Sayaka: " Let me get this straight. Mami-san will create a replica of my mom so that she can lie to Madoka's parents about how I am going through hard times and need Madoka with me, did I get it right? "

' Exactly. '

Sayaka: " Nope. No way. Once they find out there is literally no way we can explain it. "

' Do you have a better plan? '

Sayaka: " I mean... no, but why are you even doing this? "

' Because we need to get the hell out of here and fight. They are enemies that must be eliminated before they grow into bigger problems. '

Sayaka: " And Madoka? "

' I need to protect her and I can't do that if she is not by my side. '

Sayaka: " Okay, hold up. You are bringing my best friend to a fight? To protect her? Seriously? "

I held my forehead

' What do you expect me to do? '

Sayaka: " I don't know. Leave her behind and attack whoever you want? "

' sigh It is not that simple. Enemies are after Madoka. If I go hunting for them; then they will simply avoid me and go after Madoka. Staying here with Madoka is tempting but not acceptable. '

Sayaka: " Why not? "

' Because I don't know what they will do. They might start killing people until we go after them, just to lure us out. Also, we need to bring the boy you healed back to his house. He will no doubt get attacked if we let him go alone. '

Sayaka: " So, you are saying... what exactly? "

' In layman's terms; I need Madoka to act as bait. I am extremely confident in my victory against the enemy and if they don't attack us that's fine because we will recruit magical girls instead. '

Sayaka: " You want Madoka to be your bait? There is no way I can let you. "

' What do you expect me to do? '

Sayaka: " Just go alone and get whoever you want. "

' Aren't you listening? The enemy is after Madoka. If I go alone then who will protect her? You? Mami? Sure, Mami is strong but it will mean leaving three magical girls in this city and if somehow the enemy joins the witch hunting in the city while eluding you then you all will either die or turn on each other. Even in your prime, you might not win especially while protecting Madoka. '

Sayaka: " And you can? "

' Yes, I can. '

Sayaka dropped her shoulders as if giving up:

" Look, I just don't want my best friend to be hurt. "

' Then we are on the same page because I don't want Madoka to be hurt either. '

Sayaka: " But you are telling me you will use her as bait! "

' There is no other choice! At least not one that I can think of. '

After a brief silence Sayaka spoke up:

" Can you tell me who you are after? "

' I will be fighting Oriko, the girl who melted the hand of that boy, and Kirika, her subordinate. '

Sayaka: " You will be fighting against two of them? "

' I won't exactly be alone either. Mami and that boy will be with me as well to support me. Though Mami may not be able to fight after our stunt with Madoka's parents. So in the end, the boy and I will be fighting them while Mami keeps an eye on Madoka. I would say our odds are not that bad. '

Sayaka: " Mami-senpai won't be fighting? "

' Yeah, imitating your mother will cost her quite a bit of magic. '

Sayaka: " Are you really sure about this, Homura? "

I took in a deep breath. If I am being honest, no; I am not a hundred percent sure about this. If I go along with it I will have to protect not only Madoka, but Mami as well. That means I should leave Mami behind but then again that would mean leaving Madoka completely defenseless. Then again, I could leave Shuzo with Madoka and be done with it but it would be a huge gamble. I don't know much about Shuzo and he doesn't know about me either. Even if we trust each other, that doesn't necessarily mean we can rely on each other. Since he is technically a rookie, I can't expect him to take Madoka away whenever a long-range attack is coming their way.

Should I, or should I not? Let's think about it. My short-term goal is to bring Mami to Kamihama. I doubt Oriko would let us be if Mami and I were going to get stronger and obtain allies. But if Oriko doesn't show up when I am alone that would mean I will have to keep Madoka by my side, negotiate with other magical girls, hunt witches, and other magical girls while keeping Madoka safe, alone. Oriko could simply show up there and kill Madoka the moment I am preoccupied with something else.

I hate to admit but I am not as charming as Mami. I may be able to intimidate one or two magical girls but for this mission, I need to earn other people's trust and sympathy. So everything points to bringing Mami along. But if I make her create a clone then she will be susceptible to attacks. Worst case, I will be forced to choose between Madoka and her...

But then again, if I give Mami my guns she won't be helpless. In the best-case scenario, we don't waste magic with Madoka's parents but I can't think of any plan for that.

' Yes, I am sure of this. Show Mami a video of your mom, she will need to know her voice and height and all the other details. Trust me, I am strong enough to pull this off. '

Sayaka: " Fine. "

Sayaka went to Mami's side and pulled out her phone

When their doorbell rang, it was Junko Kaname who opened up. She was surprised to see Mrs Miki, an acquintance made through their daughters. Standing next to her was her daughter.

Junko: " Miki-san, good evening. What brings you here? "

Doppelganger: " Good evening Kaname-san. The truth is this rascal of mine was feeling down lately so I wanted to ask your permission for letting Madoka stay at our home for a while. "

Junko: " Oh, is that so? Sorry, it was a bit sudden, I didn't expect it. Sayaka-chan what happened? "

Sayaka shied away from Junko's gaze and lowered her head

Sayaka: " A bit this and a bit that I guess. Kyousuke's accident got to me as well. "

Junko: " Oh, I heard about that, poor boy. Well, I don't mind it as long as Madoka wishes to. "

Sayaka: " Thank you very much, Kaname-san! "

Junko: " Meanwhile, please come inside "

Doppelganger: " We wouldn't want to impose. "

Junko: " Nonsense! Just come in and let my husband serve you hot chocolate while I tell Madoka. "

Doppelganger: " Well, I will take you up on that offer then. Let's come in, Sayaka. "

Sayaka: " Okay, mom. "

Madoka was confused but Sayaka's wink made her understand that Sayaka knew about Homura's plan. After getting prepared she got out of the house.

Madoka: " Sayaka-chan, does your mother know - "

She was interrupted by Sayaka's mother suddenly dissipating into ribbons and disappearing

Madoka: " What?! "

Sayaka laughed at her surprised face and Mami came out of hiding along with Homura and Shuzo.

Mami: " Sorry to disappoint you Kaname-san but that was my magic at work. "

' I see that you are prepared, good. Our chaperone should be arriving soon. By the way let me introduce you; this is Shuzo, though he may not look like it but he is also a magical girl. Shuzo, this is Madoka. '

Madoka: " But- "

' Yeah he is a boy, we know. It appears being a girl was not a necessity. '

Shuzo: " Nice to meet you. "

Madoka: " Likewise, nice to meet you. "

Sayaka: " Well, I have to get going if you don't need me. "

' You are welcome to go. '

Sayaka: " Alright then, good evening to you all. "

Mami: " Good evening Miki-san. "

Madoka: " Good evening Sayaka-chan. "

Shuzo: " Good evening. "

And Sayaka went back to Kyoko