Alright, so witch hunting won 2-1 against training with Archer. Let's do this.
[x] Check through the route from Mami's house, past Mitakihara Middle School, across the bridge on your route to school, and past Makoda's house. Check in on Madoka while you're coming through. If you don't find anything on that path, loop past the Train Station to check the Hospital. Meh, maybe you'll get an idea of what to do about Kamijo Kyousuke before Sayaka does something stupid this time around.
[X] Witch hunting show Homura Caster Gil capability.
Your hand touches the doorknob, but before you turn it, an idea strikes you. You've been handed an opportunity to build your social capital with Tomoe-san, and it almost didn't cross your mind at first with as focused you were on taking to the hunt. "Tomoe-san," you say, hand leaving the doorknob as you turn to face your host. "I was about to head out on a witch hunt. Would you like to join me?"
Tomoe-san stands, smiling. "Yes. I would like that, Akemi-san. I haven't had a partner in... Well, in a long time." She prods her servant as she passes him. "Come on Gilgamesh, we're going out for a bit."
But her servant refuses to move. "As I have told you before, master Tomoe, these so-called 'witches' are the responsibility of you, the puella magi. If you cannot handle them without me, then my assistance is nothing more than a crutch without which you would fail. If you have need of overcoming an enemy servant I shall be glad to assist you, but until then I shall let you solve your own problems."
"Fine; be that way." Tomoe-san leaves Caster to his wine, joining you as the two of you depart.
Your route takes you first around the cluster of highrises where Tomoe-san resides, and from there the two of you make your way down the route to school. A once-over of the school grounds reveals nothing either. You suspect that Tomoe-san has already taken care of the Artist Witch. Even if she had, you aren't sure that the you of this timeline could face the witch that had once driven you so very close to suicide, before... Before Madoka saved you.
Tomoe-san attempts to make small-talk with you, but after so many timelines you aren't sure what to say back. You don't think that your responses have satisfied her, but she doesn't seem very concerned about pressing you to say more than you care to, either.
Continuing on from the school, your route takes you past Madoka's house. You can see Archer, standing vigil atop her roof, while inside Madoka and her family enjoy a normal evening together. You can see her at the dining room table doing her homework, while her father washes dinner's dishes and her mother plays with her younger brother.
You wish you could be there with her.
Tomoe-san must have noticed you staring; she turns, asking "Akemi-san, has something caught your eye about the family in that house?"
You nod, trying to fight back how much it hurts when you think of the many afternoons you spent with Madoka and her family in better times. "The daughter, the one with the pink hair in pigtails... She's the one that I like."
"Oh? That's Kaname-san?" Tomoe-san gives you a look. "Well then, we simply must stop by and pay her a visit!"
Before you can say no, Tomoe-san has dragged you in the direction of the front door and given it a knock. You can hear a feminine voice calling out "I"ll get it", before you are greeted at the door by Kaname Junko. She glances over the pair of you, still in your school uniforms, and says "Don't you girls think you're out a little late for a school night?"
Tomoe-san gives you a gentle nudge, compelling you with a "Go on, ask her." You swallow the lump in your throat.
"Ahh... Good afternoon, Kaname-san. Is... Is Madoka home?"
Kaname Junko's face softens, and she smiles before calling to her daughter "Madoka! Some friends from school are here to see you!"
You can hear Madoka racing to the door. You'd recognize her footsteps anywhere. Upon seeing you, her face lights up like a candle. "Oh! Homura-chan!" she says, as she wraps her arms around you. "What are you doing here?"
"We were just in the neighborhood, when Akemi-san mentioned that her good friend lived here." Tomoe-san answers for you. You don't mind. Just being close to Madoka is enough. "My name is Tomoe Mami; I'm sorry for dragging her away from you at lunch, and again after school, but I simply needed her help with something."
"Oh, no, it's okay." You can tell from Madoka's tone that it really isn't okay. "It's good to finally meet you, Tomoe-san."
"Likewise."
"Well, don't just stand there, come in on!" Kaname Junko motions for Tomoe-san and you to join her and Madoka. "Any friends of Madoka's are always welcome here."
Do you
[ ] Accept Junko's invitation to stay, just for a little while
[ ] Decline. You're sorry, but you should continue your patrol
[ ] Other (write-in)
?
NEW
Minor character unlocked!
Kaname Junko - Madoka's mother and breadwinner of the Kaname household. She works hard to provide a high standard of living for her family, but the stress of her job often causes her to drink in excess.
