Mami stood next to a bush wall, the sounds of the busy city she was so used to nowhere to be seen with how far away from the city's center she was; small hills and plenty of trees easily seen around her. Only a few buildings were around. Most of the buildings were old factories that no longer had a use, and a few big warehouses sprinkled around the area.

She had been surprised when she reached the location that Sayaka had sent her, not really sure if she was in the right place or not… But the GPS didn't lie, and she had seen a few people come and go into the nearest warehouse wearing what looked like airsoft gear.

"How can they be so late!" complained Nagisa, the small girl tired of walking around in circles as they waited for the rest.

"Sayaka said that Madoka-san and Akemi-san are already with them, so they should be coming soon" explained Mami, trying to calm down the impatient kid a bit.

They should be impatient, after all Sayaka had thought of inviting them even though they are still really new in their group! Waking up to a message from a friend asking her if she wanted to go out was an amazing feeling, and they shouldn't get angry for them being just a tad late.

Waiting twenty more minutes was nothing for someone like Mami after all!

"I really don't get how those two could be late!" complained Nagisa, the girl looking over to a small pile of tires that she had been staring at since they had come. "It sounds like a joke for Homura and Madoka of all people to be late"

Mami looked at Nagisa with a calmed smile, taking out her phone to check if the others had sent her a new message or not.

"It's normal that they got lost in their own little world, Nagisa" said Mami, opening her chat with Sayaka even though there was no new notification "They are only human after all, they can lose track of time as easily as you or I"

"Yeah, sure" dismissed Nagisa before muttering something to herself that was quickly followed by another glance towards the pile of abandoned tires.

Mami looked at the tires too, trying to see what could be so interesting about them. They seemed like a normal set of tires, only how heavily used they were being of particular interest. If anything, they were set up as if someone small could use them as an attraction of sorts… thought it wouldn't really be sanitary to do so.

"Do you want to play with them?" asked Mami.

Nagisa immediately turned to face her, a surprised and worried expression all over her face as she tried to articulate a coherent phrase and failed to do so.

"W-wh-what do you mean?" asked Nagisa, her own voice faltering her as she spoke.

Oh could she maybe be embarrassed about it? She had been trying to act more mature lately after all, maybe she thought that playing around with that kind of thing was childish.

It was things like this that really reminded Mami that Nagisa was just a kid in the end.

"With the tires I mean" said Mami with a warm smile on her face "You've been looking at them since we got here. You can go and play if you want; just be careful"

Nagisa sighed before exchanging looks between Mami and the pile of tires, the girl's previous nervousness slowly evaporating into thin air.

"Thank you, but I think I'll just wait here" finally spoke Nagisa "Don't want to leave you alone anyways"

Mami giggled a bit, a warm grateful smile on her lips and a soft gaze on her eyes.

"Well, thank you" said Mami, going back to look at her phone as if it would make a new notification appear.

[-]

"Ah! There they are!" exclaimed Nagisa, an angry pout on her face as she faced towards the road.

A few silhouettes appeared on the horizon. Judging by her short hair, one of them seemed to be Sayaka, the girl looking at her phone as she walked down the road surrounded by the other three. The mere appearance of the group was a huge relief for Mami, a sigh escaping her when she saw them. She hated to admit it, but after waiting for almost an hour she had started to get doubts about this whole thing.

Madoka seemed to notice Nagisa and Mami, the girl now waving her hand to greet them from a distance. Sayaka seemed to be the next to one to notice them, waving at them too immediately.

The group closed the distance, the relative silence that had been around Mami and Nagisa being quickly broken by their voices.

"Good morning Mami-san!" gleefully greeted Madoka, a big smile on her face; a smile that Mami hadn't seen on the girl's face since the start of the rumors.

"Good morning, everyone" properly greeted Mami, making sure to keep her posture straight and act like the older one that she was supposed to be.

"Man, sorry for making you wait for so long Mami-san!" said Sayaka, scratching the back of her head in a sorry gesture. "Between Madoka and Homura being late and then us walking in the completely wrong direction we kind of lost a lot of time on our way here"

"Should have used the GPS the moment we got off the station like I said" said Kyouko, trying to rub the point in Sayaka's face. "But no, you knew the way"

"I already apologized!" exclaimed Sayaka at Kyouko's face "God, you are insufferable sometimes"

"Yeah, but I don't make everyone walk for twenty minutes the wrong way out of pride" Kyouko barked back.

Sayaka clenched her fists and took a step forwards, both girls exchanging dead glares between each other.

Madoka walked between them, trying to put distance between the two with a small worried smile on her face.

"W-well we got here in the end, so it's okay" said Madoka, her interference helping to calm down the other two before things got to rowdy. "A-h Uhm… Right! Mami-san I didn't know you and Nagisa would come with us today!"

Mami looked at the girl with a slight surprise in her eyes, a bit of confusion on her face.

"Oh, well; Sayaka-san invited us over, I thought she had told you?" said Mami before looking over at Sayaka in search of an explanation.

Sayaka and Kyouko exchanged rude gestures as they slowly calmed down, Sayaka huffing in indignation before turning to face Mami; her usual positive energy coming back as she did so.

"That's because you are an important part of today's plan" explained Sayaka, and Mami had to hold back a smile when she heard her "And one shouldn't reveal their plans to the enemy so easily"

"Enemy?" Confusedly asked Madoka, the word that Sayaka had used not sitting well with the girl.

"Fufufu…" theatrically laughed Sayaka, putting on an exaggerated pose before she spoke again "You and Homura will be in the other team today! We will compete against the love that you two force us to watch all the time!"

Madoka looked at Sayaka with a surprised expression, still trying to understand why she would want to fight them.

"Wait, don't we have an advantage in numbers?" asked Mami, realizing that a four versus two wasn't really balanced.

"That's why I invited Nagisa too!" declared Sayaka as she pointed over to the small girl "You will be part of their team!"

"HUH?! WHY?!" complained Nagisa, who hadn't really been paying much attention to the conversation before.

"Well, because you can be like their kid or something" said Sayaka, her offhand comment putting a small blush on Madoka's cheeks "I don't know! But it wouldn't feel good if I won against them being one less person!"

"So you would if one of our team members was a literal child?" asked Homura with a slightly raised eyebrow.

"She is harder to hit with how small she is" said Sayaka as she moved her pointing finger from Nagisa to Homura "Besides, you will probably be too good at this like always. We needed Mami to even have a chance, so don't you dare complain!"

Homura let the matter drop with a small shrug before exchanging looks with Nagisa, who wasn't that happy to hear the news.

"I'm not sure about this, Sayaka…" said Madoka, the girl now getting the attention of the group. "Wouldn't it be better if we all played on the same team?"

An understanding smile appeared on Sayaka's face, the girl's gaze expressing how much she had expected Madoka to react like this.

"Don't worry about it!" said Sayaka "It's just a friendly competition, it will make things more interesting. And If for whatever reason things go south, we can just stop you know?"

Madoka looked at Sayaka, the girl still showing doubts about the whole thing.

"Besides, if we all were on the same team we would sweep the floor with all the other players!" convincedly said Sayaka.

"Not so sure with your aim" commented Kyouko, her jab not going unnoticed by a Sayaka that glared at her for a second before turning to smile back at Madoka.

Madoka couldn't help but smile at the girl's comment, Sayaka's positive energy reassuring her that everything would be okay.

"Okay, just… don't take it too seriously, okay?" said Madoka.

"We won't! It's just a game after all" proudly said Sayaka.

Madoka nodded before turning towards Homura, the girl waiting just next to her.

"That goes for you too, okay?" said Madoka, a knowing and worried expression on her face.

"Of course" said Homura, yet her confirmation didn't remove the worried look on Madoka's face.

"Well!" exclaimed Sayaka after a small pause, the girl turning towards the building where they were supposed to be playing in "Let's go!"

The entrance of the building was bigger than Madoka had expected, instead of a small room to receive customers, the warehouse doors lead into a huge room where some protective gear, a great variety of small plastic pellets from different brands, and even what looked like a few airsoft guns were laid upon a labyrinth of shelves; the building still clearly trying to maintain its industrial warehouse look, the counter nowhere to be seen in the immediate vicinity.

There were a few other people besides them near the front door, a small group that looked like they were talking with each other and a few other individuals that were either waiting around, looking at what was being sold, or drinking something from one of the few vending machines that were near the entrance. Only a few looks were thrown their ways when the doors opened, everyone quickly returning to their own thing after their curiosity of who had just entered was satiated.

But Madoka's assessment of the situation was cut short, since Sayaka, who had not taken even a single second to take in the view in the building, was already walking towards one of the many industrial shelfs that decorated the room.

"Right, so there is a fee we have to pay for playing; it's like two thousand yen per person" explained Sayaka as she kept walking forwards "And then there is a deal I saw for renting basic protection for thirteen hundred yen, just a mask, googles, and a small vest. Guns rent depends on what you pick and how much pellets you use, didn't have the prices on their website for that one"

"Oh my" muttered Mami, Madoka being able to hear the girls brain working to take into account what all of it would cost "That's… quite expensive"

"Yeah! You all only have to pay for yourselves!" complained Nagisa, the girl quickly catching on what was going on in Mami's head. "But Mami has to pay twice!"

"Oh right…" deflated Sayaka, the girl stopping dead on her tracks as her energy quickly going out of the window when she realized how much more Mami was going to pay "I… didn't think about that, I don't know what to say. Sorry"

Madoka looked around her and how quickly the mood had soured, first a fight between Sayaka and Kyouko that she was pretty sure was still warm in their minds, and then realization about Mami's situation.

"I-it's okay!" exclaimed Madoka a bit louder than she had wanted, getting the attention not only of their own group but of a few people around them. The girl, slightly embarrassed, lowered her tone "We can all chip in a bit to make it easier for you"

"Oh, please you don't have to" tried to deny Mami, the girl trying to keep her pride over her wallet. "I'm sure we can cut costs somewhere, maybe only the googles are necessary? If I only get those for me it should be cheaper"

"I mean… yeah" defeatedly said Sayaka, a torn look on her face as she tried to make a decision.

And Madoka could understand her. They could try to push the matter of them helping her to pay, but Mami seemed really against it and they wouldn't want to hurt her by forcing her to accept their help… but not doing so would affect Mami and Nagisa after today.

"Just accept their help, Mami" said Nagisa, grabbing onto Mami's arms to get her attention.

Mami looked at Nagisa with a warm smile and welcoming eyes; a look that reminded Madoka a lot of her own mother.

"No, Nagisa" firmly yet affectionally said Mami "We would have to return it later anyways, so it would be the same"

"My God, just accept the money" said Kyouko, whom having come already irritated had not helped at all to keep her opinion contained "We want to help you, just go with it"

"Yeah! You won't have to return anything to us" said Sayaka "Just invite us over to your house whenever you make cake and we will be okay!"

Madoka nodded in agreement, glad that everyone seemed to be on the same page to help Mami. Well, everyone except for Homu-

Huh? Where was she?

"I… Thank you everyone, but really there is no need to…" Mami looked at Madoka, the girl looking around with a look of worry in her eyes "Is… is there a problem, Kaname-san?"

Madoka looked around a bit more, trying to see between the shelf's empty spots; but it was to no avail. Homura wasn't anywhere in sight.

It felt as if she had just vanished from the world.

"It's just that… have any of you seen Homura-chan?" asked Madoka, unable to find her.

"Wait, what?! She was here before, wasn't she?" asked a confused Sayaka as she tried to look between the different shelves that were around them.

"How was she even able to scurry away from us without anyone noticing?" asked Mami as she accompanied Sayaka in her search.

"Oh c'mon, she will be fine" said Kyouko, more confused from the reaction of everyone around her than the disappearance of Homura "She is old enough to walk around a store alone, you know?"

Madoka didn't listen, instantly running away from the group in her search for Homura, trying to reach the end of the corridor as a sense of dread started to take seat in her chest.

The flame burned as hot as the sun,

As she reached the end of the shelf they had been walking along, she turned right, another hall surrounded by shelves welcoming her.

Madoka walked faster and faster, the length of the halls almost increasing at the same rate as her speed did. She walked and walked and walked; every turn she took in which she didn't see Homura adding haste to her steps.

The thought of Homura having disappeared for good gnawed at the back of her mind. A fear of missing her opportunity. A fear of failing. A fear of not being able to fix everything.

But the sound of golden static was louder than that of raging fire.

Madoka reached the end of one of the halls, reaching a wall from which she could see a door at the end of it. She rushed towards it, a big panel window letting her look inside and see that Homura was in it. Madoka walked into the already opened door, coming face to face with the counter where Homura was in the process of passing her card through the card reader.

Madoka calmed down now that she knew where Homura was, releasing a breath that she didn't know she had been holding; the mere idea of Homura suddenly disappearing feeling more real than it probably should. With now calmed breaths, but still anxious steps, she made her way towards Homura, reaching just in time for the girl to finish typing in her security pin.

Homura turned to face Madoka when she finally reached her, her amethyst eyes locked on Madoka.

"Is something the matter, Madoka?" asked Homura, a slight hint of worry in her eyes; the girl having noticed how Madoka was still anxious.

"You… don't ever disappear like that without telling me first again, please" explained Madoka, the overexaggerated dread she had felt feeling too much for something as simple as Homura simply walking away; yet in the moment only the worst thoughts had crossed Madoka's mind, an inner voice yelling at her to not let Homura alone.

Homura looked at Madoka with a slight confusion in her gaze, the girl clearly trying to think of what she had done to actually warrant such a reaction from Madoka.

"I'm sorry" apologized Homura, clearly not sure about why she was doing so; but still sure she should do so.

"Ah! There they are!"

"Nagisa! Don't scream!" shushed Mami, the girl coming into view as she rushed towards Nagisa, apologizing on her behalf to everyone who looked their way.

Just a second later, Sayaka and Kyouko walked out too; the group quickly regrouping near the counter around them.

"You really have to act all mysterious or you will literally explode, huh?" asked Sayaka, who had clearly been running around a bit, the girl either had noticed how anxious Madoka had been when she couldn't find Homura or she had actually been worried herself.

"I just came to pay the fee, you seemed lost inside the shop" explained Homura as she turned to receive the receipt from the man in the counter.

"Wait…" said Kyouko, whom, going against her previous show of not worrying, Madoka could see that she had been running too "She was lost?"

"I- I wasn't! I just wanted to explore a bit before coming to the counter" tried to explain Sayaka, only getting doubting eyes from Kyouko and empathetic ones from Mami and Madoka.

"Whatever" sighed Kyouko walking over to the counter "Now that we are here I'm gonna be paying my part already, are we splitting costs for Mami and Nagisa then?"

"There is no need for any of that" said Homura, turning around to pick some of the things that were being laid on the counter and handing them to the rest without a word.

"You did not" said Kyouko, looking at Homura with a confused look on her eyes.

"You three will have to pay for the gun rental yourselves." said Homura before turning towards Mami "I will be paying for all my team equipment, that includes Momoe Nagisa"

"You don't have to-"

"I don't care" interrupted Homura "Do not get the wrong idea, Tomoe-san. I just want to make sure that she gets a good weapon to increase our chances of winning"

Homura's suddenness, over explanation, and excuse were more than enough to let Madoka know that she wasn't being completely honest. The thought putting a smile on her face.

"It's okay Mami-san, you aren't going to be able to change her mind about this" said Madoka, following along with Homura "Even I would have trouble trying to do it"

Mami's surprised face lasted for a pair of seconds before a warm understanding smile finally found its place in her lips; the girl relaxing her posture as she accepted the gear that Homura had handed her.

"I guess it's okay then. If not even Madoka could, what do I even wish to accomplish?" said Mami with a fond smile "But on one condition"

Homura looked at Mami with inquisitive eyes, her silence being quickly interpreted by the older girl as a question.

"Regardless of who wins today, everyone will have to come drink tea and eat cake next week, and you too, Akemi-san" said Mami, trying to be as strict as possible; making sure that it was known that she wouldn't back down on her condition.

"As long as Madoka goes too then that's fine with me" answered Homura with a small nod, getting an acknowledging nod in response from Mami.

"Well then, thank you Homura" said Sayaka as she looked at her gear "I guess I will have to invite you to something someday"

"No need" plainly said Homura before turning towards Madoka and Nagisa "Now then, shall we look over the catalogue for rentals, Madoka?"

"Oi, what about me?" said Nagisa with a deadpan tone, as if she had expected Homura to not include her.

"Just choose whatever you want" said Homura, going back to the list together with Madoka.

As they went through the list – and Madoka marveled at how much information Homura had about the different guns – Madoka couldn't help but feel proud of Homura. She had been bold and cold, but she had had good intentions behind her actions, seeing her trying to help the others so much did put a smile on Madoka's face.

Today seemed like it would be a good day.

[-]

"Say Homura-chan…"

"Yes, Madoka?"

"Isn't this a bit too much?"

Madoka looked at herself on one of the mirrors that were in the changing room, almost her whole body covered from head to toes in protective gear. A helmet, a full face protective mask, shoulder pads, chest armor, extra thick camouflage pants, arm padding, gloves, kneepads, boots… All compared to the basic protective googles and vest that Homura was wearing.

"No? I think this is the minimum?" said Homura with a completely serious voice.

"Then why isn't it the same for you!" thought Madoka to herself.

Today was going to be a long day, wasn't it?

Current date: 31st of May

A/N: This was supposed to be a long special chapter to cover the whole day, but the intro took way longer to write than expected. This will be my first time trying to write any kind of action, so I don't want to rush it in one night.

See you next week, this time the shootout is coming for real