"The doctor advised you to rest completely."
Callista furrowed her brow. She seemed to have forgotten something important.
"What date is it?"
Kenward was a little confused by Callista's sudden question about the date, but he answered the question anyway.
"April 20th."
Callista's eyes widened. "Oh no! Tomorrow is the day of the play. I haven't practiced drama at all."
Kenward shook his head. "No, the doctor advised you to rest completely. You should cancel your role in the play."
Callista shook her head. "I can't. I'm playing the main character who is the companion of the other main store."
Kenward caught the meaning of Callista's convoluted words. "Who will be your co-star?"
"A-Aric. But Kenward, believe me, Aric is just a friend to me. Nothing less and nothing more," Callista explained at length. She didn't want Kenward to misunderstand her again. It was enough that her whole body felt crushed.
Kenward's hand reached for his cell phone which he placed on the nightstand. His long fingers danced over the screen and pressed the flat object to his ear. Callista, who saw Kenward's movements, frowned in surprise. Who was the person Kenward was suddenly calling?
"Yes, good afternoon. I am Kenward Dickinson Clarke the guardian of Callista's student Gwenhwyfar Vradito, would like to inform you about Callista's resignation from her role in the play due to illness and hospitalization."
Callista was very confused by Kenward's very long words. Who was he contacting to discuss her resignation from the play? Did Kenward contact his homeroom teacher? But how did he know her homeroom teacher's number?
"Yes, I will invite you to my office next week."
"Yes, good afternoon."
Kenward turned to look at Callista who was looking at him seriously. That girl was so adorable!
"Don't make your head feel dizzy again. You can take a complete rest now. I've gotten permission for your withdrawal from the play," Kenward said as he relaxed the frown on Callista's forehead.
"Who did you call earlier?"
"I called your principal." Kenward paused his words for a moment. His fingers moved to correct the position of Callista's hair. He tucked Callista's hair behind her ear. "Your principal is a man who loves power. He once begged me to make him my partner but I refused. And I have nothing to lose by asking permission for you in exchange for him coming to the office and talking business with me."
"Why are you explaining that to me?"
Callista's question stopped Kenward's movement. Kenward moved to pinch Callista's cheek.
"You asked me first."
No, that was not what she meant. Why would a man who usually spoke lightly now suddenly speak at length? To her who was the prey? And she also felt strange about Kenward's sudden change, he was being more attentive than usual.
"Don't you remember who gave me this pain?" Callista thought to herself.
"You don't know how much that play meant to me. I participated in drafting the script and also decided on the costumes. It was a valuable performance for me as well as for my classmates. What would they say if I suddenly resigned? They would criticize me as irresponsible."
"You can't. There is no refusal. Your healing comes first."
Callista looked at Kenward with her pleading gaze. But a few seconds later she returned the expression to its original state. Determination shone in Kenward's eyes. The man would not allow it.
"Alright. Then at least allow me to go see the school festival."
Kenward was at a loss for words. He looked intently at Callista who was folding her arms in front of her chest with her gaze thrown in another direction. Even though the girl had just woken up from the incident of falling down the stairs. Why was that girl so insistent?
"If you don't go I won't eat that tasteless porridge," Callista pointed with her chin. The greenish-white porridge that had been placed on the nightstand made her appetite drop.
"Alright. But I'll be by your side."
Callista's eyebrows shot up. Is that easy? Is that easy to persuade a Kenward? What exactly was wrong with Kenward today? He seemed to be someone else.