[X] Keep watch for a little while longer; maybe she'll come out
"I'm glad to see you're feeling better compared to this morning."
After lunch, you decide to take a moment in order to talk to Kyouko in private. Well, private might be a bit much; it's hard to find a place to be private in a school, especially during the after-lunch rush when everyone is trying to get back to class before the next period. But your chosen meeting place is private enough. "I don't know what Sayaka already said to you about this, but I want you to know that I'm here for you. If you ever need to talk, or even just vent about something, I'm willing to listen."
Kyouko fusses, but she noticeably does not refute you. "I mean, anything I'd say to ya would just be a repeat of what I said ta Sayaka," she says. One awkward shuffle later sees Kyouko facing away from you; perhaps just so she doesn't have you facing her if she needs to cry. "I wish I could punch that stupid cat-eared bitch right in her dumb ugly face. Even though it was just a burnt-up wreck, it's still got a lotta meaning ta me, ya know? It's like... Yer from Tokyo originally, right? It'd be like if the place where you used ta live burned down; even though ya ain't lived there in a long time, it still means something to ya, don't it?"
You can barely remember what that luxury apartment overlooking the Meguro River looked like. To you, memories of the life you lived in Tokyo's Shinagawa Ward are those from a lifetime ago. But that apartment is the last place you ever saw your mother before she died. "I suppose you have a point," you say. "It would feel like someone had taken away the only thing that's left of my mother."
"That's how I feel. I mean sure, there's the stuff my dad did at the end, but I still got a lotta good memories too; of mom, and dad, and Momo. I lost the picture I had of Momo back when Wallyworld attacked, and now that the church is gone it's like I lost it all over again."
You place a hand on Kyouko's shoulder, and say to her "You're a strong girl. I know you'll get through this no matter how much it hurts. We're all here for you if you need any of us."
"Thanks, Spooky. But..." Kyouko picked your hand up off her shoulder, as her cherry eyes roamed around the currently-empty toilet. "I mean, me and Sayaka already went over this stuff, so if yer not gunna let me stick my tongue down yer throat it ain't like there's a reason fer us ta still be here."
"I hope I'm not interrupting anything important." Oh thank the gods, it's Archer. His timing is impeccable, and his presence gives you a way out of dealing with the embarrassing statement Kyouko has just issued. "But I've got some information I think you'll want to hear."
"I'm free," you reply. Anything to not have to think about kissing Kyouko. "What do you have?"
"While I was doing reconnaissance in Asunaro, I spotted Kanna Niko while she was out for a stroll. I followed her to, get this, the local teddy bear museum. Did you know Asunaro has one of those?"
"I did not know that." A teddy bear museum? Madoka likes stuffed animals; maybe once this is all over she might like to go and visit that museum? Yeah, that sounds like it could be a fun date. "I hope that's not the extent of your report."
"Well, it's been a little while and she hasn't come out yet. I've circled the building a few times, but I haven't spotted her through any of the windows. I'm not certain, but I've got a hunch that this place might be where the Saints are operating out of."
"Why would they have chosen a teddy bear museum as their base of operations, though?"
"One of them has the ability to command an army of teddy bear familiars; you think there might be a connection?"
"It's the best lead we've got so far. What's the museum called? I can do some digging when I get home, maybe see if there's something I can dig up that we can use."
"It's called Angelica Bears." Angelica Bears... You'll have to remember the name, just in case it turns out to be something Madoka would be interested in visiting later on. "It's a pretty unassuming place, aside from potentially being the enemy stronghold. Maybe when this all blows over you'd want to take Madoka to see some of the exhibits? I know she likes stuffed animals."
"Funny, I was actually thinking the same thing." That settles it; you're taking Madoka to see the teddy bear museum once things have quieted down. "I want you to keep your eyes peeled for Kanna Niko for a little while longer. If the Saints are using the museum as their base of operations, it's likely she won't be leaving again for awhile. If you don't see her, then we'll at least know something is up that warrants further investigation."
"Right. I'll get out of your hair now so you can go back to class."
You've barely said goodbye to your father before Kyouko asks "So, are we gunna make out now, or what? 'Cause if we're doing this, we ain't got a whole lotta time before class starts again."
"I think I'll pass," you have to say. "You aren't Madoka, and I doubt Sayaka would appreciate you sticking your tongue down another girl's throat." Those words sound so weird coming out of your mouth, considering you and Madoka haven't yet used your tongues when kissing. "Now, let's get back to class so I can forget you ever asked that of me."
Finally, you think as the last bell of the day rings. You pack your things into your bag and make ready to head out when Sayaka approaches your desk, stopping you to ask "Hey Homura, you wanna go to the mall with me and Kyouko?" You weren't expecting an invite from Sayaka, much less when there are other things you should be taking care of. Something you're sure she knows. "I was thinking it'd just be us at first, but then I thought maybe you and Hitomi would like to come with us, since I doubt you'll have much time to just hang out in the future."
"What were you thinking we would do at the mall?"
Sayaka shrugged her shoulders. "I dunno," she said, evidently having not thought that far ahead. "We could go to the arcade, go shopping, get something to eat at the food court... You know, just general hanging out stuff, I guess. It's been awhile since we just hung out together, you know? So, you interested?"
A few desks over, you catch Kyouko approaching Hitomi, presumably about the same offer which Sayaka has presented you with.
Do you
[ ] Accept; you can take one afternoon to hang out with friends
-[ ] What's your mall plan for the afternoon? (write-in)
[ ] Reject
-[ ] You've got team stuff to do; and Kyouko should be coming with you, not Sayaka
-[ ] It's too dangerous to be wandering around when there are enemies on he loose
-[ ] Madoka has one of her clubs today, and you don't want to make her feel left out
-[ ] Other reason for rejecting Sayaka's offer (write-in)
--[ ] What are you doing instead?
---[ ] Team exercises
---[ ] Rune/magecraft practice
---[ ] Go home and do your homework
---[ ] Other (write-in)
[ ] Other (write-in)
