"Martha! Martha!"

Half-asleep, Martha seemed to hear someone calling her, and the voice sounded very familiar.

She opened her eyes and saw white bubbles floating in front of her, creating a dreamlike scene.

Within one of the white, semi-transparent bubbles, the shape of a goldfish appeared, looking at her and saying, "Why don't you come find me? You still have one wish to make!"

The goldfish's voice was somewhat hollow, yet very gentle.

The words, whispered into Martha's ear, made the girl dizzy and disoriented, and she blurted out involuntarily, "My parents won't let me see you?"

Why?

They think you're a bad guy!

"So, do you think I'm a bad person?"

You're not a bad person!

"So, your parents are the ones who are wrong, is that right?"

Martha hesitated for a moment, seemingly struggling with the decision, but ultimately nodded.

"Do they often control you, restrict you, and prevent you from doing many things you want to do? Do they prevent you from eating many delicious foods you want to eat, and allow you to own many things you want to own, but they won't let you buy them?"

Martha nodded absently.

The goldfish's voice grew even softer and longer: "So, do you want them to disappear? Or rather, to leave? To gain their freedom, to do whatever they want!"

"If you want, come find me and make your third wish!"

The sound disappeared, and the bubbles vanished as well. The girl opened her eyes; it was already dawn the next day.

But her eyes were dark, as if she hadn't slept all night and looked exhausted.

PS: Thank you to [Spring Dawn Sunrise] for the 5000-point donation!

Thank you for the generous donation! You're so kind!