79

"Yeah; that's pretty true," Tobias says, giving you a smile. "I think I feel a little better after talking to Rana; like, she knows a lot more about how classes and grades and stuff work, and I realized it doesn't seem that bad. I'm still scared I'm going to mess up, but probably everybody does at some point. And all the people I met when I visited were really nice, so hopefully it's not like anybody would make me feel bad about it. So…I guess I'll just see how it goes. But, I mean—thanks, y'know, for saying that. I do kind of feel this pressure, like, to prove myself in some way. But I think a lot of it is just coming from me, not like my parents or anybody else. I still need to remember not to be too hard on myself."

You spend a little time in the sun, just wandering over the lawns and between the newly-planted flowerbeds. But eventually, you find yourselves standing near the spot where Selene Corvina's sculpture had been. There's still no sign of the artwork itself, but you do notice a couple of people measuring part of the ground where it used to stand. Even though you know it might be a while before the sculpture is fully restored, at least it seems as if it hasn't been forgotten about.

After all, it would be a shame to think of your great-great-great-grandmother's work being lost for good.

As you stare ahead at the spot in front of you, your thoughts drift to the matter of who vandalized the sculpture in the first place.

It's a question you don't have an answer for, and as far as you know, neither does anyone else. Just like those mysterious trees, and the broken Town Hall windows, there's no clear reason who was doing those things and why. Was it all the same person, or were they completely unrelated incidents? Was there any reason behind any of it at all?

It's then, as you lift your head up once again, that you see Robin standing and looking at the empty spot on the ground just like he was at the fair. Glancing up, he notices you as well—and after taking one last look behind them, he greets you and Tobias with a small smile.

"It's such a shame—but I've heard the restoration's going pretty well," he says with a hopeful note in his voice. "I wonder what Selene Corvina would have wanted them to do."

For a little while, nobody says very much as you each let the thought run through your heads. Robin chats for a little bit with Tobias about his dogs, but despite being neighbors it's clear that both are a little uncomfortable talking with somebody they don't know too well. After a few minutes, however, Tobias tells you that he needs to go and help his parents with some errands, and with one last hug goodbye he head off towards the park gates. With that, it's just you and Robin left.

After another few moments, Robin turns to you, and asks:

"So—how are you doing? I was just thinking that I hope you've had some time to relax a little after moving in; I know you were pretty busy before."