The seemingly endless steps to DWMA was usually something Maka liked to run on and hop like there was no tomorrow at the start of every day, greeting people as she did and motivating them to the last step...

That Maka, to say the least, does not exist anymore.

Tsubaki and Black Star were by Maka's side as they helped up her the steps, panting for breath until she collapsed on Tsubaki's side with Black Star trying to keep her steady.

"M-Maka!" Tsubaki worried. "This is not good. Are you sure you're able to attend today? I think it's best you just stay with the nurse today. I'd take you back home but I don't want you to go through those steps again."

"Maka, you look more pale than usual and that says a lot," Black Star chided in but looked away when Tsubaki shot him an angry look.

"I'm fine... thank you," was all Maka managed to say.

Patting Black Star's hand that was on her wrist, she eased into the crowd entering the school, with somber eyes and looser pigtails. She stopped for a moment in the hallway and imagined Soul surprising her with an embrace and helping her back to class. Reality sucked and so did moments of wishful thinking like that too. Without anyone's knowledge, she ditched her class and ended up skipping to the library, making herself tinier to avoid being seen by the librarian at the front desk, heading to a small, round table where she removed her jacket and set it on the table, fluffing it up. As bad as she wanted to lie her head on it, she just sat slumped in her chair, staring at her jacket into the void.

Sid gave Blaze his jacket. "First day back," the zombie said. "Sure you're up for this?" The young man nodded. He put his jacket on, and velcroed his gloves on.

"I'll be fine," he assured. The teacher had always been a father figure to Blaze, especially since the Paris Incident. Hell... Sid's the only reason I'm alive right now. The young man tried to smile. "Thanks for everything. And taking care of Tai for me."

Sid chuckled. "I know you love that fish," he said. "That's the kind of man I was." Blaze nodded and made his way to the DWMA. The sight of the academy had always filled him with hope, at one time.

But now, it seemed to be hollow, like a picture that had been edited one too many times. He would have to be paired up with a Meister again, but he didn't want to go to the class of newbies Sid always supervised. So his first class was a study hall in the library.

Blaze browsed through the books. Some time of browsing later, he'd picked up some books and sat at a table. He saw a girl, seemingly passed out, at the table next to his. Something seemed oddly familiar about her. "Hey, you okay?" His tone and expression were neutral, but perhaps a bit cold.

"Mm? A-Ah..." she politely bowed her head to him as she rubbed both eyes. "I'm..." she hesitated with a sheepish smile until she pulled her jacket closer to her for comfort. "Not really. I wish I could've stayed home but my friends say otherwise. I'm hoping no one will catch me here but it won't be long until they notice their beloved Maka isn't there," she sighed as she glanced to him with a tired half smile. "That'd be me. What is your name?"

Ah so that's why she seemed familiar. She was the one who had killed Asura. And... lost her partner recently. He knew the pain. "Blaze," he said simply. "Blaze Raffica." The young man extended his hand to shake. He couldn't quite meet Maka's eyes. "I truly am sorry about Soul Eater. I know what it's like to lose a partner."