Disclaimer: I do not own Mahou Shoujo Madoka Magica and their characters.

This fanfic is the tenth volume of Year Zero series, you can find it on my profile.

This is an "engrish" translation. I am doing my best, but feel free to tell me if it is unreadable.

Happiness

Tomohisa Kaname opened the glass door and felt the fresh air, the smell of grass. The vegetable garden, which was in a greenhouse built in an open space in the middle of the house, welcomed him with vivid colors. Amidst the green stood the yellow of the peppers and the red of ripe tomatoes.

Carrying a basket, he entered and began to harvest with satisfaction what would be the breakfast. It did not seem that this place had been destroyed by the worst storm in Mitakihara's history, except perhaps for the still new paint on the walls. It was months of work, from soil preparation, replanting of what he could save and new seeds, aside the care for watering and pest prevention, but in the end all this was being rewarded.

Through the transparent roof the clear sky could be seen. The news forecast that would be like this for the entire next week, the golden week... As expected, his wife would not stop working. Rarely did the company stop during the holidays. When was the last time?

Tomohisa paused for a moment what he was doing, trying to remember. If he was not mistaken, it was during the founder's birthday, not that she had not gone to the company for the confraternities and homages.

How could it be different? How could they maintain this standard of living? How to pay for the education of Madoka and Tatsuya?

He returned to his work with more determination. It could go on like this for now, but there was a long future ahead and he could do something about, he was already doing it.

Yet he felt a silence. Actually 'feel' did not seem to be the most adequate description and the silence was always there, since everyone would still be sleeping, but it seemed it was more menacing. Inside his mind, in the deepest part, unreached by his consciousness, something told him that he was being watched.

He looked back and saw no one. It was expected, but that did not satisfy his primitive fears. He went to the entrance and looked down the hallway, which looked darker than when he had woken up.

Then he heard a door open, it was the bathroom door, and someone was approaching. Emerging at the corner of the hall was a girl with long black hair, still in her pajamas.

"Oh, Homura-san," said Tomohisa, smiling at his own foolishness. "You woke up earlier today."

"I say the same," she replied.

"Haha..." He raised his eyebrows as he scratched his temple. "Actually, this is the time I wake up... ehhh..." Then he froze. "Didn't you see me in the greenhouse?"

Homura looked down. "I think I woke up earlier than you." Then she folded her arms, feeling them with her hands. "I was in the bathroom..."

"Forget it!"

She looked back at Tomohisa, who was smiling more now.

"Can you help me gather what's left? We don't have much time."

Homura nodded quickly and followed him into the greenhouse.

There might not be much time, but there was not much else to do there either. Soon both were in the kitchen with the basket full of fruits and vegetables. Tomohisa soon began to wash them in the sink, he would not cut nor peel them, seeking to leave food as natural as possible.

Homura sat at the counter and watched him. "You like doing that, don't you? Every day..."

"I'd say I didn't imagine myself doing that."

"Madoka told me you were an architect."

Tomohisa opened the cabinet and picked up some bowls. "I was? I've never been one." Then he began to assemble an arrangement with the food in them. "I graduated in architecture, in fact this house was the project of a friend of mine at that time, but soon Madoka came then..."

"I see." Homura nodded.

"I started dating Junko early in college," Tomohisa continued, shaking his head and smiling, "she graduated before me and had gotten a good job, while being an architect isn't exactly a stable career, so that decision was obvious." He went to the refrigerator and got some eggs. "Actually it was meant to be temporary, but when Tatsuya came I already felt that this was my vocation, now I just need to make it a profession."

She became more curious. "Do you intend to make money from it? Are you going to sell what your garden produces? "

"Hahaha! No, no..." He opened the oven from the stove, from which came the delicious scent of the homemade bread he had baked yesterday. "I intend to sell knowledge. Did you know that our taste capacity diminishes with age?" He looked at her.

She shook her head slightly.

"It's because of this that we come to tolerate or even like certain foods that we hated during childhood." He returned his attention to the eggs and to the frying pan where he would fry them without oil. "It's because of this that we also start to include more condiments, sugar and fat in our diets, the same our sons will have."

As she listened to him, Homura could not help but notice that the conversation had not reduced his efficiency in the kitchen.

"We're blessed by our cultural heritage and we have few obese people in our country but I watch the news and there are so many children in the world with health problems due to being overweight. It's alarming!" Tomohisa finished frying the last egg and was already examining the fruits he would use for a juice. "The food we offer to our children is part of our love. One can not treat this with such neglect. I hope one day to be able to pass on this philosophy of natural foods that I have acquired through my experience and make a difference for other families. I still don't know if I'll write a book or put some videos on the Internet..."

Homura was now facing a colorful breakfast on the bench, with the distinguishing smell of fried egg.

Tomohisa sighed and straightened his glasses. "I ended up talking too much, didn't I? Maybe you wanted to ask something else."

"No... it's okay..." Homura turned her face, whispering, "This family is blessed to have you."

"Something has bothered you lately."

Homura said nothing against his statement.

"Is it longing?"

But this time she shuddered, with a startled look.

Tomohisa held up his hands. "S-Sorry, I was kidding, but it's true you're leaving us soon. They're finishing the rebuilding of your house."

Her expression calmed, but her restless hands betrayed her. "That's correct."

He gestured to himself. "I can tell that we'll miss you, Homura-san."

"You shouldn't."

Her curt reply removed what was left of Tomohisa's smile.

The one who tried to smile now was Homura. "I'll make visits, right?"

"Ah..." A shiver ran through his nape. He put his hand on it as he nodded. "Of course, this is certain..."

"There you are!"

They looked at the newcomer.

Madoka was in white pajamas, wearing fluffy slippers. She soon approached Homura. "When I woke up and didn't see you, I thought you had run away."

Tomohisa held a laugh. "Ha... What a silly idea."

"Wehihi, I know, but I was so worried... I think I had a nightmare."

"It must have been that," Homura replied, glancing at Madoka, in that she felt someone tugging her pants, a boy.

"Homuranee!"

"Tatsuya? Are you there?" Tomohisa leaned over the counter to see him. "So your mother is awake?"

"No," Madoka winked, "I caught that naughty boy trying to open the door to her room while I was looking for Homura."

"Well..." Tomohisa put his hands on his hips. "Why don't you three do the honors? Breakfast is ready."

"Sure!" Madoka gestured for them to follow. "Takkun! Homura! Let's pull her feet today."

While the boy continued to pull Homura's pants. "Cooome! Our mother must wake up."

Between the two, Homura saw no other choice. "Let's wake her..."

／人◕‿‿◕人＼

Tatsuya tried to snag a small tomato, but the fruit escaped and rolled off the table.

Junko saw it happen and quickly tried to capture it with her plate so that it did not meet the floor, but already was another plate receiving it.

"Take more care, Tatsuya-kun," Homura said as she returned the tomato to the boy's plate, "this food has a lot of value."

"Thank you, Homura-san." Junko straightened her hair and looked at her son. "You should thank her, too."

Tatsuya lifted his head to meet the girl's eyes. "Thank you, Homuranee!"

"It's 'Homura-nee-san'," Junko instructed.

Tomohisa, who was in the kitchen doing the dishes, spoke to her with some concern, "You shouldn't teach him that way. It makes it seem like we've literally adopted her."

Junko rested her arms on the table and replied looking at Homura, "After so much time with us, she's already family to me."

The girl raised her eyebrows. "T-That's... That's an exag-"

"Homuranee Kanamenee!" Tatsuya exclaimed in his chair.

"Ah..." Tomohisa put his hand on his head. "That's what I was talking about."

Junko laughed. "Kukuku... He's making progress!"

Homura blushed and smiled.

"Wehihi."

She then exchanged glances with Madoka.

The pink-haired girl smiled openly, showing no inhibition.

Homura stopped smiling and looked away.

And Madoka's countenance faded.

The girl with braids returned to sit and eat in silence.

"And what do you intend to do during the golden week?" Junko asked.

"Hi?" Madoka blinked as if from exiting a trance. "Ah! Hmmm... I don't know yet."

"We're going to study," Homura replied coldly.

"Oh no! No! No chance! You don't need the whole week for this," Junko said, making a sad face, "you should seize that opportunity while you can or one day you may find that the clients of the corporation you work for don't have a golden week..."

"Ehhh..." Madoka pinched the tips of her hair and looked away. "Mom, you're talking like Saotome-sensei right now."

Junko smiled and nodded. "That's why I said that you should enjoy while you can."

"Your mother is right," Tomohisa backed.

Madoka shrugged. "Well, we still have a some time to see this. By the end of the day, Homura and I will know what we're going to do together."

After a quick glance at her, Homura replied, "Yes, we'll see..." Then she rose from her chair. "It's time."

"Oh, it's true!" Junko put all that was still on her plate into her mouth and swallowed with the help of a glass of juice.

Madoka did the same with her bread.

Tomohisa just smiled and shook his head in disapproval.

Homura took her school bag and also Madoka's, who was already jumping out of the chair and leaving.

"Take care and have a good day." Tomohisa waved while he received a kiss from Junko.

Tatsuya exclaimed, "Have a niiiiice day!"

After waving, Madoka soon was with Homura on the street, on the way to school. The pace was fast and steady, but they still did not have to run.

"Haven't you forgotten anything?" Homura asked.

"No."

With the satisfactory answer, Homura decided to check if her school uniform had not messed up with the rush.

"Good morning!"

However, the strange announcement of Madoka changed her plans. "Huh?"

"Wehihi." She smiled with some embarrassment. "It was good that you asked. I remembered that we still hadn't given a good morning to each other today."

"Of course..." Homura said without expressiveness, "Good morning, Madoka."

"Hmmm..." Madoka grimaced. "Whether the day will be good or not will depend on the exam scores they'll announce today."

Homura pressed her lips together.

"I didn't even tell my parents, you know. I hope to bring a good surprise to them."

"Why does it matter?"

The sudden question of Homura raised Madoka's eyebrows. A silence lingered between them until Madoka smiled. "Just because I already have a job, doesn't mean I shouldn't put effort on this. I think you must have worked hard too, and you're going to get great grades!"

"Force of habit." Homura continued with a monotonous tone.

"See?" Madoka approached the other girl, searching for her eyes.

But Homura did not respond with any reaction.

Madoka sighed in frustration. "Ah... What do I do with your bad mood?"

"Bad mood?" Homura lowered her gaze, a faint expression of surprise. "I'm not in a bad mood."

"For me you seem to be and... I think you've been like this ever since our conversation about Sasa-chan, if not before. It looks like it's getting worse over time."

The face of Homura became more tense.

Madoka spoke almost in a whisper, "Are you holding a grudge against me?"

Homura closed her eyes and relaxed. "It's an absurd to ask me that."

"So aren't you holding a grudge and in a bad mood?"

"No."

Madoka jumped in front of Homura to stand face to face as she continued to walk, now backward. "Then I can tell you this idea I had."

Now more surprised, Homura remained silent for her to continue.

"When I saw you and dad in the kitchen, I thought..." She smiled. "How about we help him with breakfast using one of the recipes from the cooking club? My dad knows a lot of tricks we could share with the people at the club, they would love it!"

Homura shook her head. "I'm not ready for this."

"No problem if we make a mistake," Madoka insisted, "it'll be fun!"

"You're going to end up crashing into something," Homura commented.

"Hmmm..." Madoka pouted and turned to walk side by side with her. "OK! I'll do it someday during the golden week. You're invited."

"Great..."

It was already possible to see the gates of Mitakihara school and the large number of students heading towards it.

One of the students in particular made Madoka to exclaim, "Hitomi-chan!"

"Oh? Ah, Madoka-san..." Hitomi stopped and waited for the two. "And Homura-san. Good morning."

"Good morning!"

"Good morning..."

Hitomi followed them, staying on the still vacant side of Homura. "I thought I was a little late today."

"Yeah..." Madoka gave a clumsy smile. "We're arguing at home about what we're going to do during the golden week."

"And you already decided?"

"Yes," Homura replied.

Making Madoka raise her eyebrows.

Hitomi continued to look at her.

"Ah... We're still thinking about the details," Madoka said, "And you, Hitomi-chan?"

"Nothing special," Hitomi said with resignation, "just studying a lot."

"That's a good thing." Homura looked at her.

Hitomi corresponded with a glance and smiled. "Thank you..."

They had already passed through the gates when Madoka commented, "This new building for the future high school is beautiful. It should be almost done."

"Uh-huh..." Hitomi added. "I know the construction company is from Tokyo and was responsible for 80% of the reconstruction of Mitakihara."

"Really?"

Hitomi nodded. "My father told me. They're a big old corporation."

"Then our future must be in good hands." Madoka smiled. "Did you know that, Homura?"

Silence.

It seemed that Homura had not heard that conversation. Madoka and Hitomi did not change their expressions, but they exchanged glances.

"Yes... They're rebuilding my home," she finally replied as she watched a couple walk into the school building before them, a girl with long white hair and a blond boy.

／人◕‿‿◕人＼

"There're bad things in this world. Things so terrible that we ask if there is a purpose in it. If our lives deserve them as punishment. Perhaps life itself is a punishment, which we put into a richly decorated gift box to not see the obvious. Why do we deserve it? In what moment our distracted senses did not realize the sin that had been committed. Or maybe it was before we were born, a crime committed by our souls, incarnated or not..." Saotome pointed her ruler at a boy sitting in the first row of desks. "Nakazawa-kun! What is more important? The Golden Week or Valentine's Day?"

"Ehhh..." Nakazawa scratched the back of his head. "I don't know. Well... I don't have a girlfriend, so for me the golden week would be more important."

Saotome slammed his desk as she leaned on it. "Right, but wrong!"

Nakazawa almost fell off the chair. The teacher's gaze had a clear killer intent.

"Yes, The Golden Week is more important, but it's not for that reason."

He swallowed hard. "W-Would it be because it has more days?"

She rose, carrying an expression of disappointment. "It's closer, but it's still not enough." She turned her back to the class. "Boys and girls, you must have heard about the origins of The Golden Week. You may have read about it in some book."

The air was anxious, the classroom was silent. Not exactly for Homura, who heard a few whispers.

"Could it be the worst of all?"

"No... She's quite in a good mood."

Saotome slowly raised her shaking hands, as if she were in a ritual of invocation of the devil itself. "The truth is all this is false. A conspiracy to blindfold you until it's too late to discover something so trivial..." She turned to them, ready to launch her cataclysmic conjuration. "THE GOLDEN WEEK IS NINE VALENTINE'S DAYS!"

The students widened their eyes, in awe, while some counted on their fingers to see if the math did match.

"Couples plan to do things together during The Golden Week, it's just natural. So, boys, you can't abbandon a woman to travel with your friends." She began grinding her teeth and bending the ruler she held, threatening to break it. "And girls, don't let them tell you at the last minute." Suddenly, she calmed down and smiled. "Oh yes, by the way, I need to deliver the scores to you before class is over."

One by one, the students were called to receive their exams with corrections and their grades. Soon most of the classroom began to compare between them.

"Your grades have improved since last year, Madoka-san," commented Hitomi, "you're perfect in geography."

"Wehihi. Yes, I was worried, but I'm not anymore."

"Is it because Homura-san is living with you?"

"Oh, she's helped me with many things..." Madoka looked at Homura. "I saw that she did very well in math, physics and chemistry."

The girl with braids put the documents in a folder. "Force of habit..."

"And your grades are always outstanding, Hitomi-chan."

The girl's green gaze lowered in a more serious expression. "Almost all of them lowered, even if I was studying at home."

Madoka kept her smile. "But they're still great, you'll easily get a place at high school."

"I am not sure..."

Seeing Hitomi return to her desk, Madoka felt it best not to ask.

That moment was being forgotten with the course of the classes, so much that after the last one, the girls happily left school.

Well, at least Hitomi and Madoka.

"How's it going at the cooking club?"

"I've been able to follow the recipes." Madoka shrugged. "However they say it tastes bland, that I need to put more condiments. To me they're tasty, but I'm suspect to talk, right? Hehe."

Hitomi looked at Homura.

"I'm learning," Homura said quickly.

"Yes, that's the best part." Hitomi looked up at the sky. "You must already be noticing, it seems that there is always a more sophisticated recipe. It's wonderful."

Homura shuddered and pressed her lips together.

Noticing that, Madoka tried to change the subject. "Hmmm... Do you know when they'll show the high school uniforms for us to vote?"

"They have not set a date yet," Hitomi replied, "but it should be soon."

"Uh-huh." Madoka tugged the red bow at her collar a little. "I think I'll miss this uniform even if the options we can choose are nice. I'm a little anxious about this, aren't you, Hitomi-chan?"

"I am... not sure." Hitomi stopped, causing the other two to turn to her.

Madoka saw her friend serious again.

"Okay." Hitomi took a deep breath and said, "Do you remember the Tokyo's construction company I told you about? My dad got a good job there."

"Oh... Hitomi-chan, that's great!" Madoka wanted to smile, but Hitomi's countenance did not allow, while Homura did not hide her surprise. For Madoka this was clear. "And you're moving with your family there, aren't you?"

Hitomi nodded. "That is why I need to improve my grades, the schools in the capital are more demanding." Then she put her hand on her chest and again took a deep breath. "S-Sorry for not telling you before, but this will be the last year you will see me."

Madoka raised her eyebrows. "But we'll continue to communicate. I'd love to visit you in Tokyo too."

Homura glared at her.

Hitomi shook her head and said, "My parents do not want me to have ties with this place. A fresh start is what I need after what happened."

"Is this what you really want, Hitomi-chan?"

"And you do want not?"

Madoka gaped. "Why?"

"'Why?'" Hitomi's eyes reddened. "She was your best friend. You found the strength to not be shaken, but..."

Madoka shook her head. "Please, it's not your fault."

"Whether it is or not... It will never be like before." Hitomi took a handkerchief and wiped her eyes while sniffing her nose. "I know you're just trying to be kind, you've always been like this..."

Homura and Madoka exchanged glances. The pinkette had a distinct pleading expression that Homura could not ignore. "Shizuki-san..."

"Huh?"

However, it might have been better to think of something before calling her. If there was nothing to be said, an attitude could serve and Homura visualized a place on the other side of the street perfect for the occasion. "Lets have an ice cream."

Hitomi blinked.

"I'll pay yours," Homura smiled shyly.

"Ah..." Hitomi's smile was more expressive, albeit sad. "It's going to look like w-we are..."

Madoka looked at both, curious.

"Thank you for the invitation, but I need to get back home. My parents are anxious to hear about my grades." Hitomi started to walk away.

"Don't you want us to come with you?" Madoka asked.

Hitomi put the handkerchief back and kept smiling. "No need, I am better. As for Tokyo... the decision is not just mine. So..."

Madoka nodded.

"Goodbye to you." Hitomi nodded. "Have a good golden week."

"For you too!" Madoka returned the gesture. "Then let's share the news when possible!"

Homura too. "Try to rest, your grades are good."

With Hitomi leaving, the two girls exchanged glances again.

Homura turned her face away. "I tried..."

"You did well." Madoka smiled. "Don't worry, Hitomi-chan will get over this."

"Yes? You're so sure..." Homura's voice lowered. "Maybe she's part of some 'master plan' of yours..."

Madoka frowned. "No, it's because she's better than last year." Then she smiled again. "And I have hope that she'll learn from this and become an even better person than she already is."

"But don't you feel bad? Leave her in this state of pain and guilt as you carry the truth that would set her free of that?"

"Of course I feel," Madoka stated earnestly, "that's why I always think of Sayaka-chan. She wouldn't want to haunt even more the life of her friend and Kamijou-kun."

Homura clenched her fists. "I understand..."

"Hey you two!"

Madoka saw who was calling. It was two classmates who were passing by, which she soon recognized. "Oh... Haruhi-chan and Mihoko-chan."

Mihoko Shibasawa was a short girl, even more so than Madoka. However, no one would mistake her for being a child because of her bulging chest. Her reddish brown hair was relatively long and poorly combed, always needing a clip to keep them away from her eyes.

While Haruhi Asano was taller and took better care of her appearance. She divided her mustard-colored hair into two small ponytails. "We're going to walk around downtown, want to come with us?"

"That would be nice," Madoka consulted Homura.

It took a while, but she nodded.

Haruhi and Mihoko started running. "So let's go, the bus is coming!"

From school to downtown was a few minutes. As the girls talked about the grades, Homura watched the sky gradually being blocked by more and more buildings.

When they arrived, Mihoko was the last one to get off the bus, having to run to reach the others who were already walking. "Madoka-chan, Homura-chan, what are you guys going to do in the golden week?"

"Ah... Hmmm..." Madoka looked at Homura, who was with eyes closed. "We're still thinking."

"It's good that you can still decide." Mihoko made a crying face. "My parents will send me and my brother to our grandmother. She lives in another city and there's nothing to do there. It's a place that looks like a village, you know."

"You should enjoy the fresh air," Haruhi said with a smile.

Mihoko angered. "You talk like that because you're going to stay here. You'll go every day at the mall, at the cinema, you'll meet pretty boys... I bet when I return you'll have a boyfriend!"

Haruhi almost laughed. "Don't talk nonsense, you look like Saotome-sensei."

Mihoko's eyes widened. "I'll never be like her. Never!"

"Relax. Your week will be good," Madoka said, "isn't it, Homura-chan?"

"She should value those visits to her grandmother," Homura spoke in a calm but serious tone, "for you never know when that will no longer be possible."

Haruhi raised a eyebrow. "Homura-chan always with the best reply..."

Mihoko lowered her head. "Speaking like that, I feel bad."

"You can stop that," Haruhi said, "because a pet shop is just ahead."

"Pet shop?" Mihoko's face brightened.

"Do you know what that means?" Haruhi grinned.

And both Said, excited, "Kittens!"

"Wehihi!"

"The best cure for bad mood." Haruhi grabbed Mihoko's arm and ran. "Let's go!"

The short girl barely had time to react and grab Madoka's arm.

Madoka tried to do the same with Homura, but it was too late and she saw the girl being left behind.

Standing where she was, Homura watched the three girls stand in front of the pet shop window. Haruhi and Mihoko had not even noticed her absence, while Madoka shared her attention with what was in the store and with her.

Cats.

Something deep in her memory emerged in Homura.

That's how it all started, isn't it, Madoka?

Resolved to keep this question to herself, she took the first steps to join the others.

"... missing girls..."

However, she stopped on the way, in front of an electronics store. A large TV set showed a news anchor presenting the international news.

"... the numbers are alarming not only in Moscow but also in other major cities of the country, with the average age group between twelve to seventeen. The main line of investigation is a pact or challenge proposed on social networks, something recently popular among teenagers, since the evidences indicates that they have voluntarily left their homes, carrying clothing and food with them.

The authorities have not yet dismissed the possibility of enticement by traffickers, but they say in such cases that scale would be avoided not to attract attention. This is being the biggest mystery, since no girl was found despite the large number of disappearances. The best clue so far is a camera at a gas station that caught one of the alleged girls getting a ride with a truck driver. Witnesses report that he went east, but the vehicle was not located. It's feared that these girls may be crossing the border with Kazakhstan, where policing has already intensified. This is consistent with a speculation that a similar event is taking place in China, all of which are being denied by the Chinese government. While the government of Kazakhstan has not manifested until now.

Experts are still assessing the impact on the relationship between the countries involv-"

Sounds of gunshots.

Homura quickly turned, her ring felt tighter on her finger.

Another screen showed sophisticated three-dimensional images of a frantic shooter game, from the point of view of a soldier in the middle of a war.

"Call of Battlefield 5: Exterminatus." Mihoko appeared.

Followed by Haruhi. "Is this the game your brother doesn't let you play?"

Homura felt a hand on her back, it was Madoka with a smile, it was then that she realized that her own body was tense. On the television now a advertisement was airing.

"Yeah, he keeps saying I'm going to mess up his account." Mihoko rolled her eyes. "But he don't let me create mine."

Haruhi shook her head. "I don't know how you like this violent game."

"It's cool, you rank up and customize the character, the weapons and even the vehicles..." Mihoko looked at Madoka. "And it's not violent, only a bit of blood. What do you think?"

"Ehhh... I don't understand much of it. About games, I only have a few simple ones on my phone."

"And you, Homura-chan?"

The three girls looked at her. Homura looked at Mihoko for a while, then turned and left. "Too realistic..."

Mihoko and Haruhi were speechless.

So much that Madoka shrugged and smiled at them before following the girl with braids.

Haruhi then whispered to Mihoko, "It means it's too violent."

"No, it's not!"

The sun was approaching the horizon and the shadows of the buildings grew. The less fortunate stores that stood in the way of them turned on their lights.

"We have walked a lot and now I'm hungry," Mihoko complained.

"I still want to go to that bookstore I told you about." Haruhi was thoughtful. "But it's a little far, hmmm... right. Let's eat! Homura-chan, Madoka-chan, have any place in particular you want to go? Mihoko accepts anything."

"Hey!" The girl with hair clip did not like to hear that.

Homura replied without enthusiasm, "Anywhere is good to me."

"Same," said Madoka.

Haruhi nodded. "So let's go to the first place we find, before it's too late."

They hastened their pace, but their plan, though simple, did not expect for that turnaround coming from Mihoko.

"Look at this!"

They stopped in front of a department store. The display window showed several pairs of colorful sandals.

"Ohhh..." Haruhi's eyes widened. "It looks like they've already launched the next summer's trend."

"Yes!" Mihoko couldn't hold her joy. "Look at the strap of this one. There's a cute little turtle!"

"And also this one with a ladybug," Haruhi agreed, "and the one with a bird has even fluff feathers!"

Mihoko pointed to another sandal. "Hehe, that pink one with a lamb matches you, Madoka-chan."

Madoka bent down to take a closer look. "Yeah, I think it would look good on my foot."

Behind them, Homura was still.

Their smiles...

Waiting.

... ignorant to their own fragility...

Watching.

... it's gninekcis.

It was then that she noticed the mannequins near the sandals. Their smiles were hideous, their gazes were of a familiar green and red.

The mannequins opened their smiles wider, showing their sharp teeth.

Homura held her breath.

They raised their hands, conjuring up large black pins.

"No..." Homura looked at Madoka and the other two. They talked and laughed, completely unaware to the danger.

The mannequins aimed their pins, ready to impale the girls' heads.

"No!" Homura exclaimed.

The girls jumped and stared at her.

The mannequins were motionless in the position they had always been, faceless and harmless.

Homura now looked like those mannequins, paralyzed in stupefaction.

"Homura...?" Madoka was worried.

She returned to blink her eyes and to breath, lowering her gaze. "Sorry for being rude... B-But I want to say that these sandals are no good, they worn out easily."

"Yeah..." Madoka looked at the other two girls. "She's right. They're cute, but they don't look like they were made to walk much with them."

"Hmmm..." Haruhi grimaced, followed by a smile. "It's true... and they look more like toys than shoes."

Mihoko looked back at the sandals. "I'd use it anyway."

Haruhi made a disappointing face and patted her friend's head. "Grow up, Mihoko-chan, grow up..."

"Hey!"

Madoka smiled at that scene, but only for a fleeting moment.

／人◕‿‿◕人＼

"Goodbye! Have great holidays!"

It was already night when Madoka and Homura got off the bus toward their home.

The walk was silent, but Madoka did not want it. "Won't you say anything?"

"About what?" Homura asked without looking at her.

"Something troubled you, don't lie to me."

"Lie..."

Madoka noted Homura's face getting more tense.

"How about we stop pretending we have a normal life?" Homura suggested, "There's no one around."

Realizing traces of sarcasm, Madoka nodded. "If you want to talk about magic, then we'll talk about magic... It would be good to check the grief seed."

"I'll do it when we get home."

"I'm not talking about mine." There was a silence after that statement, which Madoka waited patiently.

Homura struggled not to turn her face or press her lips. "Don't worry about me, I check mine regularly."

"But can't I see?"

"I just said you don't have to worry about me." Homura closed her eyes.

"You deny me, Homura-chan."

That sudden, desperate voice. Homura quickly looked at Madoka. The girl had a cadaverous pallor, marbled by black veins. Her gaze was a glittering gold and the tar coming down from them was fraught with frustration.

"You protect more your pain, your misery, than me. Is this what I was worth to you, a symbol that emerges those feelings? So accept what I offered. I can change you, I can change everything!"

Homura's eyes widened.

"Homura?"

However, she was facing a completely normal Madoka. It was as if there was a void in her memory, it was as if that had never happened.

"Homura! Why are you scared?"

Homura recovered herself and looked down, murmuring, "It's not-"

"No way it's nothing!"

Again, again she brought worry to Madoka. In the end, it was all she had to offer.

"Please, don't keep this to yourself."

"When... When I looked at you I..." Homura took a deep breath and her voice grew desperate. "... I remembered the past, everything that happened. My life, my whole life is a labyrinth, I can't escape it."

Madoka held her hand. "Then don't run away."

Homura frowned.

"I also remember everything, there're many bad things..." Madoka nodded and smiled. "But they remind me of the value of our good deeds. It's what comforts me when I'm afraid. Let me carry some of your weight to make your past more bearable."

Homura had calmed down, but remained silent.

They were already close to home. Tomohisa was taking care of the front yard with his son.

"Madoka! Homuranee!"

"There you are."

"We were with some school friends," Madoka said. "Watering the plants now?"

"Ah yes, yes. I didn't want to cook them with the hot sun of today..." Tomohisa handed the watering can to Tatsuya, who ran off to the faucet, but ended up stumbling and falling face down on the ground.

Madoka made a expression of pain.

Tatsuya quickly got up, wiped his knees and returned to run.

"Oh... Takkun is becoming a man," Madoka commented.

Tomohisa agreed, "He's growing up."

The two girls continued toward the front door.

"Ah! I almost forgot," Tomohisa said, "there's a letter for you, Homura-san."

She stopped. "A letter?"

"Weird, isn't it? You hadn't received any so far. I left it on the kitchen counter."

"Right..."

They entered the house and Homura went straight to the kitchen, with Madoka following her, wondering, "Is it from school? Or maybe it's about the rebuilding of your home."

Homura dropped her bag and hastened to the counter, glanced quickly at the letter, and dashed off down the corridor.

Ignoring Madoka. "H-Homura?!" Soon the world, herself, was washed in dead colors. Madoka dropped her bag, which stopped in mid-air, and ran after her. "Wait!"

When she reached the corridor, she caught sight of Homura, with a conjured hourglass, beginning to close the bathroom door.

The girl with braids hesitated with the surprise of seeing who was coming, and then tried to close the door at once.

Madoka managed to stop it in time, and a dispute began at the door. With one arm through the opening, she tried to reach for the letter that Homura was still holding.

The hourglass, the letter, the door... It was too much for Homura, and she stepped back. Madoka came in and quickly closed the door.

"I knew it..." Homura whispered as she made her hourglass to disappear and the time to pass again, "I can't stop you..."

"You wanted to get rid of the letter, didn't you?"

"No, that's..." Homura turned away and dropped the letter. "That's already useless."

The letter fell to Madoka's feet. She could read that the sender was from Tokyo.

"They found me."

Next chapter: Preparatives