"Come on. Hitomi has to keep the ice cream around here somewhere," I mumble to myself.

I groan as I look at my phone. Why am I up at 2:30 in the morning again? I flinch as my mind, helpful as always, flashes images of Madoka's corpse, the memory as clear as ever. Oh, right. Nightmares. Somehow, Hitomi convinced me to come spend the night at her place. I think she remembers when I told her I had trouble sleeping. Well, actually, when I said for a while, I stopped sleeping as best I could. Not that it helped. I saw things, and the only reason I didn't just collapse from sheer exhaustion was being too stubborn for my own good. Besides using magic to keep my body going, she was aware of the rest, and she seemed genuinely concerned. She made sure I went to sleep. Now, as I see Madoka die in several ways or get betrayed or everything my mind can bombard me with, I remember why I stopped sleeping. Finally, I find the ice cream.

I sigh as I slump on the couch. I'm not going back to sleep anytime soon, and I really don't feel like sneaking off to hunt Wraiths tonight. There aren't even any near here, so Mami's probably hunting them. Hitomi's also asleep, and I don't want to trouble her. Huh. Sailor Moon's on at this hour? A strange wave of…nostalgia? Yes, suddenly, I remember. I smile a little as I lose myself in stories of actually heroic Magical Girls fighting monsters and helping people. If only reality was so kind. If only the one I love wasn't the only one who seemed to live by the example of Usagi Tsukino. This ice cream is so delicious, and Usagi's such a hero. I'm reminded so much of Madoka…

"Homura…?" I hear a soft, tired voice. "What are you doing up?"

"Shouldn't you be asleep too? I know tomorrow's Saturday, but don't you have piano lessons?"

"What's wrong? You're eating ice cream and…are those tears?!"

I sigh. For some reason, I just don't have the energy to lie to her. "I had trouble sleeping, Hitomi."

"Homura, what happened? Did you have a nightmare?"

I try to choke back a sob. I can't look at her, or I'd probably start crying. "I don't…I can't…"

I can see Hitomi sit down next to me. I can't help but yelp when Hitomi puts a hand on my shoulder. I look at her. "You like Sailor Moon?"

I silently thank her for the change in subject. I don't think I'm ready to tell her about Madoka quite yet. "When I was in the hospital, I needed something to look forward to. I loved Sailor Moon so much. I always thought…oh, you'll think I'm silly for this, Hitomi…When I was younger, I'd have this…this stupid dream. That Usagi…Sailor Moon there…would heal my heart. That she'd reveal I was destined to be a Sailor Guardian. To help people. To help…her realize her dream."

A chuckle. "You really admire her, don't you?"

"I did. She was my hero. The series went on about how she was…gluttonous, lazy, kind of a crybaby…but in the end, despite her shortcomings, she still had a huge heart. She still wanted to do the right thing. She still helped people and saved the world many times over. I needed everything I could get on her story. So I read the manga too. They're not quite as harsh on her, thankfully. Heaven knows she's harsh on herself." I laugh a little. "I'd have been the first person to defend her when her friends make fun of her, if I were in that universe."

"I see. Somehow, I'm not surprised."

"Huh?"

I see Hitomi smile at me. "That you admire her so much. A girl people think bad things about, but she still has the biggest heart. Whose friends are so devoted to her."

"Devoted…to me?"

"Yeah! I don't know what happened between you and…and Miss Sakura, but I hope you know I won't leave you. Remember that, please."

"I see." I shake my head. "Please do not worry too much about me. You should go to bed. Won't your piano teacher notice how exhausted you are?"

I see Hitomi look down. "I've been thinking about what you told me."

"Oh?"

"My whole life, I've done what people want out of me. Don't make a scene, do this upper class thing. For the longest time, Sayaka was the only person I could be myself around."

"Sayaka…Miki…"

"You knew her?"

"In a manner of speaking, yes." I thought I was close to her in other timelines, but the fact that she was so quick to distrust me makes me question that. "I was a bit closer to Kyouko than I was to her." I frown as I see tears in her eyes. "You miss Sayaka?"

Hitomi simply nods. "I suppose I took her friendship for granted. Actually, I was a bit jealous."

"Jealous? Of Sayaka?"

Laughter. Good. If she's thinking of memories even vaguely happy, it'll help her. "She always spoke her mind. She didn't care what people thought about her. While I was jealous, I couldn't help but admire her."

I shake my head. "She did care, Hitomi. I knew that much. She did care what people thought about her. And sometimes, it became too much for her. But if she found a way, she'd always press on, yeah. I think Kyouko was good for her."

"Do you think they'd have made a good couple?" Did I hear her right?

"Do I think they'd make a good couple? Like, romantic? Why are you asking that?"

"Just curious. I'm still getting used to the idea of…well…"

"I mean, I suppose they'd go well together, given the chance. Heh. Actually, Sayaka and I really didn't like each other very much. That'd be why Kyouko and I had a bit of a falling out, so to speak."

"How could Sayaka hate someone as kind as you?!" Wow. Hitomi sounds genuinely shocked.

"I used to be way worse, actually. I did some terrible things. Sayaka probably got some of the worst of it. I…do wish she and I had gotten along better, but our personalities just did not go well together. Sayaka and I are the types of girls who are really hard to convince to change their minds. It couldn't be helped. But why're you asking about her and Kyouko?"

"Miss Sakura seemed to be in love with her. And from how Sayaka always talked about her, as she got to know her, I think she started liking her back. It's another thing I guess I'm jealous of her for."

Now that shocked me. "But what about you and that boy? Aren't you still dating him?"

She laughs. Did I tell a joke without realizing it? "Kyousuke? I guess technically, I'm still his girlfriend. But I really don't feel like it!"

Now, this fascinates me. I always thought that stuff was just a thing in my Labyrinth. "What do you mean?"

"What I mean is that he never makes time for me! I plan out dates weeks in advance, and he says he'll be there, but then, he'll be all, 'I have to practice, so I can't be there! Can we reschedule?' Like, after the twelfth time?! He seems to like that violin more than he likes me!"

"Maybe he's just really passionate," I tried to assure her. Honestly, I wouldn't believe me either.

"I thought that too. After all, that's what drew me to him in the first place. But now that Sayaka's gone, I…I needed someone to talk to. Someone to comfort me. She was his friend too, but all he seems to want to do is practice and practice! Doesn't he ever want a break from that thing?! I get that he's distracting himself, but the least he could do is let me try to comfort him!" Suddenly, she gasps. "Oh! I'm so selfish. Expecting this out of him, and now worrying you."

I shake my head. I knew a little bit about all off this, but hearing it from her? She's not being that demanding of him. All she wants is someone to be there for them. It honestly overwhelms me, the sheer emotion and sympathy. I couldn't help myself. Before I knew it, I was embracing her, and she's crying on me. I think I'm crying too.

"You're not selfish for wanting comfort, Hitomi! Don't…don't ever let anyone tell you otherwise! You lost your best friend, but no one…no one realizes you need comforted too! And it's just so lonely."

"Yes. You…You seem to know a lot about that." She sobs.

"There was this girl. Actually…" I nod at the television. "She was a lot like Sailor Moon. Kind. Always willing to help. But she…she's gone now! And I feel like I'm the only one who remembers her. Knowing that just tears me apart."

"You must have really loved this girl…if thinking of her makes you this sad. Your dream…"

"Yeah. I was dreaming of…her. Hitomi, she's not dead. Hitomi, will I ever see her again?"

"Homura, I…I think you'll see her again."

I just can't hold back anymore. She doesn't remember Madoka, but Hitomi was one of Madoka's best friends. I keep crying on her. "I miss her…"

"I know, Homura. I know."

I wipe my tears and look at her. "But…But your issues are more important." She looks like she doesn't believe me. "They are! I get that the boy's oblivious, but…"

"He really is a nice guy. But every time I mention Sayaka, he'll always either change the subject or…or leave. I just…I don't know if being his girlfriend will work out."

Okay, I remember something about Sayaka saying something like this, and I know she needs emotional support because she's not asking for that herself, but…Hitomi too? "How long have you felt this way?"

"I've had my doubts for a while. But…it was meeting and spending time with you that got me really thinking about this."

"You're…not sure you still love him?"

Rather than instantly defend herself or Kyousuke, I can tell she's really thinking about it. "If I'm being honest? I don't think I do, Homura. I'll always see him as a friend, and part of me will appreciate how he was my first crush. But remembering Sayaka talking about Miss Sakura? And hearing you talk about this girl? Um…" I could tell for some reason, she couldn't look at me, and is she blushing?

"Are you sure about this?"

"Huh? Oh! Um, yeah. I'm sure. I've thought about this for a long time. Oh, Homura! What do I do?"

I shake my head. "I'm sorry. I'm not used to giving this kind of advice, Hitomi. But speaking as your friend? You don't think things will work out, and from what you've said, your boyfriend's not really that into the relationship either."

"Are…Are you saying I should dump him?"

I let out a tired sigh. "I'm saying I want you to do what'll make you happy. I think we're both too tired to make a decision." I see her yawn, which makes me yawn too. "Go back to bed, Hitomi. I'll…I'll go too. You can think about it more tomorrow."

"Just make sure you get some sleep. We don't have school tomorrow, so you can sleep in, if you'd like."

"We'll see. Sleep well."

"Night, Homura…I…" What? She looks like she wants to say something. "Never mind. Get some sleep too. And if you have another nightmare like that, wake me up. I'd rather go through the day a little tired than not be there for you."

"T…Thank you, Hitomi…" I lay down on the couch, and I close my eyes, falling asleep instantly.