She wore a mask

And behind that mask was a loving heart. AU

Instead of the Hello Kitty hairband, Homura was wearing a Mickey Mouse hairband today. To be honest, Madoka found her cute in that.

As Madoka slowly waddled her way towards the booth, Homura came out from her booth on the cue and looked up, noticing the Teddy Bear approaching her. For a split second, Madoka swore she saw the faintest smile on Homura's lips but the moment she blinked, it was gone.

"You're here, the same time like yesterday." Homura said as she pat on the large chair beside her. Madoka gleefully accepted it as she sat down.

"It's around this timing where I finish handing out the balloons anyway."

And just like that, a week and a half past. That short amount of time they spent together during their break time was getting longer and longer as each day past. Two minutes became five minutes and then ten minutes and now it's fifteen minutes. There was once Madoka was so late that she almost didn't had any balloons to collect from her own station until a few of her colleague kindly gave her some of theirs or she wouldn't have any work to do. That's why this time she had to make sure she wouldn't stay for too long anymore.

It was only then than Madoka realized time was so essential and important. Those few minutes she get to spend just a bit more with Homura were just milliseconds to her. She wished Homura felt the same way too, somehow.

For now, Madoka knew a few things more about Homura. There were some facts that Madoka long knew about her, such as what school was she from, but she decided to ask so to hide the fact that the person behind the mascot knew her. Madoka may be a little clumsy sometimes, but she knew when to use her head for a while.

Some other things that Madoka never knew before was that Homura lived alone for more than three years already. She also never eat home-cooked food before because she's quite bad with the kitchen stuff. And one more thing; She didn't really like her school. Their school.

Madoka really wanted to ask her the reasons behind that. Madoka thought and thought for the rest of the day, wanting to know the answer... to want to know why did Homura gave that plain and lonely expression when she said she didn't like school. There's always a reason behind everything, and Madoka just couldn't stand not knowing anything.

"Holiday is ending in a month... Too fast." Homura sighed and looked up at the bright clear sky. "And my class is holding this gathering this weekend and I don't know if I should go."

Madoka widened her eyes. She herself almost forgot about the class gathering that she had suggested to the class monitor a few weeks back. She was so into her job that she had forgotten about the existence of her own class. Also, Sayaka and Hitomi were still overseas and would only come back two days before the gathering so no one was there to remind her about it.

"You don't want to go?" Madoka asked, trying not to sound too disappointing. "It will be fun! And maybe you can bond with your classmates and you will start to like your school."

Homura looked up at Madoka. "How would you know if it's fun?"

"Uhh... well..." Madoka scratched her chin inside the large mascot. "Class gatherings are always fun where you laugh and joke about everything with your friends!"

Homura looked ahead, her face went back to that stoic expression. "Oh really."

"So would you be going?"

"Hmmm... Maybe. I'm not sure."

Madoka really, really, really wanted to tell Homura that she would be really happy if she went to the gathering. But of course she couldn't do anything about it or her identity would be exposed. She promised herself that if Homura went, she would spend most of her time with her so she wouldn't be alone, although Madoka was pretty sure other girls would already be talking to Homura before she could even try.

Now that she think about it, she wondered how awkward would it be if she just approached her that day. They never even talked once before! But Madoka was determined, she swore to herself mentally that she would get the job done.

"Hey."

Madoka straightened her posture and looked at Homura.

Homura stared at the mascot before scratching the side of her cheeks. "Will I ever know who you are?" She muttered.

Madoka chortled. "Why? Curious?"

"Kind of."

"One day." Madoka said, not sure if she was serious about it. "I'll show you who I am."

Homura widened her eyes before giving a smirk that made Madoka froze. "I'll wait for that day to come."

For a moment, Madoka didn't know if she was feeling giddy because she was too hot in her mascot or because of some other unknown reason...

A few days later, one particular night, Madoka knocked off her work much later than before because there was a meeting going on for the staff members. When the meeting ended and Madoka was about to leave, she realized Homura and the redheaded girl who was at the same booth as Homura were already heading for the door at the corner.

Madoka widened her eyes and ducked behind one bulk man behind before peeking through the gap between the man's waist and arm.

Homura couldn't have seen me right...? Madoka bit her lips before heaving a sigh of relief. Yeah, she couldn't have seen me. I was sitting beside my colleagues and they were definitely tall enough to block me from her view.

Madoka quickly sneaked out of the room, eyes darting across the parade square as she finally managed to slip out of the amusement park. Not knowing where she was going, she accidentally bumped into... something.

"H-Homura-chan!" Madoka gasped.

The two girls turned. Homura slightly widened her eyes.

"Is that your friend?" The redhead blinked as she started at Madoka.

"Classmates only."

The redhead raised an eyebrow as she whispered into Homura's ears, but loud enough for Madoka to hear as well. "She's calling you by your first name though."

Not bothered by her comment, Homura spoke. "Is there anything I can do for you, Kaname-san."

Madoka felt like digging a hole and dive right in, never to come out ever again. She could feel it, Homura was treated her rather coldly although she sounded polite enough. Her words were sharp and cold as icicles. It was the exact opposite of the Homura Madoka knew at the booth. Why was she acting so differently?

Realizing she had paused too long, Madoka cleared her throat. "I-I was just wondering if you're going to the class gathering tomorrow." Madoka murmured, her head hung low.

There was silence. Madoka looked up to see Homura looking away at a distance. A second later she looked right back at Madoka's eyes and nodded. "Yeah, nothing to do tomorrow anyway. Might as well."

If Madoka could measure the rate of her happiness, it would be infinite. She beamed and jumped, shocking the two girls in front of her for a moment. "That would be great! I can't wait to see you there!" Madoka grabbed hold of Homura's hand and continued jumping.

"Is this girl high?" The redhead stared at Madoka, judging her.

"My name is not high." Madoka turned and took our her hand innocently. "My name is Madoka."

"Oh, erm. Nice to meet you, I'm Kyoko." Kyoko hesitantly reached out her head and they gave each other a firm handshake.

"It's late, we have to go now." Homura tugged onto Kyoko's hoodie and the latter yelped in surprise before letting herself get dragged away, leaving Madoka alone, not getting the chance to say anything as she watched them go.

A/N:

I THINK YOU GUYS HATE THIS.

ERM YO IDK WHAT AM I WRITING

IDK WHAT IS GOING TO HAPPEN NEXT 2 B HONEST HAHAHA