Chapter Three: Cross-roads

Kyubey leaned forwards as he studied Homura's data, sitting on the table below the slowly swinging pendulum. "This is very useful information. We never bother to track the movement and numbers of the demons to this extent, but with this at hand, I can more precisely estimate when the demon prince will be born."

"Pay more intention to these things," Kyouko said sourly. "Isn't that your job?"

"Not really. Knowing the rough timing is enough, since the only sensible option is fleeing." Kyubey nodded. "A week at the earliest... two weeks at the latest. If I had to give a precise estimate, eight or nine days."

"So we have time, at least," Mami said tiredly.

Homura nodded. "Tell us about demon princes. I've never heard of anything like that."

"Normally, you know everything," Kyouko observed, glancing at Homura. "I'm surprised. I've heard rumours, at least."

Homura shrugged. "They're outside my experience. If I'd known they existed, I would have worked on a contingency plan." She glared at Kyubey. "As it is, we still have time. So tell us everything you know."

Kyubey rolled onto his back, his red eyes following the pendulum as its blade slashed back and forwards above their heads. "When the miasma gathers, demons are born. Human hatred and desire form them, and you magical girls purge them. But when large numbers of people gather in cities, staying in the same place for a long time, the curses and the karma accumulate, no matter the efforts of the magical girls who protect them. From time to time, those curses within curses reach critical mass, and a demon prince incubates and is born. They are an unavoidable fate, for so long as you humans insist on clumping together like this. I don't really understand why you all keep doing that, given the fact that you people can't seem to stand being close to each other at the best of times. Much less when you're crammed together in one place."

Homura nodded. "I'm aware of a similar concept, so I understand. You can spare your social commentary. Just tell me what happens when the prince is born, and how we can fight them."

"When a demon prince awakens, it attempts to drag the city that gave birth to it into madness and destruction. Naturally, they're powerful, far more powerful than any ordinary demon. Even then, if it was you three, you might be able to do something about one." Kyubey met Homura's gaze, rolling onto his front and sitting up. "But as you know, the demons are multiplying. They respond to the prince's curses, and emerge in numbers beyond counting. That's why it's logical for you three to leave this city as soon as possible. The demon prince is bound to his city, so anywhere else is a safe haven from his presence."

"That's what I heard, too," Kyouko said. "When a demon prince is born, it's best to flee."

"And just what happens to the city after that?" Homura asked. "Is it destroyed?"

"Nothing so melodramatic. The idea of a demon who could destroy a whole city is ridiculous. Not even demon princes can do that." Kyubey continued to speak, his words flowing into the heads of the girls moment by moment. "But the curses of the demons grip the city and fill it with overflowing hatred. It lasts many years, and during that time, the city decay, swallowed by crime and suffering. Eventually the prince himself rots and dies, and magical girls can return to the city."

Mami pulled out a lacy white handkerchief, wiping the sweat from her brow. "That's not an outcome I relish for this city," she said. "I quite like it here."

Homura nodded grimly. "If we let something like that happen, how could we call ourselves magical girls?"

"Does it matter?" Kyouko said. "If it can't be helped, it can't be helped. Better to move on and stay safe." She glared at Homura. "I'm not doing this to be a hero, or anything. I just want to survive."

"Exactly. The risks of fighting don't justify the results," Kyubey said. "And we don't mind too much. Recruiting is fruitful in cities where a demon prince lives, though it's hard to persuade new recruits to leave for another city, and they end up dying pointlessly half the time." He shook his head. "No matter how much I explain, they just go running to their deaths. I don't understand you people at all."

"This is my home," Mami said, frowning darkly. "Even if there's no hope, everything in the world valuable to those girls is where they live... just how could they abandon that and run away?"

Homura narrowed her eyes. "Talking to Kyubey on his own terms is meaningless. But you said the risks of fighting don't justify the results. That means that fighting is possible, and can produce results, doesn't it?"

"It's possible," Kyubey admitted. "There have been a few times in history when magical girls killed a demon prince. But you three wouldn't be enough. I'd have to call in magical girls from other cities, and even then, failure would be more likely than success."

"Would something like that be possible?" Homura said. "I can't imagine strangers would come all the way here to help us fight the prince without some incentive."

"Naturally. Well, there's a reward for defeating a demon prince. The remnants are far more powerful than usual, and more plentiful as well. A magical girl can live for six months to a year on one-tenth of a prince's remnants without having to fight a single battle." Kyubey leapt off the table, landing on the floor. "Even then, I can't advise it. If you three insist on fighting, tell me sooner rather than later, and I'll see who I can dig up. We'd need eight to ten strong magical girls to stand a chance. It's safer and more reliable to leave, since there's no guarantee I'll able to find that number, and no guarantee of victory even if I succeed." He padded away, heading for the door. "Well, talk to me if anything comes up."

Homura snorted. "He's almost certainly going to try and recruit the magical girl candidates before the catastrophe."

"That doesn't matter for now," Mami said quietly. "We have bigger things to worry about."

Kyouko looked between them as an awkward silence fell. "I think we should leave."

Mami shook her head. "I can't leave."

"Neither of you have relatives here," Kyouko said. "Homura, you're not exactly popular at school, from everything I've seen. And since you're usually always with us, I assume the same is true of you, Mami." She pursed her lips. "Is this really something we need to think about? We all bounded together because we wanted to survive, right?"

"All of that's true," Mami admitted. "I've always done my best to survive. But I've always remembered that my battles have a purpose. I do try to protect people, in my own way." She met Kyouko's gaze, her face calm. "And even if I have no family or friends here to speak of, this is still where I've lived my whole life. Precisely because I've lost everything else, this is the last thing I don't want to cast away."

"That's illogical! It's just pure sentimentality!" Kyouko glared at her, gritting her teeth. "There's nothing special about this city, or anywhere else for that matter. Trust me, they're all the same in the end."

"What about you?" Mami said sharply. "You were also born here and lived here for a long time. Doesn't that matter to you? What about your class-mates? After this afternoon, do they still mean nothing to you?"

Kyouko's hands balled into fists. "I care myself! I think it's a crying shame, but that's how it is, life isn't fair. No one knows that fact better than us! I've never planned to die for anything. If we protect something along the way, that's all well and good, but I only ever joined with you two to fight for survival. Nothing more than that."

"There's no meaning in losing our tempers," Homura said, cutting into the argument. "I personally fight to protect others before everything else. I think we magical girls really can help others and make the world a little better. But I've always accepted that we'd have different reasons to fight. You two should be the same."

Mami sighed. "Well, that's all well and good. But the problem is what we should do from now on. Just what do you plan to do?"

"I want to fight. But that doesn't necessarily fighting the moment the prince is born," Homura said. "From Kyubey's suggestion, it seems the city's decay develops relatively slowly, rather than being an apocalyptic event. If necessary, we can retreat for a time while Kyubey gathers allies for us, before taking the offensive. But if we can gather the necessary forces in time, then by all means we should make a stand."

Kyouko scowled. "I'm surprised. You always seem so level-headed. Didn't he just say that even if we gather the right number of allies, we could still lose easily enough? Even if we win, some of us might die. And knowing what we do about what most magical girls are like, do you really think we'd be able to cooperate effectively with complete strangers?"

"I think we could manage. At the least, I think we should try," Homura said. "As long as we have a common purpose and a powerful enemy, cooperation is possible. Besides that, there are self-interested reasons to stay and fight. This city is a fine territory that can support all three of us easily enough. If we flee here, we'll have to relocate, and likely force out the magical girls who presently operate there in the process. The remnants of the prince would be sound insurance, as well."

Kyouko shook her head impatiently. "All that's unimportant! We're strong, we can take any territory we like. It's cruel, but it's survival of the fittest. But I don't want to take unnecessary risks. Kyubey is honest about the enemies we face, at least. He'll lose out if we die, as well. So for once, I believe him when he says this prince is seriously dangerous."

"If this was just about our self-interest, I agree with Kyouko," Mami said. "We'd be better off running away. But this has never been just about that. We have responsibilities."

Homura sighed. "Kyouko, wasn't you chasing after me earlier today an unnecessary risk? You've never been afraid of a fight."

"If it's us three, honestly, we can handle normal demons," Kyouko said. "I know that, and I appreciate that. I'll help you fight the mooks whenever you like, we'll blow them away together. But this isn't just a normal group of demons. You two get that, right? I mean, if we help people doing what we do, that's great. But if we die, we can't help anyone." She slammed her hands against her chair, leaning forwards. "There's nothing wonderful about rushing to our deaths! Why do we have to do something stupid like that?"

Mami met Kyouko's gaze evenly. "In any case, my mind is made up. I plan to fight."

"I'm also determined. The timing and the plan to be used is something I'll decide from here on out, but I also want to fight and defeat the prince. Naturally, without dying." Homura looked across the table at Kyouko, the pendulum continuing to swing slowly above her head. "But whatever plans I make, my death is also always a possible outcome. I can't deny that risk. I can only say that saving others is worth the risk to me."

Kyouko slumped back in her seat. "Fine. I can't stop you two. But I don't remember signing up to die for the cause, either. So I guess I'll skip town and find a new territory." She stood, stretching her arms. "I doubt you two will want me around now, so I'll get my stuff. I can be out of here tonight, no problems."

"You don't need to rush off," Homura said calmly. "Kyubey said a week at the earliest."

"It's not that. You two are probably thinking I'm pretty ungrateful right now." Kyouko turned away, studying the paintings of demons on the white walls with a fixed expression. "You don't need to hide it. I'll get out from under your feet."

"At this time of night?" Mami said. "Don't be ridiculous."

"You can stay here until the time comes. At the least, you should stay until tomorrow," Homura said. "Given the possibility of another demon attack, going now would be too reckless."

"If you mean that, then I'll stay. If you're saying it because you feel obliged to say it, then don't bother." Kyouko frowned. "I don't want to be a pain to you two, if nothing else."

"If you were being a pain, we'd certainly tell you," Mami said. "So you don't have to do anything dramatic."

Homura nodded. "I don't say things I don't mean. You can stay until you want to leave."

Kyouko nodded. "I'll do that, then."

"In any case, given I can't sense anything outside right now, perhaps we should wrap up here," Homura said. "Mami, are you okay heading back by yourself? It may be safer if we go with you."

"I'll be fine. I protected this city alone before we teamed up, after all," Mami said.

Kyouko retreated towards the kitchen after Mami had left. "I'll fix something to eat."

"Thanks." Homura began to annotate her map again, blinking slowly. Above her, the pendulum continued to swing, a steady punctuation to her troubled thoughts.

By the time Kyouko returned, Homura had thrown her usual notes aside and was nowhere to be seen. "Homura, dinner!"

After thirty seconds, Homura padded softly down the stairs, her expression tired. "Thanks."

"It's nothing." Kyouko watched her sit down. "What were you up to this time?"

"I've been seeing what I could learn about demon princes online. You'd be surprised what filters through in one form or another." Homura ate some of Kyouko's curry with surprising delicacy, chewing and swallowing. "It's good."

"Of course it is," Kyouko said. "Much better than what you usually eat, right?"

Homura nodded. "Well, yes. But honestly, I'm surprised you can cook, given what you normally eat."

"That's a lack of facilities, not a lack of ability," Kyouko said. "Though I was a little worried. I haven't cooked regularly for a few years now. I used to cook for my family, you see. Though that was tough work, since I had to make a little go a long way."

Homura nodded. "Just where is your family now?"

"They're dead," Kyouko said bluntly. "Well, let's not talk about that."

"As you wish." Homura took a sip from her glass of water. "Every magical girl has their secrets, of course."

"Apart from you, apparently," Kyouko said, smiling wanly. "You're as honest as an idiot, even though it's hard for us to believe the things you say."

"You liked Madoka in your own way. So did Mami. You two have a right to know, even if you don't remember."

"Well, she sounds like a nice girl, if a bit wet," Kyouko said. She smirked as Homura bridled. "I don't mean that in a bad way. I'm a little weak to that kind of person, so I probably would have liked her."

Homura nodded, mollified by her words. "There's more to it than that, though. It's... a story I want to tell, I think." She looked down at her plate, her eyes faraway. "Madoka did something amazing, but it's as if she never existed, and everyone has forgotten her. That's a truly sad thing, so I can't help but try to tell other people. It's fine if you don't believe me. I can't prove anything. I just want to try saying it."

"You're always completely different when you talk about Madoka," Kyouko said. "It takes me off-guard."

"Madoka was special. I've never been afraid to admit that she was truly precious to me. I can remember that emotion clearly, even now. It hasn't changed." Homura sighed. "But talking about it doesn't make any difference."

"Sometimes I wish you'd show something of that sentimentality about us," Kyouko said. "But it's not as if we're friends or anything, right? We just stuck together because it's the easiest way to fight demons, and we all know how to survive."

Homura nodded briefly. "That's true. But in the past and now, you're the most reliable ally I could ask for."

"Allies?" Kyouko tilted her head, smirking. "Well, I guess so. Funny you should say that now I'm going to leave on you, though. Shouldn't you be angry?"

"I'm surprised. You used to be more head-strong. But it's your free choice to make, whether you stay or go. The risks are undeniable, after all." Homura shrugged. "I don't see any reason to be angry."

Kyouko shrugged. "More fool you, then. But seriously, how do you plan to live from now on? Even if she's not just your delusion, Madoka is in heaven or whatever. Aren't you just going to be alone for the rest of your life?"

"Perhaps," Homura retorted, glaring at Kyouko. "But that's how we magical girls should live. We could die any day, so keeping to ourselves and disappearing quietly into the darkness is ideal. You know that as well as I do."

"That's not what I mean." Kyouko scowled back. "I guess I shouldn't expect anything from you to begin with."

"I'm being perfectly reasonable," Homura snapped. "Just what do you want from me? I don't know why you're suddenly insulting me, and it's trying my patience."

"Maybe I want you to be unreasonable," Kyouko snapped back.

"So you're looking for a fight?" Homura said. "Stop being ridiculous."

Kyouko breathed out, visibly controlling herself. "Never mind. Let's just eat."

They ate the rest of the meal in awkward silence, then went to bed.

The next day, the city was washed clean by a wave of heavy rain. Kyouko scowled as she looked up at the sky, hovering in the door-way. "Fuck this. Can't I just stay home?"

"Do you have an umbrella?" Homura asked.

"Why would I have an umbrella?" Kyouko said irritably.

Homura pulled a black umbrella from her bag, unfolding it. "Then we'll just have to manage. Stay close to me and it shouldn't be too bad."

"Seriously, why do I have to go to school?" Kyouko said.

"Just go. At the least, you can say good-bye to the others," Homura said.

"I suppose," Kyouko said, stepping out into the rain. She folded her arms awkwardly as they struggled to fit under the umbrella, walking towards school. Rain slammed down around them, splashing against the pavement and pooling between cracks. "Horrific weather. Is this also because of the prince?"

"Perhaps," Homura said. She grimaced as a sudden gust of wind lashed rain under the umbrella and against their legs. "If I used my wings, we wouldn't have any problems at all."

"I'm not flying anywhere ever again," Kyouko said firmly.

The pair struggled to school, staying close to each other as they struggled through the wind and rain. More than once, Homura's umbrella was turned inside-out by the storm, forcing her to fight with it while the rain struck them. By the time they had limped inside the school building, they were thoroughly drenched. Settling into their seats, they sat shivering as attendance was taken. Several people were conspicuous by their absence, perhaps discouraged by the miserable rain.

Kyouko suffered in silence through the morning's lessons. Despite the horrible weather, and everything she had to deal with, the normal people here were... normal. Well, of course. That's what they were like. She was the strange one. But it was uncomfortable.

Izumi approached her in lunch-break. "Hey, Kyouko. Want to eat lunch in the canteen with us?"

Kyouko looked up at the girl's eyes before looking away. Yesterday, they'd been joking around, talking pleasantly to each other. Something like this... "Sorry, I'm not feeling great," she said, resting her forehead in her right hand. "I'm going to take a walk outside." She stood, walking towards the door without looking back.

Homura stood, frowning after her. Wait! Take my umbrella, at least!

I don't need it. Kyouko blocked the connection as she left the class-room, her expression sour.

"What's wrong with her?" Izumi said, glancing at Homura. "Did we do something to upset her yesterday?"

"Things have been... complicated for us, recently," Homura said, with the conviction of honesty. She smiled wanly. "It's not your fault, and she doesn't mean anything bad by it. But we had a bit of an argument last night."

"I see. Family quarrels are nasty," Izumi said sympathetically. "How about you?"

"If you don't mind, I'm inclined to go after her," Homura said. "She doesn't have an umbrella."

"I see. Then you'd better go, then." Izumi smiled. "Good luck."

"Thank you." Homura traced Kyouko's footsteps, but by the time she reached the school grounds, Kyouko was nowhere to be seen. Homura could faintly sense her magic in the distance before it dropped from her sight. She sighed, unfolding her umbrella. Mami, do you know where Kyouko is going?

Not particularly. Wouldn't she just be leaving town at this point?

Perhaps, Homura admitted. But given she went to school today, that would be illogical.

She went to school? You didn't say anything, I'd assumed she had skipped.

In any case, I'm going after her, Homura said, stepping out into the rain.

If you insist. I doubt anything will come of it, though. I've known Kyouko for a long time... she's a good child at heart, but nothing has ever come of her attempts to live idealistically. In the end, her only talent is looking out for herself.

I know that. That's exactly why she's someone I can trust, Homura said, running forwards. Her wings flourished behind her, blasting her up into the air. But since I'm fine with her looking after herself, I don't recall having done anything to make her angry. That's why I'm worried.

I see. Well, I'll leave it up to you to do something about it. I find it difficult to get on with her, so I would only make things worse. Mami paused for a moment. And thanks for promising to help me.

It's nothing. Homura hurtled through the sky above the city, spreading her magic to conceal herself from sight. I'll talk to you later.

Happy hunting.

Twenty minutes later, Homura exited the arcade, frowning as she glanced at her ring. If possible, she'd like to do this without using her magic to search. It was tiring to do something like that over a wide area. But it was hard to say where Kyouko would be. Homura walked slowly up the centre of the shopping arcade, lost in thought. She stopped abruptly as she noticed Madoka's brother standing in front of a florists. When she looked around, though, neither of his parents were anywhere in sight. After a moment's hesitation, Homura approached, leaning down. "Good afternoon, Tatsuya."

Tatsuya's attention was torn away from the pink roses bundled together in green buckets in front of him. "Hello," he said simply, looking up at Homura with wide eyes.

"Are you with your parents?" Homura asked patiently. "Where are they?"

Tatsuya thought about this for a moment. "Dunno."

"Let's go and find them together," Homura said, offering her hand. "Where did you see them last?"

"The clothes store." Tatsuya reached up, prodding the red ribbon in Homura's hair with pudgy fingers.

"Let's go there, then," Homura said. She tried once more to get him to take her hand, but he ignored her, tugging at her ribbon. Instead she picked him up bodily, placing him on top of her shoulders. Her hands held his legs firmly in place. "Hold on tightly, okay?" she said.

"Okay," Tatsuya said, happy enough to tug away at the ribbon from his position, his arms wrapped around her head.

Homura grimaced as he pulled her hair. She walked at a brisk pace, looking around for any sign of his parents. "Aren't you scared, being here without your parents?" she asked eventually.

"No." Tatsuya finally lost interest in the ribbon, looking around the shopping centre. "Madoka's here."

Homura smiled wanly. "That's true. But you can't wander off by yourself like this. It's dangerous, and your parents will be worried sick." She broke off as a lost child announcement came over the loud-speakers, moving with a renewed sense of purpose towards the front of the shopping centre.

Just over half-way there, Junko intercepted them. She stopping running as she approached, her breath coming fast as she walked the rest of the way. "Tatsuya!" she said sharply.

"Hi, mama," Tatsuya said.

"Thank god." Junko stopped in front of Homura, wiping her brow. "You... we met at the promenade, right? About a month ago now."

Homura nodded, pulling Tatsuya off her shoulders and kneeling as she placed the boy gently in front of his mother. "That's right. I know we're barely acquaintances, but since I saw him all alone, I felt it would be best if I helped him look for you."

"It's just as well you did." Junko bodily scooped up Tatsuya, holding him close to her as she sighed. "Thanks a lot. You've done me a huge favour."

"Not at all. It was nothing."

"It's not nothing. I thought my heart was going to burst with anxiety." Junko turned. "Tag along with me a minute, I need to thank you properly."

"Being thanked once is enough," Homura said.

"Just humour me," Junko said, smiling. "You're skipping school, right? You must have time."

Homura fell into step with the older woman, flushing slightly. "I have my reasons. One of my friends ran off after having a row with me, so I'm looking with her."

"I see. So you're also looking for a lost child," Junko said. "Are you sure she wants to be found, though? She may just need some space."

"I suppose so, but it's not that simple a problem," Homura said. "She could leave any day now, so at the least, I want to try and talk to her before she goes..." She broke off, shaking her head. "I'm sorry. I shouldn't burden you with my private problems."

"Feel free. It's not a problem, and I might just be able to help," Junko said self-confidently. Tatsuya say placidly in her arms, staring curiously at Homura's ring.

Homura frowned as she noticed his childish gaze, instinctively hiding her ring-hand behind her bag. That was ridiculous, of course. He was only a child. "It's a little complicated, and difficult to explain. I don't want to waste your time."

"Try me," Junko said, her smile disarming Homura's objections.

Homura paused for a moment, working out how to phrase the situation. "Her name is Kyouko. I met her at a track meet some time ago, and she transferred to my school recently. Now we're on the same team, and up until now, we'd been more or less getting along. There's a track meet next week we'd all been looking forwards to, but yesterday her parents called, asking if she wanted to transfer again to be with them." Homura frowned, carefully shaping her words. "Kyouko's family situation is really complicated, so it wasn't that unexpected. She's planning to transfer again as soon as possible, and I'm fine with it... it's rational that she'd want to be with her parents. I've told her as much, too. But then she became angry. I don't understand it." Her usual calm tone broke slightly, laced with genuine frustration. "It's illogical."

"People aren't very logical, most of the time," Junko said. "In any case, I more or less understand the situation." She smiled as she glanced at Homura, before waving to her husband as they approached the front of the shopping centre. "Hey! We're back, safe and sound!"

Tomohisa hurried towards them, his expression relieved. "I'm glad you found him. I'm sorry, Junko. My attention was distracted for a moment, and he was gone..."

"Don't worry. It's as much my fault as yours, at least." Junko finally put down Tatsuya, apparently satisfied he wasn't going to run away. "But I wasn't the one who found him. It was this girl who looked for us with him... I'm sorry, I've forgotten to ask your name." She returned her attention to Homura, smiling. "I'm Junko Kaname. This is my husband, Tomohisa, and my son, Tatsuya."

"I'm Homura Akemi," Homura replied politely.

"She's the girl from the promenade," Junko said to her husband. "Remember? The one who talked to him about 'Madoka'."

"I remember." Tomohisa turned to Homura, smiling sincerely. "Thank you, Homura."

"It was nothing," Homura said. "I'm happy to help. In any case, I shouldn't waste any more of your time, Mrs Kaname."

"After what you did for us, you can waste as much of my time as you like," Junko said. "Have you eaten? Let us buy you lunch. We need to do something to repay you."

"You don't need to do something like that," Homura said awkwardly. "If I hadn't done that, an adult would have done it instead."

"I don't need to do it, but I want to do it. If you don't mind, Homura, it would be a pleasure," Junko said pleasantly.

Homura blushed slightly, looking down. She'd always been weak to how direct and kind Madoka's mother was. "I haven't eaten," she said finally.

"Then let's go." Junko led Tatsuya by the hand. "Do you mind fast-food? It's Tatsuya's birthday, and he insists that's what he wants."

"That's fine," Homura said. "I see. Happy birthday, Tatsuya." She smiled at him.

Tatsuya bobbed his head in response.

"In any case, we were talking about Kyouko," Junko said. "Just how do you feel about the fact she's transferring away?"

"Like I said, I've accepted it," Homura said. "It makes sense for her to do so."

"That's not what I mean," Junko said. "How do you feel about it, personally? If you only had to think about your own feelings and nothing else, what would you say?"

Homura frowned. "Well, of course, I think it's a shame. I don't know whether we're exactly friends or not, but we've been working together for a while now. And she's pleasant to be around when she feels like it, so I think it's sad she's leaving. But my feelings don't matter here. I'm accepting what's best for her."

"She can decide what's best for her. That's a matter between her and her parents." Junko grinned. "So wouldn't it be fine if you were a little selfish?"

"I don't understand," Homura said honestly.

"I can tell you're a smart and rational girl. Far more than most girls your age." Junko led them onto an escalator, looking back at Homura as they moved slowly up to the next floor. "But right now, it might be better if you just honestly say how you feel, without worrying about the bigger picture. If Kyouko is angry with you, that might be why, too. If she says she's transferring, and you say 'okay, I understand', doesn't that sound like you don't mind whether she stays or goes?"

"Of course I care," Homura said defensively. "But she needs to make her own decision. It's not my business to do anything but accept that result."

"You don't have to be so impartial. If you have a preference, then you should express it, right?"

Homura frowned, her brow wrinkling. "Perhaps. I'm not sure if that will help, though... I'm fond of her, but up until now, we've mostly seen each other as team-mates."

"I see." Junko nodded. "Like I said, say how you honestly feel. I think it will help much more than you think. Sometimes being a little selfish is the right thing to do."

Homura frowned, trying to parse that. "I'll think about it," she said eventually.

"Do think about it," Junko said. "And good luck, in any case. I hope you two make up, whether she decides to stay or go."

"Thank you."

The group settled into a table at a familiar restaurant. Homura looked down, fiddling with the red ribbon in her hair. Tatsuya had pulled it out of place, and it was bothering her. "Do you come here often?" she asked.

"All the time. I like this place, even though I shouldn't," Junko said.

"It's popular with students from my school, as well." Homura blinked slowly. How many times had she met people here, Madoka and the others...

"That doesn't surprise me. It's cheap and good for the price." Junko glanced at her. "What will you have?"

Homura ordered awkwardly, Junko watching her with interest while Tomohisa entertained Tatsuya.

"So, how are you finding school?" Junko asked. "I've heard about you from Kazuko, now that I think about it. It's a small world."

"You know Miss Saotome?" Homura said, blinking.

"From our college days," Junko said. "Don't worry, she mostly says nice things about you."

"Mostly?" Homura said, despite herself.

"Don't worry about it. She says you could stand to socialise more, that's all," Junko said. "But... well, I can understand why things would be awkward in that class right now."

Homura frowned. "To an extent."

"Kazuko's very worried. A few students have taken it very hard. But I'm sure you don't want to talk about gloomy things," Junko said. She cocked her head, smiling wanly. "But you're doing a good job of humouring me, so I appreciate that. So, do you have a boyfriend?"

Homura shook her head. "No. Right now, I'm busy with the track team."

"I see. Then who gave you that ring?" Junko asked curiously. "It's very pretty."

Homura blinked, glancing down at her ring. "This was a present from my parents."

"I see. It suits you. In any case, you're beautiful, so I'd be surprised if you didn't have a secret admirer or two. But you're young, after all."

"Perhaps when I'm older, I'll think about it," Homura said evasively.

"No need to rush. But when it's good, it's good, and when it's bad, it's bad... I think those kind of experiences are important. Teenagers are still allowed to make mistakes, provided they're small ones." Junko put her chin on her left hand. "But you remind me, I really wish I had a daughter. Maybe I should suck it up and try one more time, after all."

"Why not do so?" Homura said politely. "You're still young."

Junko laughed. "And you know how to flatter, too. Excellent."

"I don't flatter people," Homura said, a little defensively.

"No, I'm not criticising you." Junko shrugged, straightening again. "Well, I am young enough. But this is a pretty crucial time for me at work. If I had maternity leave now... well, life is give and take. You can't obtain something without giving something else up, so it's hard to make decisions."

Homura nodded cautiously. "I see. Then I can't say anything, really. It's a matter for your best judgement."

"Indeed." Junko leaned over, ruffling Tatsuya's hair. "And sometimes I think he's more than I can handle by himself. How about you? Are you an only child?"

"That's right."

"I see. What do your parents do for a living? Kazuko's normally an encyclopedia for things like this, but she says she's never met your parents," Junko noted conversationally.

Homura opened her mouth for a moment, searching for an expedient response. "My father is an office-worker, and my mother is a housewife. They live and work abroad, though."

"I see. That's tough. They didn't take you with them?" Junko said.

"My health was very delicate until a few months ago," Homura said. "They didn't want to take any risks, and they want me to be raised in Japan, if possible."

Junko narrowed her eyes, frowning slightly. "So who are you staying with now?"

"My uncle and aunt," Homura said, once again picking her words with care. "They're my guardians right now, but they don't generally pay too much attention to my school life. Both of them are busy with their respective jobs, and I try not to intrude on that."

"I see," Junko said lightly. "Well, if you ever need any advice, feel free to consult with Kazuko. She's a good person."

"I'll bear that in mind," Homura said, relaxing slightly. As the conversation moved on, she quietly enjoyed the meal, politely responding to Junko's interested questions. It was surprisingly relaxing. Being able to talk about normal things with a normal person, without having to worry about undue attachments and the dangers of dragging them into her world... just talking here and now was fun. Once she'd finished eating, Homura stood. "Thanks for the food. I should get going, though."

Junko stood, smiling at her. "Still looking for Kyouko?"

Homura nodded, turning away. "I'll find her before she leaves. And I'll bear what you said in mind."

Junko slapped her hard on the back. "Then get out there! When you see her, give her a big smile."

Homura smiled despite herself. "Okay." As she walked out of the restaurant, her expression fell back into her usual settled calm. Her wings bloomed around her as she called on her magic, ordinary humans walking past her without taking any notice. She wouldn't waste any more time. She'd find Kyouko, using as much magic as it took.

It was too early to end anything.