With a sense of determination fueled by the need to protect Ema, I trailed behind them as they made their way through the bustling streets.

My mind was a whirlwind of conflicting emotions, ranging from guilt for doubting Ema to a burning desire to confront Chiko and ensure Ema's safety.

As we walked, Ema and Kanna seemed engrossed in their conversation, occasionally sharing a laugh or exchanging knowing glances.

Despite my lingering suspicions, their easy camaraderie reassured me that perhaps there was nothing to worry about after all.

We eventually arrived at a nearby shopping district, bustling with activity as people browsed through the various shops and boutiques.

Ema's face lit up with excitement as she gazed at the array of storefronts, her eyes sparkling with anticipation.

"Sister, look at that dress! It would look amazing on you," Ema exclaimed, pointing to a display window adorned with elegant evening gowns.

Kanna chuckled softly, her eyes twinkling with amusement. "You always have such impeccable taste, Ema. Let's go take a look," she said, leading the way into the boutique.

As they disappeared into the shop, I lingered outside, keeping a watchful eye on their surroundings.

Despite the festive atmosphere of the shopping district, a sense of unease gnawed at the back of my mind, reminding me of the danger that lurked in the shadows.

Minutes turned into hours as Ema and Kanna browsed through the various shops, their laughter and chatter drifting out into the bustling street.

Despite my initial reluctance to intrude on their outing, a sense of urgency compelled me to stay close, ready to intervene at a moment's notice if the need arose.

Finally, after what seemed like an eternity, Ema and Kanna emerged from the boutique, their arms laden with shopping bags filled with various purchases.

Their faces were flushed with excitement, a testament to the enjoyable afternoon they had spent together.

Something was off.

I saw Kanna bursting in rage against Chiko and her voice was very loud.

Her tone was truly angry and yet, she smiled like nothing happened.

I don't know what to think.

Ema didn't hear anything since she was in the toilet but… how? All the people in the cafeteria looked at her sister shouting and yet she didn't hear anything?

The only thing that i knew it was real was the fact that "Kiko" was a man and not an old friend of Ema.

I still trusted her and she was in danger.

Maybe she didn't want to speak to me because I would've gotten really worried… who knows.

Anyway, i kept following them from the distance, like a shadow, or like a predator follow its prey.

Kanna and Ema were enjoying their time more like friends.

They were like best friends, not like sisters.

Seeing Ema smiling so joyfully really put my heart at ease despite all the situation around her.

"I should tell Benjiro and Suzuki what is happening" I said to myself.

Ema and Kanna kept walking until they got into a lingerie shop.

I couldn't follow them right there but i could hear Ema saying "I'm gonna make a surprise to Fumi tonight… Fufufu~" and that sentence made me grin mischievously.

"Tonight is gonna be fun. Hehe…~" I thought while my mind was racing with perverted things.

Ema and Kanna went inside and i decided to remain outside the shop to keep an eye on them, waiting until their shopping session was over.

I sat on a bench near the shop and i started to play with my phone.

There were some messages from Ema.

"I miss you. I can't wait for tonight, i have a very special suprise for you~" the text said.

I scrolled up and saw that she asked me to buy some food and ingredients for dinner.

"Fumi, please , i need you to buy cornflakes, bread , vanilla aroma, gummy bears for Kanna and some strawberries. Thanks! I love you~".

"So annoying…" I said.

Luckily, i saw a small minimarket right in front of the lingerie shop, on the other side of the road, so i stood up and went there.

I did that because i know Ema's shopping time.

She loves to try things and she doesn't leave any shop before one hour, so i had a lot of time.

So i went inside the minimarket and grabbed everything she asked.

Unlawfully taken from Royal Road, this story should be reported if seen on Amazon.

When i was about to pay for everything, my attention got caught by the cashier.

A beautiful red-haired woman with scarlet eyes and a fringe smiled at me by saying:

"Is that everything you're buying ?"

A beautiful girl with red hair tied up in a ponytail with bangs, and eyes as scarlet as a blood moon, smiled openly at me, saying, 'Is that all? You're only taking these things?'

I remained silent for a few seconds, enchanted by the sweetness of her soft and gentle voice, which reached my ears like a pleasant tickle.

"Mmm… everything okay?" she asked, smiling at me.

In that moment, I 'woke up.' "Y-Yes. Just this," I replied.

"Okay… the total is 3200 Yen," she said to me.

"Y-Yes, of course, here you go," I replied, taking the money from my wallet and handing it to her.

For some strange reason, I felt something familiar towards this girl, as if I already knew her.

"Thank you!!" she replied, giving me the change.

The girl then stared into my eyes for a few seconds, remaining silent, before saying to me, "Fumi…hiro Ao…Yama? Is that you?"

I was very surprised after hearing my name coming out from her mouth, and my eyes widened because of it.

"Y-Yes? Is that my name?" I replied.

"Is it really you?!" the girl exclaimed joyfully.

"Yes… can I ask who you are instead…?l I asked.

"What? Don't you recognize me?" Her tone was friendly and disappointed at the same time. "It's me, Kazuha Hasegawa!!' Ka-zu-ha! We were friends when we were little!! Don't you remember me?"

Her tone was happy and hopeful.

She hoped I would remember, but at that moment I had no other thoughts in my head except for my situation with Ema.

"Ka…Zu…Ha…? You say? Mmh…" I replied, scratching my chin.

I didn't remember who she was.

"Yes! It's me! Kazuha-Chan!! When we were kids, you always called me 'Akai-Chan' because of my hair color.

In that moment, a spark ignited within me and faded memories began to appear.

I remembered a little girl with red hair playing with me on the beach.

I was 3 years old. I remember the scene of a crab pinching her foot, and I remember how she cried.

I remember comforting her… but I don't remember my words.

"Kazuha… Akai. Now I remember! We used to play together on the beach, right?" I said, smiling.

Kazuha's eyes widened and began to sparkle.

"Yes! Exactly! How wonderful!! You remembered!!" She replied, getting up from her chair.

She was so happy it seemed like she could cry tears of joy any moment.

"Haha… yes… sorry I didn't remember right away." I replied, scratching my head.

Meanwhile, I had already bagged all the groceries.

There were no other customers behind me, so I wasn't in a hurry.

The minimarket was really small but had everything.

"No! It's all okay! Don't worry!!" Kazuha said, sitting back down.

"Anyway, what are you doing around here?" She asked.

"Well, I just had to get some things for dinner tonight…" I said.

"Oh? I see, I see. How about we exchange contacts? I wouldn't want this to be the last time we see each other." Kazuha replied, smiling hopefully.

My mind was in conflict.

On one hand, I was happy to have met a friend again, but on the other hand, I felt guilty thinking about how Ema would feel if she knew I was exchanging contacts with a girl I had just met.

Given the whole situation that had arisen, if Ema found out, she would really be too angry.

"W-Well… I don't see anything wrong with it, but I'm not sure if it would be right towards my girlfriend…" I replied, looking away from her.

After my sentence, there was an awkward and noisy silence.

She didn't expect such a response, and her smile disappeared, replaced by a serious look.

"Oh… I-I see. But I'm just a childhood friend. You can easily introduce me to her." She replied after a few seconds, with a nervous smile.

"B-But yes. You're right. That's fine, then my contact is-"

In that moment, my voice was interrupted by a too familiar voice.

"Fumi? What are you doing here?"

My body froze instantly.

I turned towards the source of the sound and saw Ema and Kanna looking at me with surprised expressions.

"Oh no…" I thought.