Veronica

“I need you to have an official match with Veronica,” Ellie said, looking embarrassed, almost nervous.

“Are you sure? I don’t think it’d be much of a fair fight.”

“I know. I want you to lose to her.”

“Ellie… I told you I don’t care about my ranking, but throwing a fight for no reason? I’m not even sure I could make it convincing.”

“Please. Do it for me.” She looked genuinely guilty about asking. “Veronica’s been on a losing streak, and she keeps getting matched against stronger opponents. She’s too stubborn to turn down a fight. I’ve been trying to train her using what you taught me, but she’s lost her confidence. I think a win could help her get back on her feet.”

“I see…” Not really. I’d never struggled with anything like that. Then again, ever since Ellie had beaten me, I’d found it harder to imagine winning against her. But Veronica was less experienced, less skilled, and physically weaker than me. How was I supposed to lose to her?

“Wouldn’t a fake victory just make things worse?”

“Well… I hadn’t thought of that.” Ellie paused, then her eyes lit up. “Then we’ll make it convincing. While Veronica and I train to beat you, you and I will work on your acting. Your body already knows how to play along for me. How hard can it be to fool her?”

“That’s one way of looking at it… But in an actual match, she and I—”

“Oh, come on. Don’t tell me you don’t like goth girls.” Ellie stepped closer, a playful smile spreading across her lips. “Her big ass, those perky breasts, those thick, muscular thighs… Veronica’s a real freak, too. She loves dominating men, making them suffocate between her thighs or beneath that gorgeous ass of hers.”

She brushed a finger beneath my chin and leaned close enough for her breath to tease my neck, her voice dropping to a sultry whisper. She was deliberately painting a picture in my mind, and my body was all too willing to cooperate.

“She’s a hardcore feminist, and she can’t stand you. She wants to take me away from you, prove you’re not good enough for me. As my guardian, she’ll make sure you know exactly how weak she thinks you are. Just imagine her calling you a pathetic little loser while she pounds that pretty face of yours and drives her fists into your stomach.”

Damn her. It was working. The more she talked, the easier it became to picture myself losing to Veronica.

“Are you sure you’re okay with your friend fucking—”

“Shhh.” Ellie pressed a finger to my lips, silencing me with a mischievous smile.

Then she kept going, spinning one wicked scenario after another, each ending with me at Veronica’s feet, beaten, humiliated, and entirely at her mercy.

My reactions clearly amused Ellie. By the time she finished, her mind was made up.

“Then it’s settled. I’ll tell her tomorrow, and we’ll spend the next week getting ready.”