As Belis was about to play her violin, the background curtain began to fall and with that, the centre light set shook.
Aai: "WATCH OUT!!". She ran and jumped on Belis, pushing her aside, and the light set fell.
: "AAI!!!".
: "EEK!!".
: ".. !!".
Everyone was shocked and began talking.
Aai: "...ugh!".
Belis: "..Aaah!.... Senior?! Are you okay?!".
Aai pushed Belis aside and fell hitting her head to the ground. The light-set glass piece had stuck Aai's leg. Belis had hurt her elbow while falling. People standing beside the stage ran towards Belis and Aai.
: "Hey, are you okay!!?".
: "AAI!? Aai!?".
Aai: "...". A voice desperately kept calling out to her. Aai tried to wake up but fell unconscious.
"Mom it hurts. Hic sniff... Mom? Mom? Hic hic (crying)".
Aai felt someone's warmth caressing her. She felt relief and calm.
: "Ai?...Ai? Aai!? Hey!".
Aai opened her eyes with tears leaking. She saw Ren beside her.
Aai: "..Re..".
Ren: "Hey Aai". He wiped her tears with a smile.
Aai looked around and found herself in a room.
Aai: "...hospital?".
Ren: "You had lost consciousness. How are you feeling?".
Aai: "..AH!!". She tried to sit up but a sharp pain struck her head.
Ren: "!!SLOWLY!".
Aai felt her leg numb. As she checked she was bandaged.
Ren: "Is it painful?". He asked worriedly.
Aai sat in silence. Ren left to call a doctor. Max with Belis and Idris entered.
Max: "Hey, are you feeling okay?".
Idris: "Aai!".
Aai just waved her hand in response to them. She noticed Belis hiding behind Idris.
Aai: "Are you...hurt anywhere Belis?".
Belis stood behind Idris without a response. Frightened
Idris: "Belis?". He comforted Belis to talk to Aai but she strongly refused. Gripping tightly to Idris's clothes from behind she hid herself.
Aai: "It's...". She shook her head saying it was okay.
Ren came back with a doctor who checked on her. "She alright. Just take care of the leg, while all is normal". Saying the doc left the room.
Ren checked on her again, "Aai?".
Aai: "... I..want to go home...".
Ren: "Home? Amm Aai...".
Aai: "Ren, please". She said looking straight into his eyes.
Ren agreed. With the clutches, Aai went to her home with Ren.
Idris, Max and Belis were asked to return home. They greeted Aai and went while Belis was scared to talk to Aai.
Ren helped Aai and took her to the living room.
Aai: "Thanks, Ren. I'm good now, so may return home. Sorry for all the trouble".
Ren stood beside her without uttering a word.
Aai: "Ren?...Oh! For the hospital fee I'll return it to you, how much...was...".
As she was talking Ren walked away and began searching in the kitchen.
Aai: "Hey, Ren!". Confused.
Ren: "....". He began working in the kitchen.
Aai: "Hey, I'm not hungry. I'm tired, just want to rest... Are you listening?!". She called him but Ren continued with his things without replying.
Aai stayed quietly. After a while later he came back. A nice aroma caught Aai's nose.
Ren: "You haven't eaten anything. I made something, have it and take your medicines you have to go straight to bed".
Aai was about to say that she would eat it later but having her stomach growl she quietly accepted the plate.
Ren had made simple fried rice which Aai liked. Being very hungry she asked for seconds.
Ren: "Being so hungry she wanted me to leave, idiot". He murmured.
After eating, Ren gave Aai her medicines.
Ren: "You have to take at least a week's rest. Regarding school, I'll inform them. If you need anything say it. Now let me help you to bed".
Aai: "I'm sorry for the trouble. I'll be sleeping here on the couch. Climbing up and down the stairs will be tiring. So don't worry".
Ren: "Huh? Then where will I sleep?".
Aai: "...?...go home. You must be tired".
Ren: "Aai let me stay over. Alone you won't be able to take care of".
Aai: "I can handle myself and brother....".
Ren: "Nair is out for a business trip, he already notified me".
Aai: "...Whatever I don't want you here. Go home. Don't trouble yourself". She tried to get up but a pain stuck her ankle making her fall back on the couch.
Ren: "Aai! Are you okay?...let me check?".
Aai: "I'm fine. Just leave".
Ren: "Just why are you being so stubborn!?". He shouted. Startling Aai.