After a bit, Maji returned and served everyone some soda before heading back to the kitchen.

Meggie grudgingly sipped on the soda, still a bit upset. But she didn't let it completely get to her. It was annoying... but they were here to cheer Emma up.

Thankfully, Emma seemed to be feeling better. She seemed to be enjoying the banter and being in everyone's company.

Meggie smiled at that. 'Emma deserves good things...'

After all, Emma was a girl crazy enough to follow Meggie around despite how much trouble it was. And she was sincere in doing her best to be Meggie's friend too.

...It just kind of made Meggie wish that Tsuki was here with them. She was sure that Tsuki would get along with Emma pretty well. And they'd have a lot of fun together...

Meggie sighed.

Jenny glanced over and said, "Something wrong, Meggie?"

Meggie shook her head and twirled her straw around in her cup. "Nah. Just thinking about stuff."

Emma looked towards Meggie and said, "You can tell us, Meggie. If there's anything bothering you... it's okay."

Meggie poked Emma's cheek and said, "Shouldn't I be saying that to you?"

"H-Hey!" Emma giggled and pushed Meggie's hand away. "Stop that!"

Perry watched them interact and smiled, sipping on his soda.

Meggie didn't relent and kept poking Emma's cheek. While she did that though, she looked at Jenny and said, "You really okay just hanging out with us today, Aunt Jenny?"

Jenny laughed at watching Emma squirm and try to dodge Meggie's finger. But then Jenny looked over at Meggie and said, "Don't worry, Meggie. I really am free today, so we can do whatever you want."

Meggie finally stopped poking Emma.

Emma puffed her cheeks out and pouted, sipping on her soda. Even then, she couldn't help the smile on her face.

Meggie smiled back. Then she looked at Jenny and said, "Alright. Because I'm thinking we go hit a lot of places today."

Perry cleared his throat. "Not to doubt you or anything... but just to be clear. When you say 'hit' you mean just visit, right...? Because I think our mom would have a heart attack if we get involved in any criminal activity..."

Meggie rolled her eyes and said, "Of course, Idiot. What do you take me for? Besides, if I really wanted to get something, I could just have Dad buy it."

It wasn't like they were lacking money after all.

Besides, Dad was a softie for his kids. Especially Meggie. He tried to hide it, but Meggie was sure she could make her Dad fold like an omelet if she just asked nicely.

Dad might do his best to support Alphy and Betty, and he also loved them deeply.

But Meggie knew for a fact that her Dad only spoiled her. Well, her and Rory. They were his daughters with the woman he loved more than life, after all.

Perry held up his hands and said, "Okay, okay. Just making sure..."

Meggie rolled her eyes and sipped her soda.

At that time, Maji came back from the kitchen and slid over some grilled chicken skewers along the countertop. "Here, Kiddos. On the house. You guys look hungry, so munch on this while we get the udon ready."

Meggie grabbed one and munched on it. "Mm... not bad."

Maji let out a dramatic gasp and said, "Only not bad? I'll have you know Miss Absolute-Taste-Yuri said these were amazing!"

Meggie snorted and said, "Just because it tastes good to someone with absolute taste doesn't mean it's the best. It's not about perfection, it's about bringing out the best qualities in flawed ingredients."

Emma stared at Meggie with sparkling eyes and said, "Wow! Do you cook, Meggie? You sound like you know a lot!"

Meggie coughed and looked away, her face heating up. "N-Not really. But Dad does and he says that a lot..."

Maji laughed. "Well, not everyone can cook like your old man, Meggie. He can make a plain instant ramen divine with a touch. Us lowly mortals just have to do our best."

"True..." Meggie nibbled on the grilled chicken a bit more. It was... alright. She wished that it was either more greasy and junk-foody or just straight up deep-fried though...

Maji leaned against the counter and smiled. Then he paused and smacked his fist against his palm. "Oh yeah! Miss Yuri goes to your school too, right? She doing well? Or is she still adamant about dropping out and becoming our intern?"

Meggie snorted. "Drop out? Rin nee-chan would definitely kill her for that."

Emma gasped. "Rin Senpai wouldn't do that... would she?" She paused, suddenly hesitating.

Perry shook his head and said, "I'm sure Meggie means it as just a figure of speech... Right?"

"Mm..." Meggie hummed and grabbed another skewer before holding it out to Emma.

Emma blushed but then leaned forward to nibble on the chicken, smiling.

Meggie shrugged and said, "50/50. Rin nee-chan is nice, but I think she's definitely been a bit stressed recently. Maybe she's on her cycle or something..."

Perry stammered. "M-M-Meggie!"

"What?" Meggie rolled her eyes. "Girls have periods. It's a thing, Perry. Sheesh. Come on."

Perry turned a bright red. "S-S-Still! You can't just talk about it- I mean, that's rude! Right?!"

"Is it?" Meggie hummed. "Well, mine is-"

Jenny cleared her throat. "Stop there, Meggie."

"What?" Meggie huffed. "It's natural, isn't it?"

Jenny laughed. "It is. But..." She glanced over at Perry who looked like his eyes were about to start spinning. "Our little boy over here seems like he might pass out~"

Perry turned an even deeper shade of red. "L-Little..." He coughed and quickly got out of his chair. "I-I'm grabbing some fresh air!"

Maji laughed as Perry ran out. Then he looked at Jenny and said, "You just can't help teasing kids, can you?"

Jenny giggled. "He's just too cute. I've been trying to hold back, but he's adorable."

Meggie sighed. "What kind of adults even are you two...?"

Maji straightened and said, "Why, a perfect gentleman, of course!"

Jenny chimed in without missing a beat. "And an elegant lady, obviously."

Meggie rolled her eyes. Still, while it was over the top... she could tell that the two were doing it for Emma's sake.

Emma giggled, looking like she had completely forgotten what happened earlier.

It was only for now. Meggie knew that. They still had to address what happened to her and what they were going to do about it. But for now... this was fine. And also... Meggie might as well play along.

"Oi, Mister Maji." Meggie looked over at Maji and said, "Aren't you supposed to be doing the broth? Won't it boil over at this rate? It's been ten minutes."

Maji's one visible eye widened and he gasped. "THE BROTH!" He quickly sprinted back in the kitchen. As he did, Kiri's voice rang out. "MAJI!"

"Sorry, Kiri-chan! I got distracted!"

"How many times do I have to tell you!"

Meggie laughed.

Emma started laughing too, her emerald eyes bright and happy. After she finished, she smiled and leaned against Meggie. "...Thanks, Meggie. You're the best friend I could hope for."

Meggie pulled Emma in for a hug and then patted her arm. "Any time, Emma. You're my best friend too."

*click*

Meggie's eyes widened and she snapped her head towards the source of the noice.

Jenny grinned, holding out her phone.

Meggie quickly pulled her arm off Emma and said, "Aunt Jenny. Don't you dare-"

"Aaand sent~! Your mom and dad are going to love how cute you are with your bestie."

"AUNTIE!"

"Ooh! And you finally called me Auntie too! What a great day!"

"Delete it! Delete it, delete it, delete it! Gimme that phone!"

"Nuh-uh~ You have to ask nicely, Meggie~"

"Please!"

"Nope~"

"AAAAARGGGHHHH!"

===

John stopped outside of a rundown apartment in Los Angeles, feeling a vibration in his pocket. He paused and the pulled out his phone to see a message from Jenny. "Hm... Did something come up?" He opened it and then froze.

There was Meggie and Emma. Meggie was holding Emma in a one-armed hug and giving her a soft smile. Meanwhile, Emma was looking up at Meggie with clear affection in her emerald eyes...

John groaned. "Dammit. Meggie picked up my bad habits. At this rate, she's going to go around breaking all the girls' hearts in school, isn't she...?"

Not only that, but...

"Wait." John paused, rubbing his chin. "...At this rate, will I even have any grandkids...? It seems like my daughters are living yurific love lives... I mean, yuri is the purest form of love, but..." He trailed off, thinking hard. Then he shrugged and said, "Well, that's a problem for future me. Whatever makes my girls happy, I guess. Now..." He knocked on the door and cleared his throat. "Miss Valentia? This is Mister Smith. We had arranged a meeting today...?"

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