Author's note: Heeeeey there! It's me again. And since I had a break from work, I was able to write a new chapter. The last part of this will be continued on the next chapter, which I hope I could finish sometime in early June. I would make it a point to update the story at least twice a month. I really do appreciate the reviews I've been getting for this story. And as always, don't forget to R&R this chapter. Thanks again! More Homu x Mami goodness!

Neun

The bakeshop was mostly full. Homura stood in line for a few minutes until her turn came to pay. She bought blueberry cheesecake…the same dessert she had one night with Mami. As she glanced around, people all of all ages were seen seated, chatting and having fun. A couple of girls caught her attention. One of them had pink hair, tied in a single braid with a purple ribbon. She chatted with a brown-haired girl who wore glasses. The two of them seemed to have fun over chiffon cake and tea. Homura imagined those two girls as her and Madoka. She wondered how things could've gone if she still existed. How she wished a world with no magical girls, no witches, no wraiths, no incubators. Life could've been just easier, happier. Just like how she saw those two girls…

The two girls continued laughing, while Homura stared at them blankly. She suddenly heard faint sounds of laughter in her head. It belonged to a certain someone, someone she'd always have in her mind. It felt like Homura's heart was about to burst…while she continued hearing Madoka's cheery laughter in her mind. The dark-haired girl just closed her eyes and turned the other way and walked towards the exit.

Looking at her own feet while she walked, Homura felt the warmth from the edges of her eyes. It had been months…many months…and yet… Yet she still felt the same pain…the pain of losing someone special. She'd always dream about Madoka and her fate timeline after timeline.

I wish I could go back in time again…just like before… Homura thought silently.

Just to see you again…

Just when she was about to reach the corner, a maroon car stopped, the window further opened and a woman called out.

"Hey, you're the girl I saw at the park!"

Homura looked up and got surprised when she saw Kaname Junko waving a hand at her. Madoka's mother had not changed much since the time they saw each other at the park that day. It had been so long and yet Junko remembered her.

"Your name's Homura, right?"

Homura nodded simply.

"You seem to be going the same way as I am," Junko said. "Why don't you go and have a ride?"

The young girl replied, "That won't be necessary. It isn't that far, really."

"But it's already dark. It's not good if you walk out here by yourself." Junko's eyebrows furrowed a bit.

Homura finally gave in due to the older woman's insistence. She sat beside next to Madoka's mother, who was on the driver's seat.

"I see you bought something from the pastry shop." Junko observed the box that Homura had in her hands.

"Well…it's…for a friend." The dark-haired girl replied rather meekly.

"I see. That's really nice." Junko remarked. "Your friend must be really lucky."

Homura's cheeks slightly reddened when she heard this. Her hand rested just on top the box, her fingers tapping on it. Junko noticed this and found it really cute.

"You're so cute."

The raven-haired girl kept her head bowed and continued tapping her fingers on the box she was holding. Remembering what Junko previously said, she felt sad and thought of Mami. Her thoughts took her back to what happened earlier…and it made Homura sad.

"What's the matter? You seem be in deep thought." The woman noticed.

"It's nothing, really…" Homura turned the other way. Her eyes blankly stared at the streetlights outside.

Junko sighed. "With a face like that, how could it be nothing?"

Homura remained silent. Junko snapped her fingers over the younger girl's eyes.

"I could sense something's bothering you."

The dark-haired girl sighed. "Well…yeah. I just…don't know what to do…"

"Oh." Concern was painted on Junko's face. "That seems to be serious."

Homura stared at the older woman, as if she was seeking for wisdom. "If someone comes up and suddenly confesses his/her feelings for you, how…would you feel?"

"Wow." Junko stared in amazement. "How would I feel? It'll depend. I'd feel surprised and…thrilled, probably."

"I see." Homura whispered.

"Why? Did something like that happen?" Junko asked.

Homura nodded. "I guess I'm new to this sort of thing. And…I ended up…pushing her away, despite of knowing her true feelings."

"I see." Junko stepped on the breaks for the red signal. "I understand if you feel that way. You weren't expecting that to happen."

"Thing is, it's not that…" The raven-haired girl stuttered. "Well, she isn't a bad person at all, and yet...I still…"

"Let me guess," Junko smiled wryly. "There's someone else, right?"

"How did you…?" Homura was stunned.

"You wouldn't be feeling that bewildered if there isn't someone else, you know." Junko answered. Homura felt amazed on how Junko can perceive other people's feelings. True enough, there was really someone else, someone Homura could never, ever forget. She just couldn't tell the woman that it was actually her daughter—no, her daughter, "supposedly." Homura realized the fact that no one else remembered her beloved Madoka in this new world. No one else remembered, but her.

"It's one of those things, eh?" Junko stepped on the gas pedal when the green signal lit. "When you still have feelings for a certain someone, and then another person comes into the picture." The woman smirked and laughed softly. "It does happen in real life."

"What…do you think I should do?" Homura asked.

"Just go with the flow. You don't need to rush things." Junko tapped the younger girl's shoulder. "If you do, it'll be more painful. Instead of you being able to move on, you'd end up being stuck."

Junko was right. Homura had been stuck, feeling the pain of that loss. Since then, she hadn't moved on from it; and she never even tried opening up her heart to others. And with that, she ended up hurting the only person who cared about her in this new world.

"I can see you're having a tough time." Junko petted Homura's hair. "But I'm sure you'll get through this. I mean, I can sense that you're a strong person."

"Kaname-san…" Homura stared at the woman in amazement.

"And who knows? Maybe one day, you'll end up falling in love with that friend of yours."

"That's quite unlikely to happen." Homura replied; her voice was monotonous.

"Oh, I don't think so." Junko teased. "You said it yourself; she isn't a bad person."

"Well, I…" Homura felt warmth on her cheeks.

"Jeez, I was just messing with you." Junko giggled. "But seriously, it won't hurt if you give your friend a chance."

Give her a chance? Homura thought deeply; her face frowned.

"Just like what I said, there's no need to rush into things." Junko said. "Things will eventually fall into their right places. You'll have as much time as you need."

"I'll keep that in mind." Homura smiled faintly. "Thank you, Kaname-san."

"You're welcome." Junko winked an eye at her. "I know you can do it."

A few moments later, Junko stopped in front of the apartment complex where Mami lived. After getting off the car, Homura waved a hand at the woman and thanking her for the ride.

"No problem, Homura." Junko smiled and handed a small card to her. Homura seemed surprised at this. "Kaname-san…?"

"Just in case you need someone to talk to, I'm just a call away."

Homura smiled. "Thank you again, Kaname-san."

The maroon car soon left, leaving Homura standing just outside the apartment complex. As she walked past the glass door, she considered Junko's words, her feelings to all of this, and most of all, Mami…

It's been months since I last saw you.

A redhead came into the train station, with a bouquet of blue orchids in her hands.

I still can't believe you're gone, Sayaka.

Kyoko laid down the bouquet on a small stone pillar; the characters for the word "justice" were carved on it. She paid her respects, said a little prayer for her soul's repose, and left after a few minutes. While she walked, a shadow came past her. Kyoko's face went from solemn to an annoyed frown when she saw who it was.

"You've got some balls showing your face around here?" Kyoko said angrily, almost ready to strangle the person who caused Sayaka's disappearance...or at least that was what she thought.

"Wait! Please…" The silver-haired boy pleaded.

"Asking for mercy, eh? That ain't gonna happen!" Kyoko pushed Kyousuke out of extreme anger. The boy's back hit the lamp post. That must've hurt.

"Of all things that are to happen is to see you lounging around here." Kyoko's eyes were shining with unshed tears. "You disgust me!"

Kyoko turned the other way and ran, leaving a stunned Kyousuke behind.

Sayaka… Damn it, Sayaka!

Finally! Some exposure for Kyoko! The next chapter will be continued from where I left off, the first half of it will be pure Kyoko! Hope you stay tuned for that! :)