Harem Streamer System: Every Crime I Broadcast Wins Me a Superheroine - Chapter 106

Chapter 106: Hollow Heart, Whole Heart
… PAH!

Maya slapped something.

Emma groaned, holding her hands up defensively as water splashed her face for the fifth time.

She squinted at the source, lips curling into a scowl.

“Alright, Maya, can you stop splashing water everywhere? Seriously, my mascara isn’t waterproof!”

Maya ignored her completely.

With a radiant grin stretched wide, she continued to slap her hands against the water surface like a mischievous child.

… pah────SPLASH!!

Her movements sent another barrage of droplets flying everywhere.

“Not stopping until you two chill out and listen to me!”

Maya’s hands continued their relentless assault.

Emma exchanged a glance with Zyra, who had moved to the edge of the pool to avoid getting caught in the crossfire. Both women raised identical eyebrows before fixing Maya with strong, unified stares.

“Okayyy…”

They spoke in perfect unison.

“Go on…”

Maya froze mid-slap as her hand hovered above the water.

Her smile faltered, and she blinked at them nervously, then jerked back slightly.

“Wh-, Why’d you both have to say it like weird-ass robots? That’s creepy as hell.”

Emma smirked, then shook her head.

“First time I’ve heard someone scared of robots. That kinda sucks, not gonna lie.”

Maya giggled, covering her mouth with one hand.

“Yeah, well… considering that the first time we met, you were getting your butt handed to you by a robot, I don’t think you’re the right person to question me about my fears.”

Emma’s jaw dropped.

“HEY!”

She surged forward, splashing a wave of water at Maya, who ducked away, laughing even harder.

Maya gave her a sly side-eye, then brushed a strand of wet hair from her face. Then, as if shifting gears, her expression grew contemplative.

“You know…”

She turned to face both Emma and Zyra.

“I was wondering… how about we all talk about our love lives? You know, the guys we’re seeing or… whatever? So we can yunno… know more about each other.”

Emma’s brow furrowed as she leaned back against the edge of the pool.

“Uh… well… I don’t really think that’s necessary. We can just talk ab—”

“NO!”

Maya interrupted. There was desperation in her tone.

It felt like she was determined to keep this going until they finally agreed to open up about their love lives. Clearly, all she wanted was to get the details she was after.

『I just need to be sure it’s him…』

That was what Maya kept telling herself.

Emma blinked, visibly startled. “Okay, jeez! You don’t have to shout about it. It’s not that serious.”

Maya shot her a pointed glare, then turned to Zyra.

“You’ll join in, right, Zyra?”

She spoke softer to Zyra than she did Emma, but there was still that irritation in her voice.

Zyra hesitated.

She wrapped her arms around herself, as if trying to shield her body from the world. Her golden locks clung to her damp shoulders, and her expression wavered between discomfort and resignation.

“Uh… sure. But can we, like, not mention names?”

She looked away for a moment.

『I don’t want them to know it’s Knightwatch…』

Her cheeks burned red-hot.

“Nope…”

Maya shot back quickly.

Her tone left no room for negotiation.

“We’re calling names. If we’re friends, this shouldn’t be an issue.”

Emma’s eyes narrowed.

“We’re not talking about this if we can’t keep things confidential. We’re friends, yeah, but that doesn’t mean we don’t respect each other’s privacy.”

Maya’s face twisted in disgust.

“Of course you’d say something like that. You’ll do anything to keep information about your boyfriend hidden. Just know it’s not something you can hide forever!”

Emma flinched as her soft expression tightened.

She looked more aggressive.

“Where the hell is this even coming from? The reason I suggested confidentiality was because of Zyra──or have you suddenly chosen to ignore the fact that she’s said she’s not comfortable with these kinds of topics?”

She gestured toward the Cortian heroine, who shrank under the sudden attention.

Zyra stammered as her blush deepened.

“I—I’m not even seeing him! He… uh, he’s the one who saw me…”

Her voice dropped into an embarrassed whisper.

“…naked…”

Maya wasn’t listening.

Her sharp gaze bore into Emma like daggers.

“You know what? I don’t care about this garbage anymore. I’m going back in.”

Before anyone could stop her, Maya shot out of the water, then grabbed her towel in one fluid motion. She began drying herself as she walked toward the glass door leading inside.

“Maya, wait!” Emma called with concern.

Maya paused at the door, her back to them.

She stood still for a moment as her shoulders trembled.

When she turned around, her face was streaked with tears.

Her voice cracked as she spoke.

“I don’t even know what he sees in you…”

There was bitterness and anguish in her voice.

The stinging in her heart matched the pain and sorrow that marred her beautiful face.

She was not okay, but more than that… she didn’t believe she’d ever be okay.

“Whatever you are, Emma… I can be more. If he’d just give me another chance…”

Emma’s mouth opened, but no words came out.

Maya continued, her voice breaking with every word.

“These days, it feels like everyone’s getting a chance to change but me. And it’s not fair. J-, Just why is that?! I haven’t done anything to deserve this—nothing but make mistakes. But if mistakes don’t make someone human… then I don’t know what does.”

Her fists went tight.

“All I did was follow my dreams… why does everyone else get to do it and enjoy, but when I do it, it’s a mistake and I’m hated for it! I’m not perfect in anyway… but neither is Scott… so why does he get to be the one who lives a perfect life while mine is shitty──?!”

It was eating her up to the point of emptiness.

Yes, she felt nothing in her heart.

It was just a donut hole.

“I love him… I always have! You may be the person whose dating Scott McQueen now… but I’ve been the one person who always loved him, and even now… I’d do anything for him to take me back, even if it means becoming someone I can’t accept… as long as he can…”

The more she spoke, the more tears fell from her reddened eyes.

Her hand flew to her mouth, stifling a painful whimper before she turned away and pushed the door open.

Emma extended her hand, trying to reach her.

Trying to understand.

“Maya… what’s wrong? Where is this coming from?”

But Maya didn’t look back.

She flew off into the night, leaving nothing behind but the faint echo of her sobs.

━ ━ ━ ━

Nadia’s Apartment, Metro City…

Nadia stepped out of the bedroom.

Her outfit was perfectly put together—an olive-green jacket, skinny jeans, and boots that clacked softly on the hardwood floor. She adjusted the strap of her purse and brushed a stray lock of hair behind her ear, looking satisfied.

“Alright, Scott, I’m ready. Let’s go—”

She froze mid-sentence, her brow wrinkling.

The living room was empty.

Her eyes scanned the room, from the couch to the door.

No sign of Scott.

Confused, she checked the shoe rack by the door, and sure enough, his sneakers were gone.

Her phone buzzed in her pocket. Fishing it out, she unlocked the screen to find a message from Scott.

[Scott: Hey, something came up. Go to the hospital without me. I’ll join you later.]

Nadia stared at the message.

Her tender lips pressed thinly.

She exhaled sharply, then slid the phone back into her tight pocket.

“He’s probably forgotten we’re supposed to watch that movie afterward…”

She muttered, shaking her head.

Her voice softened as the irritation gave way to something heavier.

“He probably won’t even make it… does he just not want to hang out with me anymore?”

Her shoulders slumped.

“Was I too clingy? Did I upset him somehow? I mean, I said I’d apologize for taking so long to prepare.”

She lingered there for a moment before letting out a resigned sigh.

“Fine. Whatever. It’s fine.”

She turned on her heel, grabbing her car key from the center table, and headed for the door.

･･･

A Café Nearby…

Scott sat at a small corner table, his head resting on one hand as he stared at Gwen with exasperation.

Across from him, Gwen was all smiles.

Next to her, Dark Elf was leaning back in her chair, a bag of chips in hand, munching idly as she observed the exchange with the same bored expression she’d had since they arrived.

“C’mon, eat some cake, huh?”

Gwen chirped as she held a cupcake dangerously close to his face.

“I bought these on the way here just for you. I’ll really be hurt if you don’t try it.”

Scott leaned back, crossing his arms as he shot her a side-eye.

“Yeah, I’m sure the one who’s gonna be hurt is definitely you. Let’s not forget you broke out of the friggin’ hospital. You’re not even discharged yet!”

Gwen rolled her eyes dramatically.

“Oh, come on, I’m fine!”

Scott wasn’t having it.

“If Dr. Rosen finds out about this, not only am I gonna get chewed out for meeting you here, but you’ll drag Emma into trouble too!”

The mention of Emma’s name wiped the smirk off Gwen’s face.

She lowered the cupcake as her expression dimmed.

“Oh… her…”

Scott raised an eyebrow.

“That’s it? ‘Oh, her?’ Really? Look, I don’t know what’s going on between you two—maybe because of me—but that’s not a valid excuse to talk about the person who covered your medical bills like that. Show some respect.”

Gwen’s eyes narrowed slightly.

“Show some respect?”

She repeated in a low voice.

Then, after a pause, she sighed.

“Of course I respect her. I’m grateful. It’s just…”

Her gaze drifted to Dark Elf, who gave her a nod of approval—or at least as much of a nod as someone could give while looking perpetually uninterested.

Gwen straightened up, taking a deep breath before turning back to Scott.

“I’m grateful to Emma. I’m happy you’re with someone kind, someone who gets you. But…”

Her voice trailed off, and she leaned forward, placing a hand gently on his lap.

Scott blinked, his brows knitting together.

“Uh… Gwen?”

Gwen’s smile softened as her blue eyes locked onto his.

“Can’t you make room for me?”

“… Huh?”

Her hand tightened slightly, and she leaned in closer.

“I’m not trying to steal you from your girlfriend…”

Her voice came out as low and steady.

“And I’m not gonna force anything. No kisses. No drama like last time.”

Scott shifted uncomfortably as his pulse quickened.

“Then what are you trying to do?”

Her breath brushed against his ear, warm and deliberate, as she leaned in further. He froze as her soft breasts pressed lightly against his shoulder, while the sweetness of her cool, flowery scent filled his nostrils.

The only thing that felt softer than the fleshiness of her breasts against his chest, and the little pokes of her surprisingly aroused nipples, was perhaps the tenderness of her voice.

It was almost as if she wanted to do anything possible to seduce him without actually doing so.

Truly, it was mesmerizing.

“I just need you to know the truth. The thing I’ve been hiding from myself… and from you. It’s been weighing on me so much that I can’t… I can’t stop thinking about you…”

She pressed her nose against his neck and took a deep sniff of his manly scent. It was something she missed, and perhaps something she couldn’t do without. But it wasn’t the same scent that usually lit the fire between her legs—maybe because he was just fresh out of the shower.

“It’s kinda unfortunate you’re not a little sweaty…”

She took another sniff of him as her cheeks turned red.

“…I love that side of you. Always so raw, unrefined…”

Her slender hands gently massaged his back as she ran them over the fabric of his jacket.

It was as if she wanted to be one with him.

Still munching on her chips, Dark Elf tilted her head slightly as if to get a better view.

“Drama’s spicy today…” she muttered.

Thoroughly caught off guard, Scott swallowed hard as his words came out in a stammer.

“Gwen, this is… This is wrong. You know that, right?”

Gwen pulled back just enough to look into his eyes as her face was now inches from his. Her smile lingered, but her eyes were filled with something deeper—longing, regret, and something unsaid.

“Wrong?”

An innocent smile spread across her face.

“Maybe. But that doesn’t change how I feel.”

Scott stared at her with a calm face.

“Can you just say what you want?”

It was better to go straight to the point.

To avoid any unnecessary drama or complications.

Gwen understood this… so she made her intentions clear.

“I’ve lost to fate more times than I can count. I’ve messed things up with you more times than grains of sand are touched by water. But I’m done holding back now. Whether you agree with me or not doesn’t matter, because I’m not going to stop pursuing you. That’s how deeply I feel about the first man I ever fell in love with.”

She felt something swell in her chest.

It was her heart.

For the first time… she didn’t feel as empty as she would when she saw Maya with Scott.

She was gone… and sure, he was with someone new, but to her that wasn’t a closed chapter.

“I’ve been foolishly keeping my feelings hidden, but there’s no point in doing that anymore—not when everything’s already boiling over.”

Her hands reached up and cupped Scott’s cheeks.

“Scott… I want to be your second girlfriend.”

“Eh?”

“Give me a place in your heart…”

The childhood friend had stooped to a level she could never have imagined.

[Ding! The superheroine named “Mist” has been added to your collection.]

[Does the host agree?]