To Save Two Friends
Steins;Gate and Madoka Magica
Chapter Two

2015.12.22 - 7:57 PM JST
Tuesday

There was no confrontation after the witch fight as I was already on Madoka's side. The Incubator then walked into view. I still felt an urge to give Kyubey a taste of what's coming, but I somehow restrained myself. This wasn't the right time or place.

"Thank you, Mami-san, Mayuri-san." He thanked them. "That witch sort of snuck up on me."

"It's fine." Mami responded. "But you should really be thanking that girl over there. Mayuri and I were simply passing through."

She pointed over at Madoka, who was still quite confused as to what exactly was going on. Sometimes I wished I had her ignorance. Being a magical girl was often quite dark and lonely, and I was in waist deep.

"Right." Kyubey confirmed. "Thank you, Kaname Madoka."

Madoka then jumped a bit at the mention of her name. She clearly wasn't expecting this small 'animal' to be able to speak. I shook my head and turned my back to them.

"Enough with the small talk." I told them. "I think Madoka needs a proper introduction to this new world that she just encountered."

"Yes, of course." Mami replied back. She then greeted Madoka with a smile.

"I know this must be very confusing for you, but let me assure you that everything's fine. Let's talk about this at my place."

The two other girls started following Mami out of the basement, but I didn't move. Madoka noticed this. She tugs on Mami's sleeve, which stopped the whole group.

"You're not coming with us, Homura-chan?"

That's right. I didn't try to kill Kyubey this time, so none of these people were afraid of me. I could go with them. I could go to Mami's house and get to know her again. I haven't had a meaningful conversation with her for many loops. Should I?

"Why not?" I voiced my thoughts. I then followed the group over to Mami's apartment. That was where the concept of magical girls was explained to Madoka. Mami kept a lot of information out, of course. I couldn't really blame her for that though, she was totally oblivious to the secrets that Kyubey was hiding. It was hard holding in all my hate for that despicable little creature.

"So, you get to make a wish and that turns you into a superhero?" Madoka asked us, mouth wide open. "What's the downside?"

"It's quite dangerous." Mayuri told her with a sip of tea. "One wrong move and it's all over."

"R-really?"

Madoka's face shifted to a look of fear. I didn't like seeing her so afraid, but maybe this would help stop her from becoming a magical girl. Was Mayuri being here actually beneficial to me? I don't know. I had never experienced the timeline from this perspective.

"Shiina Mayuri, how long have you been a magical girl?" I asked her. Mayuri tilted her head in thought.

"Let's see… I first formed my contract when I was 16 and I'm 21 now. So that would make it five years."

My ears peaked. This was some really interesting information. 16 was already pretty late to become a magical girl, but it was also pretty amazing that she was still one all these years later. Come to think of it, was there an upper limit to what age you could become a magical girl? I once read an article that said you're still biologically a teenager until the age of 25. Maybe that had something to do with it. Everyone finished their food and Mami stood up.

"You know, Madoka. Kyubey says you could be a really good magical girl. You want to give it some thought?"

The table fell silent. Madoka stared right into Mami's eyes while Mayuri shot me a look of concern. I knew I had to say something.

"I think that's unfair." I told Mami. "Being a magical girl is a huge responsibility. Such a decision should be taken very seriously."

"I agree." Mayuri pitched in. "Madoka-chan should get a taste of our lives before you just pop the question like that."

"Okay." Mami stepped down. "We're going out on a patrol tomorrow. Would you like to join us, Madoka?"

"Y-yeah. Sure."

"And you." Mami addressed me. "You're welcome to join us too."

"Certainly." I replied back with a nod. Mami then took control of the group.

"We'll meet back here at 5 PM tomorrow. See you all then."

At that point, we all left Mami's apartment and went our separate ways. I got back home and laid down on my bed. It was a good day. Most of the changes I had experienced were for the better. Plus, Madoka and Mami were my friends again. The timeline had changed so much that maybe Madoka wasn't going to die at the end of the month afterall. That would've been fantastic. Little did I know, that train of thought was going to come back to bite me.

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(Chapter Three: Out Now!)