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I can't believe I still haven't posted these when I finished them 3 months ago! Here they are for posterity's sake...
Title: drowning in you
Day/Theme: 26. we'll share it all: the love, the sin, the punishment.
Series: Puella Magi Madoka Magica
Characters/pairings: Kyouko, Sayaka
Rating: PG
Content Notes: Kyouko fights a witch and wonders about things. Spoilers for episodes 8 and 9.
When the witch that was Sayaka attacks Madoka and sends them all crashing through the floor, Kyouko begins to lose hope. If Sayaka no longer remembers that Madoka is her precious friend, could there be any humanity left in her?
For the first time, Kyouko is afraid of what justice demands her to do. To end Sayaka’s life rubs every instinct that she has raw.
But did defeating a witch mean sure doom?
There is only one way to find out. She’ll go with Sayaka and find salvation together.
Kyouko readies the tip of her spear on her Soul Gem.
Title: the power to keep me breathing
Day/Theme: 28. the silhouette of a lost child, the sound of bells, the flicker of fire
Series: Puella Magi Madoka Magica
Characters/pairings: Kyouko, Mami
Rating: PG
Content Notes: Kyouko has reached her lowest point. Spoilers for The Different Story and Kyouko's backstory.
Everything hurts.
Everything hurts and Kyouko can’t get up. She can’t. Or she’ll see Momo and Mom and Dad and –
Kyouko bangs her fist against the slick floor, hard enough to split skin. It heals immediately. Kyouko suddenly hates magic. What use was it? She won’t see her family again!
(she is alone there’s nothing to stop the corruption that spreads like flame the only person who can help is - )
- someone who would be sad if she couldn’t see Kyouko again.
In the ruins of her life, Kyouko thinks about Mami, the only family she has left.
Title: the ribbons in her hair
Day/Theme: 29. I named a flower to prove I was alive
Series: Puella Magi Madoka Magica
Characters/pairings: Madoka, mentions of other girls
Rating: PG
Content Notes: Madoka has trouble remembering sometimes. Spoilers for the entire series. Future fic.
Madoka tracks time by the number of girls that she fires arrows to save. At first she has to fire hundreds, thousands of arrows with each pull of her bowstring. She fires and fires until she strains even the extent of her powers. In these times, Madoka forgets herself, and there is nothing but the arrows and their destination.
But as the Incubators learn that magic girls with longer lifespans are more beneficial to them, the girls that Madoka have to save grows manageable. Now she can rest more and look carefully at the girls that she has saved. She keeps an eye out for red ponytails, golden curls, short blue hair. The girl she most wants to see, however, has long black hair that curls a little at the ends.
Sometimes Madoka forgets why, sometimes the names are on the tip of her tongue but she can't remember how to say it. The girls who fit that description introduce themselves, but somehow the names are wrong. They are not the girls that Madoka is waiting for.
So Madoka waits, and Madoka fights, and Madoka talks to the many girls. Like her, they are waiting for family and friends and lovers and everything else in between.
But time goes by. More girls arrive and new bonds and memories are made. When Madoka scans the crowd, she knows what colours she is looking for but she doesn't quite remember why. There is only a lingering sense of restlessness, as Madoka waits and waits and waits.
Then one day, when she surveys the world for where best to fire her arrows, she notices red. But it isn't a ponytail. It's a red red ribbon, set loose in this world to make its way to the girl it was fated to belong to. The girl who is wearing it has long black hair that curls a little at the ends.
The sight fills Madoka with joy, although enough time has gone by that she can't explain this feeling either. Perhaps it's because the girl is surrounded by girls who have the hair colours that Madoka looks for: red and gold and blue. Perhaps it's because she fights with a bow, like Madoka does.
Madoka has to figure out this mystery. She watches the girl study hard at school. She watches the girl fight demons. She watches the girl learn to rely on her friends.
It's not until the red-haired girl speaks about friends that Madoka remembers what was so important about the black-haired girl. This is her friend who gave her the power to save others. This is her friend who fought for Madoka, and still continues to fight for her. This is her best friend.
Madoka finally remembers. Her best friend has a name. It balances on the tip of Madoka's tongue, and Madoka is so happy to finally remember what it is.
"Homura-chan," Madoka says, delighted, and then laughs. Since she became a goddess, she has never felt so human before.
Title: she ain’t heavy
Day/Theme: 30. we'll get there if I have to carry you.
Series: Puella Magi Madoka Magica
Characters/pairings: Kyouko, Mami
Rating: PG
Content Notes: Kyouko would rather not carry Mami. Spoilers for The Different Story and Kyouko and Mami’s backstory.
Kyouko usually liked her powers, but she sometimes wishes for healing powers.
Like now. Mami is bleeding - Kyouko didn't even know that bodies could bleed so much - while Kyouko carries her home. It's a real long way away.
Healing powers would be good. Kyouko can't do that, but she can talk. She read that she should talk to keep the injured person conscious. Mami's only hmming and aahing, but it's enough reaction to satisfy Kyouko (barely).
Until Mami asks, "Kyouko?"
Kyouko tries to keep it cool. "Yeah?"
"I'm glad you're here."
Kyouko shifts Mami on her back. "Yeah."
Title: everything old is new again
Day/Theme: 31. It takes courage to grow up and become who you really are.
Series: Puella Magi Madoka Magica
Characters/pairings: Homura, Kyouko, Mami. From Oriko Magica, Oriko, Kurika, Yuma
Rating: PG13 for Kyouko’s potty mouth.
Content Notes: Homura has to figure out the answer to life, the universe, everything. Future-fic, spoilers for the entire series, Oriko Magica, and The Different Story.
Having lived the same month over and over again, Homura is amazed when things happen that she can’t predict. This is no closed system where the witches they meet are the same, and events replay themselves over and over again.
It’s terrifying.
Mami’s solution to Homura’s confusion is to break patrol and bring her to a convenience store.
“It’s a little far from home, so it’s not up to my usual standards,” Mami apologises, but for the wrong thing. She pulls a bottle of peach tea from the freezer, and offers another to Homura. “Akemi-san, is this ok? Or would you prefer iced coffee?”
“Tea is fine.” Homura knows that Mami keeps a tea cup on her person, so she could brew her own tea. She supposes that carrying more than one around would require a picnic basket, and Mami does like to be polite.
Things become even stranger when Homura finds Kyouko at the counter. She looks strange, in a uniform instead of her usual outfit. She is not as pleased to see them.
“I said I don’t need you to come and support me. I’m doing fine at my job.”
“I’m here in case you want to discuss any strategies,” Mami counters. “You’re working when we’re patrolling.”
“They only needed people for the night shift. Plus when the two of you are holed up in school I can fight demons. I beat them all today with the new chain shield I’ve been working on.”
Even after all these timelines, Mami’s attempts to conceal approval are exactly the same. Her tendency to worry hasn’t changed either. “It’s dangerous to fight alone. If you’re bored during the day, you could always come to school – ”
“No,” says Kyouko, with such finality that Homura can guess she and Mami have had this argument several times before. This is something new. It’s strange to have these insights without the actual conversations to go along with them.
Mami also knows this argument well enough to just sigh and place the bottles on the counter.
“I’m not gonna give them to you cheap just because I know ya.”
“Of course.”
“And don’t blame me if you end up spending the rent I give you on drinks.”
“Of course.”
Kyouko finally rings them up. Homura wonders if this is just part of the routine that she and Mami have by now.
Her suspicions are confirmed when there is the heavy pull of something being dropped into her pocket while Mami is putting away her purse. Homura puts her hand into her pocket to feel what it is – it’s a tube of candy.
“Don’t tell her,” Kyouko hisses.
This has never happened in all of Homura’s timeloops. She struggles to find the right reaction to this new situation. What should she do? Nod and move on? Say no and maybe draw Mami’s attention?
In the end, she settles for pressing some coins into Kyouko’s hand. “You’re not paying me rent,” she explains.
Kyouko grins enough to show fang that Homura thinks she has the right answer. Madoka would be proud.
There’s not enough time to dwell on that. She has to hurry up and move on, for Mami has taken the bags off the counter and it’s time to patrol again.
They’ve just finished the last of their ice tea when two familiar magic girls cross their path.
Homura transforms without thinking about it, even though the other two girls are in their school uniforms. Kirika actually dares to smirk. “Oriko sure wasn’t kidding when she said you had a personality change! Trying on a new lifestyle to go with your new hairstyle?”
Homura’s hand is halfway to her head when she remembers herself. “I like ribbons,” she says. They can mock Madoka’s ribbons all they like, it won’t stop Homura from wearing them.
Kirika frowns. “I actually meant you leaving off the braids. But hey, you look cool.”
This… doesn’t match the Kirika Homura remembers at all. She tries to come up with an appropriate noise of acknowledgement, like thank you but the sound won’t come, not even when Mami elbows Homura and Kirika starts to look annoyed.
Oriko doesn’t seem bothered at all. “It’s alright, I can foresee Homura has some difficulties.” To Homura she says, “You might want to talk to Kyuubey about it.”
The idea of advice from Oriko is even more flabbergasting than the idea that the advice involves Kyuubey. Homura doesn’t trust herself to speak, and lets Mami lead the conversation.
“It’s nice to see you and Kure-san again. What brings you so far away from your city?”
“My future powers have allowed me to see that there will be more demons than usual in my city, which could spill over to Kasamino. You can choose to defend that city, or you could join us to cut off the problem at the source.”
“Thank you Mikuni-san. I think we’d be happy to make the trip, though I’ll have to speak to Kyouko.”
“It’s alright if Sakura-san doesn’t want to come. I think support from the both of you would be adequate. You’ll message me?”
“Of course.”
Mami and Oriko bow to each other. Kurika gives a jaunty wave that Homura can’t bring herself to return. When the other two are out of earshot, Homura turns to Mami. “Is it alright to fight in their territory?”
“Well, if they were a larger magic girl team like the Plelaides we might have some problems dividing up the grief cubes. I suppose Mikuni-san must have a strategy planned to approach us specifically.” Mami’s tone turns curious when she asks, “Did you hear something about them from other magic girls?”
Homura thinks back to a time that doesn’t exist, when Oriko and herself were working for two very different agendas. “No. Not from anyone else.”
There is still tea in Mami’s apartment, though it happens after patrol for Kyouko and after school for Mami and Homura. That’s not the only difference. Kyouko brings a guest.
Homura stares at the little girl with green hair. She is not a magic girl.
“Say hi,” Kyouko instructs her.
“Hi Mami-neesan! Hi Homura-neesan!” She crawls onto one of the cushions like she owns it, which Homura supposes she might seeing that Kyouko plonks down just next to her.
“Hi Yuma-chan,” says Mami, smiling. “Have you been a good girl today?”
“Mmm! I was nice and quiet and stayed with Kyuubey while Kyouko-neesan fought demons! She was so cool!”
“That’s nice,” says Mami, not appreciating the danger that the girl was in. Then again, how many witch barriers had Mami led Madoka into? Homura had accepted that Mami’s view was different from hers, but she had thought Kyouko was more sensible.
“When I grow up, I want to be a magic girl!” said Yuma.
“Well, you’ve got a lot of growing up to do!” says Kyouko, and starts to tickle Yuma.
… Sensible relatively speaking. Mami seems amused rather than bothered by the shrieks, even though it means she has to shift some of the tea to avoid it from being knocked over.
When Kyouko finally lets Yuma go, Mami adds, “But if you ever change your mind in the future, just let us know. Don’t worry about hurting our feelings.”
//I agree,// says Kyuubey, appearing out of nowhere. //It is better when a magic girl makes her wish whole-heartedly, and understands all that that wish entails.// He turns unblinking eyes to Homura. //Akemi Homura, is there a problem?//
“I need to go outside for a while,” says Homura, and leaves before anyone can comment.
The park is quiet enough for Homura to recover her thoughts. The long rays of sun set stretch across the grass.
Madoka would have liked this world, she realised. Here, Kyouko and Mami got along, magic girls were all friends and little girls were warned before making contracts. Demons were not as dangerous, and although Oriko had asked for help Homura had her doubts that they would be facing down a demon-type Walpurgisnacht.
But Homura is not used to thinking like that anymore. She used to bribe Kyouko and Mami with grief seeds, rather than the promise of friendship. Magic girls were enemies, not friends. Much as Homura hates to agree with Sayaka, magic girls aren’t human anymore. All this emotion is not what a magic girl usually needs.
This new world was scarier than Walpurgisnacht. With Walpurgisnacht, if Homura stocked enough weapons, one day she would defeat the witch. Homura had no weapons that would prepare her for this new world. She’s horrible at making friends. What would happen to her if everyone found out the truth?
More evidence of the new world occurs when Kyouko appears, apparently sent by Mami.
Homura watched Kyouko’s approach, wary that she wanted an explanation. But Kyouko just took out a tube of sweets, and offered it to Homura. She shook out some sweets, still remembering the various times Kyouko had offered her food, and popped them in her mouth before handing the tube back. There is chewing for some moments.
“You didn’t have to come,” Homura told Kyouko, when the sweets were gone.
Kyouko shruggled. “Eh, we’re a team aren’t we?”
This was exactly what Homura was afraid of. That Kyouko who tried not to be as sentimental as Mami, could say such things so easily was a sign of how different this world was. Homura gripped her school skirt in her fists. “I don’t think I belong.” To the team, to this world – Homura is not sure which it is.
“Yeah, that’s what I thought too, when I split to make it on my own.”
This was more like the Kyouko Homura knew. Perhaps this Kyouko had some insights for Homura.
“I’m not back in the team because Sayaka is gone. I’m no one’s substitute. But Mami told me something when I was beating Sayaka about the head. We’re not perfect. No one can be. Sometimes that imperfection makes us think we’re not fit for teams, or even as friends.
But like Mami said, that’s even more reason to work together. Because we can make up for each other’s imperfections, and grow more as people.
And even though I want to smack Mami upside the head when she calls and asks me why I’m not back yet, or when you go off and do your own thing in the middle of fights, it’s just part of being a team. We put up with each other, cos honestly, who else would?”
It’s the most that Homura had heard Kyouko say. She’s rather impressed actually.
But of course, it wouldn’t be Kyouko if it didn’t come without some gruffness. “So if you’re gonna tell me that you disapprove of Yuma hanging out with us, and I punch you in the face, it’s not personal.”
If only it were that simple. “It’s not about Yuma.”
“Good. I don’t like the idea of her becoming a magic girl either, but it’s her choice.”
They spend some moments without talking, the silence only punctuated by the sound of Kyouko munching candy. There’s a question that Homura has to ask.
“Are you going to leave the team again?”
Kyouko tilts her head back and looks at the shifting colours of the sky. “Nah,” she says after a while. “I think I’m done with running away.”
It’s time that Homura did the same too. “Let’s go back,” she says.
“Thought you’d never ask,” says Kyouko, tossing the now empty tube of sweets in a nearby bin. “Mami must be freaking out by now. Let’s go.”
They walk back to tea and camaraderie.
Title: drowning in you
Day/Theme: 26. we'll share it all: the love, the sin, the punishment.
Series: Puella Magi Madoka Magica
Characters/pairings: Kyouko, Sayaka
Rating: PG
Content Notes: Kyouko fights a witch and wonders about things. Spoilers for episodes 8 and 9.
When the witch that was Sayaka attacks Madoka and sends them all crashing through the floor, Kyouko begins to lose hope. If Sayaka no longer remembers that Madoka is her precious friend, could there be any humanity left in her?
For the first time, Kyouko is afraid of what justice demands her to do. To end Sayaka’s life rubs every instinct that she has raw.
But did defeating a witch mean sure doom?
There is only one way to find out. She’ll go with Sayaka and find salvation together.
Kyouko readies the tip of her spear on her Soul Gem.
Title: the power to keep me breathing
Day/Theme: 28. the silhouette of a lost child, the sound of bells, the flicker of fire
Series: Puella Magi Madoka Magica
Characters/pairings: Kyouko, Mami
Rating: PG
Content Notes: Kyouko has reached her lowest point. Spoilers for The Different Story and Kyouko's backstory.
Everything hurts.
Everything hurts and Kyouko can’t get up. She can’t. Or she’ll see Momo and Mom and Dad and –
Kyouko bangs her fist against the slick floor, hard enough to split skin. It heals immediately. Kyouko suddenly hates magic. What use was it? She won’t see her family again!
(she is alone there’s nothing to stop the corruption that spreads like flame the only person who can help is - )
- someone who would be sad if she couldn’t see Kyouko again.
In the ruins of her life, Kyouko thinks about Mami, the only family she has left.
Title: the ribbons in her hair
Day/Theme: 29. I named a flower to prove I was alive
Series: Puella Magi Madoka Magica
Characters/pairings: Madoka, mentions of other girls
Rating: PG
Content Notes: Madoka has trouble remembering sometimes. Spoilers for the entire series. Future fic.
Madoka tracks time by the number of girls that she fires arrows to save. At first she has to fire hundreds, thousands of arrows with each pull of her bowstring. She fires and fires until she strains even the extent of her powers. In these times, Madoka forgets herself, and there is nothing but the arrows and their destination.
But as the Incubators learn that magic girls with longer lifespans are more beneficial to them, the girls that Madoka have to save grows manageable. Now she can rest more and look carefully at the girls that she has saved. She keeps an eye out for red ponytails, golden curls, short blue hair. The girl she most wants to see, however, has long black hair that curls a little at the ends.
Sometimes Madoka forgets why, sometimes the names are on the tip of her tongue but she can't remember how to say it. The girls who fit that description introduce themselves, but somehow the names are wrong. They are not the girls that Madoka is waiting for.
So Madoka waits, and Madoka fights, and Madoka talks to the many girls. Like her, they are waiting for family and friends and lovers and everything else in between.
But time goes by. More girls arrive and new bonds and memories are made. When Madoka scans the crowd, she knows what colours she is looking for but she doesn't quite remember why. There is only a lingering sense of restlessness, as Madoka waits and waits and waits.
Then one day, when she surveys the world for where best to fire her arrows, she notices red. But it isn't a ponytail. It's a red red ribbon, set loose in this world to make its way to the girl it was fated to belong to. The girl who is wearing it has long black hair that curls a little at the ends.
The sight fills Madoka with joy, although enough time has gone by that she can't explain this feeling either. Perhaps it's because the girl is surrounded by girls who have the hair colours that Madoka looks for: red and gold and blue. Perhaps it's because she fights with a bow, like Madoka does.
Madoka has to figure out this mystery. She watches the girl study hard at school. She watches the girl fight demons. She watches the girl learn to rely on her friends.
It's not until the red-haired girl speaks about friends that Madoka remembers what was so important about the black-haired girl. This is her friend who gave her the power to save others. This is her friend who fought for Madoka, and still continues to fight for her. This is her best friend.
Madoka finally remembers. Her best friend has a name. It balances on the tip of Madoka's tongue, and Madoka is so happy to finally remember what it is.
"Homura-chan," Madoka says, delighted, and then laughs. Since she became a goddess, she has never felt so human before.
Title: she ain’t heavy
Day/Theme: 30. we'll get there if I have to carry you.
Series: Puella Magi Madoka Magica
Characters/pairings: Kyouko, Mami
Rating: PG
Content Notes: Kyouko would rather not carry Mami. Spoilers for The Different Story and Kyouko and Mami’s backstory.
Kyouko usually liked her powers, but she sometimes wishes for healing powers.
Like now. Mami is bleeding - Kyouko didn't even know that bodies could bleed so much - while Kyouko carries her home. It's a real long way away.
Healing powers would be good. Kyouko can't do that, but she can talk. She read that she should talk to keep the injured person conscious. Mami's only hmming and aahing, but it's enough reaction to satisfy Kyouko (barely).
Until Mami asks, "Kyouko?"
Kyouko tries to keep it cool. "Yeah?"
"I'm glad you're here."
Kyouko shifts Mami on her back. "Yeah."
Title: everything old is new again
Day/Theme: 31. It takes courage to grow up and become who you really are.
Series: Puella Magi Madoka Magica
Characters/pairings: Homura, Kyouko, Mami. From Oriko Magica, Oriko, Kurika, Yuma
Rating: PG13 for Kyouko’s potty mouth.
Content Notes: Homura has to figure out the answer to life, the universe, everything. Future-fic, spoilers for the entire series, Oriko Magica, and The Different Story.
Having lived the same month over and over again, Homura is amazed when things happen that she can’t predict. This is no closed system where the witches they meet are the same, and events replay themselves over and over again.
It’s terrifying.
Mami’s solution to Homura’s confusion is to break patrol and bring her to a convenience store.
“It’s a little far from home, so it’s not up to my usual standards,” Mami apologises, but for the wrong thing. She pulls a bottle of peach tea from the freezer, and offers another to Homura. “Akemi-san, is this ok? Or would you prefer iced coffee?”
“Tea is fine.” Homura knows that Mami keeps a tea cup on her person, so she could brew her own tea. She supposes that carrying more than one around would require a picnic basket, and Mami does like to be polite.
Things become even stranger when Homura finds Kyouko at the counter. She looks strange, in a uniform instead of her usual outfit. She is not as pleased to see them.
“I said I don’t need you to come and support me. I’m doing fine at my job.”
“I’m here in case you want to discuss any strategies,” Mami counters. “You’re working when we’re patrolling.”
“They only needed people for the night shift. Plus when the two of you are holed up in school I can fight demons. I beat them all today with the new chain shield I’ve been working on.”
Even after all these timelines, Mami’s attempts to conceal approval are exactly the same. Her tendency to worry hasn’t changed either. “It’s dangerous to fight alone. If you’re bored during the day, you could always come to school – ”
“No,” says Kyouko, with such finality that Homura can guess she and Mami have had this argument several times before. This is something new. It’s strange to have these insights without the actual conversations to go along with them.
Mami also knows this argument well enough to just sigh and place the bottles on the counter.
“I’m not gonna give them to you cheap just because I know ya.”
“Of course.”
“And don’t blame me if you end up spending the rent I give you on drinks.”
“Of course.”
Kyouko finally rings them up. Homura wonders if this is just part of the routine that she and Mami have by now.
Her suspicions are confirmed when there is the heavy pull of something being dropped into her pocket while Mami is putting away her purse. Homura puts her hand into her pocket to feel what it is – it’s a tube of candy.
“Don’t tell her,” Kyouko hisses.
This has never happened in all of Homura’s timeloops. She struggles to find the right reaction to this new situation. What should she do? Nod and move on? Say no and maybe draw Mami’s attention?
In the end, she settles for pressing some coins into Kyouko’s hand. “You’re not paying me rent,” she explains.
Kyouko grins enough to show fang that Homura thinks she has the right answer. Madoka would be proud.
There’s not enough time to dwell on that. She has to hurry up and move on, for Mami has taken the bags off the counter and it’s time to patrol again.
They’ve just finished the last of their ice tea when two familiar magic girls cross their path.
Homura transforms without thinking about it, even though the other two girls are in their school uniforms. Kirika actually dares to smirk. “Oriko sure wasn’t kidding when she said you had a personality change! Trying on a new lifestyle to go with your new hairstyle?”
Homura’s hand is halfway to her head when she remembers herself. “I like ribbons,” she says. They can mock Madoka’s ribbons all they like, it won’t stop Homura from wearing them.
Kirika frowns. “I actually meant you leaving off the braids. But hey, you look cool.”
This… doesn’t match the Kirika Homura remembers at all. She tries to come up with an appropriate noise of acknowledgement, like thank you but the sound won’t come, not even when Mami elbows Homura and Kirika starts to look annoyed.
Oriko doesn’t seem bothered at all. “It’s alright, I can foresee Homura has some difficulties.” To Homura she says, “You might want to talk to Kyuubey about it.”
The idea of advice from Oriko is even more flabbergasting than the idea that the advice involves Kyuubey. Homura doesn’t trust herself to speak, and lets Mami lead the conversation.
“It’s nice to see you and Kure-san again. What brings you so far away from your city?”
“My future powers have allowed me to see that there will be more demons than usual in my city, which could spill over to Kasamino. You can choose to defend that city, or you could join us to cut off the problem at the source.”
“Thank you Mikuni-san. I think we’d be happy to make the trip, though I’ll have to speak to Kyouko.”
“It’s alright if Sakura-san doesn’t want to come. I think support from the both of you would be adequate. You’ll message me?”
“Of course.”
Mami and Oriko bow to each other. Kurika gives a jaunty wave that Homura can’t bring herself to return. When the other two are out of earshot, Homura turns to Mami. “Is it alright to fight in their territory?”
“Well, if they were a larger magic girl team like the Plelaides we might have some problems dividing up the grief cubes. I suppose Mikuni-san must have a strategy planned to approach us specifically.” Mami’s tone turns curious when she asks, “Did you hear something about them from other magic girls?”
Homura thinks back to a time that doesn’t exist, when Oriko and herself were working for two very different agendas. “No. Not from anyone else.”
There is still tea in Mami’s apartment, though it happens after patrol for Kyouko and after school for Mami and Homura. That’s not the only difference. Kyouko brings a guest.
Homura stares at the little girl with green hair. She is not a magic girl.
“Say hi,” Kyouko instructs her.
“Hi Mami-neesan! Hi Homura-neesan!” She crawls onto one of the cushions like she owns it, which Homura supposes she might seeing that Kyouko plonks down just next to her.
“Hi Yuma-chan,” says Mami, smiling. “Have you been a good girl today?”
“Mmm! I was nice and quiet and stayed with Kyuubey while Kyouko-neesan fought demons! She was so cool!”
“That’s nice,” says Mami, not appreciating the danger that the girl was in. Then again, how many witch barriers had Mami led Madoka into? Homura had accepted that Mami’s view was different from hers, but she had thought Kyouko was more sensible.
“When I grow up, I want to be a magic girl!” said Yuma.
“Well, you’ve got a lot of growing up to do!” says Kyouko, and starts to tickle Yuma.
… Sensible relatively speaking. Mami seems amused rather than bothered by the shrieks, even though it means she has to shift some of the tea to avoid it from being knocked over.
When Kyouko finally lets Yuma go, Mami adds, “But if you ever change your mind in the future, just let us know. Don’t worry about hurting our feelings.”
//I agree,// says Kyuubey, appearing out of nowhere. //It is better when a magic girl makes her wish whole-heartedly, and understands all that that wish entails.// He turns unblinking eyes to Homura. //Akemi Homura, is there a problem?//
“I need to go outside for a while,” says Homura, and leaves before anyone can comment.
The park is quiet enough for Homura to recover her thoughts. The long rays of sun set stretch across the grass.
Madoka would have liked this world, she realised. Here, Kyouko and Mami got along, magic girls were all friends and little girls were warned before making contracts. Demons were not as dangerous, and although Oriko had asked for help Homura had her doubts that they would be facing down a demon-type Walpurgisnacht.
But Homura is not used to thinking like that anymore. She used to bribe Kyouko and Mami with grief seeds, rather than the promise of friendship. Magic girls were enemies, not friends. Much as Homura hates to agree with Sayaka, magic girls aren’t human anymore. All this emotion is not what a magic girl usually needs.
This new world was scarier than Walpurgisnacht. With Walpurgisnacht, if Homura stocked enough weapons, one day she would defeat the witch. Homura had no weapons that would prepare her for this new world. She’s horrible at making friends. What would happen to her if everyone found out the truth?
More evidence of the new world occurs when Kyouko appears, apparently sent by Mami.
Homura watched Kyouko’s approach, wary that she wanted an explanation. But Kyouko just took out a tube of sweets, and offered it to Homura. She shook out some sweets, still remembering the various times Kyouko had offered her food, and popped them in her mouth before handing the tube back. There is chewing for some moments.
“You didn’t have to come,” Homura told Kyouko, when the sweets were gone.
Kyouko shruggled. “Eh, we’re a team aren’t we?”
This was exactly what Homura was afraid of. That Kyouko who tried not to be as sentimental as Mami, could say such things so easily was a sign of how different this world was. Homura gripped her school skirt in her fists. “I don’t think I belong.” To the team, to this world – Homura is not sure which it is.
“Yeah, that’s what I thought too, when I split to make it on my own.”
This was more like the Kyouko Homura knew. Perhaps this Kyouko had some insights for Homura.
“I’m not back in the team because Sayaka is gone. I’m no one’s substitute. But Mami told me something when I was beating Sayaka about the head. We’re not perfect. No one can be. Sometimes that imperfection makes us think we’re not fit for teams, or even as friends.
But like Mami said, that’s even more reason to work together. Because we can make up for each other’s imperfections, and grow more as people.
And even though I want to smack Mami upside the head when she calls and asks me why I’m not back yet, or when you go off and do your own thing in the middle of fights, it’s just part of being a team. We put up with each other, cos honestly, who else would?”
It’s the most that Homura had heard Kyouko say. She’s rather impressed actually.
But of course, it wouldn’t be Kyouko if it didn’t come without some gruffness. “So if you’re gonna tell me that you disapprove of Yuma hanging out with us, and I punch you in the face, it’s not personal.”
If only it were that simple. “It’s not about Yuma.”
“Good. I don’t like the idea of her becoming a magic girl either, but it’s her choice.”
They spend some moments without talking, the silence only punctuated by the sound of Kyouko munching candy. There’s a question that Homura has to ask.
“Are you going to leave the team again?”
Kyouko tilts her head back and looks at the shifting colours of the sky. “Nah,” she says after a while. “I think I’m done with running away.”
It’s time that Homura did the same too. “Let’s go back,” she says.
“Thought you’d never ask,” says Kyouko, tossing the now empty tube of sweets in a nearby bin. “Mami must be freaking out by now. Let’s go.”
They walk back to tea and camaraderie.
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