Before he realized what's happening, he found himself in a spacious room where a grand dance floor took center stage. A live orchestra stood in one corner, playing some classical music. The dance floor was already crowded with guests, their laughter and chatter mingling with the music as they moved in rhythmic harmony.

"Wanna dance, Linus-Minus?" asked Akira, his tongue dangling out in a weird gesture.

Linus shook his head slightly, pressing his lips together.

At first disappointed, then seemingly uncaring, Akira looked across the room, perhaps pondering whether to go and dance alone or find someone else.

Standing next to all the action unfolding, Linus felt like a snowman on a beach. The only difference was, he wasn't cool at all.

In the center of the room, a mound of gifts lay piled high, each one adorned with colorful wrapping and ribbons. It was clear that Maya was already the center of attention, surrounded by well-wishers and friends eager to celebrate her special day.

That reminded Linus of the gift he had brought for her. Patting his breast pocket, he checked the envelope again to make sure it was still there.

"Linus!" called out a friendly voice. "And… Akira," it added, less pleased.

Leopold stood near the gift pile, waving at him, his polite demeanor and warm smile making him a welcoming presence amidst the chaotic crowd. Linus subconsciously smiled when he saw him.

However, his heart skipped a beat as his gaze fell upon a certain other person. Although it wasn't the nice kind of skip he would have wished for.

Lonely in a corner of the room, holding a glass of beer, Marlon's presence cast a shadow over the joyous atmosphere around him. Linus' hands grew clammy as he struggled to maintain his composure.

As Leopold came closer, he noticed Linus' shift of emotions, his eyes following to Marlon. "I will take care of the troublemaker," he said genuinely. "You don't need to worry."

Linus couldn't help but shiver in a rush of unease, but looking at Leopold's confident face helped calm him down.

Turning back to his friend he asked confusedly: "Akira…?" and looked around until realizing he was gone.

"I need to return to the gifts. Can't risk anyone snatching on them." Leopold grinned as he walked off. "Enjoy the party!"

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Linus raised a hand in farewell. Now he stood there all alone.

With his posture tensed; his entire demeanor must have seemed odd.

Looking at the all the happy people jumping across the dance floor, his foot slowly began tapping to the beat. However, as he realized, it immediately stopped.

Paranoid, he looked around.

Was anyone watching him? What would the others think?

His breathing quickened, as all sorts of worries kicked in.

This whole party thing wasn't for him.

It wasn't for him at all.

I need to get out of here… Fast…

Already searching for a way out, a touch at his own chest made his mind stop.

The envelope was there. It was still there. And Maya was waiting for it.

This was his chance.

Suddenly he felt a light tapping on his shoulder, making him flinch and turn around with a frightened face.

"HAY!!! UwU!"

"Aaah! Maya…!"

"Yes, that's my name~😊"

"U-um," he stuttered, thinking of what to say. "How… How are you?"

Maya pondered, then she burst out in excitement. "Great!!! (ᗒᗨᗕ)"

"Oh… Cool!"

Maya nodded. "Mhm~ (¬‿¬)"

Staring at each other for a couple of seconds, Linus felt utterly incompetent. What should he say? How did Akira always make this kind of stuff look so easy?!

Then it dawned on him.

Oh my god.

"Ah- um, happy- happy birthday, Maya!" A nervous laugh escaped his lips, accompanied by an awkward smile.

Maya seemed not to care about it; for her, only one thing mattered. "Did you bring a present? (☉_☉)"

"O-oh, o-of course!" Linus touched the pocket on his chest, his fingers trembling.

Mayas eyes widened.

"Oh, y-you want it n-now?"

She nodded eagerly. "Mhm! (◕▿◕✿)"

"O-o-okay." Taking out the white envelope, sealed with a red heart-shaped wax seal, he looked at it one more time before handing it over to her. It felt like sending out a child into the wild world. This was exactly how his mother must've felt about him attentding this party.

Maya took it carefully, locking her eyes on it for a moment.

But to Linus, it felt like an eternity.

And perhaps it was.

His heart was hammering, pushing all his thoughts out into nothingness. There was just no space for them anymore. He observed Maya staring at the envelope.

Please like it! Please, say that you like it!!

But Maya neither opened it nor said anything.

She just looked at it. Her expression empty.

"D-don't you want to o-open it?" he asked, instantly regretting it, not even knowing why.

Then her expression changed for the first time in a while.

And for some reason, it scared Linus.

Wouldn't it be better to remain in the dark?

In the dark about what Maya truly felt for him? What she genuinely thought about him?

In reality, he already knew.

What could someone as amazing as her possibly see in him?

But still, he felt the need to express it.

To express his feelings, his affection for her.

No matter how stupid he felt doing so.

Suddenly, Maya raised her index finger, tapping on the envelope's seal.

Linus's eyes widened, as if he were sitting in court, awaiting the judgment that would determine the course of his entire life.

"That's a heart," she simply stated. Neither joy nor anything else to be heard in her voice.

Linus felt sweat dripping down not just his forehead but his entire body.

"Y-yea."

Was that too much? Too creepy?

"Hmmm."

"Wha-what's wrong?" asked Linus, his heart racing so fast he could barely even get the words out straight.

Then Maya shifted her gaze up and looked right into Linus' eyes.

"I'm done with this shit."