"You know," Mami said to Azuma as they walked back to their apartment building together after school. "Witch-hunting isn't supposed to be fun. It's dangerous. But..." She then chuckled. "I can't help but enjoy it. It's a rush when you're in there, especially when you know you're helping people."

"Don't feel bad about it," he assured her. "It's not anything to be ashamed of. It's a rush just to watch it. I can't imagine what it's like to actually do it." He then looked forward towards the apartment building. "Looks like we're almost home. My parents told me to tell you that you're free to stop by at any time, by the way."

"How nice of them," the blonde replied. "Maybe I will sometime. I bet your parents are nice people." Azuma could tell there was a slight pang of sadness in her voice, probably related to her own family situation. "If mine were still around, they'd get along with you well, even if my dad would be a bit protective." She chuckled in a way that hid her sadness. "That's how dads with daughters are, I guess."

Azuma thought to himself, "Should I ask her about her family now, or wait for Madoka to bring it up later?"


As the four of them walked home from another successful night of hunting, Mami asked Madoka and Sayaka, "So, have either of you made a decision yet?"

The silence from both of them was deafening to Azuma as he pondered how to possibly ask Mami about her past if Madoka did not. "I take it that's a no from them?"

"Yeah," Sayaka replied. "We really haven't thought of it." She shrugged. Azuma could tell there was something else on her mind.

"Perhaps it would help if you told us how you made your's," Madoka innocently said to Mami, causing the latter to stop dead in her tracks. "I... I'm sorry if that's a difficult question."

"It's fine," the older magical girl reassured her. "In my case, it was different. I was involved in a serious car accident on National Route 508. We got blindsided by another car, and then we flipped and caused a tractor-trailer to swerve and hit a bus." She then sighed. "It was the worst accident on the 508 since it was built, and among the ten dead were my parents. I should have been the eleventh, but as I laid there in the wreck of my car, Kyubey jumped up and offered me another chance at life. It was either that, or die."

Azuma could not help but feel empathy for her, given the situation that had landed him into her world in the first place. "I'm so sorry, Tomoe-san."

"Thank you," she replied. "If you have the chance to think about it, take as much time as you need. I didn't have that chance, but I don't regret it. After all, I'd rather be alive than dead."

"This is all hypothetical," Sayaka then suddenly interrupted. "But, if I wanted to, could I use a wish to help someone else? Like, if they were in a worse spot than I was?"

Kyubey immediately knew what she was talking about. "Is this about Kamijou Kyousuke?"

"No!" Sayaka tried to deny it, but it was clear that neither Madoka, Kyubey, or Azuma believed the denial. "It's not about him!"

"Miki-san, hold up right there," the blonde then interjected. "While there's nothing against the rules about it, you should be very careful. Are you truly doing this for their sake, or so they are forever in debt to your sacrifice?" She was adamant, as of something about the bluenette's question bothered her or reminded her or something... or someone.

"Calm down," Sayaka replied to her, taken aback by her forcefulness. "It's just a question."

"Sorry about that," the blonde replied. "I was a bit too forceful, I guess. I just wanna make sure you know what you're getting yourself info before you make a choice. When it comes to this, there are no stupid questions, trust me."

"I say that the sooner you make a decision, the better," Kyubey added, earning a glare from Azuma that surprised him. "I wonder why that human boy gave me such a dirty look. Does he know something the other's don't?"

Mami laughed it off. "Oh, come on. Girls don't exactly like pushy boys, after all." She then lightly gave Azuma a playful push. "Isn't that right, Inubouzaki-san?"

"Yeah," Azuma replied, surprised by the blonde's push. "That's right. I'm not pushy, right?"

"Of course not," Sayaka replied. "You're fine. Madoka-chan, you don't mind Azuma-kun, right?"

The pinkette shook her head and smiled. "Not at all!" She thought to herself about Mami's behavior, "I don't know why, but it feels like Mami-senpai enjoys being around Azuma-kun a lot. It can't really be love or anything like that, since they haven't known each other for long, but there is something there."


Later on, as the two of them walked home and neared a fountain, Mami suddenly held her arm out to stop Azuma. "Wait..." She then transformed her soul gem into a ring as she looked around. "Something doesn't feel right. I just don't know what."

Suddenly, they got their answer as a girl behind them said, "You know..."

Azuma jumped in fright, startled by Homura's presence as he clung to Mami, making the blonde blush. As he took a few deep breaths, he said to her, "Hey, c'mon... You scared the fuck out of me..."

"My apologies," Homura coldly replied. "Anyways, you realize you're putting innocent civilians in danger, right?"

Mami turned around to reply to her. "They got canvassed by Kyubey. They're not civilians anymore, Akemi-san."

"You're trying to lead them on into being magical girls," the black-haired stoic replied. "Especially Kaname Madoka."

"Okay then," Mami replied to her, crossing her arms. "What exactly is wrong with that? I see you notice Kaname-san's great potential, too."

"Under no circumstances," Homura sternly told her. "Is Madoka to be allowed to make a contract, and I will ensure that that stays that way."

As the two continued to talk, Azuma thought to himself about Homura's point of view, based on his prior knowledge. "Mami doesn't realize it, but Homura is right. It's not about the fear that Homura will have to deal with a magical girl stronger than her at all. I don't think she gives a shit about that."

As the conversation ended, Mami said to Azuma, "Come. We're done here."

"Ah, yes," he replied as he followed behind her. He began to grow more and more worried, and was pondering about how to intervene in the story line next. "Mami's death is next. I need to make a decision sooner rather than later as to whether or not to let the plot take its course or save her."


(JOURNAL ENTRY: EPISODE: I'M NOT AFRAID OF ANYTHING ANYMORE, PART 1)

After much thought, I have a plan.

I know, that sounds shocking, but hear me out.

I'm gonna go with Madoka to the hospital where Kyousuke is. She will meet Sayaka there, assuming nothing changes. From there, we will run into Charlotte's grief seed. Thankfully, unlike in the proper canon where those two have to run off and find Mami, I already have her cellphone number. All I need to do is give her a call and she'll be over sooner. From there, I'll let Mami and Homura argue, which will lead to Mami tying Homura up.

The fight should proceed as normal. However, as the fight goes on, I will have to find a way to sneak off and get Homura. My father, well, in this universe, has a sharp switchblade. All I need to do is conceal it and hope nobody takes it from me. I asked Mami earlier if knives could cut through her ribbons, and she said yes. As a fun side note, she apparently carries one with her at all times, just in case she has to cut herself from her ribbons due to a mistake, or if she needs to cut a bitch I guess. I just gotta cut Homura, tell her what's going to happen, and then we'll swoop in and save her, hopefully in time.

I only have one chance to do this.


For the day, Azuma decided to hang out with Madoka and wait for Sayaka to come back from the hospital. This, of course, was strategic, since he knew they would run into Charlotte there. As the two sat, they talked about school. Madoka asked him, "Say, Inubouzaki-san, how are things with Mami-san?"

"Huh?" Azuma was confused. "What do you mean?"

"Well," the pinkette replied. "As a girl, I think it's best for you to know that I have a good feeling that Mami-san really enjoys being around you. When you're not around, she tells me that you always brighten her day, just like me and Sayaka-chan. She looks forward to walking to school with you every day, and walking back as well."

The young man paused. "Wait... That means... Shitshitshitshitshitshitshitshit..." "I see," he replied nervously. "Tomoe-san is a great person, and I also enjoy spending time with her."

Then, Sayaka walked out of an elevator. Madoka waved hi to her. "Sayaka-chan, over here!"

"Sorry for the wait," the bluenette replied. "Kyousuke-kun wasn't available today, I guess."

As the three of them walked from the hospital outside, Sayaka noted to Madoka, "And to think, I came all the way out here. Eh, you can't always win." Then, she noticed that Madoka had stopped to see something. "Huh, what is it?"

"I see something," Madoka said as Kyubey eyed in on it. "It's weird."

The incubator immediately recognized it. "It's a Grief Seed! It's about to hatch!"

Azuma immediately pulled his phone out. "I'll call Tomoe-san!"

As he called Mami, Sayaka said to Madoka, "We can't let it go off in a place like this. Somebody has to stay here and watch it."

"That's far too dangerous," Kyubey warned her. "It's fine for now, but once it hatches, we'll be trapped!"

"I'm willing to take that risk," the bluenette confidently replied. "Not only for my friend Kyousuke, but for everyone else here, too."

Azuma then got off the phone with Mami. "She's on her way! Madoka-chan, you and me will meet up with her and guide her to here. Sayaka-chan, you stay here with Kyubey and watch the seed. Mami-chan's orders!" He then realized that he had changed honorifics for the three of them.

However, it seemed that none of them noticed as Madoka said, "On it. Inubouzaki-san, let's go!"


About half an hour later, the four of them had begun to travel into the barrier of the witch. As Mami led them along, she said to them, "Glad you guys stuck to orders. This way, we'll put an end to this witch befo-" As she turned around, she stopped and stared at something behind the group. "Akemi-san?"

Madoka looked and asked her, "Homura? Why are you here?"

"I thought I made myself clear," the blonde sternly told the visitor. "You were not welcome in my presence."

"I can take this witch on," the girl replied to her as she sized up the gang. "You don't have to pressure yourself."

"I don't need help in this case," Mami replied back, now getting annoyed. "It's literally a brand new witch. These things are easier than taking candy from a baby to kill. Besides, how can I trust you?" She then extended her right hand out as her ring glowed.

Suddenly, ribbons with chains printed on them sprung from the ground, tied to a lock. As they wrapped around Homura and restrained her up above the ground, she screamed at Mami in rage, "YOU'RE MAKING A HUGE FUCKING MISTAKE! WE DON'T HAVE TIME FOR THIS BULLSHIT!"

Azuma was taken aback by her sudden vulgarity. "She wasn't swear-happy in the show. Is my presence heightening the tension? Anyways, Homura is right. Mami's making a mistake."

"You can stay there until I'm done with this witch," Mami coldly replied as she turned around and waved the gang on. "Come, we have a witch to kill." As Homura struggled against the ribbons, the gang marched on. The blonde said to Madoka and Sayaka, "I'm sorry you had to see that."

Sayaka shrugged. "It's fine. It happens, right?"

"Indeed," the blonde replied.

After travelling through several passageways and exits, the gang made their way to an odd passageway. Around them were the shapes of medicine bottles, all with illegible tags and labels. It was clear that this witch was inspired by the scenery of the hospital. Of course, only Azuma and Homura knew the truth as to why the witch did so. As they walked, Madoka asked Mami, "Hey, um, so I was thinking about the wish I want to make, and would you like to hear it?"

"Sure thing," Mami warmly replied to her.

"It may sound a bit selfish or naive, though," the pinkette said back. "So, I've never been that special, really. I never excelled in school, and I always seemed to ask for help. I can't really stand it anymore. I want to be able to help others like they have helped me." The gang then entered another passageway that was a bridge that went across a dark river below. "Then, I met you, Tomoe-san."

Sayaka added to the conversation, "Are you gonna get sappy?"

"I may," Madoka laughed it off. "Anyway, you showed me that you help people every day, and when I found out I could do that, too, I was overjoyed. So I guess my wish is to be able to help others."

"It won't be easy," the blonde replied as she turned around. "It's dangerous. It's physically demanding. You may have to give up time with your friends for it. You won't have time for-..." She then paused as she looked at Azuma. When he noticed this, she looked away and shook her head. "Anyways, you get it."

"I know, but after seeing how you fight, I'm willing to accept that. I really look up to you." That last sentence made the whole gang come to a halt as Mami looked down at the ground below her feet.

Azuma said to her, "Are you okay, Mami-chan?"

She immediately looked at him with surprise. "Mami-chan?" She then sighed. "Kaname-san, Miki-san, Inubouzaki-san, I'm flattered, but... I think you three need a better role model than me. To be honest, I'm not fearless at all. I just pretend to be cool and level-headed most of the time. In reality, I'm afraid many times." She then wiped her forehead and eyes. "Since I've been alone in my quest, I have no one but myself to cry to and vent to."

"But you're not," Azuma interjected, immediately realizing he had stolen a line from Madoka, but not caring. "You're not alone. You have the three of us."

As the blonde began to cry, she said, "You're right..." Suddenly, she grabbed a hold of Sayaka, Madoka, and Azuma as Kyubey jumped off of Sayaka's shoulder and watched. As she pilled them in for a group hug, tears fell from her eyes. "I've found comrades who are willing to fight by my side. No... Not comrades... I've found friends who are willing to be by my side!"

Madoka said weakly to her as she patted her back, "You're hugging pretty tight!" She was crushing the three of them with her arms.

Mami chuckled and let go of the three of them. "Sorry about that..." She then wiped her tears. "Anyway, I'm so happy that I've found a group like you three. From now on, I won't work solo anymore." She then sighed as she finished wiping her tears. "I bet you didn't expect to see your role model break down like that, huh?"

"It shows you're human," Sayaka assured her. "It shows that you're not some unfeeling robot."

Suddenly, Kyubey interrupted them. "Sorry to interrupt, but I'm feeling something off. I think the Grief Seed is about to hatch nearby!" He then pointed in the direction where he thought the Grief Seed was. "I think it's over in that general area somewhere!"

"Alrighty then," Mami replied as she stuck her right hand out again. "Let's do this. I won't be afraid anymore!"

As Mami transformed, Azuma thought to himself, "I know what I must do now... The time has come to make my decision, and I've made it..." "Mami-chan..."

The girl looked at him and replied, "What is it?"

"Before you battle," he suggested. "You should scope out the whole room. Don't new witches tend to have rather disorganized barriers compared to older ones? I don't want any unwanted surprises jumping out at you."

"As a matter of fact," the blonde replied as she thought to herself. "They do... Sounds like a good idea, Inubouzaki-san."

The gang then ran to the room that contained the witch, which was filled with various candies, sweets, and fruits. As they all gathered behind a giant doughnut, Sayaka looked around and asked, "Hey, where's the witch?"

"I think it's there," Azuma said as he pointed to a weird-looking orange juice carton in the sky a few yards away from them. "That orange juice carton thing looks like it's moving." He then looked down at the doughnut and asked Kyubey, "By the way, is any of this stuff real?"

"I believe so," the alien replied.

Azuma eyed out the doughnut and took a small chunk of it. As he bit into it, he nodded. "Yep, it's real, and it tastes great!" The other three then laughed.

"It's too bad we have to kill the witch," Mami jokingly replied. "She has good taste in food. Maybe we can scavenge some before the barrier disappears."

Then, the orange juice carton exploded with a flash of white as Charlotte appeared and floated down into a tall chair below her. The witch looked exactly as how Azuma had imagined it based off of the show. Madoka said, "It looks like a stuffed animal."

"It's far more dangerous than one, that's for sure," Mami replied. "Before I go attack it, I'm gonna take your advice and scope out the room. Don't want any familiars making an unwanted visit, after all."

Azuma, realizing his chance, began to sneak away from the gang. As he slowly made his way back to the bridge passageway, he continued to look behind him to make sure neither Madoka nor Sayaka saw him. Once he shut the door behind him, he grabbed a switchblade from his pocket and bolted down the bridge. "I have to reach Homura in time!" His heart was racing, and he ran faster than he ever had before in both the old world and the new world, not even breaking a sweat due to the adrenaline running through his body.

It surprisingly did not take him long to reach her, only taking about a minute. He hoped that Mami was still alive by then thanks to his suggestion. As he ran to her, Homura called out, "What happened?! What's going on?!"

"I'm here to free you," he replied as he opened up the blade and began to saw away at the ribbon. "I think Mami let her confidence get to her this time. We need to hurry up!" As he broke through the ribbons, Homura began to loosen up. It did not take long for her to fall from the ribbons, Azuma catching her to break her fall.

"Thank you," the black-haired girl replied to her. "Now, let's hurry." As the two ran back to the room, Homura transformed in a quick flash of light. "What's the situation right now!"

"I managed to slow her down a bit by telling her to scout the room before directly confronting the witch," Azuma replied to her as they ran into an open doorway. "She's probably delivering the first blows now."

"Good work," Homura replied. "You know, perhaps you're not that bad. You seem to care for Madoka, Sayaka, and Mami, and not some random boy with perverted thoughts." Azuma gave her an annoyed look in response. "Hey, I'm just saying." The two then finally made their way to the room where the battle was going on. "We're here!"

As the two looked, Azuma realized what was about to happen and screamed, "STOP!" The second form of Charlotte had just appeared, and it was staring down a shocked Mami. Instinctively, he ran out into the field of fire as Homura tried to reach for him and failed, cursing herself for missing. As the boy ran up to her, much to the absolute shock of Madoka and Sayaka, he grabbed a firm hold of her shoulder and yanked her away from Charlotte's jaws as it attempted to bite down on her, its teeth barely missing Mami's right arm as they both fell to the ground.

Homura ran out and called out, "Inubouzaki-san, are you alright?!" She then turned to the witch and threw a grenade in its mouth. As it exploded, the witch was blown back and screamed in pain.

Azuma adjusted his eyes and realized his left arm and hand were firmly on Mami's chest. As he recoiled in embarrassment and blushed, he helped the blonde up, who was still in shock at the events that had just transpired before her. "Mami-chan! Are you okay?!"

Mami then turned to him and said, "I... What happened?" She then realized that someone else had accompanied him, and turned to see Homura fighting Charlotte. "Why... How the... How did she get out of her restraints?!" She tried to move forward to deal with both the witch and Homura, but Azuma grabbed her by the shoulder and held her back.

"Let her take care of it," the boy replied. "You're still in shock, Mami." Then, they both saw the witch explode as Homura calmly floated down to the ground, having dispatched the witch to the afterlife with relative ease.

As Madoka, Sayaka, and Kyubey ran out to meet them, Homura revealed the Grief Seed dropped by Charlotte in her hands. "You need it more than I do. Take it, Tomoe Mami."

The blonde's expression turned from shock to anger as she replied back, "How the FUCK did you get out of your restraints?!"

Sayaka said to Madoka, "I've never heard her swear before like that. She must be really angry." Both were surprised by Mami's use of vulgar language.

"Isn't it obvious?" Homura pointed to Azuma. "Your savior did with that switchblade of his. If it weren't for him, that witch would have bitten your head off, and you'd be dead."

The blonde went up to Azuma and got in his face, pointing to him and yelling, "I thought I made it crystal clear that she was NOT to mess with us until AFTER I took care of this witch! I'll deal with you later!" She then turned to Homura again. "You do NOT have the right to barge in like that at all! I had this thing under control! I could have gotten myself out of this mess!" Her eyes were filled with unbridled rage.

"No, you couldn't have," Homura retorted. "You were frozen in fear and shock, Tomoe-san! If we hadn't intervened, you would be dead, and that's the truth!"

"ENOUGH!" Azuma stepped in between them, putting his arms out to separate the two. "Please... Enough... It happened. Just get over it, please..." He was breathing heavily, tired out from the previous events.

"He's right," Madoka chimed in. "Normally, I don't chime in on fights like this, but I have to this time. Please, I don't want you two to fight anymore." She was deeply concerned for both Mami and Homura. "Tomoe-san, just take the Grief Seed from her. You need it."

The blonde looked over at her. "Kaname-san..." She then sighed and grabbed the Grief Seed from Homura. "Thank you." As the barrier around them began to disappear, both she and Homura de-transformed. The gang then found themselves in front of the same hospital as before, only now they were in a different area of the surrounding park that was deserted. As Sayaka and Madoka looked around, Mami asked Homura, "Why? Why did you save me?"

"I save anyone in a barrier if I'm able to," Homura simply replied to her as she walked away calmly. "I'll leave you four be now."

Azuma then looked over at Mami, who was still staring at Homura, dumbfounded. "I... Did I..." She then fell to her knees. "Oh my God... She was right..." The boy immediately ran to her side as she began to cry. "I got in way over my head and almost died..."

"Mami-chan," the boy replied to her. "You're okay now. The witch is dead."

Madoka said to the two of them, still half-wondering what had just transpired as the sun began to set, "Tomoe-san... No... Mami-chan, are you okay?"

The blonde then looked over at her, tears filling her eyes. "You called me... You called me Mami-chan, too..." She then began to openly sob as the full force of just barely avoiding death hit her. "I almost left you all alone! What kind of a friend am I to recklessly abandon safety?!" As she continued to sob, Madoka, Azuma, and Sayaka all hugged her, comforting her as she let out her feelings.


(JOURNAL ENTRY: EPISODE: I'M NOT AFRAID OF ANYTHING ANYMORE, PART 2)

I did it.

I saved Mami. Granted, I did cause her and Homura to almost rip each other apart, and I did possibly leave Mami with PTSD, but she lived.

The four of us are closer than ever now. I know what I must do now.

I have to fight to prevent the suffering they would otherwise endure, even if it kills me. I'm willing to give up my second chance on life to save their lives. I owe it to whatever higher power there is that, for some odd reason or another, granted me this new life. I will do whatever it takes.

On another note, there is absolutely no doubt that Mami thinks of me as more than a friend. Thing is, I'm not willing to actually go there. It would just feel so wrong to me. After all, I was an 18-year-old fresh out of high school not too long ago before that stereotypical car crash thanks to Truck-kun and his fucking moron of a driver. It would just feel too... I can't fucking describe it. Point is, I'd rather not try to woo her or anything. Hell, the NSFW artwork I've seen of her even feels off now, knowing that she is a real person in this world. Still, there are times where I can't help but admire her. If she was in my old world when I was in middle school, I'd be all for dating her.

Speaking of the old world, I wonder how my family reacted to my death there. I miss them, even with all the good and bad here, and I can't imagine them not missing me. You know, they never seem to bring that up in isekai stories. Whatever the hell happened to their old friends and family?