Homura made her way down the school corridor in no great hurry to reach her classroom. Her exhaustion was starting to catch up with her. Not physical exhaustion, but mental. She had spent the night worrying over the litany of problems that had struck her, along with figuring out what to do about them.
She was confident she had thought up a reliable way to take out Anzu Anzai. She was at first a little wary about fighting in a hotel, but hopefully, she could keep any damage localized. She was also pretty sure that the only causality would be Anzu, and that she could avoid innocent bystanders dying.
I'll have to remove Anzu's corpse and dispose of it myself, however. It wouldn't do for the authorities to find a dead teenage girl in a hotel room, especially if I end up injuring her before breaking her soul gem.
It wasn't the sort of thing Homura would have wanted to be planning for, but some things couldn't be helped.
Hitomi Shizuki was another problem that had occupied her mind. In a way, Hitomi was yet another anomaly, a magical girl she had never encountered before. Homura couldn't just let Hitomi run around doing whatever. She'd blab about things she wasn't supposed to or end up dead. Or turn into a witch and start killing others. Homura would try to give some bits of advice.
She rubbed her head. This timeline that had seemed to be going well had turned into a mess of uncertainty.
Madoka, Sayaka, and Hitomi were already there when they reached the classroom. Homura prepared herself for what was to come. She couldn't discern what Hitomi had told them already – Madoka smiled and waved, as did Sayaka. Hitomi waved politely, but her face was blank and empty. Perhaps she was tired too. Homura couldn't tell what she was thinking. Had she spilled the beans about the wish? Homura set her bag down and walked to the back rows to see her friends.
"Good morning, Homura-chan!" Madoka greeted her happily. She threw her arms around Homura's neck and kissed her on the cheek.
I guess she's not embarrassed about showing me affection in front of Sayaka and Hitomi anymore.
"Good morning," Homura said back. Madoka looked at her expectantly. Was she expecting a kiss in return? Homura had no idea how things worked when it came to this. She gently patted Madoka's head instead, and Madoka beamed at her.
Sayaka, meanwhile, looked like she was trying very hard not to laugh. Hitomi's expression hadn't changed at all.
"I don't know what's more unexpected: this relationship or the fact that we now have two magical girls in our class," Sayaka said. "If someone told me at the start of the term that things would turn out like this, I'd have thought they were crazy."
"I know, isn't it all so amazing?" Madoka asked, her eyes sparkling at Homura.
"That's one word for it," Sayaka said. "I guess it pretty much figures that Hitomi would become a magical girl. You have to be beautiful and graceful, huh?"
"Just like Homura-chan is!" Madoka declared.
"Sure." Sayaka turned to Homura. "So, I heard all about what happened yesterday. Are you and Hitomi going to fight together now? Do magical girls do that?"
"Sometimes," Homura said, wondering when Madoka or Sayaka would bring up the wish. Had Hitomi told them yet? They walked to school together, after all, and would have had ample time to discuss it.
"On that note," Hitomi said, finally speaking up. "I believe Akemi-san and I have some things we need to discuss privately."
"Secret magical girl business, huh?" Sayaka asked.
"Just a few small matters that concern only the two of us."
"Aw, but Homura-chan just got here," Madoka said, pressing her lips together. She latched on to Homura's arm, and Sayaka snorted with laughter.
Madoka has become far too attached to me in more than one sense of the word. I feel like I should do something about this, but I don't know what.
Of course, part of the issue there was that Homura secretly enjoyed it and didn't want Madoka to behave differently.
"I'll try not to keep her away from you for too long," Hitomi said to Madoka. She started heading for the classroom door.
Madoka looked up Homura. "Well, okay. At least you have a friendly magical girl now, one who can help you out, Homura-chan. Right?"
"We'll see." At this point, Homura wasn't going to commit to anything.
"Someone has to help you against those other magical girls. If I ever thought they were going to hurt you…"
"Don't worry. They won't." Homura tried to follow after Hitomi but found herself stuck to the spot. "You can let go of me, Madoka. I'll be back shortly."
Madoka released her grip on Homura's arm, and Homura stepped out into the hallway where Hitomi was waiting for her. Hitomi started walking away from the classroom, taking long strides as she did. Homura fell in step beside her.
"That fire you started was in the morning news report," Hitomi commented as they turned a corner.
"I did what I had to," Homura said. She wasn't about to try and justify that again.
"I understand," Hitomi said. "I did the same this morning when I withheld certain details about how I became a magical girl to Madoka and Sayaka."
"You mean you didn't tell them about the wish."
"No, I didn't."
"Why not?"
"Let's first get to somewhere where we can speak without being interrupted or overheard."
They walked down the hallway, drawing more looks from bystanders. Homura wasn't sure if they were looking at her or Hitomi. Maybe it was both. Hitomi was popular, after all, and Homura was still a 'mysterious transfer student,' though she figured the novelty of that would have worn off by now.
They stopped in the corridor that comprised a covered walkway from one part of the school building to the other. It was a familiar spot to Homura – in nearly every timeline, she and Madoka spoke here while Madoka escorted her to the nurse's office. This place was where Madoka had been the first person to show her unconditional kindness and had won Homura's heart.
Hitomi gazed out of the clear glass windows to the school grounds below. "I was terrified last night, you know."
"You–" Homura started, but Hitomi held up her hand for silence, and Homura stopped.
Fair enough. I told her to be quiet before. It's her turn to speak now.
"Do you know what frightened me the most, Akemi-san?" Hitomi asked, turning to face her. "It wasn't the witch or that other magical girl, scary as they both were. Nor was it seeing the horrific destruction you wrought. No, the real fear came when I thought I would have to face all the dangers of being a magical girl alone."
"In the end, we all do," Homura said.
"Do we? At least two of the magical girls we encountered at the hospital the other day seemed to be friends with each other, even if they consider you an enemy."
And I'm still not sure why they're friends. But I'll have to worry about Mami Tomoe and Kyouko Sakura another time. I have to deal with Anzu Anzai first and also figure out what to do with you, Hitomi Shizuki.
"Perhaps it's not the same for you," Hitomi said as Homura remained silent. "You're strong. You have experience. You don't need to fear being by yourself."
No. It's not the same for me at all. I'm always alone because I've come to realize I can only depend on myself.
Homura had no idea how to even begin explaining that to Hitomi Shizuki. Kyouko Sakura would have understood it. Even Mami Tomoe – who detested solitude – probably would have to some extent. Being a magical girl was a harsh, unforgiving life, one that weeded out weak girls quickly.
On the other hand, Hitomi Shizuki making a contract was something that had never occurred before. Maybe Homura needed to try a different approach. Homura had worked with other magical girls previously, after all. She recalled one such girl who had been an anomaly like Anzu except friendlier, but most of the time, Kyouko Sakura was her ally. And she was unavailable in this timeline. Homura wasn't sure if Hitomi Shizuki could fill that role. But at the same time, there was no need to make her an enemy either.
She sighed heavily. "I'm sorry. This is all a new situation for me."
And how.
"I forgive you," Hitomi said. "It is new to me as well. But I have thought about going forward if you'll hear me out."
"Go ahead."
"You're skilled and knowledgeable when it comes to being a magical girl. I'd like to learn from you. I thought that I could be your student. Maybe I'll eventually learn and advance enough to be your partner. Would you consider that?"
Homura tilted her head. "Student?"
"Perhaps 'apprentice' is the better word," Hitomi said. "Or you could simply think of me as your junior. Is that something that's done among magical girls?"
Homura remembered the second time she had ever met Mami Tomoe. She had just reset the month and was a new magical girl. Madoka, a rookie magical girl herself, had 'introduced' Homura to Mami.
She's Mami, Madoka had told her. It's okay that you're a new, Homura-chan. I'm pretty inexperienced myself. But Mami will help you. She knows everything about anything. And I'll help you too!
Then Homura had already seen her senior magical girl perish once fighting Walpurgisnacht. It happened again. Later, in another loop, Mami Tomoe had learned the truth about witches and had decided to kill all the other magical girls around her and then herself.
And she would have succeeded, had it not been for Madoka's intervention.
After that, Homura had seen her die again and again, even when she tried to prevent Mami Tomoe's death. In one timeline, Mami Tomoe and Homura had worked together. They hadn't been friends but had at least been on cordial terms. In an unfortunate turn of events, Mami became a witch after saving Sayaka, who had blundered badly in a particularly nasty battle. Sayaka, who had refused to heed Homura's warnings, died trying to defeat Mami's witch, forcing Homura to do it herself. After Kyubey told Kyouko Sakura that Homura had been responsible for both of their deaths, she turned on Homura. She had refused to see reason and perished fighting Homura.
In the end, Kyubey had been right in a manner of speaking. I was at least somewhat to blame for each of their fates. I'm just not strong or clever enough to keep everyone alive. People tend to die when they work with me, even though death is part of being a magical girl.
Homura stared past Hitomi as images of witches and dead magical girls filled her mind.
"Akemi-san?" Hitomi asked. "Are you alright?"
What I was thinking about must have been written all over my face.
Homura closed her eyes, took a deep breath, and counted to four before opening them again. "Homura."
Hitomi cocked her head. "Excuse me?"
"If you're going to be my apprentice or my junior or whatever, then just call me Homura."
"Very well, Homura. And since we're already friends, call me Hitomi. Does this mean you accept my proposal?"
"I can't promise I'll be a great senior magical girl," Homura said. "But perhaps we can make something work."
"Perhaps" was a bit of an overstatement, however. In truth, Homura had no experience being a senior magical girl or a leader of any kind. In timelines where she had been a part of a group of magical girls, she had always let Mami Tomoe take on that role. She was the most suited to it, after all. Hopefully, this wouldn't turn into another mess.
"I'm glad," Hitomi said, smiling at her. "I'm going to have to give up my extracurricular activities to go after witches, but I guess that can't be helped."
"Yes. Being a magical girl is a heavy time commitment and one you've no choice about."
"I look forward to fighting witches alongside you and learning from you, Homura." Hitomi paused. "We will be doing that together, right? I fought the one last night on my own, but it was difficult."
Homura thought about that. "Yes. Don't go hunting witches by yourself. We'll take them on as a pair."
It would have to be that way. If Hitomi ventured forth on her own, she'd run into Anzu Anzai (though hopefully, she would cease to be a problem soon) or possibly Mami Tomoe and Kyouko Sakura. Anzu, of course, would be dire trouble, but there would likely be issues with the latter pair as well. Kyouko was usually unwilling to share witches and grief seeds. Mami Tomoe would, but the fact remained that they still needed grief seeds to support themselves as a pair. Plus, their mistrust of Homura would no doubt extend to any associate of hers as well.
"I'm pleased to hear it," Hitomi said, smiling at her. "I feel better now, much less fearful than I did last night. Thank you, Homura."
You might rescind that thanks later.
Homura started back in the direction they had come. "Let's return to the classroom. We can work out any other details after class."
"Wait," Hitomi said. "There are other matters I'd like to discuss while it's just the two of us."
Homura stopped. "What is it?"
"I hope this isn't too much too quickly. But I have a quandary for you. It's somewhat related to being a magical girl. At least, it is for my situation."
"Yes?"
"Two people want the same thing, but only one can have it. The first person has likely wanted it longer but has never quite taken any concrete steps toward obtaining it. The second has taken one step, a large step that didn't come cheap. And they would like to take another step, but they're friends with the first person and are concerned about potential trouble."
Homura peered at her. "You don't need to beat around the bush. You're talking about you, Sayaka Miki, and Kyosuke Kamijo and how both you and she are smitten with him. Isn't it?"
"You're very perceptive, Homura. I never shared my feelings about him with Madoka and Sayaka, yet you picked up on them."
Even if she hadn't made it obvious, I've watched the same situation played out so many times. And now the first thing my new junior asks me about is a problem I've never been able to resolve. That's not a promising start to my magical girl mentoring career.
Then Homura realized something.
"That's why you didn't say anything about the wish," she said. "You don't want Sayaka Miki to know you're behind that boy's recovery."
"That's one reason," Hitomi said. "But there's another. If Sayaka were to discover that one could be granted any wish upon becoming a magical girl, what is it you think she would wish for?"
Homura hadn't thought of that. Given the chance, would Sayaka wish for that boy to fall in love with her or something similar that would lead to that result? She wouldn't be able to wish to heal him anymore.
Hitomi is smarter than I gave her credit for. And she sees more angles to things.
"I see what you're implying," Homura said. "But I don't know if she'd do that or not."
"I would prefer not to take that risk," Hitomi said. "If there's going to be any…competition for lack for a better word, using magic to 'win' seems unfair."
"And yet, you attempted to do just that by wishing to heal that boy."
Hitomi frowned. "I gave him a chance when he had none."
Your wish was still selfish. And if things don't go the way you want, you'll suffer just as much as Sayaka usually does. Maybe more, given the way you're already thinking.
However, Homura understood what it was like to make a wish that was nominally for someone else's sake but secretly selfish. Hitomi didn't have to go down the same path that Sayaka nearly always took.
"What is your desired outcome here?" Homura asked. "What do you want to happen?"
Hitomi's cheeks turned a little red. "Well…"
"There's no point in acting embarrassed about this," Homura said. "We both already know what's going on. So, answer me directly and be completely honest. My input will be worthless if you aren't."
"I'd like to confess my feelings to him," Hitomi said with a wishful smile on her face. "I'd like him to accept them. He's very handsome and suave, and I want to be his girlfriend."
"It'll be difficult to be amorous with that boy while you're busy taking care of magical girl work."
"I believe I can manage. I doubt I'd be the first to do so, after all. And besides, after everything I've done and will do and after everything that's happened, becoming a magical girl and such…well, shouldn't something wonderful come of it all? I almost feel as though I deserve it."
That kind of thinking will destroy you.
"Things don't work like that," Homura said. "And so, here's my first magical girl lesson to you: there's no reward for self-sacrifice or dedication of any sort."
"Reward seems such a crude way to put it," Hitomi said. "But in that case, fine. It will have to be a 'reward' for my endeavors."
"What you do in that regard is your business. But I would advise you to tread very carefully. Remember, you're a magical girl now. Any damage you do here might not be limited to hurt feelings."
"Are you implying I'd purposefully harm Sayaka?"
"No, but there's the potential you might unintentionally do so. And any action you take might have other inadvertent effects."
"Yet, you can hardly expect me to remain idle."
"I didn't say that. I simply don't want any unnecessary conflict to erupt over this matter."
I have enough problems to deal with: Madoka's well-being and what to do with her, Anzu Anzai, Mami Tomoe, and Kyouko Sakura, Walpurgisnacht, and now my new junior magical girl's boy troubles. I need to lighten my workload, not make it worse.
"And just what would you do if someone were to try and come in between you and Madoka?" Hitomi asked, now sounding a little irritated. Clearly, Homura's answers were not what she wanted to hear.
"Madoka and me?"
"You two are dating now, are you not?"
"I'm…not entirely sure what we are."
"You're not sure?" Hitomi raised an eyebrow. "You may want to figure out the answer to that quickly because Madoka certainly seems to think the two of you are a couple. Look at how she greeted you in the classroom."
Of course, Madoka thinks that. Right from the start, I never made any attempt to stop her from thinking that we were 'special.' I let her tag along with me. I accepted her feelings and even flirted back with her. And then we kissed. Why wouldn't she think we're dating now?
"We're getting sidetracked," Homura said. She was not about to discuss her unusual love life with Hitomi. That issue was something she had to deal with on her own, no matter what she did.
"Very well," Hitomi said. "Back to the matter at hand, you can understand my position here, right?"
"I can."
More than you know. I also gave up my soul for the sake of someone else and now don't want to see anything get in the way of that.
"Then, as my senior magical girl, will you support me here?" Hitomi asked.
Homura shook her head. "This isn't something I can take sides on."
"I suppose I can see where it might be difficult for you to do so. You're friends with Sayaka as well. What would you do if you were in my position?"
"It doesn't matter, because I think you've already decided what you're going to do," Homura said. "And you just want me to tell you it's the correct course of action."
"You again show how astute you are," Hitomi said. "And you certainly don't shy away from sharing your honest thoughts."
"As your senior magical girl, I owe you that much," Homura said, figuring she may as well take on the role in her own way. But Hitomi's words had sparked another question in Homura's mind.
What would Mami Tomoe do here? Homura had seen her mediate conflicts before. She was rarely harsh when it came to her precious junior magical girls. She'd no doubt gently admonish Hitomi and then apologize for doing so.
I'm not her, though. I can't be.
"I appreciate your forthrightness," Hitomi said. "I will wait until Kyosuke Kamijo has returned to school, and confess my feelings to him then. If Sayaka has already done so, then so be it. If not, well, there's little I can do, honestly."
"Are you going to inform her beforehand?"
Hitomi rested a cheek in her hand. "No, I don't think so. She's had ample opportunity to do so already, and this way, she'll get a bit more."
Which is meaningless, given what I know of how Sayaka Miki usually handles this situation. Perhaps this is for the best. I don't like that it'll hurt Sayaka, but there's no way this ends without at least one person getting hurt. And a normal girl will recover from a broken heart more easily than a magical girl.
A cold and mercenary perspective. But Homura couldn't afford the luxury of lofty ideals. She thought about what she had said to Sayaka yesterday. Would that change how things unfolded? Would Sayaka gain more confidence when it came to her feelings without the troubles of being a magical girl in the way? How would that affect Hitomi? Homura already knew what many magical girls' witches looked like, and she didn't need to add Hitomi's to that list.
I'm still running blind.
Hitomi took Homura's silence to mean they had finished that topic. "So, one other question for you: what did you mean last night when you said that the wish Kyubey grants is a trick? You indicated it would come true, so I'm at a loss for figuring out your meaning. Do you mean he wasn't as upfront about all the troubles that magical girls face as you've been? I've seen and experienced some of it firsthand myself now, so there is some truth there."
Homura stared back at her.
Yes, Kyubey is never upfront about all the truths of being a magical girl. And as you discover more of them, you'll find out that each one is worse than the last. And you might find yourself just wanting your existence to end, but then your fate turns out to be much more horrifying than mere death.
"It's difficult to explain," Homura finally said.
"It must be an involved and lengthy topic," Hitomi said. "Would you prefer we table discussion of it for now, then?"
"That's probably for the best."
"Another time, then. Well, with those matters out of the way, let's return. Class will be starting soon. And I believe the longer we make Madoka wait, the more irritated with me she'll become."
They made their way back in silence. Hitomi wore a soft smile and greeted people they passed by. When they reached the classroom, Madoka immediately ran up to Homura and began chatting to Homura about the cell phone game she was still into. Homura listened and politely nodded, racking her brain for details of the game from back when she had played it. Madoka insisted that Homura needed to start playing it, and Homura replied she would give it a try.
If it makes Madoka happy, why not?
Sometime after the bell rang and class began, Homura's mind began wandering way from her new junior and back to the previous day and the time she had spent with Madoka. She put her hand to her mouth and recalled the feeling of Madoka's lips softly pressing against hers. As numb as Homura often felt, nothing in the world had made spirits soar quite as that had. A small smile came to her face as she recalled it.
I can't hurt Madoka, no matter what. So, I can't end what we have going on. There's got to be a way I can remain with her and still keep her alive when Walpurgisnacht comes.
Maybe that was selfish thinking. Perhaps it would only lead to more disaster. But ultimately, Homura loved Madoka so many senses of the word that she couldn't change course, especially now. Hitomi might have understood that, but Homura wasn't about to share all that with her.
When their morning classes ended, and the lunch bell rang, Homura quickly pulled Hitomi Shizuki aside. It was time to give her junior magical girl a mission, even if it would seem like a minor one to her.
"I have a job for you," Homura said. "This afternoon, stay close to Sayaka and Madoka. Make sure that both Kyubey and other magical girls keep away from them."
"What about you?" Hitomi asked. "Where will you be?"
"I'm leaving school and going after Anzu Anzai."
"Do you know where to find her?"
"I have a good idea, yes."
"Are you going to take her on alone? Perhaps I should accompany you."
"I would have expected you'd be more interested in going to the hospital to visit Kyosuke Kamijo and check on his recovery," Homura remarked.
"I certainly am, but…"
"You still can do that. Just take Madoka and Sayaka with you."
Hitomi didn't look enthusiastic about that idea. She glanced at Madoka and Sayaka before turning back to Homura. "I don't mind Madoka tagging along, but Sayaka…well, she might make things awkward."
"You'll have to deal with it," Homura said. "Remember, if you want to prevent Sayaka from making the wish you don't want her to, then you'll have to make sure she doesn't run into Kyubey."
Secrets, lies, and manipulation. I've taken up some strange tools since becoming a magical girl. Of course, those are Kyubey's tools as well, so it naturally follows.
"She's going to wonder how he miraculously recovered," Hitomi said.
Homura nodded. "Very likely."
"What should I say if she asks me?"
"You'll have to figure that one out on your own. Divulging too much would be problematic, but if you're too cagey, she'll no doubt grow suspicious. Improvise."
"Very well. What should I do if we encounter…" Hitomi lowered her voice. "Anzai-san?"
"Run. Protect Madoka and Sayaka as best you can. As I said last night, get near a large crowd. If nothing else, you can lose her in it. Contact me as quickly as you can."
Hitomi fidgeted. "She's that deadly, then."
"She's worse. Trust me on that. But I'll deal with her."
"Are you certain I shouldn't come and help you against her?"
"No. You'd only get in the way. I can't protect you and fight her at the same time."
Hitomi's shoulders slumped. "You're making me feel useless, Homura."
"We both have parts to play. Your task is essential too."
And more important than you realize. I'm entrusting Madoka to your care while I turn my back and focus on something else. I hate doing that, but I can't afford distractions while I take on Anzu.
"What about those other two magical girls?" Hitomi asked. "That older girl and her red-haired friend, I mean. What should I do if we run into them?"
"Avoid them as well. Don't approach them."
"Will they come looking for a fight? That red-haired girl seemed very prone to violence."
"If you don't provoke them, they shouldn't attack you."
Homura was mostly sure that was the case, anyway. Hopefully, Mami Tomoe could temper some of Kyouko Sakura's worst tendencies.
"Are you going to have to fight them as well?" Hitomi asked. "Are we going to have to fight them?"
"It shouldn't come to open conflict with them," Homura said. "At least, I hope not. I think we can reason with them."
"How are you so familiar with all these different magical girls?"
"By reputation. Don't worry about any of them, however. Just leave them to me."
"You're taking on so much by yourself."
"That's my role."
"And mine is to help you," Hitomi said. "Can't I take on some of these burdens for you?"
"You already are. The others are for me to carry."
Hitomi looked down then back up. "Homura, as your junior magical girl, perhaps it's not my place to say so, but please don't push yourself too hard or take unnecessary risks."
Homura peered back at her. "You're right. It isn't your place to say something like that."
"I mean it all the same," Hitomi said. "For all our sakes. Yours, mine, and Madoka's."
Homura sighed. She was through with this conversation, and time was wasting. "Watch over Madoka and Sayaka. I'll come and find you three as soon as I deal with Anzu Anzai."
With that, Homura turned and started down the stairs, ruminating on Hitomi's words.
It was up to Homura to take care of most things in the end. There was nobody else who could. Too many different problems arose when it came to magical girls, and Homura couldn't allow them to block the path to her goal.
Make one mistake, and everything collapses like a house of cards. That's happened before, and it can happen again.
She pushed all that out of her mind. It was time to focus on Anzu Anzai, the troublesome anomaly. Homura had a plan, and she had the necessary weapons for dealing with a magical girl who could make illusions of herself. And she knew where she'd likely find her enemy. It seemed like everything had fallen into place.
With luck, Anzu will be dead by this evening.
Homura shook her head. That kind of thinking was useless. She had to depend on her skill and experience. When had luck ever been on her side?
Author's Note: Updates might be slower for a bit. I'm dealing with a lot of real-life stuff (school and otherwise) that has cut into my writing time. I am not abandoning the story, however. I am going to keep working on it.