(Name) sat quietly on an empty cott, fidgeting with the hem of her shirt as Ludwig spoke with the school's nurse, Feliciano was sitting next to her in one of the spinning chairs, and Kiku had left to get her a cup of water.

As if being forced into a panic attack after who knows how long wasn't bad enough, she broke down in front of three of her bullies, and completely embarrassed herself in front of three of her classmates.

Not only was the teen exhausted emotionally, she was completely mortified.

"Don't worry, bella! Everything is just fine now!" Feliciano chirped, tilting his head to catch her gaze, sending a smile her way. He was helpful in calming her down after the whole ordeal, and for that (Name) was grateful.

She opened her mouth to speak, but looked up when Kiku walked back over, holding a paper cup. He glanced down at (Name), holding the cup out to her. The girl gave him a thankful nod and took the cup from him, taking a sip.

"It would seem the roles are reversed this time, (Name)-san." Kiku spoke, taking a seat on the edge of the bed.

She nodded in agreement, a small smile tugging at her lips. "Yeah... I suppose so." She replied, turning the cup in her hand.

"I'm just glad Kiku found you when he did. You... Didn't look well." Feliciano said with a sad gleam in his warm brown eyes.

"I guess that will happen in panic attacks, Feliciano." Murmured (Name) with a quiet sigh. 

She looked up from the cup with the two boys when their muscular friend came back. Ludwig pulled up one of the spare chairs next to the bed and sat down, looking at his two friends and his project partner.

"Well, the nurse says your fine, and that because you didn't loose consciousness, there's no reason to alert your bruder." Explained the German, watching as (Name) let out a sigh of relief. He had Kiku inform her that Arthur and the rest were really just lying in order to induce a panic attack.

"But I still have to ask... Are you really that terrified of being such a burden on him?" Asked Ludwig, meeting the (e/c) orbs of (Name).

The girl nodded slowly, her grip on the cup tightening. "... That's why I always strive to be the best I can be in school. He needs to know that even though he's super busy, he's still doing his job as my guardian. Taking care of me and making sure that I succeed."

She paused, sighing to herself as she took another sip of water to soothe her scratching throat. "And if he finds out that I've been in trouble without even knowing about it... I could be taken out of his care, he could loose all his respect, and after everything he did for me, I can't let that happen."

The three friends sat in silence as (Name) explained herself, each sharing a glance with one another every now and again. The silence was broken when Ludwig cleared his throat to draw the attention of the three in front of him.

"Well, wanting to uphold the reputation of your brother is something I can respect." He began, meeting her gaze. "But, I can't say that I agree to going to such lengths in order to do so... I know that I'm part of the guilty party here, but taking such abuse without telling anyone..."

(Name) nodded solemnly. "It's what I have to do so Louis won't worry. Also to make sure that none of the teachers know. Mr. Vargas was suspicious of an incident last week in my Latin class..."

"Nonno? Oh! You must be in my fratello's class!" Feliciano spoke. "I didn't know you were one of his students!"

She nodded. "Yeah..." She quickly glanced up at Ludwig before looking away. "... A couple of students bullied me into letting them heat off of me. He wondered why I was suddenly sitting with that group of students, especially since one of them had openly insulted me in that class before."

"Wait... One of them was mein bruder?" Ludwig asked, furrowing his brows.

The German's deep voice and hard stare made her flinch out of instinct. She gave him a timid nod, locking her gaze on her lap. 

Kiku shot a glance towards Ludwig as Feliciano murmured softly to (Name) to try and relax her.

"Ludwig-san... You need to be gentle now..." Kiku lightly scolded, looking back at (Name). 

The blond teen let out a quiet sigh, rubbing the back of his neck. If there was one thing that he wasn't the best at, it was being gentle. He looked back at the girl, lowering the volume as he began to speak to her. "I'm... I'm very sorry that Gilbert and I have been giving you so much trouble."

(Name) looked up, her brows raised in surprise. Feliciano and Kiku both shared surprised looks as they watched their friend.

"... You and your resolve, it's something that I can respect. And while I frown on Gilbert's behavior towards you, I can't promise that my word alone will stop him," He paused, his blue eyes meeting (Name)'s (e/c) orbs. "I will promise that I'll keep your secret. And if there is anything that you need to discuss... Feel free to confide to the three of us."

"Si! You already know that we're friends, bella! So if you ever want to talk to me, you know where to find me!" Feliciano said happily, wrapping his arms around the girl, hugging her.

"We are project partners, after all." Kiku added with a slight nod.

(Name) looked around at the three boys, their behavior towards her rather surprising. Well, Ludwig's and Kiku's, at least. She couldn't help the small smile that formed on her face as she moved to hold the Italian's arm. "Thanks... All of you, thank you so much."

The four students were surprised when they heard the school's bell ring. Ludwig looked at his watch, letting out an annoyed sigh. "Well, we missed the entire period." He spoke, shaking his head.

"We've really been here that long?" (Name) asked, looking at the wall clock to see the time.

Kiku nodded, looking at her. "It did take you a while to calm down after your panic attack."

The girl sighed. "Great, now we're behind on our parts of the project..."

"Well, it's nothing we can't catch up on!" Feliciano said cheerily. "We'll be fine! We still have plenty of time!"

Ludiwg sighed. "I'm glad you have confidence in our abilities... Are you going to be okay getting home today, (Name)?"

She was fixing to respond when she heard the door open. (Name) and her partners watched as Matthew quickly walked into the room, out of breath and eyes full of concern.

"(N-Name)... Y-you're okay?" Matthew asked Ashe tried to get air back into his lungs. He would have doubled over if Kiku hadn't gotten him a chair.

"I'm fine, Matthew... Thanks to these guys." She said with a small smile. She noticed Feliciano's grin, as well as Ludwig's and Kiku's cheeks tinting pink.

Matthew on the other hand, was rather surprised to see Ludwig and Kiku with (Name). He had suspected something of his brother and his cousins when they were almost late to class that day. But when (Name) and three of her project partners didn't show up for class at all, he had been ready to bolt out the door and find his friend immediately. 

It was only when half-way through the class when Alfred and Gilbert began passing notes and laughing did he realize that his brother must have had something to do with his friend's absence from class.

~~~

"So... You're telling me that my brother and cousins induced a panic attack?" Matthew asked, shaking his head in disappointment.

"Hai. It was after that when we chased them off to class and brought (Name)-san here." Kiku explained.

The four partners had spent the majority of their flex time explaining to Matthew what had happened in the hallway. The Canadian listened closely, clearly annoyed and disappointed in the actions of his brother and his cousins. 

"... When I get my hands on them, they're so going to regret today for the rest of their lives." Matthew mumbled darkly, causing a shudder to run down (Name)'s spine.

"Matthew, there's no need to do that..." (Name) said softly, reaching to put a hand on her friend's shoulder. She smiled gently at him, hoping to reassure her friend.

The Canadian watched (Name), glancing between the younger brothers of all of (Name)'s bullies. He sighed softly, shaking his head. "Alright... If you say so."

The girl nodded, smiling at the Canadian teen before looking down at her watch. She let out a soft sigh. "Great... I should probably get going towards home." 

"I can take you, if that would make things easier for you." Matthew spoke as he stood up from his chair. 

The girl gave her friend a grateful smile and nodded. "Sure, thanks Matthew." She turned back to her partners. "Thanks guys... Really, I mean it. It means a lot to me."

"Of course, bella! Can I look forward to seeing you tomorrow?" Feliciano asked, standing and taking the girl's hands into his.

She nodded. "Yeah, tomorrow for sure."

"Take it easy for the rest of the evening, (Name)-san." Kiku advised, standing and picking up his bag.

"I will. Thank you, Kiku." She replied, taking her bag from Matthew as he handed it to her.

Ludwig stood from his seat, helping Feliciano get his book bag, as well as his own. "Well... Have a good day, and I'll see you tomorrow in home room."

"Thanks, Ludwig." (Name) spoke, smiling up at the tall German before turning back to Matthew. "Ready to go?"

"After you." The Canadian replied, smiling down at his friend before walking to the door and opening it for (Name).

The girl waved to her partners before walking out of the clinic, Matthew following her. 

"Matthew. (Name)." A calm voice greeted the two. 

The two teens looked to their left to see Kiku's older brother. Yao adjusted his bag as he approached the entrance to the clinic, glancing at the doorway before turning his attention back to his classmates.

"Is Kiku inside?" Yao asked.

(Name) nodded, casting her gaze towards the floor.

"Er... Are you feeling any better?" Yao looked towards (Name). "When you didn't come to class and when Kiku and his friends didn't... I figured the way that Alfred and Gilbert were talking during class, something must have happened to you."

(Name) blinked in surprise. Once again, Yao was walking to her without any scorn at all. She looked up at Matthew, seeing that he was giving her an encouraging smile. She looked back to Yao, nodding in response. "I'm feeling better, Yao. Thanks for asking."

The Chinese teen gave an affirming nod, looking into the doorway. "Kiku, you about ready to go?" Asked the older brother.

"I'm coming, Nii-san." Kiku replied as he and his two friends exited the clinic. The shorter of the two students looked up at his brother. "You didn't have to come find me, you know."

Yao shrugged his shoulders, putting his hands on his hips. "Maybe not, but if I didn't, who would?"

Kiku let out a sigh, turning to. Ludwig and Feliciano. "I will see you both tomorrow."

"Ja, same to you." Ludwig replied.

"See you tomorrow, Kiku!" Feliciano chirped happily.

The Japanese boy nodded, looking up at Yao. "Shall we go?"

"Mm. Let's." Replied the elder brother.

And with that, the two brothers made their way down the hall. Kiku looked back and waved to his classmates before walking with his brother, soon enough turning out of sight.

Feliciano and Ludwig turned to (Name) and Matthew, bidding their good-byes, and leaving the two friends standing in the hall. (Name) looked up at Matthew, seeing the Canadian smile down at her.

"Shall we?" He asked his friend.

The girl smiled back, nodding. "Yeah. Let's go."

~~~

The two friends made their way down the hall, discussing random topics and just simply shooting the breeze. 

"You should have seen Mr. Beilschmidt when Alfred and the rest came in almost late, and especially when he caught him and Gilbert passing notes." He laughed, shaking his head. "Those two and complete idiots."

"You know I'm more than happy to agree." Answered (Name).

The two students walked on, but looked up at the sound of talking and laughter. (Name)'s interest was piqued when she noticed that it was Mr. Vargas speaking to someone she couldn't see due to the line of lockers blocking her view. Seeing that the two students would need to walk by, she would get to see who it was when they passed.

"Well! Look who it is!" Exclaimed a voice, a voice that (Name) quickly recognized as Arthur's brother.

Mr. Vargas looked up to see the substitute Chemistry teacher making his way down the hall. His smiled brightened as Allistor came towards the principle and the mystery guest.

"Mr. Kirkland, wonderful of you to join us!" Exclaimed the happy Italian as he gave the Scot a pat on the shoulder.

Allistor laughed, crossing his arms over his chest. "Hey, it's hard not to when you're bringing back one my of classmates." 

The mystery guest laughed, giving away that it was a woman. "It's nice to see you're doing well, Allistor. You're standing in, I assume?"

The Kirkland brother nodded. "Yeah, but it gives me a chance to check up on Artie. I'm gonna guess that you're taking that open position, yeah?"

"Mm, you're looking at the new guidance counselor!"

(Name) and Matthew shared a look of interest and slight confusion. A guidance counselor? Well... They did need to have one since the one they started out with that year suddenly retired.

"Shall we go introduce ourselves?" Matthew asked his friend.

(Name) nodded in agreement, smiling at the idea. "Yeah."

The two students approached the members of faculty. Allistor caught sight of (Name), and she could have sworn that the happy gleam in his eyes could have just fizzled out. He didn't say anything, but let the two students approach.

"Oh! Well if it isn't (Name)!" Mr. Vargas said cheerily, putting a hand on the girl's shoulder as she and Matthew approached. He looked towards Matthew, giving the young man a smile, nodding to him. "How are you, Mister Williams?"

"I'm fine, sir. Thank you." Matthew spoke with a kind smile.

The two students turned to who turned out to be a young woman. Her short platinum blond hair was pulled away from her face by a blue headband that complemented her kind blue eyes. She wore a light blue business suit over her white blouse that accented with lace.

It didn't take (Name) but a moment to recognize the woman standing in front of her.

"(Name), this is Katyusha Braginski. I believe you're familiar with her brother. And as I recall, Ms. Braginski and your brother were classmates." Mr. Vargas explained.

Katyusha's gaze met (Name)'s, and the teen could tell that there was recognition and sadness in the woman's eyes.