I escaped from my own dream and invaded Veronica’s this time.
She had a long skirt that reached her feet and long black hair, with slightly colored lips. C-could this really be that Veronica?! She looked completely different. C-cute, I mean, she was always attractive, but seeing her with her hair down, without any flashy makeup, was refreshing.
And then there was another person, the man by her side. He wasn’t that tall, and his face was ordinary. He also didn’t look particularly rich. Though it’s rude of me to say, he wasn’t the type who would seem popular. Nevertheless, Veronica was smiling happily as she talked to him.
He handed her an old book from his bag.
“Here, I’d like you to read this if you’d like. It’s old, but I love it.”
“Oh, I see. And you can read, huh?”
“How rude! My mother taught me that. I didn’t have money to buy textbooks, but I can read well enough.”
They looked quite compatible. Aren’t they good together? Could this be a trap? Does she plan to keep only this happy memory? Then, the scenery changed again.
Where is this? Is it someone’s closet? I can hear the voices of a man and a woman arguing.
“Come on, we’re getting married eventually anyway.”
“B-but we aren’t married yet. Please wait a little longer.”
In the darkness, I can see Veronica and yet another man. Huh? Where did the man from last time go? The man corners her against the wall, pushing himself onto her.
“It’s okay, I’m good at it. And I’ve never gone all the way before, have I? I pull out right before, so don’t worry.”
“B-but I haven’t prepared…”
“Don’t worry about it, leave it to me. You understand, right? I’m the last one available. I’ve turned down all other proposals, and there’s no one left but me. You can face your family, and I can save face. See? It’s a good deal for both of us, isn’t it?”
I see, this guy is the worst scumbag, but he seems to come from a good family. This must be the mother’s doing.
“Once we’re married, you don’t have to like me. You can do whatever you want, I want to play around with other girls too.”
Haaah? How detestable. Damn it, I want to punch him right now.
“But if that’s the case, then there’s no need to do it with me now, is there?”
“Hmm, that’s different. You’re cute, so just this once, okay?”
W-what is that?! I can’t take it anymore. I’ve held back because it’s Veronica’s dream, but I’ve reached my limit. I’m going to punch this guy!
The man grabbed Veronica’s wrist. The next moment, the man’s body spun and flew.
“Ugh! Ouch! What are you doing?!”
“That’s enough, you damn scumbag. Ugh, I’m tired. I’m going to kill you and escape from here.”
“W-wait, calm down. It was just a joke, Veronica-chan.”
Then, there was the sound of glass shattering, and a huge commotion. She didn’t want to be strong; she had no choice but to become strong. I gently closed the closet door.
“Veronica, wait a minute!”
This time, I heard the sound of footsteps running down the hallway. This beautiful house must be her family home. I seem to be at the foot of the stairs. And now, a figure I presume to be her mother is going up the stairs. I quietly follow from behind so as not to be noticed.
“You! What do you mean by throwing your potential husband-to-be out the window?! This was our last chance, why don’t you understand?”
On the upper floor, Veronica was wearing a shirt and pants. Her hair, which was usually neatly styled, was disheveled. Her mother approached her daughter, out of breath.
“Why, why are you always like this? I’m doing this for your own good. You always betray me like this, do you hate me that much?”
“… For my own good? You’re lying. Can I really be happy forever by marrying a rich man and having children?”
“W-well, it’s not something that can be said for sure, but having a family is a wonderful thing. I’m sure you’ll understand someday. It’ll be too late when you regret it. You’re almost twenty, you need to get serious.”
Come to think of it, she said she broke free at twenty. Perhaps this was the cause.
“Haha, for my own good? Then have you ever listened to me? My mother decided everything for me, from the clothes I wore to the stationery I used. I’m not your puppet.”
“That’s because you never said anything. If you felt that way, you should have told me.”
Tears welled up in Veronica’s eyes as she turned around. She glared sharply at her mother.
“That happiness you’re talking about, that’s *your* happiness, isn’t it?”
“No, I’m always thinking of you all.”
“I’m sick of your nonsense! My older sister too… No, never mind. There’s nothing for me to talk about with you.”
As her daughter walked away, her mother collapsed in tears on the spot. Now is the time. This situation is the closest to Veronica’s present. I need to persuade her and bring her back from the dream. But where I stepped, there was no hallway.
“Whoa, ugh!”
I fell onto a night grassland?
“Hahaha, wait, big sis!”
