Two Tattlers Who Managed To Escape

26. Preparing to Apologize

POV: Oliver

Sitting in the shady garden of the Rose family's home, I was lost in thought, smoothly running my pencil over the pages of my notebook. Almost complete silence reigned around, punctuated only by the rustling of leaves and distant sounds of city hustle. I pondered over Yohi, contemplating how to help him overcome his current state of apathy. Nothing came to mind, yet I had promised and was not about to give up!

Suddenly, to my surprise, Fukase quietly crept up behind me and suddenly embraced me, startling me with the unexpectedness of his gesture. His hug was warm and firm, making me blush, but I couldn't shake off a slight fright from the suddenness of this act.

— Hello, Oli! — he exclaimed, releasing me from his embrace, — Shall we take a walk out of town, like last time?

I simply lowered my head, unwilling to meet his gaze. I wasn't in the mood for strolls. Noticing this, Fukase sat down next to me and looked at me worriedly.

— What's the matter, Oli? — his voice sounded tender and sympathetic, — Is it something to do with Yohi again?

I sighed, resting my head on Fukase's shoulder.

— Yes... Yohi is getting worse by the day. He doesn't even want to eat, and he refuses to get out of bed... and his sleepwalking continues. I don't know what to do. I'm so worried about him...

Fukase was silent, his gaze thoughtful. Then he gently took my hand, as if trying to convey some of his confidence and support.

— Oliver, you are already doing a lot for him. Your care and warmth are the best you can offer him. — he said, smiling, but my mood did not improve.

— I've already promised that I'll find a way to apologize to the town, in such a way that we'll be forgiven...

— Oh...

We both fell silent. He understood what I had promised, and if I didn't keep that promise, it meant I would be lying, and I couldn't... nor did I want to back out, I wanted to help both myself and Yohi!

— We need something that will make people listen... some kind of performance... — I mused aloud, continuing to run the pencil over the paper, depicting Yohi and myself on stage before an audience that listened.

Fukase pondered, looking at my drawing, and after a while suggested an idea:

— Hmm... maybe indeed organize a performance. On the main square! Prepare a text that, I don't know, kind of softens people's hearts, like "In a little town were born two boys" and then tell why you both became such nasty gossipers. You have reasons, I assume? — he looked at me, and I nodded silently, — Then tell how you were 'exiled' from the previous town, came here, and repeated the same mistakes, because, let's say, your past haunts you, your emotional scars make you gossip! People will understand you, and maybe give you a chance. And your father... I mean... I mean Big Al! He can arrange everything, in terms of getting permission for the performance and all that!

Having listened to his suggestion, I pondered again, then got up from the ground.

— We need to ask Al if it's even possible! — I said excitedly, after which Fukase also stood up and we both left the property to head to work at Al's, since he was supposed to be there now.

All the way, Fukase held my hand, as if to protect and keep me in case I was suddenly grabbed and dragged into an alley to be beaten, so despite all the hostile glances directed at me, I felt calm as long as Fukase was by my side. He was a good friend, although I wished we could be more than just friends...

Finally, we reached the large building where Big Al worked... I had never entered it before, so the unfamiliarity was slightly intimidating, but I was facing a greater ordeal in the future — the performance and apology, so I could cope with a slight fear of a new place. The inside of the building was beautiful, clean, nothing superfluous. Various framed sheets hung on the walls, but I didn't have time to read what they were, as we were walking fast, and I read terribly slowly. Soon we arrived at the door we needed, on which I managed to spot the name and surname of the person in the office, but couldn't read further as Fukase opened the door and, bowing his head, went inside, pulling me along and closing the door behind us both.