As she introduced herself, my mind raced, trying to recall where I had heard the name before.

Nevertheless, her charming smile and friendly demeanor put me at ease.

It was like the peace after the storm.

"I'm Aoyama Fumihiro," I replied, shaking her hand. "Nice to meet you, Evangeline. Are you new around here?"

"Oui, I've just moved here," she answered, her French accent giving her words a delightful melody. "It's a bit overwhelming, everything is so new to me."

I couldn't help but feel a strange connection with this girl, as if our paths were meant to cross.

"Well, welcome to Tokyo!" I said, gesturing around. "This place is very beautiful , i'm pretty sure you'll have lot of things to visit."

Evangeline's eyes sparkled with gratitude, and we began chatting about various topics

Our chat didn't last very long.

Little did I know that this unexpected encounter would weave a new thread into the intricate tapestry of my life.

Her name wasn't new... I've already heard it before, but in that moment, i couldn't recall when.

"So... You said that you're gonna live here from now on, right?" I asked.

"Oui. My father is a very famous violinist and his best friend is from Japan, so he sent me studying here. i'd love to follow his steps." She said with a smile.

When she mentioned her father, her eyes began to sparkle with admiration.

She truly loved him.

"Oh? Really? Who's your father?" I asked.

She hesitated for some seconds.

"Well... His name is-" Her melodious voice got interrupted by the ringing of her phone.

The look on her face became from a joyful one to an annoyed one.

"Oh... Excusez-moi." She said , while answering her phone.

"Oui?..." And she started speaking in french.

I couldn't understand a single word.

"Oh... Okay. Au revoir, Papa-" She said.

I could feel a little glimpse of sadness in her words.

"Sorry! It was my father. He told me that i must go to the "Sakura Brew Haven" to buy a gift to his friend. Do you know that place?" She gently asked me.

"Oh? How does the father know that place? It's not that famous." I thought.

"Sakura Brew Haven...? Yes, I know that place. It's a café nearby. The owner is a big friend of mine. It's... 15 minutes of walking. Would you like me to take you there?" i asked, attempting to offer my best smile.

"You would? That would be great!!" She gave a very beautiful smile and grabbed my hands.

"Merci! Thank you!" She added while getting close to my face.

"She's too close... Are french people like this?" I was thinking.

I blushed a little bit and avoided her gaze.

"I was about to go home but i can take some time to guide you." I said, while turning back and letting go of her hands.

It was really strange.

Stolen content warning: this tale belongs on Royal Road. Report any occurrences elsewhere.

I felt a lot of familiarity with this girl, despite this was our first encounter.

Our chat didn't last more than 5 minutes, but it felt like i knew this girl since the day i was born.

"Merci! Merci! Merci! Fumihiro!" She said joyfully while smiling a lot.

She called me by my first name.

I didn't care about it so much.

"So... Where should we go?"

"This way, follow me." I said.

All the pain and anger from what happened in the karaoke disappeared. Like some sort of magic.

The city lights glittered like a myriad of stars as I walked alongside Evangeline.

Her presence was like a breath of fresh air, and with every step, the world seemed to light up around her.

There was something angelic about her, and the streets, once mundane, took on a magical quality.

But i love Ema too much. I wanted her to be with me.

"So, Evangeline, why the Sakura brew haven?" I asked while we were walking.

"Uhm... Let's say that the father and the owner are great friends." She gently said.

I felt like there was more to it, but since this would be the first and last time I saw this Evangeline, i avoided asking questions.

"Oh really? So your father knows Ayaka-San? She's a very kind woman." I said , smiling.

"Y-Yes." She mumbled. "They knew each other since the day i was born." She added.

"Oh that's nice. Ayaka-San knows me since i was little too." I replied.

Our steps were getting lighter and lighter while we were walking.

I took a better look at Evangeline.

Her attire reflected a blend of elegance and a touch of whimsy, mirroring her enchanting personality.

She wore a knee-length dress in a delicate shade of lavender, adorned with intricate lace patterns that danced along the edges like ethereal vines.

The fabric gently embraced her figure, creating an air of grace.

A slender, gold belt cinched her waist, adding a subtle shimmer that caught the soft glow of the city lights.

The neckline of the dress was modest, yet it hinted at a graceful décolletage, and the sleeves, ending just above her elbows, featured a cascade of tiny, embroidered flowers.

Completing the ensemble were a pair of ballet flats, their color harmonizing with the lavender of the dress.

The shoes seemed to embrace practicality without sacrificing style, allowing her to move with effortless grace.

Tousled curls framed her face, occasionally catching the night breeze in a playful dance.

A small, red hat perched atop her head added a delightful touch of whimsy.

The hat featured a dainty ribbon that fluttered with each step, embodying the carefree spirit that seemed to radiate from Evangeline.

Her overall appearance conveyed a sense of timeless charm, as if she had stepped out of a classic painting into the contemporary canvas of the bustling city.

"She's really beautiful..." I thought. "But not more than my precious Ema."

We kept walking and talking about random topics for other ten minutes until-

"Fumihiro-Kun" She said, stopping her steps. "It's okay now, i see the Sakura in the distance. You can stop here."

Her mood totally changed or at least, i felt like that.

She still smiled , but i saw trough her. She was forcing that smile a little.

"Are you sure?" I asked.

"Yes, thank you for keeping me company, i'll hope to meet you again." She then gave me a little piece of paper. "Take care!!" She said while giving me another big smile and running towards the Sakura.

I took it from her hands put it in my pocket.

"See you, Evangeline!" I said, while waving at her.

"What a nice girl." I thought.

I saw her figure getting smaller with the distance.

I smiled at her and i decided to go back home.

As she disappeared in the distance, I stood there for a moment, a peculiar feeling lingering within me.

There was something about Evangeline that left a lasting impression.

Her sweet demeanor and the way she carried herself made me wonder about the stories behind those gentle eyes.

Turning around, I started walking back home.

The city was slowly being painted with the warm hues of the setting sun.

As I strolled through familiar streets, I couldn't shake off the feeling that something had changed, even if just a little.

Arriving home, the quietness greeted me.

No laughter, no familiar voices, just the solitude of my room.

I looked at the note Evangeline had given me.

Unfolding it, I found a simple drawing of a sakura tree and a small message in delicate handwriting: "This is my contact: Evangeline Beaufort." There was her social media accounts and phone number.

Again , i felt like i've heard her name before.

A soft smile appeared on my face, and for a moment, the unease that had settled within me started to fade.

I wondered about the stories hidden behind Evangeline's eyes, the ones she chose not to share.

I'm a very sensitive person and i know when people are hiding something or when they're sad.

I then started walking towards my home.

With Evangeline's gone, all my thoughts returned to focus on what happened at the Karaoke.

It took me 20 minutes of walking to arrive.

All i thought was Ema.

I felt guilty after meeting this girl.

"I'll tell her that i helped a tourist." I said to myself.

I didn't want to hide anything from my girlfriend since sincerity and loyalty are the most important things in a relationship, right?

I kept walking and walking until i was finally back at home.

After returning, I opened the door to a silence that felt both familiar and unnerving.

The air in the house was still, undisturbed by the usual sounds of family life.

A small note left on the table caught my attention, a message from my mother explaining that she had gone with my little brother to visit our grandparents.

"What? How strange... She didn't visit them for six months afther an argument..." I thought...

I was alone, totally alone.