I entered the bathtub and relaxed my body in the hot water. A lot of things happened today. Now I have to look after newbie magical girls. I will have to tell Mami about Sayaka as well. She probably didn't ask me about her because she wants to spend time with Shuzo now. Well, after what he has been through I guess I could let him spend time with Mami since I trust her.

But our situation is not perfect. There are too many magical girls in the city and Oriko will probably ambush us the moment we are separated. I must keep looking for her with my sixth sense... I shouldn't let her enter the city after all...

Wait a minute, I... I actually made a huge mistake! I underestimated Oriko.

Where was Shuzo from? Hasn't Mami told me she met him when she fought Oriko and Kirika? Shuzo will want to go back. And even if I forced him to stay with us and he actually agreed to it, once his parents are taken hostage by Oriko he wouldn't stay still. And if he goes to rescue them then we will also be pulled into it because Mami wouldn't let him go alone. If I leave Madoka alone; Oriko will blitz her way through.

' Mami! ' I shouted

' Quick! Come here! '

Mami rushed to the bath and asked in a worried voice:

Mami: " What happened? "

' Get prepared. We will start the operation. '

Mami: " What operation? "

' No time to explain. Bring my phone and tell Shuzo to get prepared as well. We will breakthrough this pseudo siege. '

Mami didn't say anything and immediately went to do as told. She was also thinking they were acting too carefree in this kind of situation but all she could do was wait until Homura felt ready. It seems like now was the time to act.

She went to get Homura's phone and told Shuzo to get ready.

Shuzo: " Ready for what? "

Mami: " Something big. Just prepare yourself mentally. I think it is time to strike back. "

Shuzo nodded. He was ready to fight again. He didn't become a magical girl to sit still.

' Thanks, my love. ' I took the phone from Mami's hand.

Even in such a situation, I feel so comfortable. The truth is, I have already lost this one but I don't care. Oriko can kill whoever she wants, I won't make myself lose this fight because of hostages. But even then, even if I don't care about Shuzo or his family; once we leave the city, Oriko might come in and kill Madoka's family. I doubt she would act to give Madoka a reason to become a magical girl but who knows... Not just the Kaname family but every single acquaintance we have are liabilities. At least Mami doesn't have any family left, but I can never say such an evil thing to her face of course.

In the end, I think I will entrust this city to Sayaka and Kyoko. There is no need for me to stress over Oriko's potential actions because I can not do anything at all.

I believe Shuzo's family is the best target but how can I make Shuzo abandon his own family? Should I just drug and leave him here? But my relationship with Mami would turn sour then...

I will just bring him along then and make use of his strength. And if somehow Oriko manages to contact us, I will ignore her completely. I should not be that scared of her since she is the one who has to act against my future, not the other way around. If I make it in time, then she wouldn't have time for anything except ambushing me.

I opened my contact list and called my dear Slave #1

Slave #1: " What is it? "

' I am glad you still pick up the phone to my calls. I think it is time for your payment. '

Slave #1: " Really? "

' Yeah, but I want to make transactions in cash or maybe in gold. That's why get here in an hour. You can even give away all your money just to get a ride from someone and get here fast. I will cover all the expenses. I will meet you at Mitakihara Hospital. If you don't make it in time, there won't be any payment at all as I will consider you compromised and cut you off. '

Slave #1: " Wait, this is too sudden! "

' Your countdown has already started. ' I ended the call.

Mami: " Who was it? "

' Someone who I hope knows how to drive. As soon as I get dressed we will drive to Kamihama. I can't fight while driving so I called him. Give me some of your clothes please. '

Mami: " Okay. " as she rushed to her room.

Now, it is time to call Madoka.

Madoka: " Yes, what is it Homura; at this hour? "

' Well, it really brings me great pain to force you into all this stuff but things have taken a turn for the extreme and I can't have you say no. '

Madoka: " Say no to what? "

' I will take you into a city that I think has a lot of magical girls. I need to go there and if I don't bring you along; Oriko will kill you. '

Madoka: " What? Who is Oriko? "

' A magical girl who wants to kill you. Listen, I know that I am abusing your infinite kindness and understanding personality but I really don't want to let you die. I know how I made you waste your day today, and I am asking you to come with me to somewhere else... When the threat of Oriko is gone, I can let you get back to your family's side but right now... '

Madoka: " ... I understand. "

' Really? Thank you very much Madoka, get dressed and wait for me to come to pick you up. '

Madoka: " When we meet... can you tell me the whole story? "

' Of course. I promise I will do my best to keep you safe and happy all the time so please keep trusting me like always. '

Madoka: " I will. I can't just say no when all you want to do is help. "

' Thank you, Madoka. You are an angel, I need to call someone else now. I will meet you in front of your house. '

Madoka: " Then I will get ready, bye.

' Bye. ' I ended the call and called Sayaka

It took a while for her to answer the call and Mami came in with a few clothes.

Sayaka: " Yes? "

' What are you doing? You answered way too late for my taste. '

Sayaka: " Kyoko and I were sparring. "

' It is too late for that. Stop it and preserve your magic now. I wish I could personally train you and replenish your magic but I don't have time. We will get out of the city and you will have to hunt witches from now on, along with Kyoko. ' I ended the call.

I got out of the bathtub, dried myself quickly with a towel, and took the clothes from Mami's hands.

Mami: " It is time to fight, right Homura? "

' Yeah. We will pick up Madoka as well, she will be safer when she is with us. '

Mami: " I see, I guess you don't trust Sayaka and Kyoko that much. "

' They are capable enough to survive against witches but against Oriko? I doubt they stand a chance. '

Mami: " I am sure you know more about how strong Sayaka is, so I can't comment. "

' She has the potential to become a strong magical girl but I don't have the luxury to train her. She should be fine on her own though. '

Mami: " Do you think two of us can beat them? "

' I will make Shuzo fight as well. '

Mami: " But, he is too young! "

' Such common sense won't be of use after we all end up dead. You know this as well. He already fought and survived, don't take his freedom now. '

Mami: " I, I don't want to lose him again. I don't want to lose anyone again. "

' Fine, I promise you that he will be fine. I will make sure of it, but he needs to go back to his house eventually. He will be involved in the fight whether you wish for it or not. '

Mami: " Thank you, I know that I can trust you. I just don't want innocent people to get hurt again. "

I pulled Mami closer to me and kissed her suddenly, invading inside of her mouth with my tongue. She didn't resist.

I finished the kiss and addressed to her

' I only do the right thing, you can be sure of it my lovely hero. '

Mami: " Thank you, for everything. "

' No need to thank me. '

Mami: " In any case, I will prepare a few clothes and some food. Call me if you need anything. "

' Will do. '

Mami got out of the bath and I dressed up. As soon as my chauffeur arrives we will start the operation. What should I call it? Hmm...