29 Pandemonium

"Leo? Are you alright?" They knocked again.

Leo tried to think of a way out.

'What if I say it's a meeting between group leaders?'

'No, that won't do. Her belongings are all here.'

'What if everything is hidden? There's not enough time and nowhere to keep them.'

'Then what if I said I'm not available right now? That would make things more suspicious especially when I opened the door and they heard something.'

'Do I have to invite them briefly to dispel their suspicions? No. They do not have to enter, just showing them everything should be fine.'

'In that case, to hide Luna's belongings, I would just hide it under my things.'

He gestured to Luna to hide under the blankets which thankfully she understood and placed some objects around her to disguise her while trying not to make any sound.

Leo opened the door. "Ah well, sorry for that. I had to clean up the room," he laughed nervously.

"Woah you have the entire room to yourself? That's pretty sweet."

"Wait, wha-," Leo did not manage to stop both of them in time from entering.

"But don't you feel lonely on a class trip? Nobody else to talk and interact with?" The girl asked. "Class trips are fun because we're with our friends."

"Well, not really…" Leo's gaze carefully looked at the spot Luna was hiding.

"Are you ok?" The guy asked after Leo's concentration drifted off.

"Ah, yes. I'm fine," Leo's attention snapped back. "Uh, do you have any issues to ask me?"

"Oh not really. I just want to say thanks for earlier. My name is Alex, I don't think we've met that often," he offered a handshake which Leo accepted.

"I'm Lydia. Both of us became your fans after watching your match during the sports festival but now I think we're your air conditioner."

Alex burst in laughter but Leo could only laugh in awkwardness.

"As expected, my love. You make the best jokes!" Alex held Lydia closer and was about to take a seat on the bunk Luna was hiding in. Leo quickly slipped through them and sat before they could.

"You can take a seat on the other bunk. This side is quite messy," Leo invited. Small beads of sweat began to form around his neck.

Both of them were briefly taken aback but quickly recovered.

"It's alright. It's about time we return for dinner anyways," Lydia bowed.

Just before they left, Leo stopped. "If next time something like this happens, you could just tell us to come another time. We'll keep it a secret like what you have done for us earlier. Maybe we could meet her next time. See ya then."

The door went back shut and Luna popped out from the mound of blankets and other things.

"Fuah, it's really hot under hiding for so long. Turns out we're discovered anyways. At least, they will keep mum about it," Luna took a towel to wipe off her sweat.

Leo sighed. 'Now it looks worse with all that hiding. Somewhat this feels like we're having an extramarital affair.'

Another knock came from the door, causing everyone to tense up again.

"This is from the train services. Your dinner is ready," a calm steady voice beamed behind the door and they relaxed.

Leo quickly collected their packed dinner boxes, the aluminium boxes were still hot to touch and swiftly retreated back inside. It would be troublesome if someone sees them together.

Both of them ate their dinner, in silence before Luna burst into laughter.

"What an eventful night!" Luna cackled. The room was in a mess but they were too lazy to rearrange them after the pandemonium. At least until after dinner.

Leo chuckled too. 'Come to think of it. How stupid is this? But still, it was fun.'

"Give me some of your dishes. I'll give you some of mine in exchange," she asked and sat beside him.

"Geez, you're still sitting with me after all of that?"

"Meals should be eaten with other people. This way, it'll taste better," she placed a piece of grilled mackerel into his box and sniped a piece of chicken from him.

'Really, this girl…' Leo smirked.

"Hmm, this is also delicious. So this is what packed meals are like," she mumbled with her mouth full.

"You've never tried packed meals?" He asked curiously.

"Nope."

Packed meals were really popular and were widely available everywhere. It was so widespread that everyone eats them, no matter their age, preferences or background due to its versatility and ease to prepare and eat.

To find someone who hasn't eaten any…

--------------------------

Leo laid at his bunk, looking at the cold bare ceiling.

'So this is the last night we will be sharing rooms…'

He had tried to request for a different room but due to the last minute arrangements, all other rooms were occupied. Nevertheless, it was an enjoyable experience.

"Hey Leo, are you still awake?" A soft voice asked him from the other side.

"Yeah, I'm still awake. Can't sleep too?"

"Hmm hmm, I can't sleep," she replied and continued after a brief pause. "We will be arriving at the Southern Isles tomorrow morning huh. Are you excited?"

"Yes, I am. I've never been there before."

"It's a nice place. You'll enjoy it."

The stillness of the night returned.

"Want to ask one question each? To know more about each other," Luna asked.

"Sure, do you want to start first?" Leo still required some time to think of the questions he wanted to ask. There were plenty but also many of those, he could not ask.

"Alright then. Hmm, what is your hobby?"

Leo pondered for a while. "I like to paint, to paint the emotions of people. What are their thoughts, what are their dreams? So much of it. How about you?"

"That's nice. Maybe I would like you to paint me, perhaps on my birthday. Hmm, my birthday is on the 14th of September. It's a promise then!"

"Alright, alright," Leo smiled. 'She just went and made it a promise herself.'

"About my hobby, I like to read novels. Even with our physical limitations, through stories, we could travel into different worlds, be part of different people no matter how different nor similar it is to us. Actually, I've just started writing a novel. It's still in its early stages and I'll show it to you when it's done."

"Can't wait to read it. It's my turn to ask," he contemplated a little more before asking. "What is your hidden talent?"

"Oo hidden talent. You would not believe this but I can remember every word of the last novel I've read," Luna said proudly.

"I can catch a living mosquito with my bare hands without killing it," Leo raised his arm up, imitating a catching motion. "Not very useful." Both of them laughed.

"Next then, if you can become invisible, what would you do?"

"Now, it's getting tough. I'm not sure, perhaps going to those secretive places nobody is allowed to go?" Leo rubbed his chin, deep in thought.

"I would hide from the grim reaper himself haha."

"Woah, that's not fair!" He felt a little bad considering her circumstances and considered his next question. He hesitated a little, fearing it might hurt her feelings but he needed to know to help her.

"What would you like to do if you know the day that you will die?"

Leo held his breath but after waiting for a while, no reply came.

'She fell asleep huh? Maybe that is for the best.'

He felt somewhat relieved from that.