..It's been three years since then…

xxxxx

"Miki-san~"

"Coming!"

I turned around, carrying my still messy school bag in one hand. There they are; my group of friends gathered, waiting for my arrival. I flashed them my goofy grin and slowed down as I reached them, matching their pace.

"Say, how're you all doing?"

I was replied with many answer, and of course a nod from the expressionless-as-ever Homura. She never changed, didn't she? I sighed to myself before looking at my watch. Twelve forty-five. I yelped.

"Argh! I only got 15 minutes until the kendo club starts!"

And with that, I stormed off, leaving the group behind. I could hear Mami-san shouted something like 'good luck!' at me, so I waved slightly; just to let her know I heard her. I ran through the corridor of Mitakihara High School. Yes, three years had passed and I was high-schooler already. And not just any ordinary one, I was the captain of the kendo club now. I decided that, rather than just chopping down randomly at any magical beast I found, I should sharpen my skill with sword. So I joined the kendo club once I entered high school. Well, apparently real-life experience helped a lot; I was a captain before I even knew it. Anyway, I better be hurry. Being late for the one who assign the training schedule would not leave a great impression.

I criss-crossed through the sea of students, apologizing at those I bumped onto. There's the club's door; I swung the door open in one mighty swing and put my other hand on my hip, a mischievous grin on my face.

"Good day, everyone! Glad to see you here today."

I could hear a few juniors whispered and shuffled to the empty space, sitting on the wooden floor in a neat line. I nodded, satisfied. Walking slowly as to observe them with the corner of my eyes, I took off the black ribbon on my collar. I turned fully at them as I reached the door leading to the changing room. A playful smile stretched on my face; some of them tensed as they saw it, I swore.

"Now, you may practice on your own as I change. But, better have one of you ready for a sparring match with me after this. Dismiss."

With that, I ceremoniously slammed the door shut. I stifled a laugh as I heard a lot of groans and yelps from the other side of the door. Rookies were always like that, huh? I wondered if I was like that as well at first. I shook my head to dismiss the thought and started to gather my kendo equipments. My hair now went over my shoulder slightly; I tied them on a ponytail with my black ribbon. I stood in front of the mirror, double-checking if everything had been on place. All's good it seemed. Just as I about to put my helmet on, I stopped and gazed at my own reflection on the mirror; her figure vaguely reflected on it. I flashed a sad smile at her for a second before finally putting on my helmet, ready to begin my training.

xxxxx

"Are you okay, Miki-san?"

I blinked. What? Am I still alive? My eyes wandered around my surrounding as my mind went even further away, trying to comprehend whatever was happening. The magical beasts from before were nowhere to be found. Mami-san and Homura were standing not too far from me; each seemed to be drowning in their own thought.

Shouldn't I be dead now? I remembered using the last spasm of my energy just recently before—red. My eyes widened in realization.

"Kyouko. Where is Kyouko? What happened to her?"

"She's gone."

My eyes immediately fixed on Mami-san. She was wearing the sad expression that didn't seem to be her own.

"She was guided away by 'the law of the wheel'."

What did she say? I stared at her in horror.

"Sakura-san used all of her power in that last attack, didn't she?"

Suddenly I felt weak, and I fell to my knee. I stared blankly at the black and white tiles below me, mind completely void of any thought. Mami-san didn't seem to have finished her speech; I could still vaguely hear her.

"That's the fate of a magical girl. Our wish will bring a matching despair to the world; we have to disappear before that happens."

My tears silently fell to the cold floor. No, this shouldn't be happening. It wasn't her that should have disappeared, I was. I couldn't believe any of these at all. I clamped my eyes shut as more tears threatened to come out.

"Idiot. Who do you think you are; sacrificing yourself for me like that? We were only became friends recently."

I could hear Homura said something herself, but I couldn't care less. I gazed at the black ribbon on my hands; I brought it closer to my heart as my tears finally flowed freely down my face. And I cried my heart out.

xxxxx

"That's all for today."

My juniors bowed respectfully at me before scattering away, tidying their belongings. I heaved a satisfied sigh before fumbling with my own belongings. A junior had seemingly put her bag beside my own; I smiled at her to release the tension as we proceeded to do each's activities. She seemed to notice something and shyly asked me.

"Miki-senpai, may I ask something?"

"Sure you can, I won't bite."

I grinned at that; she laughed nervously at my joke before finally regained her composure.

"It's been in my mind for a while, though… Why are you always wearing that black ribbon instead our school red one?"

I paused, and she stared at me. She might have thought it was a bad choice, that I would barrage her with hundred of head-strikes for asking that; I could see her flailing about nervously.

"Err, I mean, I saw you having a fight with a teacher a few days ago about that. It's not part of the uniform, I guess that's why. So, I wonder—"

"Why would that matter so much?"

I put the last of my belongings in my bag and heaved it over my shoulder. Stroking the worn-out ribbon softly, I smiled.

"This is the only thing she left behind, and the only thing that keep me living until now."

My goofy grin returned in a blink of eye and I turned my face at her, walking my way out.

"What are still you doing there? Run along, before I lock you in the club room."

The threat was a success; she scampered away in a flash. I giggled to myself and locked the door before me.

"So, do you need something?"

"You still keep that ribbon."

"And so do you; the one from your 'madoka'."

That earned me a glare from the black-haired girl. She always materialized at any given times; somehow I was used to it now. I turned at my fellow puella magi, crossing my arms. She didn't waver for a while, before turning away and walked off. I raised a brow at her. I guessed 'mysterious' would always be in her dictionary. Just as I about to walk away myself, she halted.

"Miki Sayaka."

"What now?"

"Do you still think that she will return? Do you still seek hope?"

A smile tugged on my lips.

"Absolutely."

xxxxx

"So you mean—"

"A possibility, yes."

I stared glittery-eyed on Mami-san. She gave me her warm smile in return.

"I didn't see it myself, so it might be possible. Kyouko might have survived that time."

xxxxx

It was raining. And now I was stuck at the nearby bus stop. I slumped on the bench; the rain didn't give any sign that it would stop anytime soon.

"And I haven't eaten my lunch, yet. I should've brought an umbrella today!"

I shouted in irritation but sitting still, absentmindedly gazing at the rain outside. A rustle was heard from the other side; I had realized that there was someone else beside of me. I couldn't make out the person though; his/her face was covered by hood. He/she seemed to be a homeless though, as I could see the worn-out clothes from the corner of my eyes. I wouldn't mind at all, as long as everything stayed quiet like this. Unfortunately, my wish was not to come true.

The homeless stood and approached me; I didn't need to turn because I could clearly hear the footsteps. I was ready for any sudden attack. As that homeless thrust something out of his/her pocket, I brought out my own wooden sword in one swift movement, pointing it at his/her face. I was caught off guard a few seconds later though; what I expect to be a gun or a knife was actually nothing like that at all. It was a box of pocky.

"I was only trying to be nice, and what do I get? Geez… Want some?"

I blinked and spanked the not-seem-to-be-stranger on the head with the wooden sword, earning a whimper. She rubbed the spot I hit her on, whining. I narrowed my eyes in suspicion; I couldn't cope with this, yet.

"The hell, Sayaka? You still hold a grudge in me or something?"

She pulled down her hood; red hair sticking out wildly as she did, the same as I remembered her. Ah, right. Maybe I was dreaming? I raised my hands and pinched on her both cheeks, hard.

"Ow, ow, ow! What the fu—"

"It's not a dream, huh?"

She stared at me for a while, mouth opening but closing right after. I gritted my teeth and pinched her harder.

"Awawa—stop it already, idiot!"

"You're the idiot, idiot! What do you have to say now, huh?"

"I'm home?"

"Idiot!"

With that, I pulled her cheeks for the last time and huffed, switching my eyes to the ground. She growled while rubbing her red cheeks. A small smile crept up my face and I buried my face at her, trying to hide my embarrassment; she had grown to be a lot taller than me in the three years that I met the skin of her neck in process. She tensed slightly, before relaxing and stroking my hair. My tears that I had kept for years returned, but I was glad it was not of grief; it was of pure happiness.

"Welcome home."


Right, another one-shot. And there's an extra for this one! *drum rolls*

DUN DUN DUN! SURPRISE!

An Artwork

void-contains-all(.)deviantart(.)com/art/Welcome-Home-273612928/ (remove the brackets around the dots)

Enjoy~!