New friends, old enemies

Kyouko was lying on the couch with a lollipop in her mouth, watching the open and sunny sky of a saturday afternoon through the apartment window. Nevertheless, the day was cold enough for her to have to wear a wool sweater with red and white stripes, as well as a pair of jeans.

"How's my hair?"

The question forced Kyouko to turn her head and saw Mami, still in her school uniform, stroking her big curls.

The redhead looked back at the window, responding with some rancor. "Yellow."

That did not please Mami at all. "Kyouko..."

Kyouko turned again toward Mami, this time without hiding her anger. "I already said what I think. Inviting them to come here is stupidity."

Mami felt dejected, thought that issue was already resolved. "They're also no longer receiving visits from Kyuubey. It makes sense that he no longer wish to contact me and you, but they? Now we know it must be something else."

"Yeah!" Despite having agreed, Kyouko continued speaking harshly. "But if that girl had something to say yesterday, she should tell everything."

"Mikuni-san said it was something that needed to be discussed." Mami answered.

Kyouko nodded negatively. "I'm telling you, we're getting into a big trouble."

"She was very cordial." Mami continued. "And if they wanted to try something, the best opportunity was yesterday, because we had not purified our gems yet. Also, here she would be risking to alert the neighborhood."

Kyouko snatched the stick from her mouth and chewed what was left of the lollipop angrily.

Mami smiled, keeping her composure. "Why didn't you tell me the story you have with them, maybe this make me change my mind."

Kyouko looked away, breathing hard, almost snorting.

Mami closed her eyes. "Well..."

The doorbell rang.

"Ah! They have arrived. "Mami skirted the triangular glass table and took the stick off Kyouko's hand.

"Hey!"

"Go meet them Kyouko. I'm going to the kitchen to prepare something quick." Mami left in a hurry, turning her back. "I didn't have time to shop. Try to be polite, okay?"

Kyouko rubbed her eyes. "Damnit."

The doorbell rang again.

Sighing, Kyouko left the couch in a jump and walked to the entrance. Opening the door, she faced the expected visitors.

Oriko wore a school uniform. However, unlike Mitakihara school, it was of burgundy color, including the skirt, with white details. There was a black lace tied at the collar. A white scrunchie held her long ponytail that hung to the left side.

Kirika, at first glance, appeared to be wearing her magical girl uniform because of her black jacket over a white shirt with a tie. But she was wearing a pink shock skirt with white stripes. There was also pink in her pantyhose, which she was wearing only on her left leg. In a strip tied at the waist, she had a mobile holder with the appearance of a stuffed cat.

Between the two was Yuma with a dark green dress. Her hair had two clips with golden balls, one on each side, forming small pigtails.

"Oh... Sakura-san." Oriko spoke quietly. "May we come in?"

Kyouko grimaced. "If I say no, you go away?"

"I heard that Kyouko!"

The redhead rolled her eyes at the sudden voice of Mami coming from the back of the apartment.

"Receive the guests, please!"

"You heard, right?" Kyouko said to the visitors in a weary tone. "You're welcome here..." She left the way open.

Placing her hand on the back of Yuma, Oriko led the little girl into the apartment. She soon found the place to leave the shoes. "Here Yuma."

Just behind them was Kirika, who took the advantage of the moment to give a wink to Kyouko, accompanied by the sound of two snaps she did with the tongue on the palate.

Kyouko gritted her teeth as she closed the door. When she turned, Oriko and Yuma were looking at her. "What?"

"Nothing." Said Oriko, making a slight retreat before such rough act. "We are just waiting for you to show us the place."

"Oh yeah. C'mon."

The four girls went to the room where there was the couch and the low glass table in the center.

"You can wait here." Said Kyouko.

"Thank you." Oriko replied. At that time there was the sound of a blender. "Is Tomoe-san in the kitchen?"

Kyouko was heading toward a shelf in the room, where it was a cell phone. "Yep. She doesn't miss a chance to prepare something for visitors."

"Can I see her?"

Kyouko was already distracted with the phone. "If she left you enter the apartment, why not?"

"Sure..." After agreeing, Oriko turned her attention to Yuma. "Stay here and behave well."

"Uh-huh." Yuma glanced at the red-haired girl, afraid. "I'll stay with papa."

That statement did Kyouko take off her attention from the cell phone for a moment.

Kirika intruded. "Big love, you can stay tranquil about Yuma. I won't take my eyes off my little love."

Oriko came with a suspicious look.

"What?" Kirika was curious.

"I think it is Yuma who should not take eyes off you."

"Huuuuh? Meeee?!" Kirika gasped, putting her hands over her chest as if she had been hit by an arrow. "How can you think that of me? I'm a saint! "[Unless that redhead has a hissy fit.]

[So do not tease.] "Great."

After giving the answer, Oriko went to the place where the sound originated. The kitchen was close to the room and was not very spacious, but pretty, with yellow tiles with flower design matching the set of cabinets.

Next to the stove, Mami was about to use the butter to grease the pan as she realized the person who was at the entrance. "Oh? Oriko Mikuni-san?"

"I apologize for my intrusion." Oriko walked through the kitchen, past Mami and pushed the blender's jar.

Mami was puzzled by that.

"The jar was very close to the edge, could fall at any time." Said Oriko.

"Really?" Mami frowned. "I didn't notice. Thanks. You're very cautious."

"I just noticed, luckily." Oriko examined the apron Mami dressed, in faded green with a big blue pocket with red edges. She could not get out of her mind that it was smiling at her. "What are you preparing? If you need some help..."

"Ah... There's no need." Mami gestured. "These are pancakes, it's easy."

"Oh." Oriko stared at the contents of the jar.

"It's to accompany the tea." After saying this, Mami had a slight start. "Wow, I didn't ask if you wanted tea. I must have some coffee..."

"Back home everyone likes tea." Oriko put a hand to her chest. "I would even say that I have an addiction."

"You too? Haha." Mami was relieved. "I can't go a day without a good cup."

Oriko looked back at the jar.

"Huh?" Mami was curious about that.

"It is just..." Oriko pondered for a moment before continuing. "You said pancakes are easy, but I never managed to make a good one. Mine have that rubber aspect."

"Uh-huh..." Mami was poking her chin. "You should be putting more flour."

Oriko nodded in agreement. "I am afraid they would break, so I let them thicker."

"If you want them to be a little thicker, okay, but..." Mami took an egg. "It's a matter of proportion. For each cup of flour you put in, you will need one more of these, as well as milk and butter."

"But I think I do not put an entire cup."

"You should measure." Mami put the egg back into place. "For example, if you use half a cup of flour, use half of the rest. Beat the egg in a separate dish to be able to divide, you can use the rest for another recipe."

"Yes?" Oriko listened intently.

"Of course." Mami opened a cabinet and grabbed the bag of flour. "I will even make them a little thicker to show you."

／人◕‿‿◕人＼

While was possible to hear the sound of frying coming from the kitchen, Kyouko was sitting on a cushion on the floor. She was leaning on the glass table while playing on the phone. Out of the corner of her eye she saw that Yuma was sitting on the couch, hands together to the body and swinging her legs, her blue eyes focused on what she was doing. That brought a sense of discomfort to Kyouko.

Kirika was exploring the place. She walked around the room, studying the decoration, running her hand and felling the texture of the furniture. Until something caught her interest.

"So this is her family." Kirika held up a picture frame.

Kyouko turned to Kirika with a furious expression. "Put it back!"

"Whoa!" Kirika put what was holding in place. "Apparently you woke up on the wrong side of the bed today..."

Completely losing the will to continue, Kyouko closed the game and left the phone on the table. "Why don't you stay quietly on the couch too? Huh?"

"Because it's boring." Kirika then smiled at Yuma. "You know me, you don't?"

Yuma lowered her head and smiled too.

"Tch..." Kyouko tried to straighten the tie that bound her ponytail, more out of nervousness than necessity. Then she remembered something. "Hey. Wasn't your hair purple?"

"I came to dye with this color?" Kirika stood looking around, trying to remember.

"You dye your hair?" Kyouko asked.

"Yeah? Why always have the same color? That's dull. Although I'm now with my original hair, I have't decided yet what will be my next color. "Kirika pulled a strand of hair. "I was also thinking about putting a tattoo."

"Really?" Kyouko grimaced.

"Yup." Kirika pointed to her own chest. "I wanted to put the name of my loves here, very close to the heart. What do you think?"

Kyouko raised an eyebrow in response.

"Kyouko." Mami came through the kitchen entrance. "Could you help set the table for us? It's almost ready."

"Right." Kyouko stood up and went into the kitchen, without taking her eyes from Kirika.

／人◕‿‿◕人＼

Yuma used the fork to take a whole pancake, topped with corn syrup, and pushed into her mouth.

"Yuma!" Oriko, who was sitting next to, pulled a handkerchief from the pocket of her uniform. She began rubbing hard to clean the smeared cheeks of Yuma, who was still with her mouth full. "Do not try to put something bigger than your mouth. For what serves the knife."

With eyes closed, because all that rubbing, Yuma struggled chewing. Then struggled more to swallow. "It's very gooood."

Like the two, the other girls were also sitting on cushions next to the table.

"Huhu." Mami said, smiling. "I would say this was the result of a joint effort."

"It is not true. I received a lesson more than helped." Oriko was folding her handkerchief she had used. "I must emphasize also that your black tea is excellent."

"Yes, but I think the tea of my big love is still the best." Kirika added.

"Yeah. Your 'big love' must be the best in everything." Kyouko said as she placed another pancake on her plate. "Heh. You now calls her like that and then the other of 'little love'."

"True." Kirika agreed. "My love for Oriko is so intense that, when Yuma came into my life, I went through a dilemma. How I could dedicate my love to her too?"

Kirika rose, to the surprise of others.

"But then I saw that it was foolish to think that way. People say that we should spread love." Kirika opened her arms and rised her hands. "This is so stupid! We din't need to divide, we can create more!"

Mami was gaping in front of it. Oriko only flinched, closing her eyes and putting a hand over her face. Yuma had eyes all over Kirika, with a broad smile.

The girl who was standing laid a hand on her chest. "You know when your heart expands with each beat? It's love wanting to leave, wanting to be born! We must give birth and bring something that's so much missing in this world."

"Bwahahaha!" Kyouko laughed. "Keep talking big, kid."

"Kyouko..." Mami warned.

Kirika's eyes grew. "You... called me a kid?!"

"Kirika! Sit!"

Kirika just fell on the cushion with the order of Oriko.

Sighing, pursing her lips, Oriko spoke. "I am sorry about what you witnessed. Kirika is immature..."

"I'm not..." Kirika crossed her arms and pouted.

"...sometimes." Oriko continued.

"Oh... well..." Kirika smiled. "Maybe. Who isn't, right?

"But I should thank her for reminding me. I get carried away by the moment and did not touch on the relevant subject." Oriko finished saying with a serious look.

"Ah! Finally." Kyouko uttered.

Oriko put more tea in her cup. "When was the last time Kyuubey visited you?"

"It's almost a month." Mami replied.

"So it was at the same time he stopped to visit us. You must be having trouble with demons reborn from cubes."

"Youff tooff? Huffh? "Kyouko said with her mouth full. "Hmmm... We'll make a clean up tomorrow, where we're keeping the cubes."

"Uh-huh. By chance are you looking at the news?"

Taken by a moment of epiphany, Mami's eyes widened. "I saw that there was a substantial increase in violent acts in Tokyo. Vandalism, fire... even murder. So demons..."

"Yes. They are behind it." Oriko was assertive. "As you know, demons feed on human emotions. Especially the negative ones like remorse, grief and regret."

"Of course we know." Mami confirmed. "People who are too much time under the influence of demons become psychotic. They don't judge their actions and take more extreme attitudes. That person you never thought would harm anything, from one day to another they're killing and destroying who they beloved."

"I went in Asunaro recently." Kirika intervened. "The local news reported two cases of mass suicides."

"Generally, people possessed by demons commit murder followed by suicide." Commented Oriko. "These events in Asunaro does not match, but may be have a connection."

Yuma had a sad face.

Mami did not hide her apprehension. "S-So this is occurring across all Japan?!"

"Unfortunately." Oriko closed her eyes. "When I asked about the news, I was referring to the international ones too."

"Whaaat?!" Kyouko's eyes widened.

"Not only that." Oriko continued. "I believe that in addition to not contacting the magical girls, Kyuubey is also no longer making contracts. The girls who perished are not being replaced."

"By the way." Kirika was cutting her pancake. "I did not find any magical girl in Asunaro. Just a bunch of miasma. It must be infested with demons."

Those statements had left Mami completely stunned. "T-This is... terrible."

"You mus be kidding me." Kyouko smiled broadly. "You're telling that pest of Kyuubey run away with his tail between his legs?"

"No." Oriko nodded. "If it were the case, I would not be here talking to you two."

There was a pause, a silence in the environment that allowed the sound of the city to be heard.

"He is here."

The affirmation of Oriko brought the attention of Mami back. "Here?! Here in Mitakihara?"

"Yes."

"Wait! Wait!" Kyouko interrupted. "How do you know all this. Huh?"

Everyone looked at Oriko. "I got an intrinsic ability with my contract. A gift."

Yuma lowered her head. Kirika smiled slightly.

Oriko sipped her tea before continuing. "I have a strong telepathic connection with Kyuubey."

"Huh? Telepathic connection? "Kyouko was puzzled.

"Yes. I am able to feel his presence over long distances, although it is vague, especially if there are obstacles."

Kyouko licked some corn syrup that had been in the corner her lip. "So you felt that he's here."

Oriko just nodded, confirming. "If I am close enough, I can even read his mind."

"What... What an amazing ability!" Mami uttered, somewhat amazed.

"Do you not think it is strange?" Oriko questioned.

Kyouko frowned. "Kinda! This thing about telepathic connection..."

"No, I say... Why Mitakihara? So many possible places, why just here? Do you by chance can suspect some reason? Something he may have said or done to you?"

Mami and Kyouko looked at each other for a moment and then the blonde replied. "No... I can't find anything."

"Of course not. Foolish of me to ask." Oriko had a penetrating gaze on both hosts. "However, does not matter why. What matters is to find out what happened to Kyuubey."

Mami agreed. "Whatever I can do to help..."

Oriko smiled. "I expected no less of an experienced defender of good."

"Oh, I'm not all that."

"Mami-senpai!" Yuma looked up, her eyes filled with admiration. "Mama said you have years of experience."

Mami was surprised before that sudden reaction.

"Do not be modest." Said Oriko. "When I asked if there were other magical girls to Kyuubey, you were the first name mentioned. The fact that you have defended Mitakihara all that time alone is an impressive achievement."

"Hey! I am here." Kyouko with her fork, impaled a pancake with violence.

"Uh-huh. Kyouko is right, I didn't fight alone." Mami saw the reflection of her face at the bottom of her cup of tea, the image was of a neutral expression, but that did not reflect what was inside. "Actually we were six."

"Six? Magical girls?" Kirika was shocked. "Six? Seriously?! Six?!"

"No more questions Kirika." Rebuked Oriko. "I am sorry for your losses."

"Don't worry. It's okay." Mami smiled.

Oriko then looked at Kyouko. "Well... Now Sakura-san is living with you. She has changed a lot since the last time I saw her."

"I changed?" Kyouko asked with a curious tone.

"Your speech has improved, I believe that living with Tomoe-san has been beneficial."

"Are you testing my patience?"

"Kyouko! That was a compliment." Mami remarked.

"Mami-senpai." Yuma had an eye toward Kyouko. "You and she are like mama and papa?"

"How?!" Mami's eyes widened.

Kyouko was incredulous. "C-Course not! Where did you get this?" Then she crossed her arms. "Our relationship is... is more like a work contract."

"What do you mean? Hmmmm?" Now was Kirika who was curious.

"She gives me a roof and food and I lend my spear. Heh." Kyouko winked.

To Oriko, that statement only raised more questions. "If I remember correctly, I had offered a similar proposal."

"EEEEeehhh... ahaha..." Kyouko started laughing with an air of nervousness. "I-I decide where I want to work. Got it? HAHAHAHAAaaaa..."

Oriko directed a questioning look to Mami, who slowly was enjoying her cup of tea, with closed eyes and in silence.

"Eh... um..." Such silence was too heavy to Kyouko, who decided to direct her words to the person who had originated such embarrassment. "Hey little thing."

"My name is Yuma!" The girl said sulkily.

"Ok. How long are you a magical girl?"

With the questioning of Kyouko, Yuma started counting on her fingers and then showed the hand to Oriko, which approved. Then she spoke excitedly. "Four months now!"

"How cool!" Kyouko pretended to be so excited about. "With all this time, I bet a demon already fried you at least once."

Mami turned to Kyouko with a disapproving expression.

"No, that never happened." Yuma smiled. "Mama and papa take care of me, while I protect them."

Kyouko narrowed her eyes. "These here are not your parents. Where are they?"

"Yes, they are!" Yuma retorted. "We're a family of magical girls who have the noble task of keeping Kazamino safe and at peace."

"What a joke." Kyouko shook her head, smiling. "I'm done." And she stood up.

"Huh?" Mami asked in surprise.

"The pancake was good." Kyouko went to the exit.

"Where are you going?"

"Getting around the city, de-stress. You can stand there with that 'family'." Those were the last words of Kyouko before the sound of the apartment door closing.

Sighing and downfallen, Mami turned her attention to the visits. "Sorry for Kyouko. She acted rudely during all this time."

"Her attitude is comprehensive. She still must bear certain animosity towards me and Kirika." Oriko affirmed.

"I came to ask about what happened between you and her, but she avoided it."

"She did not tell you?" Asked Oriko in oddity. "I do not see why hide these facts and I should not keep secrets, even more since we are here pleading for help." Then she paused, wetting her lips with the tip of the tongue before continuing. "When Kyuubey informed me about you, I had just done the contract. As she had told me that you were acting alone, at the time I considered that maybe you did not want company. Kyuubey then informed me that there was no girl defending Kazamino."

"None at all?" Inquired Mami.

"You should be doing this question because you knew that Sakura-san was there." Oriko kept a serious expression. "And yes, I found her there. At first I thought Kyuubey was mistaken or lying, but no. She did not behave like a magical girl should. Sakura-san just keep eliminating a few demons, the weak and easy ones, just enough to cleanse her gem and subsist."

Mami's hands, which were rested on her skirt, closed. An air of doom and gloom is stamped on her face.

"I tried to dialogue with her, but Sakura-san responded with aggression and threats. She really wanted to be alone. I did everything in my reach, but in the end she probably considered me as an invasor and competitor."

Kirika decided to participate. "It's true. She looked like a rabid animal, only lacked her mouth foaming."

"Oh yes." Oriko continued. "Soon after I started acting in Kazamino, Kirika appeared during one of the hunts and helped me. Since then I knew that magical girls could act together. I also discovered that this was way more efficient."

"And safer." Mami agreed.

"So I tried again to form an alliance with Sakura-san, but she still refused. Then I and Kirika started to kill all demons every night, sparing no one."

Kirika, smiling, again added. "Then the hothead gone. Kyuubey said she had come to this city."

"This all happened before you found me?" Asked Yuma.

"Uh-huh." Oriko stroked the little girl's green hair, then directed the word to Mami. "So it is a great surprise to see her with you, with anyone. She even listened to you a few times. If anyone can convince her that I was never an opponent of her, it would be you."

"I understand, but... I can't guarantee." Mami answered.

"Please, try." Oriko joined her hands. "We need all possible help in this time. Although I live here, I act in Kazamino. You must know every corner of this city. If you can guide me to places that you suspect Kyuubey is located, together, with my telepathic connection, we will find him."

"So that's the help you need." Mami pondered. "Well, tomorrow at night we're going to where we're stocking the grief cubes."

"It is what Sakura-san had commented. Great. It would be a good place to start."

"But I warn you, it's very dangerous. There will be many demons. Even I have suffered injuries on these occasions."

Kirika stretched, letting out a yawn. "UAhhh... Keep calm, we're going through this in Kazamino too."

"And the more magical girls, the better!" Yuma fisted in the air with pure enthusiasm.

Mami smiled again. "Huhu. Yes. Yes it's..."

／人◕‿‿◕人＼

The three girls were walking on Mitakihara's streets. The visit was over and the night dawn on with its stars and the cold. The last remnant of the sunset was an orange stripe on the horizon.

Kirika ran the tongue between her teeth. "It was very good. This blonde knows how to receive guests."

"Yes." Oriko held the hand of Yuma, who was somewhat quiet. "Yuma? Is there some problem?"

"I... I felt bad for lying to Mami-senpai." Answered the little girl.

Oriko agreed. "It is bad, I understand. We know she is a person of good heart. However, she does not know us."

"Yes little love." Kirika nudged Yuma's cheek. "The power to see the future of mama is cool, but people can get scared and have fear because it's something very powerful."

"I also know that Tomoe-san would not believe." Oriko argued. "She would ask to prove and we have no time for that."

Kirika looked at Oriko. [We really need them?]

[This is the only way.] Oriko replied telepathically, without Yuma suspecting.

[I think we just convinced Tomoe, but the hothead will not listen.]

[The trust Tomoe-san has put on us is still fragile. The invitation to help with the demons is a test.] Oriko continued with telepathy. [Tomorrow we will make that trust something more definitive and so I think Sakura-san will give in.]

Kirika's cell phone rings. "Uups! It must be my mother."

The three stopped walking.

Kirika answered. "Hiho Mommy! Missed me?"

Oriko and Yuma looked at each other, smiling in front of the faces that Kirika was doing while on the phone.

"I'm with that girl of Shirome school. Huh?! Go back home? Oh no... let me spend one more night. Ah please..." Finally, Kirika hung up the phone and muttered unintelligible words.

"It is rude to hang up without saying goodbye, especially to your mother." Pointed Oriko.

"She's watching the news and got worried easily."

"She is right to be afraid. You should be there to protect her."

Kirika made a pout, speaking in a tearful tone. "Ahhh... You don't support me talking that..."

Yuma was laughing. "Hihi. Papa being a big baby again."

"To see you smiling, I can be a big baby all day." Kirika leaned to Yuma. "But I can't leave my mother waiting. So a little kiss to my little love." She then kissed her forehead. "AAAAAANNNDDD..."

"Huh?" Oriko witnessed Kirika getting up and opening her arms to her.

"A BIG KISS FOR MY BIG LOVE." Kirika, in a jump, grabbed Oriko and gave a long kiss on her face. The two almost fell to the ground.

"KI-KIRIKA! N-Not like that! You are not small to be jumping on top of others." Oriko put a hand where had been the reddened kiss mark.

Kirika started to pull away from the other two, walking backwards. "Tomorrow very early I'll appear at your home. Before breakfast!"

"I will be waiting." Said Oriko.

Kirika turned, but then turned back again to the two. "Ah! And don't die from longing."

"We will strive to survive this."

Yuma waved. "Goodbye papa!"

Then the two saw Kirika, bouncy, disappearing around the corner.

"Papa is a fool."

Oriko brought Yuma toward her, leaving the little girl to lean the head on her body. "Yes. She irreplaceable. Just like you." Smiling, she continued. "Look, why do we not make a surprise to papa for breakfast? Tomoe-san gave me some very easy recipes and I think I have the ingredients at home."

Yuma jumped in joy. "Nice! Mami-senpai is amazing. I bet with her, we'll find Kyukyu soon."

"Yes..." Oriko watched the starry sky. "I believe too."

Not far away, on top of a building and under the spectrum of the night, a creature was in his line of duty. His pair of red eyes watched the two girls intently.

Next chapter: Blind faith