THE BLACK SWAN BEHIND (BEAUTY OF FIRE) - Chapter 205

205 Be Yourself

“All this time, I’ve been secretly wandering around to stop gangster crimes. While doing my job, I always disguised myself as Emma Hilland. From there, the people of the dark world began to recognize me as a man named Black.” Emma explained. n0𝚟𝓮𝓁𝒰𝕊𝒷.𝒸0𝔪

“Black?” Poppy was stunned for a few seconds with a frown, “W-What?! So, you are Black?!” Poppy exclaimed with bulging eyes.

Emma nodded slowly, “At first, I was just working alone. But because of an accident, I met Rachel. Long story short, it turned out that Rachel also has martial arts skills. And because she happened to have a problem with a gangster group, we decided to work together and have now created the group. Since then, the name Black has become our name.”

Poppy shook her head quickly, “No, Emma. I mean, you were that Black who rode that motorbike? The guy who always wore a black helmet? The one who helped me and..” she stopped. It felt hard to mention the name of a man who had lost his life because of her.

“Roger,” Emma added while nodding slowly. She knew Poppy would be surprised by her confession, and it seemed she was right.

Poppy was silent. She tried to digest what Emma said. If Emma was Black that Poppy knew. That meant that it was Emma who had helped her out from Hell Gate’s snare. All the memories of the events that had happened during the past months replayed in her head.

Emma took a deep breath. Then she moved to sit next to Poppy, “Thanks, Rachel,” she said to the girl who immediately shifted her sitting position to give Emma space.

Then Emma looked at Poppy who still looked so shocked that she couldn’t even speak, “Poppy.. Sorry if I’ve been hiding the truth from you all this time. The reason I chose the path I’m taking now was Roger and you. You could say that Roger was my first friend in Handway City. And you are my second friend. Roger had taught a lot of lessons for me who was still completely blind to the outside world. Therefore, I couldn’t stand to see him continue to be bullied, and wanted to protect him even if I have to resort to violence. When I found out that Donny did bad things to you, I also couldn’t accept that. When I was trying to help you, I found out that Roger also had a relationship with you who was involved in a problem with Hell Gate.”

Emma tried to hold back her tears because the moment when Roger died came back to her, “Since then, I have seen how evil the gangsters in Handway City are. Before, I always thought of turning a blind eye to all the evil that I saw in this city. It was because I didn’t want to deal with them. I wished to live a normal life the way I want. But my eyes opened when I felt how it was like when my own friends became the victims. Since then, I started to think about the feelings of the other victims. Even though I don’t know them, it doesn’t mean they don’t feel pain. They are just like you and Roger. They also have family and friends who will feel sad to see the suffering they are going through. That’s why.. I decided not to stay silent. I realized that with gangsters around, the peaceful normal life that I had always dreamed of will not exist. With that, I decided to step in to save the dreams of others and also my own.”

…..

“E-Emma.. You..” Poppy’s eyes filled with tears as she covered her mouth with one hand.

Emma’s story even also made Kathy unable to hold back tears. She rubbed her eyes a few times which kept getting wet.

This was Emma’s first time telling others about her feelings, goals, and reasons why she was the Emma Hilland was now. Even though she had told Rachel many things, she had never told her what was in her heart. Now, Emma poured it all in front of her three best friends at once.

The truth about Emma who was a hero who could fight hundreds of grown men was a big surprise for Poppy and Kathy. But they were more astonished at Emma’s beautiful heart.

Poppy had seen it with her own eyes. At that time, Emma did risk her life to help her and Roger. Emma was ganged up by hundreds of men in Hell Gate’s biggest lair. It was Emma who saved Poppy and all the girls who had the same fate as her. Even Roger breathed his last breath accompanied by Emma. And all this time, Emma had covered everything up by remaining gently feminine.

Emma smiled wryly, “This is the real me. I’m not an elegant, perfect lady as people say. Even though that’s the view I indeed want for myself, I’m a girl who often solves problems with violence in reality. I’m a girl who once broke someone’s neck. I’m a girl full of revenge and anger. I’m.. far from what you thought,”

“Emma.. You’re not the perfect lady. But you are the perfect Emma Hilland. You’re perfect just being who you are. And I’m so proud of you. Thank you, Emma. Thank you so much for helping someone like me.” Poppy immediately hugged that brown-eyed girl.

In fact, Emma witnessed how bad Poppy was that made Roger die. Even though Roger was the first friend who meant a lot to Emma, she still willing to help Poppy and was now be friends with her.

“Emma. Don’t you know how awesome you are? Why do you think that being strong is a drawback? I don’t believe in your mindset,” Kathy said with a look of astonishment mixed with sadness.

Rachel smiled as she looked at Emma gently, “Now that you’ve seen it for yourself, Emma. You don’t have to hold on to that fear. You have friends who will accept you as you are. And you can be yourself. If you don’t want people outside there knowing your true identity, at least you have us to be your leaning on.”

“All right,” Emma nodded several times, “I understand. I was wrong for letting fear close my eyes until I didn’t realize that you all saw me as Emma Hilland. I’m really sorry for doubting you guys. And.. thanks a lot for awakened me,” she said with tears in his eyes.

Kathy chuckled, “Gosh.. I didn’t expect this to be a mellow scene. But I’m glad that each of us can be ourselves in the end.”

Then Rachel cleared her throat, “If I may speak, I myself feel very lucky to have finally found a friend like you. I think this is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity and I feel grateful not to have missed it.”

“I hope our friendship will never end until we are old and have our own families. Please, try to keep this remain,” Poppy asked.

Emma nodded, “I promise.” She replied before hugging each other.

It was a day when the four girls could be themselves and accept each other as a group of friends. Everyone stayed, and no one left.

***

“So it was you who broke Brian’s arm then?” Kathy laughed as she threw a chip into her mouth.

Emma nodded, “He’s still having trouble writing to this day. He deserves it.”

Poppy smiled, “You’re awesome, Emma. I still can’t imagine you being the one behind that helmet.” she said. “By the way, how did you learn such great martial arts?”

“Since I was a kid, my dad hired various martial arts masters to train me and my brothers. It was because my dad’s job was rather dangerous, so he thought that his children should be able to take care of themselves and be strong.” Emma explained.

“Oh.. Did your father work as a policeman or was he.. a criminal?” Kathy looked interested. She never hesitated in speaking, especially to her close friends.

“Actually, I don’t really know if my dad is a good person or a bad person. He runs a casino and other entertainment businesses. Even so, he is still a father figure who loves his family so much. But he has become colder since my mother died.” Emma answered.

“Then what about Calvin and Troy? Is the matter you’re talking about very serious? You’re even eavesdropping on their conversation.” Poppy asked.

“Ah.. That,” Emma mumbled. Then she nodded, “Calvin and Troy have the same job as us. They also hunt gangsters, but with slightly different goals.” Then Emma explained the outline of the dark world of Handway City that she already knew.

“So, now Calvin and Troy’s group are going to attack the RJC you helped last time?” Kathy asked.

Rachel nodded, “Now we’re in the middle of two sides.”

“Hm.. It’s a pain in the ass. But why would you want to interfere anyway?” Kathy raised her eyebrows.

Emma smiled faintly, “Maybe I shouldn’t. But they are all my friends. Perhaps my feelings are too soft so I can’t see them attack each other.”

“You’re right, Emma. If I were in your position, I wouldn’t have the heart to see my friends hurt each other. Maybe this is what calls woman’s feelings.” Poppy nodded.

“Is your friend who is the leader of the RJC group truly a good person? Since I already know Calvin, I can’t stop my heart from continuing to side with him. We all know Calvin is a genuinely good guy.” Kathy said with a shrug.

Then Emma and Rachel looked at each other meaningfully. Kathy and Poppy realized that.

“Well.. Looks like there’s something else you guys are still hiding, huh?” Kathy stared suspiciously.

“But if it’s something no one else should know about, we don’t mind if you keep it secret.” Poppy replied with one glance at Kathy who always acted as she pleased.