The Ball

Chapter 4
Mystery of the Extra Gift

Len's Perspective

Len woke. He looked around. He was in a hospital ward. He tried to remember what happened… He was in the cafeteria? Yes. Then he went to the bathroom… that was all he could remember. He glanced at the clock. 1 PM. At that moment, a nurse came in.

"Ah, I see that you're awake," she said kindly.

"Nothing to worry about, you're fine now. Your parents have also been informed."

"Um, okay?"

"Now, drink some water, it'll make you feel better," she added, and poured some water from a jar to a glass, and gave it to Len.

"What day is it?" Len asked.

"Oh, Saturday. No, you've not been sleeping over 24 hours," she said, and left the ward. Len was relieved. He was thinking he had slept through 4 days in a row and missed the ball. But why was he thinking like that? Rin hasn't even accepted his invitation. Ah well.

He should give his gift to Rin soon. He wondered if Rin would come and visit him.

Rin's Perspective

Rin thought she should visit Len soon, and went to the hospital in the evening. She knocked on Len's ward's door. She heard shuffling of something, like hiding something, and then she heard Len's voice, "Come in!" She went in the ward.

"Rin! How good of you to visit me!" said Len.

"Hi Len, how're you doing?"

"Fine, fine," Len replied cheerfully. Rin went to the edge of Len's bed. She felt suspicious. Len hadn't said, "Come in!" immediately, and it looked like he was quickly hiding something. But now was not the time to ask him about it.

"Rin, so will you come with me to the ball?"

"I...I-I decided to go with Jun…"

If Len was angry or anything, he hid it. "Well, that's great!" he said. Rin thought Len sounded way too cheerful. After a stiffened conversation, she left. Rin thought maybe Len knows she went with Jun because he was not in the fit state… But, that didn't mean that Rin would go with him if he never got into that state? No, she hadn't decided on whom to go with. But still, what's done is done. Len is sick, and she would have to go with Jun.

Len's Perspective

Len had to quickly hide it when Rin voice came from the door. He was thinking of giving the gift to Rin, but he didn't because of one thing. He remembered he only bought a ribbon… But there was another package inside. He was about to open it when Rin came outside the door. He was so engrossed with the mystery of the package that he didn't he feel so bad when Rin said she was going with Jun. Probably because he was sick, and Rin probably did it for his own good.

Rin's Perspective

Rin got back home. Len didn't seem to be angry…well that was good, now there wouldn't be any awkwardness between them. Maybe she'll make it up to him next him next time. She then met up with Jun and went to their school to register themselves as partners. Well, Jun himself isn't that bad either. Maybe she should also talk to him more often, as friends, that is.

Len's Perspective

And now…he put his hands on the package…

He almost screamed with confusion and excitement when he saw what was inside.