28 Chapter 28: Evangeline and… Ema…?

As Evangeline clung to my arm, her playful tone echoing in my ears, I couldn't help but feel a sense of unease creeping over me.

The weight of the situation with Ema still lingered heavily on my mind, casting a shadow over the lighthearted moment.

Despite my efforts to push aside the nagging feeling of guilt, it persisted, gnawing at my conscience like a relentless tide.

"We could… uh… take a walk around the school grounds," I suggested, my voice lacking the usual enthusiasm.

Evangeline's gaze softened, her playful demeanor fading as she noticed the change in my tone.

"Fumihiro, is everything okay?" she asked, her concern evident in her eyes.

Her tone was soft just like the one of a mother who speaks with his child.

She could literally say everything, but since it was her, everything would've been beautiful.

I hesitated, unsure of how much to share with her.

Evangeline had been nothing but supportive since the beginning, but I didn't want to burden her with my own troubles.

She has to integrate herself in school and i'm the one who's been chosen to help her.

I couldn't embarrass Arai-Sensei who directly recommended me.

"Yeah, I'm just… dealing with some stuff," I replied vaguely, offering her a weak smile in an attempt to reassure her.

She studied me for a moment, her expression thoughtful.

"Well, whatever it is, just know that I'm here for you," she said, her voice gentle and sincere.

Her grip on my arm tightened and , despite being embarrassing, i felt much better.

It was like she was hugging me and all the pain was going away.

"Is she an angel or what?" I thought.

I then nodded, grateful for her understanding.

Despite the turmoil swirling within me, being with Evangeline somehow brought a sense of comfort, a reminder that I wasn't alone in facing life's challenges.

"Thank you, Evangeline," I said, sincerity ringing in my voice. "I appreciate that more than you know."

She squeezed my arm gently, a silent gesture of solidarity.

Together, we began to stroll around the school grounds, the faint echo of our footsteps mingling with the quiet rustle of the wind through the trees.

As we walked, I couldn't shake the feeling that something ominous loomed on the horizon, a storm brewing in the distance.

I had the feeling that something awful was gonna happen.

Of course, Evangeline wasn't clung on my arm during our walk.

Other people could have misunderstood our relationship.

It was just the second time that we met each other.

We kept walking and chatting about random topics all along the corridors of the school.

I showed her the major places of it, like the ones where we use to do P.E.

I also showed her the rooms where the other students are reunited in clubs, like the coffee club, the tea clab, etc.

Evangeline's laughs and conversations really were a pleasant company.

I was having a lot of fun while showing her around the school.

There was something special about Evangeline.

Something that i couldn't notice.

It felt like i knew then since forever.

Speaking with her was so easy and you could talk to her for hours without getting annoyed.

I was feeling much better.

But i knew that i still had to talk with Ema after dinner. That situation couldn't go on forever.

Then, after our first tour was over , we went outside the school garden and we sat on a bench.

It was afternoon, maybe 3 pm.

I started looking at the sky and lost my self into my thoughts.

I started wondering how the time flew while staying with this girl.

I really wanted Evangeline to be a friend of Ema.

They could've been great friends.

Ema never had so many people. She has always been a reserved girl, so she's strictly selective on the people she speaks with.

Then, i felt a little tap on my shoulder.

My daydreaming session was stopped.

"E-Eh…?" I said, while "waking up".

"Are you still here , Fumi?" Evangeline said , before getting close to me.

She was too close.

"Aah- y-yes. I'm here." I said while blushing and looking away.

"Oh you're so cute! Tu est si mignon! Ahah!!" She said while letting out a very cute and playful giggle.

"Hahaha… thanks." I replied, while laughing with her.

I didn't know what she meant with "Tu est si mignon".

"tout comme le jour où je t'ai perdu…" Evangeline then whispered while her look was on the grass.

I couldn't hear well. That time i just heard a mumble coming out from her mouth.

"Did you say something , Evangeline?" I asked.

She shook her head and smiled, while raising up her head.

"No, not at all. I was overthinking." She replied.

The gentle and fresh wind breeze of spring was gently caressing our faces and we stayed on that bench for 10 minutes.

Despite i was feeling better , my thoughts were still filled with Ema.

I wanted to know everything about her situation.

Evangeline probably noticed my behavior and she asked again:

"Fumi, is there something bothering you ? You can tell me." She said, while putting her hand on my shoulder to give me some comfort.

I had no choice but to nod.

Maybe she could give me some good advices for my situation.

No one knows a girl better than a girl.

"Yes, Evangeline. You see, Ema behavior is really… strange , lately." I managed to say.

"Strange ? Why? What did she do?" Evangeline asked in a worried tone.

"Mmh… lately, she has been dealing with a guy named Chiko, who wants to steal her from me and destroy our relationship…" without noticing , my fist clenched from anger.

Evangeline gently caressed my back.

"Calm… Fumihiro. Calm. Look at me right into my eyes now." She said, while still rubbing my back.

I did what she said.

"Good. Now smile to me and take a deep breath." She said with a really motherly tone.

I took a deep breath and i felt much better but, for some strange reason , i felt the urge to cry.

It was like all my restrained emotions were about to come out all at once.

Yes… I've always been like this.

I was the one who always had a lot of patience… the one guy who never tell what he truly felt to others, the one who always kept things to himself…

Having someone who truly listened to you during that difficult period was… beautiful.

I couldn't even speak properly to Ema.

"Good boy… do you feel better now? Do you still want to talk?" Evangeline said while rubbing my back.

She was like a mother.

I nodded, still with the urge to cry my heart out.

That situation really stressed me out so much.

"Ema lied to me by saying she didn't know this guy… she's been acting too possessive and clingy… she doesn't want me to interact with anyone else… what should i do? I don't want to lose Ema… I love her…*sob*" I asked to Evangeline.

I felt my heart squeezing in my chest and my nose itching.

Tears were forming in my eyes without noticing.

I didn't want Evangeline to see me in this state so i turned my back to her.

"Fumihiro, you can cry if you want. I won't judge you. We are humans, and humans suffer. Crying will make you a man, not a weakling." Evangeline said with a lovingly tone.

After hearing her words , tears fell from my eyes, after a long time.

The last time i cried so seriously was a lot of time ago, when me and Ema had a very bad discussion after her parents were acting so good to me.

*sniffle, sob* that's all i was doing.

Crying felt so refreshing, it was like taking a weight off one's shoulders.

Evangeline was still gently caressing my back.

"Fumihiro, turn this way, please". She then said.

Once again, i followed her orders.

I turned my back to her and she embraced me.

My head was resting on her chest.

It felt refreshing.

It was like hugging my mother.

Evangeline was gently petting my head , with her hand slowly caressing my hair.

My eyes widened at her touch.

I felt really guilty for Ema in that moment.

That was like cheating to her, but my mind was too fragile in that moment to think straight.

She would've kill me if she saw this scene.

"tu m'as tellement manqué, tout cela m'a tellement manqué…" Evangeline whispered.

I could hear a glimpse of sadness in her voice.

I didn't speak French, so i didn't understand what she said.

"You will fix everything with your girlfriend, Fumihiro. Have trust in your destiny. Smile, every day. If you truly love each other, no obstacle will separate you." She said.

I then broke the hug and raised my head.

I smiled at her, while wiping my tears away.

"Thank you for listening to me, Evangeline." I said.

She smiled back.

"Now… shall we take a walk? I'd love to go to the Sakura brew haven. My house is also close to it." Evangeline added.

I nodded in agreement.

"Yes, why not. Let's go there." I replied with a smile.

We then stood up from the bench and started to walk.

We kept talking about random topics along the way.

"So , Evangeline, since your father is an amazing musician, do you also play an instrument?" I asked in curiosity.

She nodded proudly.

"Yes! I'm also a violinist and a singer, you know? I have such a beautiful voice! Hehe~!" She was very confident about that.

I giggled at what she said.

"And you, Fumi? Do you play an instrument?" She asked with admiration.

I nodded.

"Yes! I like to sing too, and im also a piano player." I said.

"Wow! Do you really play the piano ? That's amazing!! Why don't we create a song one day?" She asked. Her green eyes were sparkling with hope.

"Haha! Why not! It would be a really great idea." I replied.

"Yay!!" She exclaimed with joy.

"I even composed a lot of songs, you know? Each on has a specific title based on what I was thinking when i made them." I added proudly.

"Wow!! I want to listen to them sometime! Your girlfriend must be really lucky to have someone like you, doesn't she?" Evangeline said with a chuckle.

She really wanted to hear my songs.

The only one who heard them was Ema.

"Haha… who knows what destiny will say." I replied with a friendly smile.

After other minutes of walking, we finally arrived at destination.

Once arrived, we noticed that the shop was momentarily closed.

Outside the entrance door, a small sign was attached on it.

"I'll return in ten minutes!" It said.

"Ah… Ayaka-San…" I sighed.

Evangeline did the same.

Suddenly, i felt a strange but familiar voice behind me.

Me and Evangeline turned our back to see the source of the sound and… we saw something i didn't want to see.

I saw Ema. And… she was with Chiko.

Ema had a void expression on her face.

She was looking down on the floor.

I could tell that she was being threatened or forced to stay in that situation. She was even trembling.

No sing of aggression on her arms or body.

She was wearing jeans and a red t-shirt.

My heart froze.

Someone was squeezing from the inside.

I was dying from the inside.

"It hurts"'I said.

Ema noticed me and Evangeline and her eyes widened in shock.

"Fumi…hiro …" she said, with a sobbing voice.

I gulped.

"E…ma… what… is happening…?" I muttered with a painful and broken tone.

Chiko wasn't understanding the situation, while Evangeline was in panic.

She kept switching her gaze between me and Ema, thinking for the worst to happen.

My anger reached insane levels.

My blood was boiling into my veins and my body was trembling.

And i was about to assault Chiko.

"This guy is going to fuckin die , now." I said to myself.