Blind hearts

Sayaka and Kyouko were discussing in the bedroom about how they would contact Mami. There was still a remnant of the sunset through the window.

Kyouko was still dressed in her school uniform, but had removed the red ribbon and left the collar loose. "She changed the telephone numbers?"

"See. All of them." Sayaka showed the contacts registered in her cellphone. "When I called Madoka's number that I still remembered, guess who answered?"

"Scary." Kyouko removed the black bow that bound her hair, taking care to not drop an exotic shaped golden pin that help to keep it firm. She went to the dressing table mirror to check on the long red strands which came to the knee. I'll have to trim. "And emails?"

Sayaka nodded. "No. I don't even go on the Internet anymore, because she seems to know when I use it."

Kyouko caressed the golden pin, before putting the bow back. "Now she's a nerd too? I know she had a way with mechanics and also electronics, but computers?"

Sayaka sat on her bed, sighing. "It won't be easy."

Kyouko looked at Sayaka. "I think we hafta stay with the secret mail then."

Thoughtful, Sayaka had her head down. "Yeah, but it would be a long shot. 'If' it gets in the hands of Mami-san and 'if' she decides to read it. Even then, that alone couldn't work. The letter would have to be very well written and convincing, in addition to the instructions to maintain contact that has to be very clear."

Kyouko put both hands behind her head. "Um... Why don't we take pictures, huh? They say an image is worth a thousand words. Heh."

"Image..." Sayaka's eyes went from side to side and then widened. She got out of bed in one leap, clapped her hands and pointed to Kyouko. "This!"

Kyouko was glad. "Wow! Nice to see you pumped up. So you have an idea?"

"Yes!" Sayaka walked from one side to the other in the room. "We need to make enough impact. I just need to remember... ah!" She ran to the closet, opened the bottom drawer and pulled out a large rectangular capped pot.

Kyouko became curious. "What's that?"

Sayaka came close to Kyouko with the pot, and opened it.

Strips of cloth of various textures and colors, buttons, pins, needles, thread rolls, scissors... A complete set of cutting and sewing.

That surprised Kyouko. "I didn't know about this side of yours."

Sayaka's gaze was lost in memories. "It was ages ago. I used to make clothes for my dolls and fix my dresses, you know. My family in the past hadn't so many resources. They gave very hard to get here."

"I know how it is." Kyouko pursed her lips. "But... back to what we were doing. What you want to do with it?"

Sayaka came back to her senses, she smiled. "You'll see. And Kyouko..." She called.

"Hi?"

"Are you ready to became famous?"

／人 ◕‿‿◕ 人＼

Class with Saotome-sensei, the last before lunch, the last before putting the plan into action.

Sayaka and Kyouko waited on the edge of their chairs for the bell to ring.

"Ready?" Sayaka whispered.

Kyouko answered with a nod.

When it rang, the two went running.

"No runn..."

Before Saotome could complete the sentence, the two were already far away.

"Do you think it'll work, Sayaka?" Kyouko asked Sayaka while trying to follow, avoiding colliding with the students who were coming out of the classrooms.

"I can't guarantee, but it's far less risky than delivering directly to her." Sayaka said.

The two went up a flight of stairs before stopping.

"We'll wait here a bit. I'm sure that devil will follow Madoka to the cafeteria." Sayaka opened her bag and took an object from inside.

"But we aren't wait too long, right? Or the person we want to see will go away too." Kyouko watched the students who passed by.

"Not much, but I know her, she's a little slow."

"Think this talk will convince her?"

Sayaka closed her hand, hiding the object under the fingers. "Sure. Leave it to me."

After two minutes, the two went down the stairs and returned to the classroom.

As predicted, Sayaka saw Hitomi Shizuki in the hallway, removing her cellphone from the locker.

"Hi Hitomi." Sayaka greeted.

Hitomi was surprised. "Huh? Oh... Hello Sayaka-san, Sakura-san. Forgot something in the classroom?"

"No... no..." Sayaka nodded. "It's I and Kyouko found this on the floor." She extended her hand that was closed and then opened.

Hitomi analyzed the object in Sayaka's hand. "A pendrive?"

Sayaka smiled. "Yup. I think someone has lost it."

Hitomi took the pendrive and carefully read the label that was glued on it. "Ma... Mami Tomoe..."

"This must be the owner." Said Sayaka.

"Yes." Hitomi smiled too. "If you leave it in the lost and found's section, sure she will find."

"No!" Sayaka gestured desperately.

"Huh?"

"Do you trust the staff of the lost and found? They could access what is inside." Sayaka pointed to the pendrive.

"Imagine if there's something indecent? I bet they'll put on the Internet." Kyouko added, resulting in an elbow of Sayaka. "Hey!"

"I-Indecent?!" Hitomi was turning red.

"Ah! My cousin is just kidding. Hehehe..." Sayaka was scratching her head. "But it can actually contain personal and sensitive information. I trust you Hitomi, our respectable class representative, who will deliver it to its owner without any incident."

"I see. Glad to hear this, but..." Hitomi looked down. "You see me just now as a class representative?"

"Huh?" Sayaka was astonished.

Hitomi gave a simple smile. "I should have expected it. Since I started my relationship with Kyousuke, you and I seemed to drift apart."

"Ah..." Sayaka opened and closed her mouth a few times, looking for what to say. "E-Everything is fine. Haha. I'm glad that you two are together and I have Kyouko for company."

"Yeah..." Kyouko felt the pain in the tone employed by Sayaka. That left her worried.

Hitomi sighed. "Still... I miss you, Sayaka-san. Even with you in front of me now, I have this feeling. Bizarre, no? Huhu." She finished with a bland laugh.

"Hitomi..." Sayaka felt something empty and cold spreading through her body. Her skin shivered.

"It's been worse these days, he has missed the morning lessons because of the violin's practices. Lately they have been more frequent. I should take advantage of these moments to get back with our frien..." Hitomi was interrupted by the sound of a violin. She looked at her cellphone. "Ah! It must be him calling me to have lunch together."

"Sayaka..." Kyouko called in a low tone.

Sayaka was sweating and shaking badly.

Hitomi answered. "Hi, my dear! I was longing for your voice, you know?"

Sayaka turned and ran.

"Tch..." Kyouko thought to follow her. However, she did not know how Hitomi would've reacted. Since Hitomi had possession of the pendrive, it was very relevant.

"Oh? Will you stay in practice all day? Uh-huh... I see. I'll organize the notes of the classes for you. Ok? Bye my love. Kisses." Hitomi hung up the phone, sad.

"The boy won't come, right?" Kyouko said.

"He's busy..." Hitomi answered.

Kyouko expressed distrust. "Keep an eye on him, huh? Maybe he's with someone else."

Hitomi gasped. "N-No! He's a honest guy, he would never do such a thing."

"If you believe that..." Spoke Kyouko.

Hitomi sought to change the subject. "What happened to Sayaka-san? She seemed to be sick."

"Ah! That? You know..." Kyouko rubbed her belly. "Cramps."

Hitomi covered her mouth with her hand then got closer to Kyouko. "I also have a terrible crisis from time to time."

"Yeah..." Kyouko just nodded.

Whispering, Hitomi continued. "She has no pain killers?"

"It's... well..." Kyouko was playing with her ponytail. "Is just that it's very irregular... and she forgets... and so on..."

"Oh right." Hitomi smiled. "I must have some in my bag, I could leave with you to give to her?"

"If you won't need it..." Kyouko gave a wink, smiling.

／人 ◕‿‿◕ 人＼

Run.

Sayaka would like to do this forever. Stay as far as possible from the sorrow, regret. However, her uniform was getting soaked and she knew it was not sweat.

She went into the first bathroom she saw. She kept her head down to avoid whoever was inside and locked in one of the stalls. She opened the toilet seat, could not hold anymore...

Vomited, but it was not breakfast but liters and liters of clear water. The toilet bowl almost overflowed.

Pale and still trembling, Sayaka questioned her own statements. Hitomi was not too good for Kyousuke? He was not ancient history? Why are her emotions betraying her?

"It's not fair! IT's nOT FAiR!" Sayaka gave punch against the wall. Fragments fell on the floor.

Sayaka was startled with that. She looked up and saw that her iron gauntlet had cracked the wall.

"nO... nO..." The desperation of Sayaka was growing every second she looked at her hands.

Then something happened. There was a pull, but not of her body. The armor that had settled evaporated in a black smoke. At the same time, her cloudy and heavy conscience was restoring.

Smoke came out of the stall through the door. Sayaka knew what was happening, it was a sense of relief and disgust.

The sound of the latch opening.

Sayaka, hugging the toilet, looked at the door. This was not part of the routine.

When the door opened, the figure of Homura Akemi was revealed. "You ruined my lunch."

"The damned..." Sayaka said in a low tone, was still very dizzy and weak.

Homura, seeing the crack in the wall, entered. "Oh my! Wanting to redecorate the school? Oktavia."

"Don't call me that!" With the help of fury, Sayaka rose, but had no time to react. Homura pushed her, causing her to fall sitting on the toilet.

"Then you should not have chosen this path." Homura answered seriously.

After the tantrum, her muscles did not respond. Sayaka was not sure if it was still weakness or some trick of Homura. "Go... erase my mind already."

Homura held out her left hand with the palm open.

Sayaka noticed a familiar violet glow in her nemesis's eyes. There was nothing else to do.

Closing her hand, Homura said. "Done. Like new."

Sayaka turned and saw that the crack in the wall was gone.

Homura sighed. "What's the use? Tomorrow you'd be looking at me again crossed. Moreover, this does not solve your condition."

Sayaka looked back at Homura, her anger was evident.

Homura continued. "If I were not here to purify you, you would be out of control. You would be killing innocents and bystanders. What Madoka would think about that? Huh?"

"Cynical!" Sayaka snapped. "This is all your fault!"

"No!" Homura pointed to Sayaka. "You made this decision without thinking. Embraced your curse. You did it just to annoy me, like a naughty child."

Sayaka shuddered.

"You chose to suffer..." Homura put her hand on her chest. "But I can still help you."

"I want nothing from you." Sayaka said firmly.

"Yeah?" Homura nudged her chin. "Even if it's about Kamijou Kyousuke?"

Sayaka's eyes widened.

Homura was emphatic. "He's the pivot of your curse. The friendship you have with Shizuki-san had been maintained, but you got away from her because of it."

"What... will you do?" Sayaka was afraid.

"I'll finish their relationship."

It just confirmed what Sayaka already knew. "You monster! Playing with the lives of others... you're pure evil."

"I know." Homura closed her eyes. "But this is not the case."

"How?" Sayaka asked irritably.

"Are you currently aware how their relationship is? Kamijou don't give much attention to Shizuki-san."

Sayaka averted her gaze. "His greatest passion is music, but Hitomi knew that and..."

"You're wrong." Homura interrupted. "There's something he loves more than the music, the violin, the score."

Homura returned to open her eyes and gave a small smile.

Sayaka was confused and curious.

Homura continued. "Have you ever heard the saying where the person only recognizes the value of something after they lose it?"

Sayaka was still speechless.

"Oh yes! I forgot I have to be more direct with you." Homura cocked her head to one side, the violet gem in her earring swung.

"He loves you, Miki-san."

That was like a hand coming into her chest and crushing the heart. Sayaka gritted her teeth. "LIE! LIELIELIELIELIE..."

Homura nodded disapprovingly. "That's what happens when two idiots don't have the courage to express their feelings..."

"LIAR!" Sayaka spoke with veins popping out of her temple. "He just sees me as a friend."

"No." Homura laughed. "Fufu. Did you know he has a curious case of sleepwalking?"

"Huh?"

Homura approached the face of Sayaka and spoke quietly. "He keeps calling 'Sayaka... Sayaka... Sayaka...'. He also reach for an empty spot next to bed. He probably is dreaming about those afternoons in the hospital with you at his side."

"Ah... ah..." Tears started falling from the eyes of Sayaka.

Homura then moved away. "I can erase his memories, but the feeling is something more... elusive. His unconscious mind is disturbed, confused. This is affecting his musical performance and he has tried vainly to compensate with further training. It's love. I guarantee, I'm an expert on this subject. Fufu."

"Please." Sayaka said crying. "Leave them alone."

Homura anger flared up. "Did you hear what I said? Their relationship is doomed. DOOMED! If not for my intervention, it would be over. Did you believe they still called only by their last name? That must have been so from the time you were taken by the Law of Cycles."

Sayaka hid her face. "I don't want... Kyousuke."

"If you think I'll give him to you, you're mistaken." Homura threw her hair back. "I'll just make everyone forget that the two were together. It'll be as if nothing had happened between them, which is nonetheless true. You want to approach him or not, that's your problem. Consider it a new chance to make the right decision."

"And Hitomi?" Sayaka asked. "She loves him."

"Yes. She nourishes feelings for him." Homura joined hands, locking the fingers. "However, if she confesses, he'd reject due to the touched upon feelings he has for you. She'll feel pain, but it'll be much smaller than she would've felt." She smiled. "Don't worry. Shizuki-san is popular with boys; she'll have other opportunities. Besides..." And it was getting wider. "She'll have more time to form friendships, maybe she could become a friend of our transfer student. Huh?"

Sayaka revealed her face, her eyes looked like they were going out of their respective orifices. "GO TO HELL!"

"I'm already there." Homura said, with a gaping smile that left her teeth bared. "Even with your misbehavior, you have Sakura-san and now you may have the violinist. Am I not being generous? Imagine then if you accept all that I did, you could again be her friend too. I'll give you some time, think well about it."

／人 ◕‿‿◕ 人＼

Run.

Kyouko would not want to do this forever, but she would if it was enough to find Sayaka.

Damn! Where are you?

She had not found her friend in the nearest bathroom. Her bet is that Sayaka would be at least in one on the same floor.

I don't know if I've visited all of them on this floor...

Her train of thought ended with the sight of Homura coming out of a bathroom. Unfortunately, she was already too close to avoid the raven-haired girl.

"Oh! Sakura-san. Looking for your friend?" Homura questioned.

Kyouko said, a little breathless. "She's my cousin."

"Well remembered." Homura smiled. "She's inside."

"Thanks." Despite the word, the voice of Kyouko did not express gratitude.

Homura did mention that would turn, but stopped halfway. The gem in the earring dangling. "Ah! Did you have importuned Kaname-san?"

"No." Kyouko said bluntly.

"Great. Keep it up." Homura said, noting Kyouko through the corner of the eye, before leaving.

When I catch you, I want to see if you'll have the guts to talk to me like that. Thought Kyouko while Homura disappeared from her sight. I hope Sayaka is fine.

Before she reached the door, Sayaka left with a lousy mood.

"Sayaka? Everything ok?" Kyouko put her hand on the shoulder of her friend.

Sayaka did not answer, did not even look at Kyouko.

Although Homura have gone, Kyouko whispered. It was better not to risk it. "Hey... Hang on, this won't last much longer. The class representative said she'll personally deliver it to Mami."

"Forget it..."

"What?"

Sayaka looked Kyouko with rancor. "Forget Mami-san."

／人 ◕‿‿◕ 人＼

It was time to sleep in the house of the Kanames.

"Takkun! Stand still, or I can't put your pajamas." Madoka was in the room of her little brother. While her mother was away, she and her father take turns in this routine.

What she did not know is that there was an admirer.

Sitting on a branch of a tree, next to that room's window, Homura Akemi watched her magnum opus. The tail of her black dress shimmered with the evening breeze. If not by her magic, Madoka would have noticed her under the moonlight.

"Did she watch me like that?" She thought aloud.

"Yes."

Hearing that statement, Homura found Nagisa sitting inside a floating bubble. She was wearing her magical girl costume and her human face had a slight smile.

"Who gave you permission to leave?" Homura squinted.

Nagisa was expecting that question. "I saw that you would hunt demons here in town. Then I asked to your children and they showed me where you are."

Homura frowned. "I didn't expect that you could communicate so well with them..."

Nagisa touched the surface of the bubble with her hands, popping it.

"Wait!" Homura reached out, feared that the branch was not able to support the weight of the two.

Nagisa, with grace, put her feet on the branch without swaying it.

"You're lighter than I thought." Homura said.

Nagisa ran her hand along her inflatable skirt. "This here helps. Ehihi."

Homura again used a more serious tone. "Even knowing where I was, it doesn't mean that you can leave."

"Ah... but I wanted to spend more time with you, Homura-chan. You're always in a hurry and busy, it's so rare to see you like this." Nagisa looked the home of Kanames. "And I wouldn't come near here if you weren't here. This should be the most guarded place worldwide."

"You're very good at stating the obvious, witch." Homura closed her eyes. "A pity that Miki-san doesn't share this same ability."

"She came here?" Asked Nagisa.

Homura began to count on. "About five times, I guess."

"Ummm..." Something that Nagisa has always recognized in Sayaka was her stubbornness. Even if it was the duty of Madoka, the blue haired girl always protested against the rescue of Homura. When Homura got her hands on Madoka and separated her from the Law of Cycles, for a moment Nagisa gave reason to Sayaka. However, seeing Madoka putting her little brother to sleep, she was now certain that her mission companion was wrong. "Yes... Takkun is growing."

That got the attention of Homura.

And Nagisa noticed it. "Madoka showed me many things."

"Hmmm... You two were very close"

"Yeah..." Nagisa walked down the branch until Homura, sat down and leaned on the girl.

Homura flinched. "What are you doing?"

Nagisa smiled. "The dew of night... Don't you feel cold in that dress?"

"The devil doesn't feel cold." Homura relaxed and turned her attention back to the room. Madoka was giving an attack of tickling in the belly of Tatsuya.

"Ehihi."

Out of the corner of her eye, Homura saw the smiling expression of Nagisa. She was absorbed by that scene, not even blinking.

"Charlotte."

"Yes, Homura-chan." Nagisa turned her attention.

"I have to confess something." Homura looked away, motivated by a sense of guilt. "I took you to be with me because I believed you would use this opportunity to betray me. So I would not have remorse to kill you, since you hadn't committed anything before."

There was a moment when only was heard the sound of crickets. Nagisa spoke. "It's all right. You had warned me. It's natural that you fear losing what lies before us. It's for this reason that I say again, I won't betray your trust."

She did not know if was the words or just a matter of time. Homura could not feel cold, but she was feeling warmer.

Can I trust the answer she will give? The time had come when Homura could solve one of her biggest concerns. A truth that was beyond the reach of her powers. "I... want to ask one more thing."

Nagisa was happy to be of help. "Of course Homura-chan."

"I want you to look at me and say." Homura looked at those beautiful eyes like the end of a summer afternoon at beach. "How is the Law of Cycles? How is to be taken away?"

"I'll tell you, but... umm..." Nagisa pouted. "It may scare you a bit."

"My time of scares has passed." Homura said with a forced coldness.

"Okay." Nagisa continued. "I remember that I had hidden in a dark and empty room in the hospital. I was crying. Then came a flash!"

Nagisa gestured, opening her hands. "It was a very strong pink light and know who was there?"

Homura smiled. "Madoka."

"Uh-huh." Nagisa began to express her excitement. "She was wearing her magical girl uniform and her hand held my soul gem. I had left it behind and was completely dark."

Homura listened intently. Up to that part she already had an idea of what it was, what was important was what would come now.

"Then she told she would take care of me, that I need not to be afraid. Then... then..." Nagisa blinked her eyes, trying to remember. "She made my gem to shine again before it... disappear. I know that I felt lighter before everything getting white."

"White?"

"Yeah. Everything had turned white. A white light." Nagisa continued. "When I realized, she was holding me by the arm. We were floating, going somewhere."

"It seems to be a good experience." Homura commented.

"Maybe, but it wasn't for me." Nagisa pursed her lips. "I thanked her for relieving my pain, but I wanted to come back, wanted to see my mother. She said I couldn't."

Nagisa started talking faster.

"Then I struggled, but she held firm and... and... then I bit and ripped her arm off."

Wide eyes expressed the surprise of Homura. "W-What did you just say?"

"Haha... It's true..." Nagisa was awkwardly. "I said it could scare you a little..."

"Umm... proceed."

"At that moment I didn't know, but I should've already been a witch. I don't know what happened to her arm, I think I swallowed and didn't even feel the taste..."

"Refrain of those details." Homura interrupted.

"Ah! Of course." Nagisa swung her legs with nervousness. "I was bigger, probably in my most horrible form. Then appeared several magical girls. They protected Madoka and surrounded me."

"They fought you?"

Nagisa closed her eyes tightly. "I don't remember much of that part, I think they knocked me out. I know that when I woke up, I was sitting at a table and had a lot of candy around me."

"Your barrier?"

"Uh-huh... Madoka was sitting at the table as well. Her eyes were golden and she had a beautiful dress, all white. Ah! And her arm was there too. Hehe."

"Good..." Homura said with little enthusiasm.

Nagisa spoke with a sadder tone. "She said she was sorry for my mother and that she couldn't replace her, but would come visit to eat dessert with me. She also explained to me what I had become."

"And the other girls? Were they also witches?"

Nagisa looked away. "I'm pretty sure they are."

"Fufu."

That laugh made Nagisa give attention back to Homura.

"Are you telling me that the Law of Cycles is a heaven of witches?"

Nagisa replied. "Heaven? If you see it like that..."

Homura looked at the sky and slid her fingers on her lips. "It's something that intrigues me. You said you would rather die than go back there... "

"You know." Nagisa held the fabric of her skirt tightly. "When we went to rescue you, one thing I really liked was to see how you all worked together."

Homura clenched the hand that was close to her mouth. "That was an illusion. The relationship with them really comes down in a web of lies, misfortunes and disputes."

"Even so. Even if you were rivals!" Nagisa said with a tint of desperation. "Still you know each other. There was still something in common to share: you were magical girls." She lowered her head, making the pom-poms attached to her cap sway... "I have not had that opportunity. I left this world alone."

"If I had banished you..." Homura understood.

"You say it's a paradise, but my only company there would be my sorrows. Without Madoka to visit me... I don't know what I would become."

Running her hands in hair of Nagisa, Homura guaranteed. "Don't worry. This will never happen."

"Thank you." Nagisa, in response, also rubbed the hair of Homura. "Oh Homura-chan... that hair is fantastic." She said happily.

Closing her eyes, Homura said. "There is nothing special about it, yours is as long as mine."

All of Nagisa's attention was now focused on those long black strands. "Mine is long, but it's curly and arched. Yours is like silk. Look how it slides..."

While her hair was being pulled, Homura was lost in thought. So this is the fruit of your wish? You did a good job Madoka, I never imagined I would be next to this witch. I never imagined that I... I...

Homura opened her eyes, confused. The mind plays tricks when we let ourselves be carried away by thoughts, but what about the heart? It can be deceived, but can it lie?

Under the weight of these ideas, Homura realized that Tatsuya's room already had the lights off.

"Charlotte, they were sleepin..." Homura froze when she witnessed Nagisa braiding her hair.

Given Homura's reaction, Nagisa released it and her work was undone.

Homura stood on the branch. "L-Let's go home."

Next chapter: Castle of cards