Contrast

"Wake uuuup!" Sayaka kicked the mattress that was on the floor of her bedroom.

Wearing red pajamas, Kyouko was asleep. "Hmmm... Mami... let me sleep a little longer... mmm" She did not open her eyes.

Sayaka, at hearing Mami's name, had an idea. "Huhu~! What a pity~. I just prepared an apple pie~. It's still warm~."

"Pie?!" Kyouko rose in a jump. However, whom she saw was not Mami but a girl with blue eyes and hair, with a sarcastic smile. She was already dressed in her school uniform.

"Oh... yeah. I'm in the world of that nutty." Kyouko said as she returned to lie down.

Sayaka held Kyouko's arm before she lay her head on the mattress. "Noooooo! Today we have class, you know?"

Kyouko rolled her eyes. "Oooh, I can't believe it! I hafta go to school! And on Saturday?! Can't I cut it?"

"You can't or she will suspect something." Sayaka said.

"Tch..." Kyouko started pulling the arm that Sayaka was holding. "Yeah okay. You can lemme go."

Sayaka hesitated for a moment before releasing it.

Kyouko fell and rolled on the mattress to reach the ground. Then stood up and shook her head to throw her ponytail back. "What a bore."

"Look. I even let you sleep a little more while I get changed." Sayaka said as she watched Kyouko, apparently looking for something.

"Um. Thanks. Where is my survival kit..." Kyouko went toward the bed table. Sayaka's room was typical of a middle-class girl: curtains and wallpaper of pink color, a dresser, a closet, a desk for her computer. What could attract some attention were the stuffed animals: aquatic creatures such as fish and octopus, and a frog with a crown, who was patiently awaiting the kiss of a princess.

Kyouko approached the bed table and saw the frames that was on it. They contained pictures of her with Sayaka, but were photos of 'another Kyouko' in which she had only fading memories.

"Right there!" Kyouko grabbed a box of Pocky brand candy sticks in the drawer.

If there was something that Kyouko and the 'other Kyouko' had in common was the taste! The sticks made of sweet biscuit, with one half covered with a layer of chocolate were the best thing that was made on the face of Ear...

"Shit!" Kyouko dropped the box, letting it fall to the ground.

"Kyouko?" Sayaka was surprised by the sudden reaction of Kyouko.

Kyouko ignored the question, staring at her left hand, more specifically to the base of her middle finger. There was a ring with runes inscribed on it. "Shit! Shit! Holy shit!"

Focusing her attention on that ring, Kyouko soon saw a bright red light appears just above it. Then a gem materialized and gently landed on the palm of the hand.

The jewel has the shape and size of an egg. The base and adornments were golden and involved a gem of bright red color, but with some dark lines in it that looked like dirt floating in a liquid. A weak red light illuminated the room.

"Your soul gem!" Sayaka said, realizing that she had forgotten something important.

Kyouko breathed, relieved but confused. "It's clean, but how is it possible? I didn't purify it all this time..." The red eyes that stared the jewelry turned toward Sayaka. "You know something?"

"I didn't even think about it." Sayaka's vision kept alternating between Kyouko and the soul gem on her hand.

"Jeez, didn't you check yours?" Incredulous, Kyouko asked.

Sayaka lowered her head and pressed her lips. "Well... I don't have one."

"Is that so? Oh. I forgot you were taken away."

Sayaka just nodded.

Kyouko focused and made the jewelry disappear. Then she took the Pocky box that was on the floor. "One less headache. It seems that this nutty did something good after all. Heh."

That statement made Sayaka lift her head, she did not like it one bit to hear that and was determined to change the subject of conversation. "Do you remember how to act?" She could barely contain her tone of anger.

Kyouko opened the box and took out a candy stick with her mouth. "Mmmm... 'I must not draw attention', 'I must not talk to Madoka', 'I must not talk to Mami', 'I must not use magic nor telepathy' and I must be an ordinary little girl who goes to school every day."

"That last part I don't remember talking about, but right on the spot, 'cousin'. Hehe." Sayaka gave a sarcastic smile.

Kyouko raised her eyebrows, she did not realize that she had swallowed the candy stick. "It's true that I am your cousin?!"

"A distant cousin." Sayaka said. "Don't worry about that because at school you've called me by my name."

"Heh... besides fucking over my memory, this girl also teases me..." Kyouko closed her eyes and shook her head.

"You still remember something that little devil put in your head?" Sayaka asked in a serious tone.

"'Devil'? What a nice nickname." Forcing her eyes, grimacing, Kyouko tried to remember. "Hmmm... My family lived in the city of Kazamino."

"Yeah. Anything else?"

"Hmm. My head is a mess, but..." Kyouko opened her eyes, but did not look towards Sayaka. "...I'm an orphan. Right?"

There was a brief silence before Sayaka respond. "Yes. That's why you're with us. My mother has your custody for now."

Kyouko looked down. "And how... did they die?"

Sayaka opened her mouth a few times, but was unable to say something. She was still looking for the words.

"Speak!"

"It was a fire." Sayaka began. "They were sleeping. 'You' said you only escaped because you had run away from home to enjoy the night."

Kyouko not outlined any reaction.

Sayaka then continued. "'You' were sorry. You said that if you had not fled, maybe you could..."

"Stupid girl."

Sayaka was so surprised by the interruption of Kyouko that she forgot to close the mouth.

Lifting her head, Kyouko was smiling broadly. "Well. Let's go, right? Where is my uniform?"

"T-there." In a reflex, Sayaka pointed for the clothing that was on the chair in front of the dressing table.

Kyouko went toward the chair and first thing she did was to put the Pocky box in the uniform pocket. "It's good to be prepared for everything." Then she began to remove her pajama shirt, revealing the sinuous shapes of an athletic belly.

"Ah..um.."

Kyouko stopped what she was doing and looked for a Sayaka who was all red and with a hand on her mouth. That made her drop the shirt, hiding her body again. "Oh yeah. I forgot..."

Sayaka looked away and said shyly. "The bathroom is in the corridor, first door on your right."

As she listened the explanation, Kyouko took the uniform and headed toward the door. Before leaving, she turned toward Sayaka. "I'm guessing it will be fun to share this room with you. Senpai."

Sayaka would have laughed with the situation, but other concerns were occupying her mind.

Homura was with Mami yesterday, perhaps with Nagisa too. I hope the two are doing well.

／人 ◕‿‿◕ 人＼

"Uuuh. Nagiisa~."

A calling. Someone swinging. It was a new day for Nagisa. The first thing she sees when opening the eyes is a blonde wearing a yellow pajama with floral theme, with a smile that seemed to be able to light the enviroment more than the daylight. "Mmmm... Good morning, Mami."

"Good day. Huhu." Mami sought to stop laughing with the help of her hand.

Rubbing her eyes, Nagisa surprised with the reaction of Mami. "What?"

"Ah! Nothing. Just that.. Huhu. I think you slept awkwardly." After recovering her composure, Mami was leaving the room. "As you get dressed, I'll make the breakfast."

Nagisa just shook her head in agreement, not understanding what Mami meant by that. She was not feeling any pain or stiffness in her neck. Just feeling a bit light headed.

Getting out of bed, Nagisa headed toward the bathroom. She needed to wash her face to wake up definitely. Along the way, she sniffed a parmesan cheese smell in the air. She did not understand why she was sure that it was parmesan cheese, but she was.

Getting to the bathroom, the first thing she did was see in the mirror. She opened and closed her eyes several times to make sure it was the reflection of herself. Now she understood what Mami said, she looked awful! Her long white hair was full of frizzes. There was much rheum by her eyes and a dry drool stain on the corner of her mouth.

Nagisa vigorously wash her face. When she finished, she concluded that she already seemed more human and smiled. However, there was still much work to be done. She picked up the hairbrush in the sink counter and brushed hard. Only stopped when her arm began to complain of fatigue. Yet still there were two strands of unruly hair that refused to stay in place.

"Uh-huh!" An idea came and she ran back to her room. Digging through the drawer, guided by her memories, she found two yellow scrunchies. With agility, she put one on each rebellious strand. If she could not solve a problem, at least could leave it cute!

"Nagiisa~!" Mami called.

"I'm already comiing!" Nagisa pressed her cheeks with both hands and pouted. Now all that remained was the dress. The closet of her room did not have as much variety as Mami's, since she has not been living here a long time. Still, it was difficult to choose from the polka dots gowns, her favorite model. However, perhaps because of some inspiration, she soon decided what to wear.

Mami already was in her school uniform and had prepared the table, which was a triangle shape and made of glass. It was also low, requiring a person to sit on the floor to use it properly. Mami had numerous pillows to make this more comfortable.

The room had large windows, which could have a panoramic view of modern part of town. Mami was watching the city slowly waking up when she heard footsteps on the wooden floor.

Nagisa came into the room wearing a yellow dress with black polka dots.

"Huhaha." Mami this time could not help herself.

"Huh? Not good?" Nagisa's hand to one of the scrunchies that held her hair.

"Haha. That's not it." Mami shook her head, "It's this dress... don't know why it came into my head. Sorry... haha!"

Nagisa looked at the dress and turned red with embarrassment.

"Just that it makes you look like a piece of cheese. It's stupid of me. Sorry, sorry." Mami gestured with her hand as 'don't worry'.

Nagisa snapped. "Gaah! Gaaaaaaah! What if someone thought the same in school? Why do I have this dreeeeessss?"

Mami put both hands on her face. "Forgive me. This dress is beautiful. I'm just feeling strange today. I'm not measuring my words."

"I'll never wear this dress anymore." Nagisa, sullen, began to turn with the intention of returning to her room.

"Wait!" Mami reached out toward Nagisa. "First, we'll eat together. After that, you look for another dress. Okay?"

Nagisa wanted to take that dress off as soon as possible, but her stomach was already complaining. She did not speak or gesture, just sat in one of the pillows next to the table.

The two began to eat in silence. Mami, unable to support that environment, broke it. "Nagisa. You know what happened to the cookies that were in the pot?"

"No." Nagisa said as she bit a piece of toast with grape jelly. She was still brooding about the dress.

"I swear we had a full pot. But when I entered the kitchen..." Mami gave smile. "Today is Saturday, so let's go to the market in the afternoon. I will buy cookies and ingredients for a cake. Hum? How about it?"

"Cool." Nagisa smiled. She recognized how Mami was trying to please her. It was then that she remembered something.

"It's parmesan?" Nagisa pointed to a plate with cheese cubes.

"Oh? No no. It's provolone." Mami took the plate and offered to Nagisa. "You want some?"

"Ah. Of course." Nagisa took one of the cubes.

Before she put it in her mouth, Nagisa sniffed that small cube to be sure. It really was not the same scent. She closed her eyes. Tasting, soon recognized the strong flavor of provolone piccante. Her mother liked the dolce variant, it combined better with desserts. When making a cheesecake, her favorite dessert, she always used ricotta because it is lighter. Her mother wanted a cheesecake so much when she was in the hospital...

"BEBE!"

Nagisa opened her eyes, startled by the cry of Mami. She saw that Mami had arisen. She was pale and wide-eyed.

Trembling, Mami pointed to Nagisa. "B-bebe. Y-your face... ah...your e-eyes. AH!"

Nagisa did not know, but she had undergone a transformation. The skin of her face had become pure white, except her cheeks that had a yellow circle each. Her mouth was bigger, lips purple. Her eyes were a true rainbow: one of the sclera was red, the other blue, and the irises were half yellow and half blue.

"Rawr? Whawr..." Nagisa covered her own mouth with her hand. Her voice was not of a girl, but guttural like the monsters' from horror films.

If that voice did not scare Mami more, the discovery of not only Nagisa's lips, but also the entirety of the mouth was purple inside, including the tongue. And there lay a maw of large sharp teeths, like a shark.

"Kyyaaaahh! Bebe!" Mami hid her face. It was a nightmare, there was no other possibility. She had to wake up.

However, she did not.

The shock had passed and curiosity returned to overcome fear. Mami looked to Nagisa with corner of the eye.

"Awr... huuuwr?! Haaawr!" Nagisa had pulled her huge purple tongue out of her mouth with one hand. She was in shock. Her eyes literally whirling!

Bebe?

Mami realized. Why that name? Why was she calling Nagisa so?

／人 ◕‿‿◕ 人＼

"She found out!" Mami was on all fours, feeling completely defeated.

"Mamiii. It's okay. We're okay." Nagisa, with her appearance returned to normal, tried to bring comfort.

"No. It's Over."

The two had just recovered their memories. The last thing Mami remembered was being in the infirmary with Homura.

Mami shook her head, tears hit the ground. "She came here, no?"

Nagisa knelt and embraced Mami as best as she could. "Yeah. She messed with our memories, but..." She felt Mami's sobs "...We've recovered. It passed."

Mami pulled away from the hug. "Don't you understand?" And sat on the floor. "She'll be back, now that she knows."

"Mami..." Nagisa had no words. She knew it was true what Mami was saying. Homura Akemi, from now on, would pursue them frequently.

Mami hugged her knees, her gaze was lost. "I followed your advice. You said we only need to wait. Kaname-san would recover her powers and end this."

Feeling guilty, Nagisa lowered her head. "I know it hasn't happened yet, but it's true."

There was a brief silence.

"I did nothing." A new pair of tears trickled down the face of Mami. "Absolutely nothing, and yet she hurt me." She got up and went to the table to pick up a napkin to wipe away the tears and blow her nose. "But if she's a monster now, it's because of me."

"Mami?" Nagisa was perplexed by the statement.

"It's my fault." Mami was convinced.

"No!"

"Yes! I should've been a true friend." Mami took a nostalgic smile. "You know, Bebe. When I met Akemi-san, I was the only one who believed what she was saying. Madoka... Witches... Kyouko and Miki-san always thought she was strange and poorly remembered what she spoke."

Mami looked to the damp napkin that was in her hand and crushed it. Her smile gone. "But then I realized. I didn't believe her because I wanted her to be our friend. I believed her because it was 'convenient'."

Nagisa closed her eyes and shook her head. "You couldn't know that Madoka existed. It's not fair to blame yourself!"

Mami pondered for a moment. "Maybe. But now I know. I must redeem myself." Then she looked at Nagisa. "I'll talk to Akemi-san."

Nagisa's eyes widened. She grabbed the uniform of Mami and began to pull it again and again. "Don't! Mami! She won't listen to you!"

"No need to hide anymore. I have to show to her that we aren't enemies. So maybe she'll leave us alone." Mami smiled and rubbed Nagisa's head. "If I fail... she'll only mess with my memories again."

"She can do worse. She can..." The voice of Nagisa was almost as crying. She buried her face in Mami's body.

Mami felt that her clothes were getting wet.

"I don't want to lose you too." Nagisa revealed her face with tears.

Mami dropped the napkin. During that statement, Nagisa, for a moment, had her white face with multicolored eyes.

"Nagisa..." Mami let Nagisa again hid her face on her. "You won't lose me. I know that Akemi-san has some consideration."

Mami remembered that fight with Homura when the raven-haired girl threatened Bebe. There was a moment where the girl saw she could kill her, but still did not.

Nagisa let Mami go. "You won't change your mind..."

"I'll take precautions. It will be something planned. I'm not stupid." Mami's statements were not only to ensure Nagisa as herself too.

Nagisa nodded, still very sad.

Mami looked at the clock hanging on the wall. "We'll be late for school. We have to go or Akemi-san may suspect."

Nagisa remained silent.

"We can talk more about this when return, huh?"

Nagisa replied this time. "No. You're right. It won't continue like before."

Mami held both hands of Nagisa. "Bebe. I will fight for us to be happy. I promise you."

／人 ◕‿‿◕ 人＼

The Mitakihara channel is a popular place where many families spend their time together. That sunny Saturday afternoon would be no different.

Next to the channel, the ground was composed of sand. Some would even venture to say that this was a 'beach'.

A girl of pink hair, who was still in school uniform, drew in the sand with a stick while a boy of about three years old was sitting beside her, watching.

Madoka Kaname had finished her work of art: a stickman wearing glasses. "Hey Takkun. Who is this person?

The boy picked up a handful of sand and threw up with joy. "Daddy! Daddy!"

Madoka shielded her eyes. "Ouch! Wehihi. Don't throw it like that." Then she returned to draw in the sand. "Yes it's our father. I'll draw the whole family."

The boy got up and knocked on his pants to take off the sand. "I'll help."

Madoka was distracted with the drawing. "Uh-huh. You only need a stick."

Could not be any stick. It could not be too thin or too thick. It had to be one like his sister was using. He looked around, but there was none.

During his search, something called the child's attention. There was a girl sitting on the grass embankment, which was the border between the sand line and the boardwalk. She was wearing a dark dress and watched them both with a smile.

Drawn to this curious figure, the boy ran toward her.

Noticing the boy coming toward her, the girl stopped smiling. She stood up with an air of surprise.

He stopped near her and now he could see with more detail. Her eyes were violet color and had long black hair. The dress had a daring neckline. The back was completely exposed to below the waist. The dress ended in a tail made of dark bird feathers, the inside of the tail had purple tones. The gloves that she also wore were black and long, covering almost the whole arm. She wore sneakers and wearing pantyhose with diamond theme that came up to her thighs.

The boy did not care about her appearance, which would have drawn the attention of anyone who passed by. "Hi!"

As if to answer for the greeting, a pair of wings rose from back of the girl. They were not like the wings of a bird: it was more a white frame with long dark feathers hung side by side. It seemed to be a cosplay.

"OOOOHHHH!" The boy's eye widened. "Angel!"

Incredulous, the girl brought the tip of one of her fingers to her own chin and smiled again. "Angel? Fufu. You're mistaken Tatsuya Kaname. I'm just the opposite."

The girl stretched her other arm and picked up a tomato in the air that was flying toward her.

"OOOOHHHH!" Tatsuya clapped.

"Be sure to eat the tomatoes in your meals, Tatsuya. They are good for your health." The girl bent down and offered a tomato.

It was a very big tomato. Tatsuya tried to put it in his mouth to bite, but could not.

"Fufu. Now go back to your sister. I don't want to see her worried." The smile has opened up even more. The girl's eyes sparkled.

"Ok." Tatsuya did not know if he should keep looking at her or to the tomato.

The girl said nothing more. Raised, turned and jumped. Contrary to their appearance, those wings really allowed her to fly.

"OOOOHHHH!" Tatsuya was amazed to witness that.

"Tat. Su. Ya. Kaname!"

He looked back and saw his sister coming.

"I can't take my eyes off you for a second!" Madoka put her hands on her hips. She was trying to impose a reprovingly tone, but without much success.

"Look." Tatsuya showed the tomato.

"Uh? What a huuuge tomato!" Madoka gaped. "Where did you get this, Takkun?"

"Angel!" Tatsuya pointed to the sky, in the direction where the girl had gone.

Madoka looked at the direction pointed by Tatsuya.

"Angel! Angel!" Tatsuya jumped excited.

Madoka shook her head, smiling. "Wehihi. An angel giving a tomato. Such an imagination."

Tatsuya did not give care about the discredit of Madoka. His interest now was that big tomato.

"Let's show this to Dad. He will be jealous when you show that you have one bigger than we have at home."

"Hehehtschh." Tatsuya laughed with his tongue between his teeth.

Madoka took the brother in her arms with difficulty, he was getting very heavy, and then set off in search of her father on that happy day for the families of Mitakihara.

Next chapter: Informal invitation