“Seiko, let's go for your checkup,” Leona advises as soon as we step off the shuttle.

“Alright. Is anyone else coming, or are we splitting up here?” I ask. After the first day with everyone watching, some continued coming, but it quickly became clear that most of the time there's nothing for them to do or help with, so it's been me and Leona for the last couple days.

Everyone excuses themselves, so it's just the two of us today too. We greet the doctor as usual, then get to it.

Even if Leona hasn't fully explained the process since it's a psion thing, I've managed to put a few things together. First, there's the tab she sticks to her forehead, it's definitely something to read her brainwaves, probably so that when she looks into my energy pathways, what she sees will be sent to her mobile and recorded. That must be what she sets up on her mobile first every time.

Once more, after she pushes me down, I note that the places she puts her hands – my chest and abdomen – are the spots where energy cores should be. I don't know why she's choosing those parts, but I'm assuming it's necessary for this to work.

And then there are the eyes. I still don't get it, all I can think of is that old saying that eyes are the window into the soul, but I have no idea if that has any meaning. It's where her psionic energy always comes from though, so maybe that's where the energy can come out of the pathways inside or something?

Lastly, every time since the first, Leona's eyes glow red instead of blue. I know the two energy types she has are those colors, though I wouldn't even begin to guess what they actually mean. Since her energy usually comes out purple any time she isn't doing a psionic flood, I'm assuming she normally uses the two together, and is forcibly focusing on only one of them for the flood.

Why? I have no idea. To keep the energy in me from getting even more mixed up than it already is maybe? As for why she's only using red, my only real guess is that she's trying to avoid the arousal effect from the first time she did it. Even though it's random every time? I don't know, but it's the only thing I can come up with.

Again today, her eyes glow into mine, and there's a smaller surge than before. She's definitely gaining better control as she keeps doing this. The energy flows through me and... huh. When she comes up for air, panting lightly, I lie on the bed, feeling... a little different I guess, but without any apparent problems. Much different than usual.

I sit up and fix my clothes while she taps away on her mobile, probably sending off the results to psi-ops, and just move my body a little. Yeah, I don't think there's anything this time. After a short exchange with Leona and the doctor, she has me stand up and walk around a little, and all I can do is shrug.

“Mm, maybe I'm a little sleepy, but I'm not sure if that's from the energy or from going out today,” I intone uncertainly. In response, Leona leans in close to stare into my eyes again, but ends up shrugging afterward.

“Alright, let's get you back to your dorm then.”

With a short goodbye to doctor Belinda, we head across campus again, back to the dorm. Since I'm fine, we split up at the front, and I head up to my room alone. I flop down on my bed. I'm not sure what do do with myself, since I've been forced into dealing with the side-effects of psionic floods so much lately.

With the unexpected free time, I end up playing with my mobile for a bit, before Ken gets back. We hang out, study, watch some TV, and eventually I turn in for the night, a little earlier than usual since I feel a bit off.

The next day, Jen's busy, so I just hang with Ken and some other guys. Play some games, watch some movies. It's weird, getting... guy time. They all laugh and joke, horse around, talk about chicks... Despite none of them knowing about me, I just... don't feel like I fit in. Even though they think I'm a guy, why don't they treat me like one of them...?

----------------------------------------

Eventually, Leona shows up in the afternoon for my checkup.

Once more, things proceed as usual, right up until she gasps, and reels back at the end. “L-Leona?!” I sit up as she groans, before righting herself.

“Sorry, I don't think I put enough power into it this time, so there was some recoil.”

“Do you need to do it again?”

“No, I only have enough power to try once a day.”

“Even if you use blue?”

I think it's an obvious question, but Leona looks confused, just for a moment as she asks, “Blue?” But then she shakes her head. “...No. I... don't have enough power.” But she won't meet my eyes when she says it.

Wow, I didn't realize Leona was such a bad liar...

“Isn't it going to be an issue missing the data you need for a day?” I ask uncertainly.

“No, missing one day is no big deal, as long as we don't miss two.” The way she casually shrugs that one off tells me she's being truthful this time. As long as it's not a problem...

“Well, that's all for today,” she sighs, “Are you feeling alright? No energy buildup?”

I move my hands a little. “I... don't think so?” I guess there's nothing because it didn't work?

Leona leans close, staring deep into my eyes. After a few tense moments, she pulls back. “I don't think I'm seeing any problems, it should be fine. Let's head back for today.”

“Sure.”

----------------------------------------

Monday, classes continue on as usual, and I'm starting to get into the comfortable routine. I still miss Jen not playing with my hair during breaks, but I can hardly blame her with the way everyone is watching us. I also make sure to bring lunch with me to avoid splitting up from the others to go to the cafeteria. I may not be able to cook, but shoving food in a box is within my abilities.

Classes continue as usual until gym. When we all arrive, the teacher says it's a new month, so we're doing weight lifting now.

Ugh.

We all head to the weight room. Lifting weights and machines of all types scattered around the large space. I always hated this place. So many people to eye me while I just want to be left alone. And it reminds me of Dad...

Of course... “Maka-san, you're the smallest, but you're still a guy.” The teacher calls me out like that. “Pick up these weights and show everyone how to do a curl.” They're just these tiny little five kilo hand weights. Ignoring my itching back at everyone suddenly watching me, I walk over while the teacher keeps talking.

“Weights like these are light enough that even you girls can lift them if you try. Guys, I'd point you to the tens.” What is this guy even talking about...? I get to the front, kneel down, and pick up the weights.

“Huh?” I blink stupidly at the crowd. Why are they so heavy?

“Come on, Maka-san, even you can't be that weak, aren't you a man?” the teacher sighs at me.

“N-no, I-” I stammer.

“Come on, just give us one curl,” he rolls his eyes. So I do. I grit my teeth, grip the weights, and do a curl with each arm. It's kind of hard. These weights shouldn't be so heavy...

“Are you sure these are five kilo?” I ask, “they're too heavy.”

“Then you should work out more and man up,” he scoffs at me, and a few people snicker. I... but...

“Seiko.” Suddenly, Leona calls my name as she steps out of the crowd of watching, giggling students.

“Huh?”

“What did you say? What's wrong with those weights?” She sounds so serious...

“They're heavier than they should be,” I reply.

“Don't tell me...” Leona mutters as she rapidly crosses the distance between us. She grabs my chin, lifting my face so she can press her forehead to mine and stare deep into my eyes. My whole face flushes red. What is she doing in front of all these people?!

There's a room full of gasps, then she releases me and turns away, cursing and scowling. “Damn it, I screwed up. That's why yesterday went wrong.” She spins to the dumbfounded teacher. “Sir, I'm taking Seiko to the infirmary.”

He doesn't even respond as she has me drop the weights and grabs my hand, pulling me away through the rapidly parting crowd of gawking students.

We soon arrive in the office, where the doctor says, “You're early, shouldn't you still be in class?”

“I screwed up with Seiko's checkup yesterday. It didn't work – not because I didn't use enough energy, because Seiko already had too much. The energy from Saturday didn't burn off overnight after all.”

“Wait, it didn't? Then what was the effect?”

“Weakness,” she responds immediately. “You just said those weights were heavier than they should have been. Did you do anything over the weekend that would use your strength?”

“No...” I wasn't really in the mood to lift my weights.

“I screwed up because we've been burning off the energy until now. We have to get you to burn off this one since apparently, your system isn't purging itself at all. So you have to...” she pauses. “Do physical exercise? While you're in a weakened state, I guess?” She sounds uncertain, but that's the best thing I can think of too. It worked while I was strengthened, so why not while I'm weakened?

“So does that mean we should go back to gym and I should just... keep working out until it wears off and I go back to normal?”

“Well, yes, but... Mm...” Leona curls a finger around her chin. “Maybe not... Seiko, you aren't all that weak right now, so maybe we should leave the energy there instead. Then you won't have to go through random effects every day.”

“But...” What does she mean I'm not that weak? I had trouble with a five kilo weight. That's hardly a fraction of my usual strength... At the same time, I can see the reason for it. It's not like I actually have to use my strength most of the time. I only lifted and got strong so I could fight off bullies. As long as I keep my friends around, the bullies stay away.

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Compared to everything else, effects which have usually eaten up an evening to deal with, it'll hardly ever come up as an issue.

“So... I would just be like this normally...” I mumble. “Wait, but what about the problem you had yesterday? Would you be able to keep checking me?”

“As long as you burn off most of the energy, I'll manage. It'll just be adding more each day, so you'll have to exercise more to burn that off.”

“Exercise more, when I'm this weak...” I sigh. “Well, fine I guess. Since this is the least disruptive to my daily life...”

“Good, one more thing.” With her words, Leona leans in to stare into my eyes again. I hold still, now that I have a good idea of what she's doing. I guess compared to doing a psionic flood, this is more of just a peek inside?

When she pulls away a few moments later, she groans. “Now I see, the energy doesn't show up unless it's in use, that's why I missed it before... Seiko, struggle.”

Struggle? While I'm questioning what she could mean, her eyes suddenly glow with purple light, and the air grows unbearably oppressive. She grabs my hands and pins me against the wall, hard. “H-huh?!” I gasp out, going red from ear to ear.

Staring into my eyes from up close, she says, “Come on, struggle. Try to get free.”

Still in shock, I try, flailing and straining against her hands. But between her eyes glowing with psionic power and my own weakened state, I can't budge her fingers even the tiniest bit. I only have to try for a few seconds before she nods. “Alright, that works.”

She pulls back, and I slide to the floor in a blushing heap. “Good, as long as you're physically exerting yourself, I can get a measure of the energy left, so you won't accidentally burn it all off if I keep an eye on you.”

“R-right...” I mumble at the floor. So that's what that was about... Why doesn't she warn me before she does stuff like that...?

“Alright, Doctor, we'll be heading back to class now.” She grabs me and drags me back out of the room, while I stare back at the doctor with eyes screaming 'save me!' The woman smiles and waves.

Once we get back to the weight room, everyone's eyes are on us, but as always, Leona keeps up her cold act, like they aren't even there. Instead, she keeps constant watch on me, pushing me to work out despite how mortifying it is with everyone watching.

No matter how uncomfortable or self-conscious it makes me, she won't take no for an answer. “It will be bad if I can't get a reading two days in a row,” she tells me while I'm fighting to lift the tiny weights. God, I'm so weak now... Ugh, it would be really bad if we missed today though. I don't know how psi-ops would respond, so despite it all, I keep pushing on with all of my suddenly meager strength.

To make matters worse, Leona checks me regularly, gazing deep into my eyes each time, while the rest of the class stares and snickers. I'm already so hot and sweaty, blushing hardly makes a difference...

“You could take off your jacket if you're that hot,” Ken suggests one time as I'm panting on the floor.

“I can't...” I grumble. All I have on under is my white undershirt, which isn't enough to hide my figure.

“Mm...” he rumbles, “Good luck, then.” With Leona hovering around me the entire time, the teacher leaves me alone and keeps his distance. As does basically everyone else.

When class finally ends, Leona needs to hold me to keep me upright as she brings us over to the teacher. “I'll be bringing Seiko back to the infirmary now,” she tells him flatly.

“Right, sure.” He gives a stiff response, and lets us go without a single question. When it becomes clear I can barely stand, let alone walk, she sweeps me off my feet, into a princess carry again, and carries me away. I can't miss the jeers from behind as we walk away.

“Noo....” I moan, covering my burning face. Why does Leona do the most embarrassing stuff...? Even as I want to crawl into a hole somewhere, she brings me back to the infirmary.

“What, are you skipping last period this time?” the doctor asks in a huff when we arrive. But then she frowns when she sees me. “Maka-san, you're clearly overheated, you need to drink more water,” she scolds me. “And take off your jacket if you're that hot.”

I do as she says, unzipping my jacket and tossing it aside. When she returns with a glass of water, her eyes go wide, before averting her gaze. I look down at myself.

My white shirt is utterly soaked through, sticking tight to my skin, my bra clearly visible through it.

“Well, I suppose I understand leaving it on in your circumstances...” the doctor sighs with one hand to her brow, them comes and hands me the glass of water. I drink it slowly for a minute, my foggy, tired brain beginning to work a little better.

Since my shirt clearly isn't helping, I wind up peeling it off. It lands in a sopping heap on the bed, beside my jacket. Just sitting in my bra is a bit embarrassing, but the cool air on my skin feels incredible. I drink a few more glasses of water before I feel like I've recovered. Then Leona comes over.

“Alright, time for another check. You still have two days of energy built up. I can't risk missing two days in a row, so I'm going to be a bit more rough than usual. Alright?”

“O-ok...” I answer nervously. Rougher... how?

After she prepares, Leona climbs on top of me, and starts gathering energy. Only this time, it's stronger than usual. I can feel it in the air, like it's going to crush me straight through the bed. Also, her eyes don't hue shift this time. Is she using her full power?

The light is starting to overflow from her eyes, when the sound of the office door swinging open cuts through the room. We both flinch, the light starting to go out in Leona's eyes, before she grimaces and it returns. She isn't stopping? Don't tell me she can't...?

“Keep quiet,” she hisses through her teeth, reaching behind herself to grab at the thin blanket and throw it over us. To... hide us, I guess. Then her full attention returns to me as her eyes glow brighter and brighter purple.

The doctor has already thrown the curtain shut and run over to the door, surely knowing it will be a serious problem if someone sees us right now. “Yes? What is it?” she asks.

“I have stomach cramps,” comes a girl's voice. It sounds vaguely familiar, but I can't place who it belongs to.

“Sure, sure, I'll get you some medicine. Just wait here a moment.” Then her footsteps tap away across the room while Leona takes a few deep breaths. I know she's about ready, either unwilling or unable to delay this, so I clamp my hands over my mouth because I have no idea how much worse this will be than usual.

In those last few seconds, I hear light footsteps approaching, not the doctor's, and I get a sudden, terrible feeling. We're in the last rest bed on the end, and this girl's steps are coming in our direction.

Whether she notices or cares, Leona is going for it. She presses her hands into position, pushing down harder than normal. It's almost painful. She grits her teeth and brings her face to mine. Indigo overwhelms my vision, and I'm being washed away in light.

My senses start to sputter out, electric running over my skin, ice filling my bones. I lose comprehension of the world around me, until she pulls back, and I'm finally aware of the low whine leaking from my throat, into my clasped hands.

On top of me, Leona's entire body quakes in silence as she fights down whatever feeling overwhelms her.

“Alright, here's some medication,” the doctor's voice suddenly comes from directly outside the curtain. We both jolt, but manage to maintain our silence.

“Thank you, doctor,” comes the girl's voice again. Whoever she is, she didn't see anything, did she? Her footsteps take her back out of the room again, before the doctor pulls open the curtain.

“Are you two alright?” she asks when Leona rises and the blanket slides off. Leona is one thing, but I must look absolutely panicked.

“Y-yeah, I think so...” I eventually manage to answer.

“Sorry, I was really nervous there. I used too much power,” Leona murmurs. When she stands up, she actually wavers on her feet. She waves off the help of the doctor, standing up straight on her own. Her face is kind of pale though, and she looks weaker than I've ever seen her before.

She grabs her mobile and taps at it for a bit. She got it done, but it looks like it cost her... “Come on, Seiko, let's get back.” There's no strength in her voice.

“Y-yeah.” I pull my sweat-drenched shirt back on and cover it with my jacket for now. I'll have to shower and change when we get back to the dorm. Since we've already missed last period by this point, we go straight back to the dorm building, though we're both dragging pretty badly by the time we arrive.

“I'm turning in, see you tomorrow, Seiko,” Leona pants lightly.

“See you tomorrow, Leona.”

We split up, and I trudge my way upstairs. I'm almost falling over, my body heavy and legs legs like jelly, by the time I make it up to the third floor. Everyone stares, whispers passing between them, as I end up limping through the common room, before I make it back to my own room.

I go straight for the shower, dropping my disgusting clothing on the way, and end up just standing under the water for a minute to get the sweat off, before turning off the water and leaving the room.

“Sei-” Ken barely gets my name out before he goes beat red and spins away.

“Sorry... tired...” I mumble as I stumble my way over to the side of my bed and pass out, possibly before I hit the mattress.

I end up waking up just after midnight with a pounding headache. “Right...” I grumble. At least Ken threw a blanket over me. He's already asleep, so I stagger up, and take care of my body. Water, toilet, a proper shower where I actually wash myself. Then clothes, and I trudge out into the common area to eat something.

While I'm crunching my way through... what the hell is this? Whatever---

“Yo, you look like shit, bro,” a guy's voice comes from nearby. He plops into a seat the wrong way, leaning heavily on the back. “What's up? Name's Janson Bro. Everyone just calls me 'Bro.'”

“Bro?” I raise an eyebrow. Is that name unfortunate or....?

“Hey, I get to make all the bro jokes I want, bro,” he shrugs. “You're Seiko Maka, right?”

“Uh huh.” I bite into my food again. It figures everyone knows me by now...

“Man, you should hear some of the shit people say about you,” Bro laughs.

“I have, it's a pain...” I grumble.

“Well, if half of it's true, that still makes you a hell of a guy,” Bro chuckles.

“I doubt any of the rumors are true at this point,” I grouch. Can't I just eat in peace?

“Really? Everyone I talked to was so sure of them, I even heard someone saw you boning Leona Vicca in the infirmary earlier.”

“Haah?!” I gasp, suddenly very awake, and very red. Why do guys have to say stuff like that?!

“I take that as a confirmation,” he laughs, half turning away.

“N-no,” I immediately deny it. “Damn it, that person who came in,” I groan and drop my head on the table. “It figures...” After I thump my head against the table in annoyance, I slowly sit back up. “No, it was completely different, but it figures that girl started some stupid rumor like that.”

“Mm? Sounds interesting. What were you two up to then?” he asks with a smirk.

“We...” I trail off, then frown. “Actually, I have no idea if I'm allowed to talk about that or not.” I should ask Leona at some point... “Anyway, it was something else. Non-sexual. I have no idea why everyone's always jumping to conclusions like that,” I huff.

“Damn, most guys would love the recognition, getting with the hottest chick around,” Bro chuckles. “Why're you so against it?”

“Why? Because-” Why am I against recognition like that? He's right, even I know that most guys would revel in these rumors, probably use them to get even more girls. Dad even said doing something like that is a man's dream at some point, didn't he?

When I feel the sting behind my eyes, I shake my head. I'm not thinking about him now. “She's my friend, I don't want people spreading weird rumors about her. One of my other friends is already dealing with the same thing.”

“That's... Jenna Corro-san?” Of course he knows that one too.

“Yeah,” I complain, throwing my hands up. “She's been like, the best, most helpful friend of all time. Got me through all sorts of shit. And what does she get for it? Rumors that we had sex? Why? Urgh.” I take a few more angry chomps of my food as the big guy looks down at me, clearly amused.

“Sounds like you've got it rough, bro,” he gives me a playful slap on the shoulder as he laughs.

But I'm not worried about me. I'm worried about them. Why are guys always saying I'm awesome, or that I'm a stud, or whatever, because what they think happened? Why doesn't anyone pat Jen on the back for it? Because it's me? The most pathetic guy of all time? Do they all feel bad for her?

Practically fuming at myself, I scarf down the remainder of my food, and stand from the table. After I throw my plate and stuff in the cleaner, Bro waves me off for the night, and I head back to my room to sleep.

It doesn't come easy though, I'm wrapped up in my worries again. Especially my new one. I'm weak. The one thing I was able to fix about myself, to make me more manly - less vulnerable - has been taken away. I can't even defend myself anymore.

What would my parents think?

I can't help crying myself to sleep again...