Chapter 435: The Idol’s Child – II

Returning Transcendent Opens an Idol Agency

It was still early in the morning, so there was no one around to bother Meggie as she brought Emma away from the storage room.

That was good. If Meggie had to deal with anyone right now and answer questions... even though she was calmer, she would still probably do something she shouldn't.

Emma clung to Meggie's side and murmured, "I'm sorry for getting your clothes dirty, Meggie."

Meggie squeezed her tight and said, "Don't apologize, Emma. It's not your fault. It's never your fault. Not for this."

"But..."

Perry interrupted and said, "Meggie's right, Emma. None of this is your fault. So just let us take care of you for now, okay? You can talk about it later."

Emma sniffed and nodded. "Okay, Nii-chan..."

Perry's eyes trembled at being called that.

Meggie noticed and her eyes narrowed.

Emma sounded so vulnerable. And that was especially clear in how she had called Perry 'Nii-chan' instead of how she usually called him by name.

Meggie took a slow breath and kept onwards.

They arrived at the administrative building. Like everywhere else, since it was early, it was mostly empty. But a serious looking woman came over and ushered them to a private elevator in the back.

Meggie led Emma inside of it, followed by Perry. And then they stepped inside.

A smooth elevator trip. A soft chime. And then the doors opened into a luxurious room with a plush lounge chair, black leather sofas, and all around fancy decor.

Meggie wasn't surprised since her mother liked the good things in life... but she didn't have time to pay attention to that anyway. Instead, she walked Emma over to the bathroom and helped her inside. "Over here, Emma. Let's get you cleaned up."

Emma sniffed and let Meggie clean off the gunk and garbage.

Perry watched for a bit and then said, "I'll wait outside and go get the spare clothes, Meggie. I'll leave Emma to you."

Meggie nodded and closed the bathroom door.

Emma sniffled, clearly devastated.

Seeing that made Meggie furious. But she stayed calm and said, "Do you want to talk about it right now, Emma? Or do you want to get clean first?"

"Can..." Emma shifted, hugging herself. "Can I shower first? I feel icky..."

"Of course. Don't worry." Meggie smiled. "This is my mom's private office, so it's safe. No one can hurt you here or even see you."

Emma let out a teary smile.

Meggie slid the opaque shower door over and showed Emma how to use the shower. It was the same sort that they had at home, so Meggie was familiar with it. And after that, she stepped aside and turned around, waiting for Emma to step inside.

Emma started showering. And for a while, it was just the sound of running water. Then Emma said, "Meggie..."

"Yeah, Emma?"

Emma was quiet for a bit and then said, "I'm sorry."

Meggie clenched her fists and exhaled, relaxing. Then she said, "Stop apologizing, Emma. There's nothing you need to apologize for. You're... You're my best friend, okay? So stop it."

"...Okay."

Meggie waited. After a while, she said, "Are you hurt anywhere? They didn't... do anything, right?"

"No." Emma sighed. "I'm okay. I'm a little sore and scraped. But I'm okay. It was scary, but... they didn't do anything. Nothing serious."

Meggie narrowed her eyes and said, "I think being shoved into a small locker in the back of the school where no one can find you is serious, Emma."

Emma was quiet.

Meggie was quiet too, and then she said, "Who did it?"

Emma didn't talk.

"Emma."

Emma stayed silent a bit longer. Then she sighed and said, "They... I don't know who they were. But I think they were a few of the girls from a few days ago? Part of the group who were trying to bother you..."

Meggie froze. This... 'Is this my fault?'

Emma had been hurt. Terrified and starved.

Meggie thought it was just some bullies, but... was it because of her? Because... those people couldn't hurt her, so they hurt someone close to her instead? That's...!

'No. Calm down.'

Meggie closed her eyes and exhaled.

Dad was right.

Meggie couldn't lose control. She was better than that. And also... Emma needed her to be calm. It would only scare Emma more. So...

"It's not your fault, Meggie." Emma whispered.

Meggie flinched, feeling like Emma had just read her thoughts.

Emma sighed and said, "I'm used to it. It... isn't the first time people have been mean to me."

Meggie frowned. "What do you mean?"

"...You know how my mom was a famous idol, right?"

Meggie paused and nodded. "Yeah. You mentioned that... Why?"

Emma was quiet and said, "A lot of her fans blamed me and Perry for stopping her career. Because Mom had us, she stopped being an idol. And... people have always hated us for it."

Meggie clenched her fists and said, "It isn't your fault."

Emma let out a sad laugh. "I know. But people still treated it like it was."

Meggie pursed her lips.

It wasn't fair.

Meggie thought that the Three Realms were cruel. But at that place, at least karma would handle those who cut against it too much. And if karma didn't, there would be those who would enforce karma.

But this senseless blame and malice... Even in the Three Realms, a place rife with violence and cruelty. Something like this never happened. To place such blame on a child... And for no one to ever step in to stop it...!

Meggie exhaled, slow.

"Meggie?"

Meggie leaned against the side of the shower door, her back against it. As she did, she said, "Yeah, Emma?"

"Thank you." Emma sniffed and said. "You're a good friend. A really, really, really good friend. Thank you..." She started breaking down into sobs. "Thank you for finding me. For saving me."

Meggie hesitated. Then she grabbed a towel and slowly opened the shower door. She stopped the shower and wrapped Emma in the towel and then hugged her close. "You don't need to say that, Idiot. I'd save you and find you anyway. I said it already." She smiled and brushed Emma's tears. "You're my best friend."

Emma stared up at Meggie's eyes. Her emerald eyes teared up, and her one heart-shaped pupil trembled. then she nodded and hugged Meggie tight.

Meggie patted Emma's back. "Come on. Do you feel clean now? Or do you want to shower some more?"

Emma shook her head and said, "I'm okay now. I feel good. Thank you."

"Alright. Then when Perry comes back..."

A knock on the door to the bathroom echoed, and Perry's voice called out. "I'm back. I got some clothes from home, Emma. Your favorite comfy sweater, blouse, and pants."

Meggie smiled and patted Emma's back. "Looks like your Nii-chan is reliable."

Emma giggled. "He is..."

Meggie smiled and said, "I'll be right back. You just rest up." After that, she stepped outside to get the clothes from Perry, closing the door behind her.

Perry handed Meggie the pile of clothes and said, "Is Emma okay?"

"...She's better. But I don't know if she'll be okay so soon after that." Meggie pursed her lips and then said, "I know I wouldn't be."

Although if Meggie was in that situation, she would have raged and broken everything apart instead...

Meggie sighed.

Perry sighed too.

Meggie shook her head and said, "I'll help Emma get dressed. After that, I need to change too, so I'll leave her to you for a bit, okay?"

"Of course." Perry nodded. "She's my sister. But after..."

Meggie's eyes flashed. "Yeah. After. We need to talk about it. And what to do next. But for now..." Meggie waved the clothes.

Perry nodded.

"Won't be long." After that, Meggie headed back inside to help Emma change.