"But fortunately, Lincoln used his business contacts to get you to a private clinic. They've treated you well here."
The last thing her father said made Leni think. Lincoln took her to that hospital. And just by looking at the private room they gave her, you can tell it's expensive. "Did Linky ask to bring me here?"
"That's how it is. Your brother is paying for all of this. Showing how much he loves you."
For Rita, those words had a sisterly connotation. This is the kind of love she was talking about. But to Leni, they meant something much deeper.
"Can you call him? I want to see him. I want to thank him."
"Of course, my dear. I will call him immediately." Rita kissed her daughter's forehead and left with her husband.
"Lincoln. She wants to see you," his father said.
Lincoln nodded and entered the room, carrying a large bouquet of flowers.
After closing the door, he walked over to Leni's bed, testing his surroundings with his cane. Well, he wasn't familiar with the place.
"Hi Leni. How are you feeling?"
"Better… That must have been a hard blow to myself."
"What? Oh... yes... a very, very bad."
"Oh. Here, I brought you this."
Lincoln gives Leni the bouquet. The girl takes the bouquet and smells the flowers.
"They are beautiful, Linky. Thank you" Leni approaches Lincoln and kisses him on the cheek, making him blush.
But Leni's happy face changed to a disappointed one, as she had a doubt in her mind: "Lincoln."
"What's going on, Leni?"
"Scoods... here?"
Lincoln clenched his fists tightly. But the boy kept a calm face and said, "No, we haven't seen him since the New Year's party."
"Oh. I see. And he didn't come to visit me?"
"I'm afraid not."
Leni looks down. "I guess he wasn't really interested." The gloom was noticeable in the way the seamstress spoke.
"Well, you know what? He's losing it. He's an idiot. Really. I'll let you see our sisters. They're so excited to see you awake." Lincoln got up from his chair, but before leaving, he was stopped by Leni, who took him by the hand. "Wait, Lincoln. Please don't go yet. You have to tell you something important."
Lincoln turns and sits on the bed next to Leni. "Yes, say. What's going on?"
"The truth is... I'm glad Scoods isn't here."
Which surprised the albino. "Is that true?"
"The truth is that... I never loved him."
Lincoln did his best not to smile. "But then, why did you go out with him?"
Leni lowered her head with a sad expression on her face. "I did it so you could forget me."
All of Lincoln's good spirits collapsed upon hearing this: "Why? You were the one who instilled these feelings in me for you. Why do you want me to forget you now? And don't lie, because I know when they're lying to me."
A tear ran down Leni's cheek. "Because I don't want them to hurt you again because of me."
Leni started crying. But what she said confused Lincoln.
"What, you mean you don't want me to get hurt because of you? What are you talking about?"
"I am a magnet for perverts. Many of them are dangerous."
"That night in the park with those men and with Robert, both times, you would risk yourself for me. I didn't want you to get hurt again, or worse. What if you..." Leni couldn't finish that sentence because she couldn't even pronounce that word.
Lincoln knew what Leni was referring to.
He couldn't bear to hear her cry. So he hugged her and said, "Leni. I would put my life in danger a thousand times if it was necessary for you."
Leni returned the hug. "I know. You proved it years ago when you saved Lisa. Even though it cost you your eyes."
"It's because I love you. I will never let anything happen to any of you. Especially you. My dear Leni. It doesn't matter if I have to fight armed men or predatory monsters. I will never let anything happen to the people I love."
Leni looked at Lincoln with sparkling eyes. In front of her, that little 11-year-old boy was no longer there. Now there was a strong and persistent young man who would give everything he had for his family, Linky.
"Leni. I," Lincoln couldn't finish, as Leni's lips silenced him. The girl was holding him in her arms while combing his hair. "She kissed me! She kissed me while hugging me!!" Lincoln returned the hug and placed Leni on top of him. The two continued to kiss, placing their tongues in each other's mouths, until the lack of air forced them apart.
Leni caresses Lincoln's face. Then his bangs moved, revealing his eyes. "I love you, Linky."
"I love you, Leni"
They both kiss again, then a voice interrupts them.
"Is this a bad time?"
Leni turned to see that three of her sisters were in the room. These are Luna, Lynn, and Lucy.
"Girls!" Leni pushed Lincoln off the bed. "I can explain. I. We."
Luna walks towards them with a nonchalant expression on her face. "Keep the details to yourself. There is no need to make excuses. We already know what you did." Luna turns to see Lincoln. "Really, bro? Now Leni?"
Lynn walks towards the boy with Lucy. "If you keep adding girls, you won't have enough time for me."
"Ours," Lucy corrects.
"Wait, you too."
"Isn't it strange that I didn't react any differently when I saw this?"
"Fine. It doesn't matter. Luna and I have a huge advantage over you."
"If you mean what I think, then not anymore."
Which surprised Luna and Lynn.
"What's wrong with you?" The girls watched first Lucy and then Lincoln. which they approached until finally they both gave him a hard slap. At that, Lucy stands between her and Lincoln.
"Wait. He didn't force me, if that's what you think. I wanted to."