Harem Streamer System: Every Crime I Broadcast Wins Me a Superheroine - Chapter 107

Chapter 107: Broken and Consoled
Sunlight streamed through the curtains.

Early morning visited New York City.

Maya Rivera sat cross-legged on her bed as she stared at her super suit laid out in front of her.

It was the new one TitanTech Industries sent ahead of her big event today.

It gleamed faintly in the sunlight.

Yet, the sight didn’t inspire pride or excitement in her.

It didn’t inspire anything.

She sighed deeply, the kind of sigh that seemed to scrape against her ribs on its way out, as if trying to take pieces of her with it. Her gaze lingered on the suit as her reflection faintly appeared in its polished chest piece.

“It’s not worth it…”

She muttered under her breath.

Her fingers brushed against the fabric.

It was cold and unfamiliar.

“None of it was worth it… signing with TitanTech, partnering with MegaCorp… all of it.”

Her lips twisted into a bitter smile.

“Corporate-made superhero… yeah, that’s me. The big name with the big sponsors. And what do I have to show for it? A paycheck, a couple of photo ops, and a boyfriend who’s now someone else’s.”

Her hand clenched against the suit’s surface, crumpling it slightly before she let go.

Her shoulders slumping forward.

“Then again… can I even blame her?”

She rubbed her temples as the weight of the question pressed against her skull.

“Emma was probably honest with him. Probably told him everything about herself while I was too busy playing the game.”

Her head dropped into her hands as another heavy sigh escaped her pale lips. This one felt deeper, heavier, as though it might crack her chest open.

“That’s it, isn’t it? Honesty… That’s all it takes to win someone over these days.”

She let out a dry laugh.

“Guess I should’ve read the fine print on that one.”

Her gaze drifted to her phone lying on the bed beside her.

She picked it up as her thumb hovered over the screen for a moment before she dialed.

The screen lit up to display a familiar name: Dad.

Her heart twisted as the call went unanswered, the same as the last eight times.

The same as always.

She lowered the phone and stared at it, willing it to ring, to buzz, to do anything.

Instead, a single notification popped up.

[Ding! 1 New Message from Dad!]

Her thumb tapped on it before she even realized what she was doing.

[Busy in the lab at AETHER Labs. Don’t disturb me.]

Maya blinked, then the corners of her lips twitched upward into a bitter smile.

“Wow, an entire friggin’ week of ignoring me, and this is what I get?”

She wiped at the tears threatening to spill from her eyes, not sure if they were from relief that he replied at all or frustration at the coldness of the message.

Still, she typed out a reply:

[Maya: Sorry, Dad. I just wanted to talk about something. It’s really important.]

The response came almost instantly.

[Dad: A smart person would’ve written what they wanted to maximize the time they’re given. I didn’t raise you to waste time like this.]

Her breath hitched as she stared at the screen as the tears she’d tried to hold back slipped down her cheeks.

She quickly wiped them away and typed another reply.

[Maya: It’s about Scott… my boyfriend. I’ve been having relationship issues, and I really need to talk to someone.]

The dots indicating he was typing appeared, and for a brief moment, hope flickered in her chest.

[Dad: Scott? Bring him to AETHER Labs sometime. I’ve been wanting to meet him. There’s this new element I’ve been studying.]

Maya’s fingers trembled as she typed back:

[Maya: Dad, did you even see what I wrote? I said I’m having relationship issues.]

The reply came quickly, blunt and impersonal.

[Dad: Honestly, that’s not exactly as important as a new element. Actually, I’ll give Scott a call myself. Focus on your event today. Bye.]

Her phone slipped from her hand.

… Thud!

It landed softly on the bed.

She stared at it for a long moment.

“Bye…”

Her voice was so hollow──so was her heart.

Her hands balled into fists as her chest heaved.

“Am I not supposed to have what I want?”

Her voice was trembling, collapsing.

“What I need?”

She buried her face in her hands as the painful tears now flowed freely.

“What am I supposed to do now? Just keep going? Keep pretending like any of this means something?”

Her gaze shifted back to the super suit as its pristine surface now felt like a mockery.

“I got my chance… my shot to be a hero. To show the world I could be something. Someone. And what do I have to show for it? Nothing. Not the symbol I wanted to be… not the hope I wanted to inspire.”

Her voice cracked as she spoke.

“Scott was the only one who hoped for a future with me. Not Pulsar… me. Maya Rivera. And now he’s gone…”

Her hands flew to her head as she cried out silently.

Her body trembled with the force of her anguish.

“I don’t know what to do anymore… I’m living on autopilot. Just doing what I’m told. Signing contracts, shaking hands, smiling for cameras… but it’s not me. None of it’s me.”

She pulled her knees to her chest, her sobs quieting into soft, shuddering breaths.

The medal of honor ceremony loomed just hours away, but it felt like a lifetime of dread.

And as she sat there… one thought echoed in her mind.

『Wh… What’s the point of being a hero if you can’t even save yourself?』

･･･

Jason Larkens walked confidently down the plush carpeted hallway of the Lakeview Hotel as his polished leather shoes clicked sharply with every step. He adjusted the cuffs of his tailored gray suit, his smirk as self-assured as ever.

As he rounded a corner, his eyes landed on a figure leaning casually against the wall near a hotel room door.

She was hard to miss—a striking goth woman with a messy, jet-black hair framing her whitish face, her arms folded beneath her breasts as she stood quietly.

Jason slowed and his grin widened as he slicked back his neatly gelled hair.

“Well, hey there, hot stuff…”

He drawled, then stepped closer.

“How’s the view from here? Looking for company, or is today my lucky day?”

The goth woman turned her head lazily toward him as a mysterious smile pulled at the corners of her dark lips. Her black eyeliner was sharp enough to cut glass, and her eyes gleamed with something between amusement and disinterest.

“You’re not here to see me…”

Her voice was smooth, velvety even.

She nodded toward the door she was leaning against.

“Maya Rivera’s inside. You should focus on what you came here to do.”

Jason blinked as his smile faltered for a split second.

“Excuse me?”

The goth woman tilted her head.

Her smirk widened just slightly.

“You heard me. Don’t waste my time, Larkens. I don’t have all day.”

Jason’s face twisted into a scowl as he muttered under his breath, “Stupid bitch…”

He turned to reach for the door handle, then barged inside without so much as a knock.

“Hey! How’s my young, beautiful superstar doing?!”

The sudden noise startled Maya Rivera, who was sitting on the edge of her bed, hurriedly wiping at her tear-streaked face. She sniffled loudly, trying to erase any evidence of the emotional storm that had consumed her just moments earlier.

She scrambled to her feet, her posture stiff as she clasped her hands behind her back.

“M-, Mr. Larkens!”

Jason flashed his rows of white teeth at her.

“You betcha, kiddo! Just thought I’d swing by and check in on you ahead of the big event. Mental health is super important for my ambassadors, you know. Gotta keep those spirits high! Hahaha!”

Maya stared at him.

Her lips curled into a subtle grimace.

“Uhh… yeah, I get that you’re worried, but you really don’t have to do this. I’m just a partner with MegaCorp, not… not a product of your brand.”

Jason waved a hand dismissively.

“Oh, come on, don’t be like that. You’re practically family already! Besides, someone’s gotta fill in for Vincent since he mentioned he might not make it to your big ceremony today.”

Maya folded her arms across her flat chest.

There was a hardness in her gaze.

“Well, that makes sense. Barely anyone I know is coming for me, so I guess it’s only fair that a business associate doesn’t show up either…”

Jason winced, visibly cringing at her bluntness.

“Uh… yeah, okay, let’s chill with the negative vibes, huh? Not great for PR.”

He turned toward the door, but as he reached for the handle, he glanced back at her with a sly smile.

“Oh, by the way, The Peak’s gonna be there. He’s handing out the medal, actually. So, uh, maybe you two could… I don’t know… spark up a little romance? Fans would go nuts for that kind of thing. And hey, I’m thinking of launching a new line of chocolates. You and The Peak on the wrapper? Boom. Instant bestseller.”

Maya’s jaw tightened.

“Right…”

The only word that managed to escape her gritted teeth.

Jason either didn’t notice her frustration or simply chose to ignore it.

He flashed her a thumbs-up.

“Great! I’ll let you get back to it. See you at the event!”

He strutted out of the room with undiminished confidence.

Outside, the goth woman was still leaning against the wall, her expression as calm and unreadable as ever.

Jason glared at her as he passed.

“Freak…”

He muttered under his breath.

She didn’t flinch.

Even her smirk remained intact as she watched him go.

As Jason disappeared down the hallway, Emma appeared from the other end, still in her rumpled pajamas. Her hair was slightly tousled, and she carried the tired aura of someone who had barely slept.

Their eyes met briefly.

“Mercury…” Jason greeted in a clipped tone.

“Larkens…” Emma replied flatly.

They passed each other without stopping, but Jason suddenly paused, then raised an arm.

Without turning around, he spoke.

“Just so you know, your contract’s still on the chopping block. This shitty medal will probably be the only thing you’re remembered for. Might wanna get started on that FansOnly account now.”

Emma froze with her fists clenched tightly at her sides.

But instead of snapping, she let out an exaggerated yawn.

“Jeez, Jason. Same speech every time. You’re nothing if not consistent. But hey, at least today I’ll prove I’m more than just a body. Maybe you should try growing up for once.”

Jason chuckled darkly. “Good luck with that.”

He walked away as his laughter echoed down the hall.

Emma shook her head, muttering under her breath as she approached Maya’s door.

The goth woman was still there, her head tilted down slightly to hide her face.

Emma frowned.

“Hey… is this Maya—uh, I mean, Pulsar’s room?”

Without looking up, the goth woman replied, “Indeed.”

Emma smiled in relief. “Great, thanks.”

As she reached for the door, she hesitated, glancing back at the goth woman.

“You… you look kinda familiar…”

“…”

The goth woman didn’t respond.

That smile of hers remained suspicious as ever.

But Emma shrugged it off and knocked on the door.

･･･

Maya stood at the kitchen island, spooning cereal into a bowl with slow, almost robotic movements. Her messy hair framed a face etched with exhaustion, and her once-vibrant eyes were dulled with a defeated glaze.

She leaned heavily on the counter and stirred the milk absentmindedly before grabbing her bowl and shuffling toward the lounge chair nearby. She dropped herself into it like a puppet with its strings cut, sighed heavily, and stared at nothing in particular.

A soft knock sounded at the door.

It pulled her from her thoughts.

She didn’t bother to look up.

“Come in…”

The door creaked open, and Emma peeked inside.

She stepped in cautiously, still in her rumpled pajamas as her brows wrinkled the moment she saw Maya.

“Woah…”

Emma closed the door behind her and crossed her arms.

“It’s barely been a night, and you already look like someone ran you over with a truck.”

Maya glanced at her, offering a weak smile before dragging herself upright in the chair. She carried the bowl to her lap and scooped a spoonful of cereal into her mouth, chewing slowly and swallowing with audible effort.

“Well…”

Her voice was so flat with depression.

“I imagine anyone would feel the same way if the only guy they could ever logically feel attracted to was taken by another woman… a better one.”

Emma sighed and pulled up a chair, then sat right across from Maya.

She leaned forward to rest her elbows on her knees.

“Maya…”

Emma’s tone was soft but firm.

“You know that’s not my fault, right? When I started seeing Scott, I didn’t even know you. It’s just… an unfortunate coincidence.”

Maya gave a bitter laugh, shaking her head as she stirred her cereal aimlessly.

“Of course I don’t blame you!”

There was heavy self-loathing in her strained voice.

“It’s my fault. It’s always my fault. I’m the unlucky one—the stupid one. I have to learn to accept that. And while I’m at it, maybe I should also learn to accept that Scott will never take me back.”

Her voice wavered, but she forced herself to keep going as her hand tightened around the spoon.

“Even if there was a chance… I’d never be able to compete with someone like Miss Mercury. Pretty much the hottest woman in Metro City. And besides…”

She chuckled hollowly, then lifted the spoon to her mouth before pausing.

“He even has a poster of you in his room. I mean, how do I stand a chance against that?”

Emma’s lips parted, but no words came immediately.

She let out a deep breath and leaned back.

“If the guy you’ve been talking about this whole time is Scott… then doesn’t that mean he was the terrible boyfriend who—”

“HE’S NOT HORRIBLE!”

Maya’s voice erupted, shaking the room.

In a fit of frustration, she hurled the bowl of cereal at the wall, where it shattered into pieces, milk and cereal splattering across the surface.

The room fell into a tense silence.

Save for Maya’s ragged breaths as she collapsed onto the floor while her shoulders quivered with sobs.

Emma flinched, her eyes wide, unsure of how to react.

But after a moment, she took a deep breath and approached the fragile Maya. She knelt beside her to place gentle hands on her trembling shoulders and rub them softly.

Maya cried loudly.

Her voice was raw and painful.

Tears streamed down her face as she choked out.

“I was the one who lied! He didn’t have a problem with you being a corporate-made superhero. I know there’s no way your relationship with him would’ve lasted if you hadn’t told him the truth! I should’ve told him the truth! I should’ve told him about my contract with TitanTech, about Vincent… everything! I’m so stupid! I can’t do this without him, Emma! I don’t want to!”

Emma hushed her softly, pulling Maya into a hug.

Maya buried her face in Emma’s chest and sobbed so uncontrollably, as Emma ran her fingers through her hair in a soothing motion.

“Maya…”

Emma spoke very gently──almost as though she was walking on broken glass.

“You can’t fault yourself for not being truthful. You made mistakes, sure. But that doesn’t mean he had to leave you like this. He could’ve talked to you—worked things out. You don’t deserve to feel this miserable just because of one mistake.”

Maya shook her head violently.

“No, no, it is my fault! I should’ve told him everything from the start!”

Her voice muffled against Emma’s chest.

Emma cupped Maya’s tear-streaked face, tilting it up to meet her eyes.

“Maya, listen to me.”

Emma’s tone was calm but firm.

“Scott isn’t perfect either. You know he didn’t tell me his age when we started dating?”

Maya blinked through her tears, her lips trembling.

“Wh-, What…?”

Emma nodded, then brushed a strand of Maya’s hair behind her ear.

“He’s eighteen, right? He didn’t tell me he was still in high school. Can you imagine what that could’ve done to my career if people found out?”

Maya stared at her, shocked.

“Why… why would he hide that from you?”

“Because he’s scared… much like I am…”

Emma said simply.

“Scared of losing me. And I get it. When you care about someone that much, you sometimes make stupid choices. But that’s what makes us human, Maya. Not villains. Not monsters. Just human.”

Emma caressed Maya’s cheek and brought her closer.

“Scott may have lied, even though he hates being lied to, but that doesn’t automatically make him a hypocrite. It just makes him human—someone with emotions and flaws. He probably understands which lies you can tolerate and which ones you can’t. Lying isn’t always a terrible thing if it doesn’t hurt the people you care about. But maybe your lies hurt Scott more than you realized, and that’s what isn’t okay. He doesn’t hate anyone—he’d never do that. Maybe he’s just deeply hurt by your mistakes, Maya.”

Maya sniffled, a small, sad smile forming on her lips.

“Well, this is probably the worst time to learn all this.”

She let out a shaky laugh.

“Even if Scott forgave me… I’d never get the chance to be with him again.”

Her eyes stared down.

“And that’s me… losing 80% of my life… aside from some of my schoolmates, Scott’s the only one who really cares about a flat-chested, average-looking nerd like Maya Rivera.”

Emma frowned, tilting her head slightly.

“What if…”

She hesitated, then continued with a quieter voice.

“What if we both dated him?”

Maya’s head shot up, her eyes wide.

“Eh?”