, she was already saying, “I’ll come too!”
Ivy looked at Alear wide-eyed. “You will?” she gasped.
“Yeah, I’d love to!” said Alear. Ivy might want some company! If she’s okay with that! And if there’s a big sale, probably lots of girls from our class will be there! We might be able to find the Embleteer of Blazing that way! “I haven’t been to Lycia Mall in a long time!” Wait…oh no…what if I get all tongue-tied in front of Ivy?? “Want to come too, Céline?”
“Thank you for the offer, but there’s something else I’d like to do after school today,” said Céline. “Send me pictures?”
“Oh,” said Alear. “Okay, yeah, sure! We’ll take lots of pictures!”
Céline winked as she popped a grape into her mouth. “I hope you have a lovely time with the Elusia sisters.”
“Thanks!” said Alear.
—----------------
Once Hortensia was out of sight again (back to chat with Goldmary), Céline looked under the table and told Alcryst that it was safe. Alcryst got back out from under the table and got back to lunch, breathing a sigh of relief.
As soon as school let out, most of the girls in the classroom hurried out of Lythos High to check out the sale at the mall. Alear and Hortensia waved to Céline before going to meet up with Ivy.
As Alcryst put on his backpack and started to head out, Céline called out. “Alcryst?”
Surprised, Alcryst turned around. “Céline? I…I didn’t know you were still here…”
“I was wanting to talk to you,” said Céline, her green eyes gentle. “I can tell something’s on your mind.”
Alcryst’s body tensed. “It…it’s nothing,” he said, gripping his backpack strap and trying to ignore his suddenly rapid heartbeat.
“With all respect, I don’t think it is,” said Céline, frowning slightly. “Why don’t we take a walk together? I know how much you love walks.”
“I…” Alcryst looked down at the floor.
A walk did sound nice. And Alcryst had been missing Céline lately, as much as he didn’t want to admit it. But what did she think was on his mind? Yes, there was something he’d been thinking about a lot recently, but it wasn’t worth talking about…
Céline took hold of his free hand. “Zofia Gardens?” she suggested.
Alcryst glanced down at Céline’s warm, soft hand and nodded. “...All right.”
—----------------
Lycia Mall was a pretty cool place. Even though Alear felt kind of nervous being in a place she wasn’t very familiar with (with her only company being Hortensia and Ivy), she was really enjoying looking around. And even if being around Ivy made her heart beat really fast, it was great walking through the mall with her. Like a girls’ day out!
“Oh dear. There she goes again,” said Ivy, her eyes widening. “Hortensia! Wait for us!”
“She gets so excited,” said Alear, following Ivy after her. “Has she always been like this?”
“Her entire life,” Ivy said with a wry smile. “Even when I was five and she was two, she was always pulling me here and there. Many of my earliest memories are of her.”
Oh gosh, five-year-old Ivy must have been unbelievably adorable! “That sounds…really cute,” Alear managed.
“It is cute in my memories, at least,” said Ivy. “Now that that part of my childhood is safely over.”
Alear gave a little laugh.
“Over here!” Hortensia called, waving with both hands. “You two are so slow! Look at these adorable bracelets!”
“We’re coming!” said Ivy.
As Ivy and Alear caught up to Hortensia in front of the shop, there came a loud scream from several shops away. The three girls jumped and spun around.
“What was that?” said a girl trying on a beaded bracelet.
Alear desperately hoped that it wasn’t what she thought it was, but there were only so many reasons someone would make a terrified scream in a shopping mall. And if there was anything Alear had learned from magical girl anime, it was that the monsters of the episode almost always showed up where the magical girls were.
Terrified people, including a couple of girls from Alear’s class, streamed out of one of the nearby shops. “MONSTERS!” one of them screamed. “Monsters in the mall!”
Familiar-looking monsters, just as creepy as always, came running out after them. “Grrah!” they rasped.
“Oh no, not again!” said Alear.
—----------------
Taking a walk really did feel nice, especially with Céline there too. Still, Alcryst found it hard to say anything. The thoughts that kept swirling around in his mind were just getting stronger and stronger lately, even as he tried to push them away. Céline seemed to understand, and she didn’t try to talk to him for most of the walk, but she piped up once they were near the entrance of Zofia Gardens.
“Would you like to look at the flowers?” Céline asked.
Alcryst nodded, and Céline led the way. They sat down on a bench just inside the gardens, in front of a nice view of a flower bed. Alcryst and Céline took off their backpacks and set them down.
“Now, if you don’t mind…” Céline said quietly, “...would you like to tell me what’s bothering you?”
Alcryst clenched his hands in his lap.
“You don’t have to tell me if you don’t want to,” said Céline, looking at the flowers. “But it’s not good to keep things bottled up inside.” She looked over at Alcryst. “And please don’t forget that your secrets are safe with me.”
Alcryst knew Céline was right. If anyone knew about the dangers of bottling up your emotions, it was her. And these thoughts were so horribly overwhelming. But what would Céline think if he told her what was on his mind?
Céline’s voice dropped to a whisper. “You were there for me during the hardest part of my life,” she said softly. “Please…allow me to be here for you.”
Alcryst’s heart pounded. He opened his mouth, but nothing came out. Say something! She’s your best friend! SAY SOMETHING! Anything…
“I…” Alcryst swallowed. “I don’t…I don’t know where to start.”
Céline’s voice was still soft. “Anywhere. Start wherever you like.”
Alcryst forced himself to take a deep breath. “Okay…um…” He gripped the bench with both hands. “Um…the winter we were in fifth grade. Right after…you know…” His body tensed. “I’m so sorry…I don’t want to bring back bad memories…”
“It’s all right,” Céline said gently. “After my father passed, you mean?”
“Yes,” said Alcryst, feeling both relieved and guilty that Céline had said it for him. “When I came over to your house to check on you, I wanted to do something to help you feel better. And then I remembered that you liked anime.” He nervously looked over at Céline. “I’d never watched anime in my life, but I offered to watch something with you. Your choice. Anything that might help you. And you chose Star-Twinkle Pretty Cure.”
Céline smiled. “Yes. One of my childhood favorites.”
“It was the first time I’d heard of magical girls,” said Alcryst. “I…” His chest felt tight as he looked up at the sky. “I was riveted. They were so wonderful, drawing their best selves with magical pens and protecting Earth together…I couldn’t tear my eyes away. They were…they were so beautiful. I wanted to be just like them.”
He fell silent.
“Yes?” Céline said gently.
“Right. Sorry…I’ll keep going…” Alcryst took a deep breath. “So…I can’t remember exactly when, but at some point during our Star-Twinkle viewing, I dreamed that the two of us gained our own Star Color Pens. We had a transformation sequence and everything. And I…” Alcryst looked down at the ground, unable to meet Céline’s eyes. “During our transformation sequence, I changed into a girl. I was so happy…” His hands gripped the bench. “That dream was the first time I’d ever liked being me. We were still magical girls together at the end of the dream, and I woke up smiling because I was a girl. But then I headed over to my dresser and looked at myself in the mirror, and…I looked just the same as always. It was like I’d been flying, but with one look in the mirror, I crashed down to the ground.”
Alcryst tried to take another deep breath, but his chest was tight, and he couldn’t breathe all the way in. And Céline wasn’t saying anything.
But then Céline reached out and placed her hand on Alcryst’s, and the rest came tumbling out.
“I’ve had so many dreams like that since then,” said Alcryst, his voice in a whisper even though the only other person around was Céline. “Dreams where I wish on a star, or I get a Star Color Pen, or something else, and some way or another I get to be a girl. I had one just last night. The dreams always make me happy, but when I look in the mirror and I’m still a boy, all the happiness disappears. It’s gotten even worse since my voice started changing…I…I…” He swallowed. “I can’t stop thinking about it…I don’t want to be a boy…I don’t think I’ve ever been a boy…”
Céline squeezed their hand. “You don’t have to be,” she whispered. “You don’t have to be a boy if that’s not what you are. All that matters to me is that you’re my kind, brave friend.”
Alcryst finally found the courage to look over at her. “C-Céline…”
Suddenly music blasted from somewhere nearby, and both of them jumped and yelped.
“I WILL NOT FORGET THE PROMISE I MADE WITH YOU, I SWEAR—”
Céline sat bolt upright and yanked her phone out of her pocket. “I didn’t realize I’d left my ringtone on so loud!” she said over the loud music. She frowned when she saw what was on the screen.
“THAT I ALWAYS KEEP IT WITH ME…I CLOSE MY EYES, AND THE MEMORY CLEARS THE DARKNESS CLOUDING MY WAY—”
“Drat,” said Céline, standing up. “I’m so sorry. I should answer this. I’ll be right back.”
“O-Of course,” said Alcryst, reluctantly letting go of her hand. “Take your time…”
Céline gave them an apologetic smile and ran a few yards away before accepting the call. “Alear?”
“Céline!” Alear shouted loudly enough that Céline almost dropped her phone. “We really need your help!!”
Céline gripped her phone tightly. “What’s going on?”
“There’s a bunch of Corrupted in the mall!” said Alear. Céline realized in alarm that she could hear screaming in the background of the call. “Way too many for just us! We need you and Celica ASAP!”
Céline gritted her teeth. This was the worst possible timing! Why did this always happen to magical girls?!
“I-I’ll be right there,” Céline said quickly, suppressing the urge to shout something in frustration. “I know where the mall is. I can be there in less than ten minutes.”
“Okay, thanks!” said Alear.
“Alear!” Ivy’s voice shouted in the background. “I think I just saw Zephia!”
“What?” Alear yelped. “I’ve gotta go, Céline. See you later!”
The call promptly ended. Céline shoved her phone back into her pocket and toned down the words in her head to just “Argh!”
She ran back over to Alcryst, who was still sitting on the bench, their hands in their lap. “Alcryst?” she said. “I’m so sorry. Something’s come up, and I have to leave.”
Alcryst’s eyes widened. “Is everything all right?”
“It…it should be,” said Céline. “I don’t want to leave you here…this is truly the worst timing.” She clenched her hands. “Please stay here…please be safe. I’ll come back here as soon as I can. It shouldn’t be long.”
Alcryst nodded. “All right. You…you be safe too, Céline. Whatever you might be doing!”
“Thank you!” said Céline, beginning to run. “I’ll see you soon!”
Once Céline had made it partway to the mall, she looked around for passersby. When she didn’t see anyone else around, she raised her hand. “Emblem engage!”
Celica smiled warmly and extended her hand to Céline. As Emblem and Embleteer joined hands, Celica turned into a bright red flame that dove into Céline’s heart. Fire coursed through Céline’s long blond hair, turning it a rich, fiery red.
Flames swirled around Céline, materializing into a short red sleeveless dress with a ruffled skirt. Fire spiraled up her legs, turning into a pair of high white boots, while a curtain of flame spread across her shoulders and back, becoming a knee-length white cape. Sparks shimmered up her arms and became elbow-length white gloves.
Red sparks shone around her legs between her skirt and boots, changing into a pair of trailing red ribbons. Red bows popped into existence on her wrists, while large white bows shaped a little like butterflies appeared in her hair. Céline raised her right hand, a ball of fire glowing just above her palm, and struck a pose.
“There,” she said. “Let’s go, Celica. And let’s make this as quick as we can. For Alcryst’s sake.”
Yes! said Celica.
With her speed and stamina enhanced by Emblem magic, Céline took a deep breath and ran the rest of the way to Lycia Mall.
—----------------
When Céline made it to the mall, she saw that a crowd of panicked civilians, including girls she recognized from school, was gathered outside the front doors. It was a relief to know that the civilians were safely outside, but…
“Look!” someone said. “It’s another superhero!”
Startled, Céline looked away, hoping no one had recognized her face. She warped inside the building, past the crowd, and arrived in the midst of a huge crowd of Corrupted.
She was ready for them.
“Seraphim!” she shouted, incinerating the monsters surrounding her.
“Phew!” said Alear, who was in her Embleteer form as well. “There you are, Céline! Ivy got everyone out of the mall—she’s amazing— and Hortensia and I engaged, but we could really use your help!”
“Especially since Zephia came in person!” said Hortensia, pointing to the top of the escalator. “She’s been up there gloating at us! It’s the worst!”
“Well, let’s make this quick, shall we?” said Céline, preparing another spell. “I have a friend to return to!”
—----------------
Alcryst sat alone on the bench in Zofia Gardens, pushing their feet into the grass and wondering why Céline had had to run away so quickly.
It had been terrifying telling Céline what they had been keeping secret for years. And yet, at the same time, Alcryst felt lighter. Less alone. They could stay here and wait for Céline to come back. They might even be okay…somehow.
You don’t have to be a boy. Such beautiful words.
And yet Alcryst didn’t want to stay here on the bench. Some strange instinct that was welling up in them and making their heart beat fast was telling them that they had to find Céline. They had to go and help her.
With a quick silent apology to the backpacks they were leaving behind, Alcryst stood up and took a deep breath. Their chest wasn’t nearly as tight as it had been a few minutes ago.
Hadn’t Céline said something about “the mall” during the phone call that had come so suddenly? Lycia Mall? Why would she have to go there in such a hurry?
The reason why didn’t matter. Alcryst felt certain that Céline needed their help. Like someone was calling them after her.
Alcryst ran out of the gardens and in the direction of Lycia Mall.
—----------------
“Seraphim!” Céline shouted, throwing one fire spell after another. “Seraphim!”
“Shine!” Hortensia shouted, blasting the Corrupted with light. “Ugh! I can hear you laughing, Zephia! Stop that!”
“My, my,” said Zephia, levitating herself down the escalator to the floor. “Does my voice really carry that much?”
“Gotta say, I didn’t expect you to be here,” said Hortensia, taking a step back for Alear to run forward and slash through a wave of Corrupted. “I assumed you were one of those lazy villains that makes their servants do all the dirty work for them.”
“Hortensia!” Ivy scolded from the shop door she was sheltering behind. “Don’t anger her!” Then she gasped. “Alear! Look out!”
Alear yelped as three larger Corrupted tackled her and knocked her down. Lyn’s Emblem Ring fell out of her pocket and rolled across the floor for several feet before spinning to a stop.
“Leave her alone!” Céline shouted. “SERAPHIM!”
The fire destroyed the Corrupted closest to Céline and weakened the other two enough to make them loosen their grips on Alear.
“Thanks!” Alear called, finishing the job with a slash from Falchion. She got to her feet just in time to take out another Corrupted coming toward her.
“What the—” Hortensia gasped. “Hey! Zephia! Get back here!”
“What?” said Céline, following Hortensia’s gaze. “Oh no!”
“Coward!” said Hortensia. “Come on! We’ve gotta follow her!”
“What do you mean, follow—wait a second, she ran off?!” said Alear. Then she heard a “rreh” right behind her, yelped, and did a quick spin attack.
“Yes!” said Céline, running forward. “She’s gone through the double doors leading outside! And more Corrupted are pouring in through the door!”
Ivy ran out from behind the shop door, and Hortensia ran over to her to protect her. The girls ran after Zephia, Alear taking out one more Corrupted before joining in the pursuit.
Alear? said Marth. You dropped—
“No time!” said Alear, running just behind her teammates. “We have to catch up to Zephia!”
By now the Embleteers had defeated all of the Corrupted in the initial wave, which meant that once they had followed Zephia out of the back entrance, silence reigned in Lycia Mall. Confused by the silence, Emblem Lyn materialized above her ring and looked around.
“So that’s what happened,” she said to herself, looking toward the place where the Embleteers and Ivy had gone. “My ring fell out of Marth’s Embleteer’s pocket.” She shook her head. “I suppose I’ll have to wait for them to return.”
Then an aura reached her.
“I sense my Embleteer!” she gasped. “She’s coming this way…running with the swiftness of the winds across the plains!”
—----------------
Alcryst ran as fast as they could toward Lycia Mall, their heart pounding with exertion each time they had to stop at a crosswalk. They had to get to Céline…they had to.
They couldn’t believe they hadn’t gotten tired out yet. They weren’t very athletic…not like Diamant was…except for the archery, and that didn’t really count, did it? They’d never been filled with so much adrenaline and determination before. They couldn’t understand it.
But at least it would get them to Céline a little faster!
Alcryst kept running, breathing heavily, until they saw Lycia Mall just up ahead, with a huge cluster of chattering people in front of the doors. That was strange. What was everyone doing just outside the mall?
Slowing down to give themselves a chance to catch their breath, Alcryst headed up to the crowd. “What’s happening?” they asked.
Several nearby people that weren’t talking promptly spun around to face them. Alcryst winced, startled by the number of eyes on them.
“There are monsters in the mall!” one of the people said, a tall white woman. “No idea where they came from, but they’re like the ones my sister-in-law saw in Zofia Gardens last week!”
Monsters? Zofia Gardens?!
“Something weird is going on here!” said a short white girl who looked a little older than Alcryst. “But at least it looks like there are superhero girls in there fighting those monsters?”
“I think they’re magical girls,” said a ponytailed brown girl next to her. “Remind me to show you Sailor Moon sometime.”
Alcryst’s head was spinning. Magical girls? Had Céline somehow become a magical girl?!
Wait, no…don’t jump to conclusions, Alcryst…she might be in this crowd instead…
“Um…I’m so sorry to bother you, but have you seen my friend?” Alcryst said. “About this tall, long wavy blond hair, light skin…”
The people they were talking to looked at each other. “Sorry, no,” said a large black man, shaking his head. “Haven’t seen anyone who looks like that.”
“All right, thank you,” said Alcryst, their hands clenched from worry as they glanced down at the ground and then forced themself to look up again. “Excuse me…I’d like to look for her.”
“Oh, sure,” said one of the girls, taking a step aside. The other people Alcryst was talking to did the same. “Good luck finding her.”
“Thank you!” said Alcryst, carefully stepping into the crowd. “Céline? Céline, are you here? Céline?”
Alcryst weaved through the crowd, wincing at everyone’s shouting and making a few apologies along the way, but there was no sign of Céline anywhere. Could she be still inside the mall?
Had something bad happened to her? Or was she secretly a magical girl?
I want to be a magical girl too… Alcryst thought before shaking their head. No! No, don’t think about that! Even if…even if Céline seems to be okay with you…not being a boy at all…
“Hey, careful!” a pale girl a little older than Alcryst said, grabbing their arm. “Didn’t you hear? There are monsters in there!”
“Y-Yes…yes, I heard,” Alcryst said as the girl released their arm. “But my friend is in there!”
“Then the magical girls will rescue her! Or him. Or whoever,” said the girl. “It’s safe out here.”
“I…I know…” said Alcryst, looking toward the front doors of the mall. “But I…” I need to find Céline. I need to talk to her. I can’t stop now…
“I’M SORRY!” Alcryst burst out, running toward the door, throwing it open, and dashing into the mall.
Alcryst stopped short and looked around as the door swung shut behind them. It was strangely quiet inside. Lycia Mall was completely empty, with no monsters or magical girls anywhere in sight.
And no Céline.
No, wait, there was one person…
“My Embleteer!” said the young woman nearby. “You’ve arrived!”
“What—” Alcryst gasped, whirling around to face her. “Who are you?”
The stranger glowed and hovered, and she smiled warmly like the mysterious women who turned Alcryst into a girl in some of their dreams. Who was she? What was she?
“It’s good to meet you at last,” said the stranger. “I am Lyn, the Emblem of Blazing. And you are the Embleteer I have been searching for.”
Alcryst couldn’t believe what they were hearing. “I…I don’t understand…”
Something at Lyn’s feet rose into the air and glided over to hover in front of Alcryst. A ring.
“I’m relieved that I found you,” said Lyn. “I sensed that you felt as though you were all alone, unable to be yourself…but now, I truly sense the courage in your heart.” She drew closer to Alcryst. “The other three Embleteers are locked in combat just outside this building. I feel certain that they need your help.”
Alcryst was silent, unsure what to say or even what to think. She didn’t know what was going on, but she felt a strange connection with Lyn. Like she’d known Lyn for a long time.
“Are you all right?” asked Lyn, looking concerned. “You are the girl I have been seeking, are you not?”
Alcryst’s heart briefly stopped. A girl?
“I have been seeking a girl both kind and courageous to be my Embleteer, my partner in battle,” Lyn continued. “Would you like to be that person?”
Is this really happening?
Alcryst’s heart was beating so fast that she could hardly hear her own voice. “I…I do,” she said. “If you really think I’m the…” She felt herself making a shy smile. “...the girl you’ve been looking for…then I’ll do my best. I’ll give it everything I have!”
Lyn smiled. “Then put on my ring, and speak the words in your heart.”
Alcryst took a deep breath, reached out, and slid the ring onto her finger. The ring gave off a gentle warmth.
“I won’t let you down, Emblem Lyn,” said Alcryst, raising her hand to the sky. The words flowing through her came out as a shout.
“Sweep across, Emblem of Blazing!”
Lyn reached out her hand to Alcryst, who joined hands with her. The Emblem turned into a pale green whirlwind, which flew toward Alcryst and dove into her heart. Green wind whipped through Alcryst’s hair, which turned light green and grew down to her waist before raising itself into a high ponytail, tied into place with a dark green bow.
Wind swirled around Alcryst, changing into a short-sleeved green dress with a long, flowing skirt. Whirlwinds wrapped themselves around her arms as fingerless green gloves, and breezes spiraled up her legs and turned into short green boots.
The frames of Alcryst’s glasses turned green, and a small dark green bow popped into existence on the hairclip pinning her bangs. A gale whipped up in front of her and solidified into a beautiful green bow with a taut green bowstring. Alcryst reached out and took hold of the bow, holding it out in front of herself and striking a pose.
“Oh my gosh,” she gasped, looking down at herself as the green lights and gales cleared away from her field of vision. “That was…I’m…”
There’s a mirror over to your left, said Lyn’s voice in her head. Would you like to see?
Her heart racing, Alcryst glanced at the nearby full-length mirror and told herself to walk toward it. She hadn’t liked seeing her reflection for years, but this time, she needed to see. She had to know that this wasn’t just a vivid dream…
Her breath caught as she saw herself in the mirror. She looked so strong and brave and colorful and…
“A girl,” she whispered, reaching out to touch the mirror. “I look like a girl. A magical girl. Emblem Lyn, is…is that really me?”
Yes, Emblem Lyn’s voice said gently. That’s you. What do you think?
“Th-thank you,” Alcryst breathed, feeling tears pricking at her eyes. “You knew who I was before I could even admit it to myself…”
My wish came true…
Then she remembered, and everything Lyn had said to her before “you are the girl I have been seeking” came rushing to the front of her thoughts.
“And so did Céline,” said Alcryst. “Lyn! Is Céline a magical girl too? An…an Embleteer?”
Yes! said Lyn. They’re still outside. And I sense Corrupted where they are. They likely need your help!
Alcryst didn’t know what “Corrupted” were. She still didn’t completely know what was going on. But she was a girl! She couldn’t deny it any longer. And Céline, wonderful Céline, who had given her so much support, was fighting outside, in need of help.
Céline…I’m coming! I’ll protect you!
Courage rushing through her, Emblem Lyn’s power making her footsteps light and swift, Alcryst followed Lyn’s direction and ran toward the other door.
—---------------
“So stubborn,” said Zephia, rising into the air with her levitation magic and zipping out of the way of Hortensia’s Shine spells. “Even when I left, you followed me outside.”
“Stop summoning more Corrupted!” said Alear. “You’re causing trouble for no good reason!”
“Oh, but I have a very good reason,” said Zephia, levitating above Céline’s Seraphim. “Hand over the fourth Emblem Ring, and I’ll call off the Corrupted. If you’re compliant, I might even let you live to fight another day.”
“We won’t!” said Alear. “Emblem Lyn still needs to find her Embleteer, and we’ll never give her to you!” She slipped her hand into her dress pocket to grip Lyn’s Emblem Ring protectively, only to realize that her pocket was empty. She blinked in surprise.
Er, Alear… said Marth. It fell out of your pocket when the Corrupted knocked you down. We will have to pick it up again later.
Oh. Oops, Alear thought sheepishly. Well, at least this way I definitely can’t give the ring to Zephia?
“And besides, an offer of a truce is clearly worth nothing from someone like you!” said Céline, readying another spell. “We will continue to fight, regardless of your attempts to sway us!”
“Oh?” said Zephia, rising high above the ground. “What if you cannot even reach me?”
Céline glanced up in Zephia in surprise, then clenched her hands. “We’ll see about that,” she said fiercely, warping into the air in front of Zephia. “Seraphim!”
Zephia zipped away from Céline’s spell, and Céline realized too late that she could not hover the way Zephia could.
“Céline!” Alear cried as her friend dropped from the sky.
Céline gave a shout of alarm, but she reacted just in time to warp herself safely down to the ground. Still, she landed awkwardly and lost her footing in the grass, falling to her knees right next to a cluster of Corrupted.
Zephia gave an evil laugh. “This is the perfect vantage point, don’t you think? None of you can attack swiftly enough to strike an airborne opponent.”
Reaching her hand up above her head, Céline threw a fire spell at one of the Corrupted approaching her, destroying it. But the Corrupted were surrounding her on all sides, and she was too stunned to attack quickly.
“Darn it!” said Hortensia. “Okay, we’re coming—”
“Céline!” called Alear, running toward her through the crowd. Please, please, let us get there in time…
A pale green arrow swifter than the wind arced through the air and pierced the largest of the Corrupted, which disintegrated instantly. Céline gasped in surprise.
“Leave her alone!” a voice shouted.
Shocked, Alear and Hortensia spun around in the direction of the voice. Even Zephia and the Corrupted froze.
A girl all in green, dressed similarly to Emblem Lyn, was standing a short distance away, her ponytail and long skirt blowing in the breeze. She began to draw her bowstring, poised to fire another shot.
“What?!” Zephia roared. “The fourth Embleteer?!”
“Who is that?” said Alear, wide-eyed. I feel like I know her from somewhere…
“Okay, who are you?” said Hortensia, staring openmouthed. Ivy narrowed her eyes thoughtfully.
Céline got to her feet, unable to look away from this beautiful new arrival. She looked so familiar, and she knew she’d heard that voice before, though at a lower pitch…
Then she gasped. “Could it be…is that you, my friend?”
As Alcryst drew her bow, another arrow materialized between her fingers and lengthened to meet her bowstring. This is so amazing, she thought. That’s why I don’t have a quiver…these arrows create themselves.
She couldn’t help smiling as she thought I’m like Cure Selene! She’s an archer too…
Wait…focus, Alcryst! You have to protect Céline! Thank goodness you arrived in time…
She released her arrow, which flew toward the Corrupted and struck another one, destroying it. The Corrupted all turned in her direction.
“Grrrah,” said one of the remaining Corrupted.
“Seraphim!” Céline shouted, taking advantage of her attackers’ diverted attention. Three more Corrupted fell.
Zephia growled and clenched her hands. “Corrupted!” she shouted, pointing at Alcryst. “Destroy the fourth Embleteer. Now!”
However, the Corrupted charged past Alear and Hortensia on the way to Alcryst. The Embleteers took action, striking all the Corrupted they could reach while Céline destroyed the stragglers. As for the few Corrupted that got past the three, Alcryst shot each of them herself.
“Woohoo!” Alear cheered, giving a little jump when the last Corrupted fell. “We got them!” Then her excitement faded. “But how are we gonna get Zephia? She’s too high up…”
Céline smiled, looking over at Alcryst. “I think I know a way.”
Alcryst’s breath caught as their eyes met. Céline recognizes me, doesn’t she? And she’s smiling…like she’s happy for me…
You know what to do, yes? said Lyn’s voice. The legendary bow Mulagir will do whatever you ask. And it is particularly effective against airborne enemies.
Alcryst nodded, took a deep breath, and ran closer to Zephia, who met her determined gaze with a glare.
Filled with more determination than ever, Alcryst spun around, her skirt swishing in the wind, and readied her bow once more. “I sweep across the plains as the Embleteer of Blazing! With the swiftness of the wind, I shall win this battle!”
Alear cheered again. “New speech!!”
“Curse you, Embleteer of Blazing,” Zephia spat. “Foiling all of my plans…”
Alcryst spread out her hand on Mulagir, and seven glowing green arrowheads appeared between her fingers. As she drew her bow, these grew into seven arrows with the sound of whooshing wind.
“Now I have you!” she shouted, her voice in sync with Lyn’s. “Astra…STORM!!!!!!!”
Alcryst aimed high and released her arrows, which sped upward, flying straight toward Zephia even as she attempted to dodge, and struck one after another. The final arrow knocked Zephia straight out of the sky and down to the ground.
“Embleteer of Blazing,” Zephia growled. “I won’t forget this…”
And she vanished. Suddenly, all was quiet.
Breathing heavily, Alcryst lowered her bow and placed her free hand over her quickly beating heart. Her first battle was over. She’d become a magical girl. She’d fought evil. She’d protected Céline and Céline’s magical girl friends. But now…
The other three Embleteers changed back to their regular forms (so Céline’s two teammates really were Alear Hikari and Hortensia Elusia) and ran up to Alcryst, with Ivy close behind them. Alcryst turned to face them, holding Mulagir close to her chest.
“That was amazing!” said Alear. “You totally saved us! And you’re a super cool archer!” She grinned sheepishly. “So, uh, who are you? Sorry, you look familiar, but I’m not sure if we’ve met…”
Alcryst’s body tensed. What should she say? She’d only just begun to accept who she was.
“Yeah, spill it!” said Hortensia, putting her hands on her hips. “You make a super cute Embleteer. I’m sorta jealous.”
Alcryst couldn’t meet the girls’ eyes. “I…um…”
“You don’t have to,” said Céline, her voice so soft and gentle that Alcryst looked up at her in surprise. “If you don’t want to tell us who you are, you can keep it a secret. You can be a dark horse sort of magical girl if you like.”
That…did sound sort of nice…
But on the other hand, Céline was helping Alcryst feel brave even now.
“Huh?” said Alear, looking over at Céline. “Yeah, dark horse magical girls are cool, but…”
Alcryst took another deep breath. “Thank you for the offer, Céline,” she said, closing her eyes. “But…I think I’d rather say who I am before I lose my nerve.”
Hearing Alcryst’s mental message of consent, Lyn ended the engagement, and Alcryst returned to her usual self. Everyone except Céline gasped.
“Huh?!” said Alear. “You’re…”
“What the—mmph!” said Hortensia.
“Shush, Hortensia,” said Ivy. “Let hi…them speak.”
Alcryst opened her eyes to see Alear wide-eyed, Céline with her hands over her heart, and Ivy looking at Alcryst curiously while removing her hand from an irate Hortensia’s mouth.
“I…” Alcryst swallowed. “When…when I was born, my parents named me Alcryst Brodia. I think I’d like a different name someday…but I don’t know what I want my name to be yet, so you can keep calling me Alcryst for now.” She hugged herself nervously. “I…I’m a girl. I just wasn’t brave enough to let myself be one until now…” She shyly looked over at Céline. “Thank you for your support, Céline. You did so much to help me today.”
“I’m happy I was able to help,” said Céline, smiling.
“So…wait, you’re a trans girl then?” said Alear.
Surprised, Alcryst looked over at her. “Yes…I guess I am,” she said. “I…I’m a trans girl.”
Alear smiled. “Cool. Your secret’s safe with us, okay?”
Alcryst smiled back.
“Wait, I don’t get it,” said Hortensia, frowning. “You’re Alcryst Brodia? Like Morion Brodia’s…are you his son or daughter or what?”
“Hortensia!” said Ivy. She looked over at Alcryst. “My apologies. Hortensia doesn’t know very much about transgender identities. And by ‘very much’ I mean ‘anything.’”
“Oh,” said Alcryst. “That’s all right…I understand…” She looked at Hortensia. “But to answer your question…I’m Morion Brodia’s daughter. Sorry…it must be surprising. I know our fathers have never gotten along…”
“Huh,” said Hortensia. “Well, you totally saved our necks just now, and you seem kinda nice…” She frowned again, but more thoughtfully this time. “So, uh…sorry for calling you a boy all the time when we were younger, I guess?”
Ivy shook her head ruefully.
“Oh! I have an idea, Hortensia,” said Céline, clapping her hands. “There’s a site called the Human Rights Campaign that has some good information about the trans community. I can find a link for you.”
“Uh, okay,” said Hortensia. “Sure.”
“That would be helpful,” Ivy agreed. “Thank you, Céline.”
Alcryst smiled. Things had worked out. She would really like to talk to Céline some more, though. Without the others.
She looked over at Céline again, hoping to silently get the point across.
“Hm?” said Céline, meeting Alcryst’s eyes.
“So…we should probably go home, huh?” said Alear. “Let’s sneak off before everybody outside tries to find us.”
“Good idea,” said Céline. “I’d like to talk with Alcryst a bit more, though…I’ll text a link to the appropriate HRC page over the group chat this evening, all right, Hortensia? Ivy can open it for you.”
“’Kay, then,” said Hortensia, nodding.
“Okay, see you two later!” said Alear, waving.
“Thank you,” said Céline, taking hold of Alcryst’s hand. “Shall we, my friend?”
Alcryst nodded. “Let’s go back to Zofia Gardens.”
—----------------
“I’m sorry I left our backpacks behind,” said Alcryst. “I hope they’re still there…”
“It’s perfectly all right,” said Céline. “You were in a hurry, just like I was.” She smiled. “I’m glad you arrived in time. Just like a classic magical girl.”
Alcryst smiled shyly. “Thank you. I don’t know where the instinct to follow you came from, but…I’m so happy I listened to it.”
“Oh, so am I,” said Céline. “You were wonderful.” Her gaze softened. “Are you doing all right, though? You’ve done so much this afternoon, both physically and emotionally.”
“I…I think I’d like to rest on the bench for a little while,” Alcryst admitted.
“Well then, it’s a good thing that the gardens are just up ahead,” said Céline.
Soon, they were sitting together on the bench in the gardens again. The gardens were still empty of other people, and fortunately the girls’ backpacks were right where Alcryst had left them.
“Now, how are you doing?” Céline asked, placing her hand on Alcryst’s again.
“I’m feeling better now,” said Alcryst. “I’m kind of overwhelmed, but…I also feel lighter. Like there’s a weight off my chest.” She squeezed Céline’s hand. “Thank you, Céline. I really needed someone to talk to about all of this.”
“I’m happy I was able to help,” said Céline.
“So much has happened in less than an hour,” said Alcryst. “I’m nervous about the future…but at least I have you and Emblem Lyn. And Alear sounds like she’s an ally, and Ivy seems nice, and Hortensia is trying, even though she dislikes my family…”
“I’m sure Hortensia will become more open-minded given time,” said Céline. “And no matter what you’re going to do next or who else you might come out to, you have us.”
Alcryst nodded slowly. Then, after briefly hesitating, she threw her arms around Céline.
“Thank you,” she repeated, tears welling up in her eyes. “Thank you so much for being my friend. For being here for me.”
Céline hugged her back. “Of course,” she said. “I’m here whenever you need me. Just like you’ve always been there for me.”
Alcryst sniffled and hugged Céline tightly. “I’m sorry…I think I need a moment…”
“It’s all right,” Céline whispered. “Take your time. I’ll stay right here.”
And so Alcryst finally let herself give way to tears of joy and sadness and pure relief as she buried her face in Céline’s shoulder. Both Lyn and Celica’s Emblem Rings gave off a comforting warmth.
I never needed to wish to be a girl, did I? Alcryst thought, smiling through her tears. I was a girl all along.
Alcryst didn’t know what was going to happen next, but she knew she had friends who accepted her for who she was. She had her Emblem partner. And she had kind, wonderful Céline, who was always there for her.
She had a feeling that, somehow, everything was going to be all right.
—----------------
“You’re all right with me going home, then?” said Céline.
They were standing in front of the Brodia house, both of them wearing their backpacks.
“Yes,” said Alcryst. “Um, sorry I cried all over you…”
“I don’t mind,” said Céline, smiling. “I’ll just change my clothes.”
Alcryst smiled back.
“I’ll text you in a little while, all right?” said Céline, looking over at her own house. “I can also catch you up on what we need to do as Embleteers.”
“That would be really helpful,” said Alcryst. “Thanks.”
Céline nodded and started to walk over to her house. “Best of luck with Diamant,” she said.
“Thank you,” said Alcryst.
“And, my friend…” Céline turned back toward her. “Zettai daijoubu da yo.”
“Huh?” said Alcryst. That sounded like Japanese. “Zet-tye…dye-joh-bu da yo?”
“It’s from Cardcaptor Sakura,” said Céline, smiling. “It means ‘I’m sure it’ll be all right.’”
Alcryst smiled and nodded. “I needed to hear that…thank you again, Céline. See you tomorrow.”
“Yes,” said Céline, walking away. “See you tomorrow.”
Alcryst watched Céline walking home for a moment, then took a deep breath and headed inside herself.
Alcryst’s parents wouldn’t be home yet, and that was fine. She didn’t feel quite ready to come out to them yet. But she wanted to talk to Diamant, who would be in his room studying.
Alcryst made her way to Diamant’s room and knocked on the door.
“Is that you, Alcryst?” said Diamant. “Come on in.”
Alcryst nervously opened the door and stepped into her brother’s room. “H-Hello, Diamant…”
Diamant turned around in his desk chair. “How are you doing? It’s rare to see you check in on me right after I get home from classes.”
“I know,” said Alcryst, fidgeting with her hands. “I’m sorry if I’m interrupting…”
Diamant smiled kindly. “I don’t mind at all. I’m always happy to talk with you. What is it?”
Alcryst came closer to Diamant. Even though she felt almost certain that Diamant would be okay with this, she was still so nervous.
Breathe in…breathe out…
“Diamant?” said Alcryst. “I need to tell you something.”
Zettai daijoubu da yo.
I know it’ll be all right.