Carefree chirping of birds woke Shuzo up to start his journey.
Shuzo opened his eyes a little bit, thinking about the day before. He still wasn't sure whether it was all a dream or not. He stretched out his left hand into the air, inspecting it. Yes, the ring on his middle finger was still there. He vaguely remembered transforming his soulgem into a ring to hide it. Such details didn't matter though, only the reality behind them: He became a magical girl yesterday and he was going to find Mami today. Power would bring responsibility and he couldn't run away from them. He was not going to wait until it was late.
Suddenly he sprung out of the bed, waking Kyubey up.
Kyubey: " Good morning, Shuzo! Ready to start your day? "
Shuzo: " Good morning to you too Kyubey! If it's okay with you I want to go and see Mami as soon as I have breakfast. "
Kyubey: " That's fine by me. I have been waiting for you anyways so tell me when you are ready to depart. "
Shuzo approached Kyubey, patted its head and rubbed it under the chin. The creature reacted to it in a cute way, snuggling to his finger, scratching itself.
Shuzo: " You said a small portion of my food would be okay, just wait here and I will try to bring some to you. "
Kyubey: " That's not necessary. Others in the house can't see me. You can just bring me along. " before jumping on Shuzo's shoulder.
Shuzo was a bit surprised by that, but then again that creature was capable of granting magical powers, he recovered quickly. He went to the dining room.
He greeted others in the house and took a seat after taking his tableware.
His aunt prepared the table and they all had their breakfast together. Though Kyubey was invisible Shuzo tried to feed him without looking suspicious. He kept conversation with others minimum and finished his food quickly. Apparently, his parents were granted a day off but he wasn't going to spend the day with them. He had more important things to do.
He dressed up and went outside, along with Kyubey.
" (Now where?) " Shuzo thought
Kyubey: " Mami's territory is Mitakihara. You should go there. "
Shuzo: " (Huh, did Kyubey just read my mind?) " he thought
Kyubey didn't say anything. Shuzo thought that timing was just a coincidence and Kyubey was only acting like a proper guide.
Shuzo: " Mitakihara huh? How should I go there? "
Kyubey: " You humans use public transportation don't you. If you wish to do that I can tell you how to go there. Mitakihara isn't that far from here. "
Shuzo: " I can't wait to see her. Let's go! "
3 hours later
Kyubey: " We have reached Mitakihara. Let's get off the bus at this stop. "
Shuzo: " Wait. What's this? " as he pointed at his glowing soulgem.
Kyubey: " Your soulgem is reacting to the magical energy of a witch. There must be one nearby."
Shuzo: "There is one of those monsters nearby?! Where? "
Kyubey: " You have to find it on your own. Witches like places where they can feed off negative human emotions. A place where depressed humans stay or a place where they can commit crimes and commit suicide are your options. "
Shuzo: " Understood. " as he stormed out of the bus as it stopped. He had to hurry before the witch hurt people.
Shuzo ran as fast as he could until he saw the signs of a hospital. Of course, what better place could exist for negative human emotions? Sure hospitals are for treating humans but that means something is wrong with you. Shuzo ran for the hospital with Kyubey on his shoulder.
His soulgem started to glow even brighter. That was the sign that indicated he got closer to the witch. It didn't take him too long to find the entrance of barrier, as Kyubey called it.
Kyubey: " This is the entrance of witch's barrier. Witches hide inside barriers along with their familiars. If you die inside the barrier your body will disappear once the barrier does so as well. "
Shuzo: " That doesn't matter now, I have no intention of dying. Let's kick some monster butt! " as he dived into the barrier.
Kyubey: " This barrier doesn't feel normal. Let's postpone your first hunt until we find something easier okay? " after entering the barrier as well.
Shuzo transformed into a magical girl.
Ryuusei: " If my first time is going to be special like that then it is more the reason for me to fight."
Kyubey: " Wait, it's too dangerous! You are too inexperienced for this kind of situation. "
Ryuusei: " I didn't become a magical girl to stay out of danger. You wait here Kyubey I will check this place out. "
Kyubey: " No, let me come along. You might need my help. "
Ryuusei: " Suit yourself then. "
Ryuusei
and Kyubey ran without any hesitation. She was not afraid of anything at all. This was a perfect opportunity before seeing Mami. A second chance against evil...
She found herself inside a dimly lit garden with hospital tools scattered around.
Shuuzo: " ( So that's a barrier, how bizarre ) " she thought
She was too excited to fight her first battle to inspect her surroundings as she hurried off to find the witch. Kyubey was clinging to her shoulder as she was running
Kyubey: " How bizarre, with the amount of magical energy in this barrier you would expect to come across lots of familiars. Where are they? "
Ryuusei: " Familiars? "
Kyubey: " Servants of witches, their creators. Most of the time you would have to fight your way through them to reach the witch. "
Ryuusei: " If they are supposed to serve their witch then sooner or later they will show up when I find the witch. "
Kyubey: " It's plausible. But don't get your guard down, this situation is abnormal. "
Ryuusei nodded. It wouldn't be cool to make some stupid mistakes on her first hunt.
" ( How can I find the witch? ) " she thought
But her vision changed. She rubbed her eyes, trying to fix whatever that is broken. A path seemed brighter than everything else
Ryuusei: " Is this a sign? Kyubey, did you see it? "
Kyubey: " See what "
Ryuusei: " The light that suddenly shone over that path right there. "
Kyubey: " I didn't see such a thing happening nor is there any difference between the path you are pointing at and others. "
Ryuusei: " Whatever, I will still follow that path. It feels like the right thing to do. "
Kyubey: " As you wish. "
This was the point when Kyubey understood that Ryuusei was more than a pawn he was planning to use. Just what powers she gained through that wish? It was still unclear for Kyubey but hopefully, he was going to see them soon.
It didn't take long for them to come across another magical girl running around in opposite directions on an intersection. With the speed they were running they almost missed each other.
They turned their faces to each other while slowing down. It didn't take any second for Ryuusei to recognize the other girl: Short black hair, eyepatch covering right eye and black claw-like weapons coming through her sleeves... It would be foolish to think Ryuusei wouldn't recognize the other party. This was Kirika Kure, the girl Ryuusei was going to punish later on for her crimes. Shuzo/Ryuusei never forgot her appearance.
Kirika gave off a sadistic smile after seeing Ryuusei. It was not because she miraculously found out she was the boy they held hostage. No, it was because she could finally do something worthwhile besides running around the barrier to find Oriko, killing a magical girl.
Two of them were hostile to each other and a single word would get them to start fighting.
Kyuubey: " Good grief. I will let you two to sort out your differences. "
This was the signal that made them both to charge into one another
