After a while, Stella said, “Did it cross your mind that you’d just end up an average Joe, earning an
average salary if you start working so soon? That you won’t be able to fight back if something
happened to me? On the other hand, if you further your studies abroad, your options are limitless-and
you wouldn’t be constrained because you prioritized short-term profits.”
She continued, “For example, if you somehow end up working at the company you interviewed for,
you’d be under Weston’s control. There is no choice for you but to run at that point, and if he really
found me, do you think you can stop him with you being as you are now?
Roger’s eyes twitched and slowly turned red, and seeing that he was shaken and his stubbornness
slowly crumbling, Stella pushed on. “Right now, I don’t need you to relieve my financial burden-we have
our savings, and I’m doing just fine. That’s why you don’t have to pressure yourself. Just focus on your
own future and keep climbing, as long as there are opportunities open to you!” “You’re a big boy now,
Roger. Try to look forward, and not just at what’s in front of you.”
Stella’s words were soft, and yet it struck Roger like a hammer, clearing his head.
It was true—he had been naive. He believed that staying with his sister was good enough, and it had
never crossed his mind that even if he did, he was incapable of protecting her.
“But I don’t want to go so far away… It’s going to take a long time before I can come home.” “It’s just
growing pains.” Seeing that his tone had softened and knowing that he was caving, Stella spoke to him
sincerely, “I can’t stay with you forever anyway.’ Roger clenched his fist right then. “Why not?! We only
have each other!” Stella laughed. “Now, now, you’re sounding just like a child. Weren’t you insisting that
you were an adult just a moment ago?”
Roger turned silent right then and said nothing else.
After a long while, he asked, “I need to think about this, okay? Give me time.” Stella nodded, since it
was a big deal for Roger, and she should give him space since he was actually thinking rationally and
not catering to his own whims.
“As long as you keep a calm head, I’ll support you in whatever decision you make.”
Roger looked up, taken aback-he was under the impression that she would insist that he study abroad.
Stella seemed to read his mind then, and smiled. “I just don’t want you to regret a choice you made in
the heat of the moment for the rest of your life.”
“Stella…”
Roger suddenly could not decide on what to say, and simply walked up and rested his chin on
her shoulder–she barely reached his shoulder in height, but he was reliant on her as he had been as a
child.
Patting his head, Stella then asked, “You hadn’t been home for a while, have you?”
Roger promptly straightened, his gaze suddenly evasive. “I’m sleepy. Going to bed.” “Hey! Explain
yourself!” Stella promptly chased after him. “Don’t try to run!”
***
Later at night, Stella returned to her own room and lay in bed, knowing now that Roger would rationally
think about his own future. It was certainly a huge relief to her mind after solving the issue.
She stared at the ceiling of the room she was so familiar with, and remembered the constant
nightmares she had for a long time since losing that child a year ago, after she and Roger arrived at
Fern City.
Tossing and turning in bed, all she saw was the bloody puddle of flesh that used to be a person,
She closed her eyes now, but the familiar scene she imagined would appear did not appear at
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