Ch.193Dream (2)

I waited until Cherry stopped crying. She must have had so much pent-up frustration that tears streamed down her face like a broken faucet, forming droplets on her chin.

Yet she was smiling with a sense of relief, as if feeling acknowledged. It was a clear change from her previous lifeless appearance.

“Are you done crying?”

“Hic… y-yes…”

She’s clearly not done yet. I smiled gently as I watched Cherry hiccupping while wiping away her tears.

She kept wiping and wiping her tears, but they showed no signs of stopping.

As I was rummaging through my pockets wondering if I should offer her a handkerchief like Adelia did, Cherry asked me in a sobbing voice.

“Was it… hic! Was it really… enjoyable?”

“Yes. It was really enjoyable. Going back from the future to the past to erase the tragedy you experienced, and further cultivating a better future. How did you come up with this idea?”

As I mentioned earlier, regression stories are one of the most common clichés in my previous life. It’s a cliché that appears at every opportunity, but authors use it frequently because there’s high demand for it.

However, in this world, the regression cliché itself doesn’t exist. Anyone would want to go back to the past to correct their mistakes, but they don’t even think about using it as material for a novel.

Cherry rubbed her eyes several times after hearing my question, then lowered both hands. Tears still clung to the corners of her eyes, and the bridge of her nose was red like a strawberry.

Still, it seemed she had released all her pent-up frustrations, as some life returned to her previously rotten eyes. I could see her cherry blossom-colored eyes becoming more vivid.

“Sniff… Because of Xenon…”

“Because of me?”

“Yes… hic! There was talk about you returning from the future…”

She hiccupped between words, seemingly surprised. I made an expression of wonder at her answer.

After the World Tree root contamination, the world thought of me as a prophet or a regressor due to certain truths that emerged. Later, I was almost elevated to sainthood due to Luminus’s slip of the tongue.

Ordinary people who heard these stories made all sorts of speculations and assumptions, but they didn’t use it as material like Cherry did. I’m not sure if this should be called a shift in perspective.

“I see. That’s impressive.”

“Hic… th-thank you…”

“Hmm…”

I looked at Cherry, who had bowed her head while thanking me, then shifted my gaze to the manuscript. Honestly, if her book were published as is, it would be a huge hit.

Especially unlike the Biography of Xenon, which is read by both men and women, Cherry’s book, One More Red Sunset, would primarily be read by women. Unlike the Biography of Xenon, One More Red Sunset was a regression story.

Typically, in regression stories, attention naturally focuses on the regressor, and the story flows around them. Naturally, the focus would be on the female protagonist.

‘Still, with a clear target audience, it should sell well. Since regression stories are new, people will be interested.’

Romance novels have always been a well-selling genre, even before the release of the Biography of Xenon. Although the context is terribly difficult, if one can understand the story, there’s a definite audience.

It would probably be very popular among noble women. As for men… I’m not sure. Men in this world have stereotypes that fit the times.

While they might enjoy adventure stories full of dreams and hope(?) like the Biography of Xenon, they might find romance stories that are close to political stories boring.

Of course, the regression aspect might spark some interest, but that’s about it. Instead, they might pretend to have read it to join conversations among noble women. Trends are sensitive among nobles.

I looked at the manuscript that seemed barely recovered after being damaged, then raised my head to look at Cherry.

Although life had returned to her pink eyes, her shoulders were still drooping, and she remained dejected.

From her reaction when I mentioned her family and the clear shoe prints on the manuscript, I could roughly guess the situation.

“Student Cherry.”

“…Cherry.”

“Huh?”

“Call me… Cherry…”

She requested in her characteristically gloomy voice, seemingly encouraged by my praise. I momentarily made a sour expression before nodding.

I also find it more comfortable to speak informally. She already seems convinced that I’m Xenon, and there’s no need for formalities in a private space.

“Alright. Cherry.”

“Yes…”

“Do you want to publish this as a book?”

Cherry flinched at my direct question, then slowly nodded.

“But your family refused, right?”

“…Yes.”

Cherry started trembling again when I mentioned her family. How severe must her trauma be to show such a reaction?

I’d like to avoid mentioning it if possible, but this manuscript is closely related to her family. Even if she were to publish it secretly, they might notice.

“How many people have properly read this manuscript?”

“…None.”

“What?”

Cherry spoke with difficulty in a trembling voice.

“Only you… Author…”

“Only me? Even if not your parents, you could have shown it to close friends.”

“… …”

When I asked in bewilderment, Cherry just gripped her school uniform skirt tightly with both hands, not giving any answer.

Seeing this, I could roughly guess. The Roseberry family had clearly been coercive.

In the worst case, they might have seized people who saw Cherry’s novel under absurd pretexts. As I’ve mentioned repeatedly, this is a world where class distinctions are clear.

All the people around me are decent individuals, but for nobles, concepts like human rights are practically nominal.

“…they did.”

“Huh?”

“If others read my writing… they were all driven out… and they even interfered to prevent me from writing…”

What kind of family is this? I was more dumbfounded than surprised by Cherry’s painfully delivered answer.

No wonder the child is so broken with such a dysfunctional family. It’s remarkable she hasn’t committed suicide.

When people have a firm dream, they tend to hold bright beliefs and hopes in their hearts. Even with occasional trials, if a tiny flame remains, they move forward without yielding.

But the Roseberry family trampled even that flame. Just like the footprints on the manuscript.

‘I was really born lucky.’

If I had been born into the Roseberry family, the Biography of Xenon might never have been created. I express my gratitude once again to the gods for having me born into the Mayshall family.

Looking at Cherry’s eyes, which were beginning to lose their light again, I decided I needed to do something.

If time continues to pass like this, it’s obvious she will soon take her own life. Perhaps her desperate act of pulling my hair was born out of desperation.

If I had rejected her too, there’s a high possibility I wouldn’t have seen her again. Even now, she’s precarious, so meeting me was essentially fortunate.

“…Cherry.”

“Yes…”

“No one has seen this manuscript, right?”

Cherry nodded up and down when I asked for confirmation. This means that Cherry’s parents, or whoever they are, didn’t even read her novel before trampling it and tearing it to pieces.

Those who cannot support their child’s dream, let alone destroy it, do not qualify as parents. At least, they shouldn’t be called parents.

I carefully placed the manuscript on the table, leaned my upper body slightly forward, and asked Cherry.

“How would you like me to help?”

“… …”

“If you want, I can secretly pass the manuscript to a publisher. But not in this damaged state; you’d have to rewrite it. Do they have surveillance on you at the academy too?”

Shake- Shake-

Cherry shook her head from side to side. Thankfully, they haven’t assigned personnel to monitor her at the academy.

Perhaps they judged she wouldn’t have unnecessary thoughts since they had crushed her hope beyond recovery. Either way, they’re trash.

“Then will you rewrite it and show it to me? Actually, the writing itself is good, but the development feels too fast. I’d like you to explain more clearly what kind of world this is, and further, to tell in more detail what the protagonist experienced in the past. The overall events are good, but I think the interactions between people are important.”

“… …”

As I gave various pieces of advice, Cherry’s expression changed. The gloomy atmosphere disappeared without a trace, replaced by curiosity and vitality.

Even just having someone give advice on her novel must be a fresh experience for her. I was also slightly excited, feeling similar to her.

It’s like having a colleague or a disciple. Naturally, when people share the same hobby, they develop points of empathy and grow closer.

“And there’s something you need to be most careful about here. The future the protagonist experienced and the future ahead won’t be exactly the same. The actions the protagonist takes to prepare for the future might actually hasten certain outcomes. Or they might lead to completely different results.”

“Ah… I think I understand.”

“Right?”

As our conversation progressed, a light of hope began to sprout in Cherry’s eyes.

Her once dark eyes now sparkled with a pink light, and her gloomy atmosphere had somewhat lightened. She was returning from being a ‘doll’ to being a ‘person’.

How could the Roseberry family trample someone who shines with such a beautiful light? It gives me an idea of how ominous that family must be.

“Cherry.”

“…Yes.”

“As I said earlier, tell me if you need help. I’m not sure how much help I can provide, but I’ll help as much as I can.”

“… …”

After hearing those words, Cherry stared at me with a blank face, then her lips trembled before curling up. It was unmistakably a smile.

But soon, her eyes began to fill with moisture, and tears once again began to flow down her cheeks. Her lips were curled up, but streams of water flowed from her eyes.

The sight of crying and smiling isn’t particularly pleasant, but it represented her feelings, so I watched quietly.

“Thank… you…”

“You’re welcome. If you have any difficulties in the future, tell me. And don’t cry. It ruins your pretty face.”

“Hic…”

Cherry hurriedly wiped her tears after hearing my words, but they showed no signs of stopping. It seems there was still some pent-up frustration left inside her.

While she was shedding tears, I checked the time. Having spent a considerable amount of time reading the manuscript, it was already approaching 5 o’clock.

It’s almost time for me to meet my acquaintances. But I couldn’t just leave Cherry like this, so I sat quietly in my seat.

“You’ve got a lot bottled up, huh?”

“…I’m sorry for showing such an unsightly appearance.”

“No, no. It’s okay. Sometimes it’s not bad to cry it all out. Are you going straight back to the dormitory, Cherry?”

“What about you, Xenon?”

Cherry didn’t answer my question but asked one in return. I think I need to change her form of address first.

“From now on, don’t call me Xenon; call me Assistant Issac. And I have an appointment, so I need to go elsewhere.”

“An appointment?”

“Yes, an appointment. I need to meet some acquaintances. Including my girlfriend.”

“Girl… friend…”

What’s this? What’s going on now?

As soon as I mentioned meeting my girlfriend, Cherry’s eyes turned dark. Just a moment ago, they had regained life, but now they darkened again as if a switch had been turned off.

Seeing this, I was slightly taken aback, when Cherry mumbled with her lips and asked in a quiet voice.

“…is it?”

“Huh?”

“Like in the newspaper… a promised future…”

“Ah… yes. We’re even engaged.”

“I see…”

The characteristic gloomy atmosphere returned. Feeling uneasy, I carefully rose from my seat.

“I’ll take care of the bill, so you should return to the dormitory too. Since you skipped classes, you’ll be busy from next week.”

“…Yes.”

“Then come to the research lab whenever you have difficulties. I’ll usually be in the lab, okay?”

“I also…”

“Huh?”

What does she want to say? Cherry hesitated after starting to speak.

Eventually, she bowed her head deeply and muttered so quietly it was as if an ant was passing by.

“It’s nothing. Nothing at all…”

“Cherry?”

Even when I asked like that, Cherry’s answer was the same.

“…Nothing.”

*****

Issac left first for his appointment. But Cherry remained sitting alone in the private room even after he left.

At one point, a waiter who noticed something strange knocked and entered, but the atmosphere was so serious that he turned back. The waiter simply thought Cherry had confessed to Issac and been rejected, but the reality was slightly different.

‘He acknowledged me…’

She was rejoicing inside. After reading her manuscript, Issac had asked when the next volume would be out, and furthermore, he had given her the highest praise by saying it was really enjoyable.

When she heard that praise, she felt a joy as if all the resentment that had been bottled up inside her was not only resolved but flew up to the sky.

The dream and hope that had been trampled and torn to pieces by her family were acknowledged as enjoyable by Xenon (Issac), who is currently praised as the best author.

How could this feeling be described? If she hadn’t met him or hadn’t been acknowledged, she would have hanged herself in the dormitory.

It was the first time since birth that she felt so alive. Having fallen into the pit of despair once and been pulled up by Issac made her feel it even more acutely.

‘But my parents…’

They would never acknowledge it. They’re the kind of people who would tell her to read another philosophy book rather than write such trash.

People who became jealous when their philosophy books didn’t receive attention due to the Biography of Xenon. She could vividly see how ‘jealousy’ can make people ugly.

But Issac was different. Beyond acknowledging, he gave various advice and showed her the way forward. He treated her not as a doll but as a valuable individual and sprinkled sweet water on a growing dream tree.

Like eating a sweet candy after eating food that only tastes bitter, this sweet feeling lingering in her chest gave Cherry vitality.

But it’s not enough. Even if sweetness lingers in the mouth, candy is not eaten to fill the stomach, so it’s bound to be insufficient.

‘More… more…’

She wants attention. She wants acknowledgment. She wants praise. She wants love.

Every word he spoke was as sweet as candy and provided new stimulation and pleasure. She had never felt this way in her life.

Cherry silently stared at the place where Issac had left. The place he had left, saying he needed to meet acquaintances and his fiancée.

Is there a way to tie him to that seat? If so, she could talk longer and face him longer.

Swish-

She carefully rose from her seat and slowly moved to the opposite side. Then she slowly stroked the seat where Issac had sat.

Having just left, warm warmth remained. Cherry enjoyed the warmth felt in her hand and then brought it to her face.

“Sniff… Haah…”

As soon as she closed her eyes and smelled it, she felt something filling her heart. For someone who treasured even a single strand of hair, such an act was like inhaling a drug.

Her unstable mental state, roughly suppressed by her family, synergized to cause physical changes.

Due to intense excitement, her heart pounded as if it would burst, and her lower abdomen tingled as if electrified. That stimulation even made something feel moistly wet.

Cherry opened her closed eyes and looked down. Issac’s scent still remained on that leather.

Gulp-

At this, she swallowed. A fierce flame flickered in her two eyes that shone pink.

Fortunately, no one was coming to the private room. Even if someone came in, they would knock, so there was no worry about being caught.

How much time had passed since then?

“Goodbye~”

“… …”

Cherry only came out of the private room after a long time had passed.

Her face was subtly reddened, and her school uniform was disheveled, but the waiter didn’t notice at all.

However, when he entered the private room to clean up, he noticed something strange.

“…What’s this smell?”

The private room was filled with the scent of cherry blossoms.