I hunted down Kyoko, who had at some point moved from Mitakihara to Kazamino. Apparently she had moved back to her hometown during one of my periods of rumination. In retrospect I'm not surprised I missed her relocation; I've long abandoned any correspondence with all Magical Girls regarding Grief Seed collection anyway. She seemed surprised to see me, though the children also living in her house were certainly delighted to squeeze and poke at me in the meantime. I related to her an abbreviated summary of my research turned personal project, and requested information regarding finding someone to love me. She was unhelpfully terse, implying in her response that it would be difficult to find someone even capable of loving me.
I felt an intense frustration in response, likely anger. I stated I only seek to understand emotion, and yet she is being an active obstacle to that goal. She replied, "All I wanted was my father to have more followers, and you forced me to spend the rest of my life killing wraiths in payment. I spent years doing your kind's dirty work, and I still have to do it whenever my home is threatened. I put in my time. I don't owe you anything." I felt my anger rise, but before I could respond she added, "Someone who takes life and love away from others doesn't deserve it in return. Now leave, and don't bother me again. If my children tell me you've been talking to them about contracts, I swear I will make sure you regret it."
My anger dissipated like sand in the wind. I left without another word, returning to Mitakihara.