The last time he saw her, she was at his graduation ceremony from university. He hadn't been sure if she would show up; but there she was, in the back of the audience wearing an expensive-looking black and white dress. She still looked much too young for her age; she easily could have been mistaken for one of the graduating students.

After the actual ceremony, she greeted him with her sad smile. "Congratulations, Tatsuya." she said quietly. He didn't have much time; they only managed to exchange a few greetings before he was whisked away by his friends. Still, he would never forget the hug she gave him just before that. "Take care, Tatsuya." she'd whispered into his ear. He could have sworn she was crying for some reason, but when he looked at her after she let go, he only saw her immaculate face. A last sad smile that didn't seem to be aimed exactly at him, and she disappeared into the crowd of students and families.

That was the last time he saw her for a long, long time. She did not visit either him or his parents, and she never answered her phone. The Kanames grew worried, but it was as if Homura had just vanished from the face of the earth. The police never found her either; he never found out what happened to her.

Still, life happened. Kaname Tatsuya got married, and had two children. A girl and a boy; they were his pride and joy. He lived a full life with few regrets; his last few days on this world were spent in a hospital. He had said goodbye to his children and grandchildren; he knew it would be his time, soon.

On a quiet evening well after visiting hours, the door to his room opened; a familiar teenage girl with long black hair entered and carefully closed the door behind her.

"Hello Tatsuya. It's been a long time, hasn't it?", his honorary sister asked gently. He didn't trust his senses at first; but something told him that was indeed his long-lost Homura-nee. She somehow looked like his earliest memories of her, like a teenage girl. Was he hallucinating?

"H.. Ho.. Homura-nee?", was the only sound he could produce. "I'm sorry I haven't visited you in such a long time... You see, it was just too painful for me. Please forgive me.", she bowed her head towards him.

"Am I dreaming...", Tatsuya muttered. "No, you are not. I came to see you before the end." She took a seat in a chair right next to his bed. "Were you happy?", she asked quietly.

Not knowing how to answer, he just said "I was.". "That is good to hear", Homura smiled at him. It was the same sad smile that she always wore for him.

"Would you like to hear a story?", she asked. He could only nod; he felt that he was about to receive answers to questions he never knew to ask.

And so, Homura told him a story. Partway through, he was sure that it was her story. It began with a young, sickly girl, unloved by her parents. During childhood, she spent a sizeable amount of time in a hospital because of her heart-condition. She was socially awkward and had little to no self-esteem. The story continued with a kind, pink-haired girl who made the sickly girl, a transfer student, welcome. She even saved her life. From there on, the story seemed to change genres; now there were Magical Girls, evil Witches, wishes and white bunny-cats in it. Oh, and time-travel as well.

The sickly girl (let's just call her Homura for now) tried and tried to save her friend's life through numerous timelines, never succeeding. Until, at last, her friend made an enormous wish; one that somewhat fixed the situation, but also erased her from existence.

"Her name was Madoka. Kaname Madoka.", Homura-nee whispered. Hearing that name, Madoka, Tatsuya felt like a piece of the puzzle was finally slotted in.

"I see. So that's what was missing... a sister...", he murmured.

"Thank you for listening, Tatsuya. I hope knowing this helps ease your mind." So saying, she took his hands, old and withered, into her own pristine hands. "You are the first human that I told my story to. I feel lighter, having told you. Thank you, again."

Looking at her face, he nodded. There was no need for further words, as she kept him company on this last evening of his life. "It won't be long now", Homura finally murmured. "I promise, I will watch over your descendants, for as long as I am able to."

His eyelids grew heavy and he closed his eyes. The last thing Kaname Tatsuya ever heard was a quiet and desperate plea, not meant for his ears. "If you will not come for me, will you come for your brother, Madoka?" The last thing Kaname Tatsuya ever saw, in spite of his closed eyes, was a vision of white, pink and gold.

He then knew peace.