A/N: This chapter starts a bit differently - as in, immediately after the last one, so no timeskip in between. Just FYI! ;) Also, full credit to grizzybear69 on our KidgeonPost Discord server for suggesting Edel as the guidance counselor! You're the best! 3

"You should talk to someone," Fakir says out of the blue, between bites of his vanilla swirl. "About the bullying, I mean."

Ahiru's mouth is full of her double-fudge banana split, so she pauses and tilts her head, raising an eyebrow questioningly. She has an ice cream mustache, and Fakir can't help but chuckle helplessly fondly before motioning to her lip so she knows. With someone he's closer to, like Mytho, he might reach over there himself, but…he doesn't think they're on that level yet (he's doing his best to hide his blush just thinking about it). She moves to wipe it off, smiling at him a little more in thanks, and he softens.

How could anyone bully this girl? Not that he has much room to talk in others' eyes, but his intentions were to be helpful. Unlike those girls today and Melody's before… That reminds him, he needs to talk to Melody after this, maybe tomorrow if it gets too late. Honestly, though… Ahiru doesn't have a mean bone in her body. All she ever does is her best to help people and be there in any way she can, even those who might not deserve it. Hell, she is the one who got Mytho to smile and laugh and be human again when he couldn't, despite years of trying…! It just…doesn't make sense to him. None of it.

Ahiru swallows, beaming at the flavors before she turns her attention back to Fakir. "So, what did you mean, 'talk to someone?'"

Coming out of his thoughts, he looks up at her, absently working to carve out the perfect spoonful. "You know, like one of the school's guidance counselors. Someone you can talk to about what the bullies are doing and how it makes you feel." She's looking at him like she's wondering why in the world she'd do that, and he sighs. "You were confused and hurt today when they accused you of being stuck up, right? And when they brought me into it…" that still makes him clench his fist, "…it made it worse, right? It added sadness and even more hurt to the mix." She blinks, and it makes him look away, cheeks red. They're both quietly wondering when he learned to read her half as well. His voice is low and shy when he speaks up again. "I just mean, if you're hurting…you should have someone to talk to…" His other fist clenches now, voice dropping even more and somewhat tight with frustration. "If I can't help, then…"

"But you do!"

His gaze snaps to her, eyes wide. She's standing up all of a sudden, leaning on her bandaged palms on the table, expression adorably earnest, the emotions in her bright blue eyes lit up all the more by the setting sun. In this moment, she looks almost…ethereal. He doesn't think he's ever seen her look so beautiful. The thought makes him blush, but it's true. He wishes he could take a picture and show her the next time she gets down on herself.

"I mean it! Really!" She must think his silence means disbelief. Before he can correct her, she's already charging ahead. "You defended me with Melody! You came to my defense with those girls today! You patched me up after it all! You didn't have to do any of that, but you did it anyway! You don't even have to be helping me do better in my classes, but you are!" She smiles at him widely, softening, and he's not sure why, but seeing her like this, while she's exalting him and looking so, well, pretty…it's doing things to his heart he doesn't understand.

Sighing gently through her nose in calming some, she sits down again. "I'm just saying…" She reaches across the table to rest her hand on his and squeeze without hesitation. He starts, eyes widening and cheeks coloring even more. His heart's beating quickly in his chest, and that increases when he sees the light blush across the bridge of her nose. What the hell is wrong with him? "You help me more than you give yourself credit for, Fakir. And I want you to know, I really, really appreciate it. Hopefully you know that already, but just in case," she bows her head low, "thank you very much, for everything. The extra lessons, protecting me…" she straightens and gives him a sweet, tender smile he's never seen from her before, but would not mind seeing again, particularly if he's the cause, "…but most of all, for being my friend. You're the best."

Fakir is pretty sure he's forgotten how to speak. He's also pretty sure he's on fire and his heart's going to burn itself out in a moment or two. But he doesn't want to leave her hanging or make her think he doesn't appreciate what she just said – on the contrary, he thinks that's the nicest thing anyone's ever said to him – so he takes a shaky bite of his ice cream to give a shock to his system. Luckily, it works, and he's able to breathe again. Thank goodness.

Taking a deep breath, he smiles for her in a way that's so soft, it makes her throat constrict, and after fighting off the moment's hesitation, he reaches over to hold her hand on his. "Thank you. That…" his smile grows, and Ahiru can feel her ears burning, "…I'm glad I could help you that much." Squeezing her hand, he stands up. "You don't have to thank me, though. It's the least I can do."

Ahiru blinks at that, knowing there's more to it, but not sure what he could mean. Least he can do for what? Is he still talking about how he treated her before? She thought his training was his penance for that… But if he means something else, she can't imagine what. But before she can think on it more, he's gently drawing her to her feet and nodding the way they came. "We should head back. It's getting late, and even if we got lucky and didn't get caught missing curfew last time, I wouldn't make a habit of it."

Filing her confusion away for later, she picks up the rest of her sundae and nods, handing him what little of his swirl he has left. "Okay!"

It's quiet on the way back, at least for the most part. She asks a few questions about the guidance counselors, and it turns out, he knows quite a bit. She wonders why, if he's had any reason to see them, brow furrowing in concern. But then, she remembers their first day, when Mytho fell from the second story window saving a baby bird and almost died, and she thinks she understands. She's almost surprised they didn't send her, too, come to think of it, being directly involved…but it was a really busy time for everyone, so she's not shocked she was accidentally overlooked.

"You know…" she looks at him when he speaks up again, quieter and more hesitant this time, keeping his gaze straight ahead so he doesn't lose his nerve,"…if you're nervous about going alone to see the counselors, I…don't mind going with you. They probably won't let me sit in on the appointment with you since that's supposed to be confidential, but I can wait with you until your name's called." Suddenly realizing how that might sound, like he doesn't think she's brave enough to go on her own or something, he throws caution to the wind and whips to face her, hoping she can't see his embarrassed flush. "I-I just mean, if—if you want and if—if it would make you feel better...!"

Ahiru's eyes widen, she blinks, and then she beams, fists pumped at half-mast. "Wait, really?! You really wouldn't mind?" He's about to remind her he just said that when the sheer brightness of her beam blinds him. She gives a happy sound, almost like a quack. "Oh, thank you, Fakir! I've never talked to a counselor before, so I was really nervous, but I didn't want to sound like a baby!"

There's a happy spring and skip in her step now, and he watches her for a second before chuckling helplessly and shaking his head. "You're welcome." He reaches out to catch her wrist, and she stops, tilting her head questioningly. "But being scared doesn't make you childish. It makes you smart. If you're not afraid, you might get cocky and make mistakes. Besides, you were going to do it anyway, right? Just like you've stayed at this school despite everything that's been thrown at you?" She nods, but she still looks confused, and he finds himself softening again. This girl… "That makes you brave, Ahiru."

Realization starts lighting her eyes, and he's glad. Actually, now that he thinks about it, from the time he first started to notice Ahiru while she worked to help Mytho open up again and all she's done until now…she might be the bravest person he's ever met… Huh…

When he looks over at her, she's beaming again, singing a little song to herself as she skips along, and he falls into step at her side, a content smile on his face.

Once they reach their dorm, Fakir's digging out the key when Ahiru bumps his shoulder with hers. He glances at her, eyebrow raised. She's grinning brightly, hands clasped behind her back. "Thank you for today. The ice cream was great!" She rocks back and forth on the balls of her feet, humming happily.

Fakir just breathes a laugh and smiles right back. "Don't mention it. I enjoyed it, too."

A few days later, as promised, Fakir accompanies Ahiru to the guidance office. It's pretty quiet, a bright and early morning in the middle of the week, but their classes were canceled today due to Cat-sensei being out sick, so they decided to take advantage of the time. Fakir helps her get set up, and then they go wait. It's not long before a door opens a few doors down and the strangest woman Ahiru's ever seen pokes her head out. "Ahiru Arima?"

In her nervousness, the redhead shoots out of her chair so quickly she stumbles, but pays that no mind as she throws her hand in the air. "P-present!"

Fakir is quick to smother his would-be laugh while the woman barely bats an eye before ducking back inside her office. "This way, please."

"Ah! Right!" Ahiru turns to Fakir with a grin and a small wave. "Thanks, Fakir! See you back home!"

With that, she hurries inside the room, shutting the door behind her. Fakir, for his part, rests his chin on his palm with a soft smile. He might as well get comfortable. He's not sure how long this will take.

On the other side of the door, Ahiru realizes the woman who's supposed to be her guidance counselor is even stranger-looking than she first thought. Mint green hair in an unusually curled, defying-gravity style, she's probably the palest person Ahiru's ever seen. Her makeup is also…interesting, almost clown-like, only a little prettier and less unnerving, and that's not saying anything about her clothes. They're like something out of a circus. Honestly, all together, the woman seems almost…doll-like, or maybe like some kind of marionette from a puppet show. It's weird, but that's honestly the most accurate description she can think of.

Not that any of that's a bad thing, of course! At least it makes her interesting! And for all she knows, maybe it'll make her a better counselor! Why else would they have her here first thing in the morning?

The woman seems to have been observing her, too, in between putting a record on her player in the corner of the room. Setting the needle, she sits down again just as the music starts to play. It's a lively tune, fun and almost carnival-like…but it also sounds…sad and eerie somehow? Huh… So she has an odd taste in music, too… It fits her, though!

"My name is Edel, and your name is Ahiru."

Ahiru jumps in shock. "W-wait, how do you know my name?!" 'Edel' silently holds up a folder with 'Arima, Ahiru' written on the label. The girl blushes. "O-oh…"

"Your incident report says you've had trouble with bullies recently."

Remembering the reason for her visit, Ahiru slumps a bit, her good mood dampening. "Y-yeah…"

"May those who accept their fate be granted happiness. May those who defy their fate be granted glory."

The aspiring ballerina snaps up to look at her, interest piqued. "Huh?" She tilts her head. "Is that a quote from somewhere? What's it mean?"

"You are only experiencing this bullying because you are trying to deft your fate, are you not?"

Somehow, that didn't help. She's even more confused now. "'My fate?'"

She looks back in the folder for Ahiru's scores and teachers' comments. "Your teachers and fellow students referred to you as the worst dancer in the school. You even did yourself." She puts the file down. "But you still keep trying, still dance, still pursue your dream, like the flower bud determined to bloom even without sun to nourish it." She nods toward the door. "Recently, though, it seems you found a sun that helps to push back the dark clouds and encourage your natural growth."

It takes a good few moments for Ahiru to wade through the metaphors and all, and she still doesn't really get the 'fate' and 'glory' stuff, but she flushes brightly when she figures out the end. "W-wait, are you talking about Fakir?!" Edel nods. "Qua—?!" She throws her hands over her mouth.

"Stories are better with supporting characters."

Forgetting her panic for a second in her sudden confusion, Ahiru stares at the woman for a beat or two before a soft "Huh?" pops out.

"Stories have their main characters, but they'd be nothing without their supporting roles. Main characters struggle and break, and if there's no one there to pick them up when they're at their lowest, the story will end prematurely. All stories have to end, of course, but if they do before their time?" She holds her index finger. "That, Ahiru, is what they call a tragedy."

Ahiru feels like her head is spinning. She's even more lost than before she asked. Maybe she shouldn't have asked at all. Is this…actually supposed to be helping her…? "I don't understand what you're saying, Miss Edel…"

Edel doesn't say anything in return, only because the record's reached its end. She gets up to change it, and while she does, Ahiru keeps thinking. Hmm… Maybe…? Could that…? Well, maybe, but… Geez, this is weird. Is this what guidance counselors are always like, talking in riddles?

All at once, though, she thinks she gets it, and she sits up straighter, snapping her fingers with a big smile. "You mean that Fakir and I are meant to be friends, right? We're both characters supporting each other!" She doesn't call him a supporting character or herself a main one on purpose. He's way too good to be secondary character material, and there's no way she's good enough to be a main. So, she's keeping it neutral. "And all that stuff you said about glory and fate before? You meant I should keep fighting, right? Fakir will help me, and we'll find glory – and hopefully happiness, too, since that's important – together!"

Feeling more confident and assured than she has since the incident with Melody's friends, Ahiru doesn't give Edel the chance to reply before she's leaping out of her chair and running for the door. Hand on the doorknob, she turns back with a bright smile, bowing low before she forgets herself. "Thank you so much, Miss Edel! You're really good at this!"

Edel blinks for a moment, then smiles and waves. The door slams in Ahiru's excitement, but the woman doesn't mind. Gaze falling to the folder on her desk again, she lets her thumb graze over the name. No one's ever said anything like that to her before…

Outside, Fakir jumps a bit at Ahiru slamming the door, worried for a moment that maybe something went wrong or the counselor was a jerk. But he's relieved in the next moment to see her beaming face and a light in her eyes that hasn't quite been there since the incident the other day. Standing, he glances toward Edel's door. "I take it it went well?"

She nods with an affirmative hum. "It was great! She was really strange, and she talked in riddles, but she helped me out a lot!"

Fakir isn't sure what to make of most of that, but he's not going to question it as long as she's smiling. "That's good. I'm really happy to hear that." He inclines his head toward the main desk. "You can make another appointment to see her at the end of the week or next or whenever you want, if you feel like it. Seeing her regularly might be a good idea, at least for a little while."

Ahiru thinks for a moment, but it's really not a hard decision. Edel's already really helped her, so knowing that she can come see her whenever she needs it? She's definitely on board! Fists pumped at half-mast, she nods firmly. "Mm hmm!"

While she's filling out the paperwork, Fakir standing by if she needs help, he does a double-take when something out the window catches his eye. Melody is walking by, a few books in her arms. She looks lost in thought. Hopefully, she's feeling guilty for what her friends did to Ahiru the other day or maybe even afraid of what he'll do when he finds her. Wouldn't that be appropriate? Whatever the case, Fakir knows he can't pass up this chance with classes out.

Turning to Ahiru, he does his best to hide his anger at Melody so it doesn't poison his small smile and make Ahiru worry or think she did something wrong. "I'm going to take care of something. You can head back to the dorm when you're done, and then we can get some practice in, if you want."

Ahiru finishes filling in her last line and then turns to raise an eyebrow at him, but he's already nearly to the door. She doesn't even have time to ask what he's talking about. "Ah—o-okay! Good luck!"

He waves, and then he's gone. She's so confused…

Fakir knows where Melody's headed, he's heard her talk about her schedule to her posse enough times, so he waits in the hallway a few doors down from her study group's meeting room. Some people might find this creepy, but he calls it using what he has to his advantage. When Melody rounds the corner and sees him, she stops in her tracks and narrows her eyes suspiciously. "What are you doing here, Drosselmeyer?"

"Why did you send your clique to pick on Ahiru?"

She flinches a bit at his icy tone, but she's not stupid enough to miss the red-hot fury underneath. Her glare hardens. "What are you talking about? When?"

"A few days ago, not that it matters. They ganged up on her in front of one of the practice rooms and pushed her down so she hurt herself and called her conceited. Then they brought me into it and claimed I called her 'hopeless' when—" He cuts himself off, looking away and clenching his fist while he works to control his ire. Melody swallows, looking him over. She's beginning to notice a pattern with Fakir—or maybe, since it's only happened twice so far, coincidence would be the better word for it (though she has no doubt it'll turn into a pattern soon enough). He only gets flustered to this extent when that Ahiru girl's involved. He sighs roughly through his nose, shoving his bangs from his face. "They took it out of context."

He clenches his other fist and pushes off the wall to face her fully. "They hurt her," coming closer, he points at her furiously, "and I want to know why. Was it revenge? Are you that much of a petty coward?" He's not giving her room to answer or argue, he knows that, but he's too pissed off, and luckily, she's smart enough to know that interrupting him would only stoke his fire. "More than that, did you really think I wouldn't find out?"

She waits a few seconds to make sure he's really done, and then she's glowering right back. Its heat is nothing compared to his, but it might be enough to sear a leaf or something. "I didn't 'sendthem' to do anything. I didn't even know they did anything until now. I've been busy with study groups. Ever since that day in class where you told me off, I've left her alone. Sure, my friends wanted me to get back at her, but I'm not dumb enough to go up against you."

She's not just saying that either. She doesn't think he'd hurt her, not really, he's still a gentleman, more or less, but he does have influence of his own, being one of the top dancers in the school and mostly well-liked for being such a loner. He could still get her punished, maybe even get the headmaster to call her parents, and they wouldn't take this lightly. They only let her go here because she convinced them it would be best for her ballet career. She can't afford to be that stupid. "If they bullied her and hurt her, I'm sorry. I'll talk to them. But I had nothing to do with it."

Fakir isn't sure he should believe her, but he doesn't get the feeling she's lying either. Sure, she's a little nervous, but not enough for a liar. She's less combative and sassy than usual, which does confuse him, though. Maybe after their little tussle in class the other day, Cat-sensei chewed her out and threatened her with disciplinary action or something. He searches her face, but the feeling he gets doesn't change. Finally, he sighs. "All right. I believe you. But I want you to know that I reported your friends to the school's disciplinary officials, and if they keep it up, I will go to the headmaster."

He starts walking back the way he came, but stops at her shoulder. "Thank you for keeping your word." Then, lower, more warning, right beside her ear, "But I would tread lightly from now on. All of you. Ahiru Arima is off limits." A heartbeat. "Remember that."

With that, he continues on his way. "Now, if you'll excuse me, I promised Ahiru some practice."

A/N: For the record, I'm not calling Fakir a secondary or less important character in the convo with Edel! By 'supporting,' I meant that he's the person encouraging her! Just want to make that clear! (I mean, technically, Ahiru is the main character in PT, so he sort of would be a supporting, but you know what I mean! lol.) Just don't want anyone to think I'm hating on Fakir! I love him! lol.

Also, this is my first time even trying to write Edel, who is definitely tricky, so please be honest with how I did with her! Obviously, I used some important quotes from the show to help introduce her, but the rest is all mine, so any feedback would be much appreciated!

Oh, and 'Arima' is Ahiru's fanon last name, as I've been told, and I think it's gorgeous and amazing, just like her - hence why I used it here! I love it!

Thanks so much for reading!