School was over for the day. Madoka knew better than trying to stop Homura from leaving as that girl hurried out of the classroom. She was anxious for a little bit, which was understandable given her talk with Homura during lunch break. She was thinking about whether to find Mami, wait for her in class, or wait for her by the main gate.
Sayaka came up to her and touched her shoulder:
Sayaka: " Yo Madoka! Ready to go? Can we drop by the CD store again? "
Madoka:" Sorry, today I have some business. " She said while uniting her hands to look apologetic.
Sayaka: " What business? " As she raised her brows.
Madoka thought that spending time with her senpai wasn't that big of a deal to keep it secret so she just confessed:
Madoka: " Today I was planning on spending time with Mami senpai. "
Sayaka: " Wait, this isn't about Homura, right? "
Madoka: " What are you talking about? " Genuinely puzzled by Sayaka's question.
Sayaka: " Nothing, I was just concerned about my friend doing something stupid over jealousy. "
Madoka: " I don't think I follow you. "
Sayaka: " Well some rumors are going around with Homura being intimate with a blonde girl and all but obviously they are exaggerated. "
Madoka wasn't amused. She closed her eyes for a bit and took a breath:
Madoka: " Sayaka-chan, I believe you are misunderstanding something. First of all Homura and I are not going out. Second, I haven't heard about those rumors nor am I believing them now. Homura saved both of our lives, why are you so eager to discredit her? And you know that I still haven't come to terms with my feelings... " she said the last part quietly.
Sayaka: " Look, Madoka; if I have hurt you just now I am sorry. I just want the best for my friend. And that girl, Homura, doesn't quite give off such a good girl aura. She is doing whatever she wants all the time. You didn't see the look she gave me before Hitomi and I returned to the classroom. "
Madoka: " What look? "
Sayaka: " It was just for us to let you talk speak in private, so I can understand it but that look... It was like an order that I could never defy. It scared me shitless. And she was acting so cheerful before. You can't blame me for not entrusting you to her. "
Madoka: " I- I didn't notice that. But she is working for something important you know, she told us all. And she is serious about it. She is trying to stop that Walpurgis Night witch from killing countless humans. "
Sayaka: " Oh that noble goal of hers, how could I forget. I didn't say it back then but I just couldn't believe her hundred percent. Reading fate and analyzing witch activities when she was supposed to be hospitalized for half a year? Just how do numbers add up Madoka? "
Madoka: " You are just too skeptical of her. "
Sayaka: " And you are too naive! How can you believe her blindly? "
Madoka: " Do you think it is in her character to stay put inside a hospital room doing nothing? I would find it harder to believe that she is lying about that. "
Madoka took a breath:
Madoka: " Ever since I saw her in my dream I knew that she was going to be someone special for me, okay? I know you think it is too childish to think like that but I just can't see her as someone bad. She is just rough around the edges, that's all. "
Sayaka: " Oh really? "
Madoka: " Hasn't she healed Kamijou-kun, the boy you like. If anything you should be the one who holds Homura in high esteem. "
Sayaka: " That isn't a bad example, to be honest. But then she told me to look after a girl as compensation... Ahh enough, I just can't understand that girl. She is too random for simpletons like me to understand. "
Madoka: " Just accept it as what makes Homura unique I guess. I don't really have any problems with her personality. "
Sayaka: " You are just too accepting but whatever. I will stop dissing your girl from now on. "
Madoka: " I just said-! " Before she was hushed by Sayaka.
Sayaka: " I am just messing with you. Go have fun with senpai, I don't want to make Kyosuke wait for long. "
Madoka nodded and watched her friend go. If she was honest, she would admit she cared about those rumors at least a bit. But Homura had confessed to her and she probably would never hesitate to say those words any time Madoka asked her to. Even if Madoka was hesitating over how to answer Homura's feelings she could at least trust them.
" (Homura is busy saving the world and people are talking behind her back? Just what is wrong with us?..) " Madoka thought.
Her thoughts were cut short as the person Madoka was planning on finding showed her face through the door. After seeing Madoka, Mami smiled, entered the classroom, and approached Madoka.
Mami: " How was school today, Kaname-san? "
Madoka: " It was fine I guess. "
Mami: " Has something happened? "
Madoka: " Not really... Just heard about some stupid rumors, that's all. "
Mami: " What rumors? "
Madoka: " Like how you were intimate with Homura or something like that. "
Mami: " Oh, I see... "
Mami: " By the way, Homura has been desperately asking me to protect you today, and I agreed to it. Do you mind if we hang out today? "
Madoka: " Of course not! I would love to hang out with senpai. I am sure you have so many stories to tell. Homura has also asked me to spend time with you, which I agreed to. "
Mami: " Wonderful! If it's about stories, I can tell you lots of them while eating cake or drinking tea. I think it would be best if we went to my house then. "
Madoka nodded and stood up as she grabbed her bag.
Madoka: " Let's go then. "

Both of them started walking to Mami's house.

On the way
Madoka: " Mami'san, what are your hobbies? "
Mami: " Hmm, I don't really have time for hobbies but I think cooking would be one. I enjoy learning new recipes and trying them out. There is also one other thing but promise me not to laugh. "
Madoka: " I would never laugh, please tell me. "
Mami: " I like dancing while singing. "
Madoka: " Dancing? "
Mami: " Like an idol. I kind of always wished to become one. "
Madoka: " I am sure you would be very popular, Mami-san. You are very pretty and I am jealous of your figure. "
Mami: " giggles Thank you, but I don't think I can become one. A pretty face isn't enough to become an idol, they go through really harsh training. I never had time because of my magical girl activities. Even if I did become an idol, I would probably storm out of the stage the second I felt the presence of a witch. "
Madoka: " That would be very troublesome, I guess. Can't you make some time for yourself though? "
Mami shook her head:
Mami: " When the lives of others are at stake, no I can't. Anyone dying because of my irresponsibility would hurt me more than not being able to pursue my dreams. "
Death. It wasn't a term Madoka used often. Apparently, magical girls, girls around her age, used it quite often. They were risking their lives for people who didn't have any idea about what was going on. Madoka was amazed by the noble soul of the blonde girl.
Mami: " We have almost reached my home."

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Mami: " Is tea to your liking Kaname san? "
Madoka: " Yes, it is very delicious Mami-san. "
Mami: " Really? I am glad you liked it. " Before taking a sip
However Mami's mind was not on the conversation at hand with Madoka, she was thinking of her fight with the white-dressed magical girl.
" ( She reacted to all my shots without looking at me. Was she reading my mind? No, I didn't manually aim for every single musket I fired at her, yet she still protected herself from them. Reading my mind wouldn't help her. That leaves two possibilities I can think of. Either she can perfectly sense everything in a certain area without needing to look or she can see future, trajectory of projectiles beforehand. I suspect the latter as Homura warned me that I might be targeted. Wouldn't it perfectly explain how I was ambushed if their target was me as Homura said? ) "
Madoka: " Say, Mami-senpai... "
Mami turned her attention to Madoka once again: " What is it? "
Madoka: " Homura told me that she sent you somewhere... "
Mami raised a brow, what was Madoka trying to say?
Madoka: " I was just surprised to see you coming to school together with her today. Did something happen? "
Mami: " I had some... problems, which caused my return. "
Madoka: " Can you tell me what happened? "
Mami: " I fought with some magical girl. Then her friend came up and the battle between us lasted too long for me to keep going. " as she transformed her soul gem into its original form.
Mami: " I can't fight against other girls with my soul gem being this tainted so I retreated back to my house. "
Madoka: " I am so sorry to hear that Mami-san. It must have been hard. " With a genuine concern in her voice.
Mami: " It was a disgraceful moment for me. Being forced to retreat... It won't happen again. "
A fire was lit in Mami's eyes as her voice started to carry more emotions. She clenched her fists as she thought about all the people she couldn't save. One thing was certain, Mami was never ever going to back down anymore.
Madoka: " Umm, Mami-san? I think you should cherish your life more than treating it as if you are a samurai or something. I don't think it is bad to run away if your life is at risk. "
Mami drank her remaining tea in one gulp.
Mami: " I don't have such luxury, I owe being stronger to them. To all people, I couldn't save. That's how I decided to become as strong as I am now in the first place. You don't know it since you never saw me in action but I am no pushover. I have been keeping Mitakihara safe until now as I survived countless battles. Be it a witch or magical girl, I dominated my opponent until I eliminated the threat they posed. Next time I see those girls, I will make sure they are no longer a threat. "
Madoka: " I never meant to say you were weak. Homura spoke highly of you, that you were a prodigy who would come once in a century or something like that. I am sure that we all owe our lives to you. But I don't think anybody, especially a good person like you deserves to carry such a heavy burden. "
A bitter smile formed on Mami's lips: " She said that about me huh. Thank you for your concern Kaname-san I don't think so. Carrying the burden you are talking about is what I chose to do. I can just carry on with my normal life as long as I am abandoning everybody else. That's not what I am wishing for though. I don't regret saving lives. Doing it all alone was the hardest part but if I was given another choice I would still choose to fight, even if it eventually led to my death. "
Madoka couldn't answer as trying to defend her point would mean accepting the death of random people, including her own.
Mami smiled: " Don't make such a face. I know you were just worried about me. Don't worry, I will be careful when I am fighting. How about I bring in the cake I promised and tell you about the people I saved? You might understand why I keep fighting better. "
Madoka nodded: " That would be for the best. "

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Meanwhile, inside the barrier;
Ryuusei and Kirika lunged at one another like mad dogs that broke free of their chains. Kyubey had to jump out of Ryuusei's shoulder in order to not become a burden in her fight. He had to rely on a slim chance of Ryuusei's victory against Kirika Kure. He started silently observing their fight.
Kirika, who was stunned briefly by her opponent's quick reaction, got punched by Ryuusei's left fist.
Ryuusei didn't give Kirika any moment to breathe. She kicked Kirika's stomach but it didn't completely connect as Kirika jumped back.
" Annoying... " Kirika muttered as she kneeled down and touched the ground with both hands. A circle with runes inside appeared on the ground. She started smiling creepily as if she was proud of her work. With great confidence she jumped over Ryuusei, planning to land behind her.

Ryuusei allowed her to jump behind her. She seemed to be too focused on whatever she was trying to do to watch Kirika with her eyes. As Kirika landed, Ryuusei's body started to glow.
Kirika, now behind Ryuusei, attacked with her right arm, targeting Ryuusei's torso with her claws.
Before Kirika's claw could reach Ryuusei though, Ryuusei shouted:
Ryuusei: " Shining Fist of Justice! " as she turned around.
Ryuusei's right arm was shining too bright, at least bright enough for a human to immediately avert their eyes.
Ryuusei sidestepped and punched Kirika's extended forearm with her shining arm. Kirika let out a small cry which was cut short by Ryuusei's back kick that threw Kirika afar.
Both of them stopped moving. Ryuusei stopped to observe the damage she dealt while Kirika was panting, stunned by the speed of Ryuusei's movements and the pain that punch brought to her.
The punch itself wasn't particularly that strong, it didn't carry extraordinary weight that tore apart Kirika's arm. However, for starters, it was too fast. It burned Kirika's sleeves through sheer friction. It also stopped Kirika dead in her tracks.
Kirika was in pain. She expected her opponent to be slowed down, not faster than her. Things were not going her way obviously, but she still had a few trump cards she hadn't used yet.
" ( Not bad for my first time ) " Ryuusei thought while looking at her fist. The light covering it had disappeared along with the power that suddenly surged out. Magic was still mysterious to her but as easy and natural as moving limbs. After that one punch, Ryuusei got rid of any hidden fear that was within her mind. She was going to bring this eye-patched villain into justice.
Kirika, on the other hand, was getting frustrated. Sure, she isn't bored now that she is fighting but her opponent is toying with her. Kirika didn't like that at all, she decided on getting rid of her frustration by tearing that girl's body apart.
Two of them stopped getting caught inside their own thoughts and checked each other. Ryuusei's eyes were not showing any particular emotion anymore now that she got calmer; Kirika, on the other hand, was clearly pissed off. Maybe her previous " loss " to Mami Tomoe was making her feel insecure, thus every wrong move she makes causes her agitation.
Ryuusei was not angry anymore now that she was winning, that punch and kick got rid of all stress she had, but that didn't mean she would ever forgive her opponent. She wasn't going to fight for a personal grudge though, she was going to deliver due justice. That's what heroes do after all.
Kirika leaped forward, towards her opponent. She swung her arms, planning to maim her opponent with her claws from a safer distance than before.
Since Ryuusei didn't have anything to protect herself with, she could only go backwards while dodging Kirika. She hadn't come up with any counter to Kirika's simple yet effective assault.

In Kyubey's eyes, both of them were moving at incredible speeds for humans. They were at least ten times faster than an average athlete. For Kyubey who has observed the bothersome magical girl that killed her colleagues for fun, this was easy to understand! Ryuusei was immune to Kirika's magic that slows down others.
Kyubey: " ( " Catch those who are evil and deliver justice " was probably the best wish you could have come up with. You will never be outrun by your enemies thanks to that wish Shuzo. I can expect you to survive at least until I am done with you. ) " he thought as he followed the duo.
They were going at it for a while and they all got out of the area Kirika was slowing down.
However, Kirika was getting tired of playing this game and decided to finally use her trump card, what she planned on doing since the start of her second assault.
Kirika's claws could be extended, greatly increasing Kirika's range of attack. Kirika would call it " Vampire Fang ". For Ryuusei who was dodging Kirika's attacks by hair's breadth, it meant instant defeat. Kyubey had to play favorites here, even if it meant breaking the rules set by them. But not helping Ryuusei against a girl that kills other magical girls would be illogical. Every single magical girl contributed considerable amounts of energy to the universe and he could get rid of the energy leak by helping Ryuusei here.
From Kirika's facial expressions he estimated her to do said move in next swing with eighty-three percent. That was high enough to risk it all. Kirika started swinging right arm to the left.

Kyubey: [ " Jump! " ] in telepathy
Maybe it was because Ryuusei didn't have anything else to do, or maybe because she entrusted her life to Kyubey she jumped with all her might.
Inertia, objects' resistance to change in velocity; it would ensure Kirika to extend her claw even after seeing Ryuusei jump because Kirika started extending her claw just before swinging her arm. She couldn't stop extension instantly and if she stopped swinging her arm she would lose her balance because the position of the center of mass was going to change. If she didn't stop swinging though she was going to leave her side open to attacks.
Kyubey: ( " This must be the " checkmate " you humans talk about. " )
Kyubey's " betrayal " and her current position replaced Kirika's anger with panic. She had to do something, anything. She redirected her arm upwards but for the integrity of claws, she had to almost complete her previous swing and combine it with the rotation to not lose control of claws and her balance. She bet on her own speed and she still had a huge chance of killing her opponent who was in midair.
Ryuusei, by instinct, knew that it was now or never. She had to use a flashy move and deliver justice and she had to do it now. She had to be fast, faster than ever. Faster than the time she punched that girl's arm.
Ryuusei's soulgem started glowing as Ryuusei's body was covered with magic. She knew what she was going to do now. She was going to use her leg to cut through the air, and eye patch girl later. She stretched her right leg down, towards her enemy, and raised her arms upwards.
Ryuusei: " Shining Star of Justice, METEOR IMPACT! "
Ryuusei's body was covered with blinding light and her falling speed increased. Kirika was not going to stop it, she couldn't. She had bet on her own speed but Ryuusei was accelerating like crazy. It was obvious that Ryuusei had won, all Kirika could do was waiting for her imminent death.