Here I think is the perfect example of the downfall of Emi and Aksel's relationship. If Emi can't even be honest about her frustration with having to start from scratch on something that she's been studying for four years, there's major communication trouble

I do think it's important Emi creates a place for herself in Finland. She liked Finland before moving there, but even if she hadn't, even if had just been to be with Askel, it's important to make a city become your *own*. I hope Askel doesn't just appear after she gets her shit together (which I hope you don't see as a criticism, just my thought process) because I don't think I would, personally, be able to love someone who only wants to be with me when everything's good and not when everything falls apart. I think that though it's Emi who needs to put the most effort, Askel should still be *there* as she does, or else it's just him wiping his hands of her when it's difficult and then getting back to her when all the hard work is over. But even if you don't plan to go that way, I trust you to handle your story and characters the best way possible! This are just my (humble) thoughts :)

Haha, that bit about the guy opening the door was funny I do so love speaking peoples’ language to them and surprising them lol

I’m glad you had Emi visit Tatiana! She’s always been a kind of voice of reason in Emi’s life, even back in Edinburgh from what I can remember. It’ll be interesting to see where you end up going with the story! I do agree a lot that it’s good to just kind of go with the flow in some stories and see where that takes you, I can definitely imagine that detailed plot plans can be very confining

I've been a fan of your stories for so long. I always mean to review, but I never do. I'm sorry. But I just wanted to let you know how much I love this story. I'm so happy you've decided to repost and rewrite these characters. And I'm so happy you've decided to focus on Emi's personal growth. I think she deserves to find her place in the world. Don't get me wrong, I love Aksel, but I think she needs to concentrate on herself for a while. I think she needs to give herself a chance to find her own home, wherever that is. I don't know if home is an actual place, but maybe it's a place you find within yourself when you're among strangers, immersed in a different culture with different habits and a language you just can't seem to grasp.
I can't wait to read the following chapters. I'll miss Aksel and I really hope he comes back in the future (fingers crossed, fingers crossed, fingers crossed). I believe he'll come back when Emi finds herself.
All the best,
Cinthia

Aghfkskdjd I’ve been on holiday so I only just checked my email and saw your reply and this update. Ha I was thinking it might seem a little obvious so I had doubts whether it would turn out the way that I thought but now I’m freaking out omg, like Aksel really is just so DONE with Emi huh Also this is not a threat but I will be deceased if you end the story with them apart :(

Ouch! If I was Emi I would gather the little bit of dignity I had left and leave Helsinki in the next flight. I don't see the point of sticking around.

Oh Aksel... I'm hoping he has a change of heart soon, because seeing that last word of the chapter nearly made me choke up. But, aside from all the relationship issues, it's been making me so happy this chapter and the last to see Emi start to progress with her own mindset and see how she's been dealing with the "culture shock" to become happier!

As with every week, looking forward to the next chapter. Make sure to take care of yourself and get some rest though!

It sucks that someone plagiarised your story, even more so because the copy paste function has been disabled on fictionpress which means they must have spent time to type it all out...and to waste your time like that disrespecting someone is incredible.

As for Askel, I don't hate him, but I feel more sympathetic towards Emi. When he started truly talking in this chapter, something about it struck as 'off' about it, and then I realised what it was once Emi called him out for it: he was being hypocritical! Emi is struggling, yes, but he should also be upfront about how it's hard to support someone as well, and I'm kind of annoyed he's coming out with this NOW when things are improving haha.

Can't wait for your next chapter :)

I’m crying by you know, no biggie I don’t hate Aksel, it’s a very difficult position for him to be in. he could’ve reacted better but hey, he’s not perfect even if we want him to be :( but you won’t let them breakup forever, right? Like, Emi will move out but she’s going to decide to stay in Helsinki and they’re going to run into each other months later and Emi will have her life all together and then aksel’s going to be like, shit I’m in love with her again, right?
Omg I need to calm down lol

Yuck that’s horrible you got plagiarised! I’d recommend making an AO3 account. It can take a few days for them to create your account, but it might be worth having one to check whether the story’s gone :/ hope it all works out!

Great chapter as usual! The tension between Aksel and Emi is still making me a bit sad, but I'm looking forward to see how this shifts. Also was so wonderful to see Emi finally letting herself go the tiniest bit and being more open to befriending Priscilla, who seems lovely. Excited for the next update as always!

Ah no, your poor fingers! Hope they get better soon, and that your cough goes away! That’s been lingering around for quite some time huh

I think I got annoyed by Aksel for the first time here, but like the thing is, I totally get that he has very valid reasons to be irritable and I probably would act somewhat like him too, in his situation. But it’s great to see Emi making some progress! Or at least, I’m taking it as progress.. Drowning man and his straws, and all that haha

Thank you for continuing to write. The story touches some raw nerves, the failure at the relationship and my own failure to learn the language and integrate with his friends. But your story is not mine, it is well written and compelling. You have managed to capture the feeling of Helsinki and the sense of being an outsider. I look forward to reading more. No pressure, the muse is a fickle master.

Waah! I would cry from all the emotion. I'm torn between wanting to smack Emilie over the head and just give her a big hug. I know how hard it is moving overseas and having to learn everything from scratch, but constantly focusing on the differences never makes it better. It just makes you more homesick and sad. I hope you starts looking at things a bit more positively.
Love the story. So glad you've come back to finish it!

Asjfhfdnfb isn’t it just horrible how we still want to hurt the ones we love? :( Emi is just so insecure and unhappy with herself, it’s hard to stomach sometimes. I once read about how relationships won’t work well if one party is looking for the other person to complete them. I have no idea if it’s true or not, but it certainly sounds like it’s beginning to apply to these two. I wonder what could catalyse Emi into finding peace with herself, because it sounds like everything’s going to apart otherwise