" Higurashi-San! Higurashi-San! I was so scared! I was so scared!" He held on to me tightly. His febrile body was still trembling due to fear.
" It's okay now! I'm here now!" I comforted him to the best of my abilities by returning his embrace.
Still hugging Angelica, he muttered:" I was so scared as I didn't know who was knocking on the door".
" It was my fault! I should have said something. I'm sorry!"
Having finally realized that he was in Angelica's embrace, he let go of her promptly and apologetically said to her:" Higurashi-San! I got carried away. Please forgive my rudeness!"
" Why are you apologizing to me all the time? What have you done?" She asked him straightforwardly.
" I have been disrespectful towards you". Angel's response left her speechless for words.
" You have been disrespectful towards me? In what way?"
" I hugged you without thinking". He hesitated before answering the question.
" I don't see how hugging someone is considered disrespectful. You got scared, which is why you hugged me for comfort. It's a natural thing".
" It's not! I can't get close to people and I can't let others get close to me either". He said in a subtle tone.
" Come with me!"
" Don't touch me!" Angel reacted aggressively to Angelica's touch.
Angelica let go of him the minute he screamed and took a few steps back. Her expression was puzzled before she broke the silence to speak.
" Sorry! I won't touch you again. I want to talk to you. Would you hear me out?"
He nodded to her request. Angelica sat five seats away from Angel to make him feel comfortable.
" I'm sorry for the prank I played on you today. I didn't intend to scare you. I'm sorry about that!" She apologized to her heartfully.
" It's okay! I'm used to it. I'll go prepare dinner". He stood up and started heading towards the kitchen.
( What happened to you to be like this? Who did this to you? I'm certain you haven't been like this since birth. Something major happened for you to change so drastically, but what?)
A phone call brought her back from her reflections. Staring at the phone screen, she realized it was her boyfriend.
Angelica Higurashi
"Hello, Francois!"
Francois Shan
"Have you already got home?"
Angelica Higurashi
"Yes! I got home safely, don't worry!"
Francois Shan
"I'll see you tomorrow at school! Good night!"
Angelica Higurashi
"Good night!"
Two hours later
" Dinner was delicious, as always". She said, praising his cooking.
" Thank you!" He flushed slightly to the compliment.
" There's something I would like to discuss with you".
" What is it?"
...
" About the door knock, if I knock on the door three times, then, know it's me. It's as simple as that". She said subtly to him.
" Okay! I'll keep that in mind".
She added further:" Sometimes, only knocking won't help. You can ask to know who it is before opening the door".
" Okay!"
" I'll go to bed now! Don't stay up too late!" Angelica stood up as it had gotten pretty late already and that she had school tomorrow.
" Good night, Higurashi-San!" Angel wished her a good night's sleep as she was heading towards her room.
" Good night!"
( I'll wash the dishes and go to bed).
The following day
" I'm leaving! See you tonight!" After having her breakfast, Angelica was ready to head out for school.
She got stopped by Angel as she was heading towards the door." Wait up Higurashi-San!"
" Yes!"
" Will you be coming home late tonight?"
His question surprised Angelica. Where was this question coming from? She did her best to act as naturally as possible so that he wouldn't spot her emotions.
" Why do you ask?"
He muttered nervously:" I----------------- I just wanted to know when I should cook dinner, that's all".
His cheeks were slightly flushed. He avoided her gaze which was constantly staring at him. His nervousness and shyness were so cute that Angelica couldn't help herself but chuckle.
" I was only joking. I'll be home by 5. I'll see you later!" She walked out of the room right after answering his question.
" Have a delightful day, Higurashi-San!"
After her departure, Angel realized that Angelica had forgotten her lunch box. He then decided to deliver it to her after doing some cleaning around the house.
Fukuoka Daiichi High School
" How did it go yesterday? Have you made up?" Sarah asked interrogatively to her friend.
" It's worse than that!"
" Do you care to explain because we don't understand what you're trying to tell us?" Anna asked straightforwardly.
" What happened is------------------------------" She told them what happened yesterday as she got home from school.
" It looks to me that this haphephobia is way worse than we imagined it to be". Sarah said comprehensively.
" What are you planning on doing now?" Anna asked interrogatively.
" About what?"
Sarah answered:" We're talking about Francois. Yesterday after you left us, Francois came to us and asked about you. He left afterward to catch up with you. Have you seen him by any chance?"
" He caught up with me".
" What happened?" Anna interrogated Angelica.
" Nothing major happened. He called me two days ago and Angel answered the phone. He asked me what Angel was doing over at my house". She said in summary.
" Angel? Is that his name?" Sarah asked curiously.
" That's right! It's him! He's called Angel Jay!"
" What have you told Francois about him? Have you told him the truth?" Anna asked cautiously.
" About that, I've decided to tell him the truth about Angel. I promised him to not leave him in the dark".
" Do you think he'll believe you?" Sarah inquired.
" He said he'll believe whatever I tell him although I'm having some doubts about it. Let's just hope he believes me!"
" Will you tell him the whole truth?" Anna stared at me as she asked the question. Angelica spotted concern for her through her gaze.
Angelica sighed and answered affirmatively to Anna's question. Her response was the following: " I'll tell him everything except for the fact that he's haphephobic. That's Angel's secret. He doesn't need to know of that fact as it's not something that should be spread around".
" You're right! We're happy about the fact that you finally decided to tell him everything. You've made the best decision".
" Let's go for lunch!" Anna, Sarah, and Angelica left for lunch.