Chapter 46 - Not Really Cause For Alarm
You wince internally at Sayaka's declaration. The last thing you want is for her to reinforce the idea that being a Magical Girl makes her a hero. That ideal is what lured her and so many others into Kyubey's system without a chance to question what they were offered, and if she holds onto it too tightly she'll get herself killed. You and Mami won't always be there to support her, and you already know Sayaka wants to prove herself on her own. You were lucky to catch her when she snuck out, but what about next time? Or the time after that? You have to put an end to these delusions before they get out of hand. This world might be a kinder one than the City, but some truths hold true no matter where you are. There are no heroes, only people asked to do more than they ever could. For every person who excels, a thousand more fall into mediocrity. The dream of becoming a hero is just that, a dream that drives people to grind themselves to nothing shouldering an ever-growing burden. You can protect Sayaka, keep her safe and healthy and alive, but only if she doesn't put herself in danger. You should say something, anything, to shut down her fantasy right now.
But you don't. It's just too cruel.
Your gaze settles on the kid, an uncertain, questioning smile on her face and the last traces of starlight gleaming in her eyes. She needs this right now. Needs to believe that she's doing something good, that she has a purpose, that she can do something about the nightmares she just saw. And she can, with help. Maybe the world has no place for people who think themselves heroes, but it still needs someone to make sacrifices for others. As long as you can shoulder most of that burden, Sayaka can share some of it with you. If believing that she can be a hero who saves people is what Sayaka needs to keep going, you won't take that from her. At least, not right now. There's always time to develop a healthier worldview. Until then, you can let her live her fantasy a little bit.
"We certainly did," Mami answers in your stead. "Kyubey will remove their memories of the Witch's Barrier, and the hospital will be able to take care of them," Then, after a nigh-imperceptible pause, she continues. "You did great for only your second hunt, Sayaka. I feel much more confident about our chances with the three of us working together."
Sayaka relaxes with the affirmation, a slight blush coloring her face as she dismisses her transformation in a flash of marine light. A gold flash follows as Mami does the same, leaving the two in their ordinary school uniforms.
"You were all amazing!" Madoka exclaims, practically glowing with praise. "I hope I'll be able to be as strong as you all one day," she continues, far quieter. Of course, that's when Kyubey takes the opportunity to insert himself into the conversation.
"If you make a contract with me, you'll be an incredibly powerful Magical Girl!" it declares in its fake, syrupy voice. You're glad Homura already left to head home, because you don't think your fellow time-traveller would have been able to resist putting a few holes in the rat for that comment. She hasn't explained to you the specifics of her relationship with your other kids, but you have a detailed enough picture by now. You know well enough that she can be… protective, to say the least, of Madoka in particular. As you are here now and she is not, you'll have to stick with more subtle deterrents.
"I'd advise caution before you rush into making a contract. Doing this means sacrificing most of your free time as well as pretty much any chance of holding down a steady life and putting yourself in danger for the sake of people who will never knew what you did for them. You get one Wish as compensation, so if you're serious about this you should make sure it's a good one."
Mami nods along with your words. "Your Wish is very important. You should make sure not to waste it on something that you'll come to regret one day." Her expression is dampened ever so slightly at the mention of Wishes, a fact that clearly goes unnoticed by the other girls.
"What'd you Wish for, Mami?" Sayaka asks, ignorant of her senior's discomfort. The bluenette doesn't miss the expression that passes over Mami's face at the question, and immediately backpedals.
"Ah, If that's too personal, you don't have to-"
"It's fine," Mami cuts her off. "My Wish was a simple thing made in the heat of the moment. I don't regret it, but I'll always wonder if I could have made a better choice if I had more time."
Sensing the older girl's sadness, Madoka leaps forwards and throws her arms around the veteran Magical Girl. Mami freezes in shock, unused to the action, before slowly lowering her arms around her junior in turn.
"Don't worry, Mami. I'll be sure to make a Wish I can always be proud of."
The two pull away from one another, revealing the barest traces of tears in Mami's eyes. Seems as if Madoka's more perceptive than you thought. That or she's just very quick to get attached to people.
"I bet the transfer student wished for something bad. They seem like the type to want something selfish," Sayaka says, completely killing the moment. It seems you'll need to go on damage control again.
"All Wishes are selfish; if you don't want something then you can't really Wish for it, now can you? Besides, Homura's not that bad," you remand. Honestly, what is it with Sayaka and Homura? Some sort of fated rivalry?
"She's so creepy about everything, though!" Sayaka insists. "Did you see the way she was back in that Barrier? She didn't even flinch at it!"
"Everyone copes differently, Sayaka. Miss Akemi may simply be a more withdrawn person. Regardless, we should keep going," Mami interrupts to your great relief. "Witches have been getting more active recently, and there should still be time to find another today if we want to keep up with them. If you are all ready for it, of course."
"Actually, could I stay back with X and talk about something?" Madoka pipes up. "It's important, and we won't take long!" she insists frantically. The display of emotion earns her a strange look from Sayaka and a patient smile from Mami, but the pair acquiesces and heads off in search of their next Witch. You're worried about them heading off without you, but they both just cleansed their Soul Gems and Mami's been fine on her own for years. She can take care of herself for a few minutes. Once the two Magical Girls are out of earshot, you lean down towards Madoka.
"So what'd you want to tell me?"
A beat passes as she struggles to get the words out. "I… well… it's something strange I noticed during school. I tho if they you might know more about it."
Well, knowing about strange things is one of your talents. It'd be worrying to find an Abnormality making itself at home near a school, but if it's been there this long it might be one of the less hostile ones.
"This morning, I noticed Mami and Sayaka both had these cards around their necks. I didn't really think about it, but then I saw that Homura had one too! I thought they might be a Magical Girl thing, so I asked Mami, but she said she didn't know where it came from. Homura and Sayaka said the same thing, but none of them thought it was important! I know they're probably right and I'm worried about nothing, but I just have this feeling that there's something wrong!"
You don't recall anything that fits that description, at least nothing that has any reason to be in Mitakihara. Could it be some sort of Gift? A card is small enough to be one and seems like the kind of thing an Abnormality might give out.
"Did you get a good look at any of these cards?" you ask. Madoka nods, looking worried.
"Oh, Sayaka showed me hers! It had her name and her picture on it along with a bunch of personal information. I'm really concerned that all this happened and none of them seemed to worry about it. I didn't even know some of the things on Sayaka's card!" And then, almost as an afterthought, she adds: "There was a symbol too, like a red circle with an L going through it?"
"What?"
Madoka shrinks back from you; your voice flat and devoid of inflection while still roiling with a mess of emotions. It seems you may have overreacted. How could that be here? Why do the kids have them?
What do you do about this?
[] Confront them immediately
[] Wait for later
[] Write-in
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Der Freischütz's Sapling - Observation Level 0/3
Madoka Kaname: Exposure I -> Exposure II
Totally nothing to worry about.
