'Kaname Madoka. Do you treasure this world? Do you consider stability and order more important than desire?'

Madoka still wasn't fully aware of what Homura was referring to when she said those words. It had been several months since she transferred into Mitakihara, yet her first meeting with that girl still lingered in her mind. Her name sounded familiar, yet elusive. The answer had been on the tip of her tongue several times, thought it always managed to slip away.

'Something on your mind, Madoka?'

The voice belonged to a girl slightly taller than Madoka, whose short blue hair ruffled with the wind. She wore the standard school uniform, though unlike Madoka's, the skirt had been trimmed slightly. She smiled energetically, placing her hands behind her head in a carefree manner.

'Oh, Sayaka. Good morning.'

'Where's Hitomi today? Don't tell me she's playing hooky to go off with Kyousuke.'

'I'm sure she wouldn't skip school. Not even for Kyousuke…'

Madoka paused and squinted at her watch, then looked up in shock.

'It's this late already? Class is about to start!'

The pair hurried their pace and dashed up the path. By the time they reached their classroom, they were already several minutes late. Madoka hesitantly pushed the door open and entered.

'Sorry we're late Miss Saoto–'

'And that class, is why there's nothing wrong with not being married at my age!'

Luckily, she was too distracted to notice Madoka, and instead was focused on relating her life story to the rest of the students. Homura glanced up at Madoka as she sat down in her seat, though she said nothing.

The interior of the classroom was the same as it always had been. Large glass windows served as walls, giving the room an incredibly spacious feel. Though it lacked any form of decoration, it almost felt too clinical. Madoka's attention, however, was focused on Homura, who sat idly copying up a set of notes. There were many things about Homura that intrigued her. There wasn't anything out of the ordinary with her appearance, except her eyes. They seemed weary – like the eyes of someone who had been working relentlessly for years. And no matter how hard she tried, Madoka could never work out what she was thinking. Perhaps they were simply too different.

When class finished, Madoka and Sayaka left together, laughing about Miss Saotome's earlier antics. Homura watched them silently, then left by herself.

'You know, things can't go on like this.'

The voice came from an oddly shaped creature that suddenly appeared beside her. It followed Homura through the corridors, though the school had become almost empty.

'They will. I'll make sure of it.'

'You might have the power of a God, but there are some rules that even Gods have to abide by. You've tipped the scales of balance. How long do you think this universe can last?'

'Even so, I'll make Madoka happy.'

'Even if she becomes your enemy?'

Homura said nothing, and continued up to the rooftop. She was forced to hold down her hair as it fluttered wildly in the wind. Leaning against the barrier, she sighed and watched Madoka walking home, accompanied by Sayaka, and an older girl with blonde hair wrapped around in curls.

'More importantly… what did you do to me? Since you created this universe, I've felt different. It's… I don't know how you humans would describe it...'

'Ah, incubator. I guess where you come from, they'd classify it as an illness.'